What are the Different Types of Angels in the Bible?

There are four types of angels in the Bible.

1. Seraphim

The seraphim are the least mentioned of the types of angels. They are only found in Isaiah. The prophet Isaiah tells of seeing the Lord sitting on his throne. Angels identified as seraphim were flying above him. When translated the word “seraphim” means “fiery or burning ones”. These angels are most noted for having six wings.

(Isaiah 6:2-3) Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

(Isaiah 6:6) Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.

2. Cherubim

Of the four types of angels in the Bible, the cherubim are mentioned the most. In (Ezekiel 10:20-21) they are described as having a head that has four faces, in addition to having four wings with what looks like human hands under their wings.

When Adam and Eve were drove from the Garden of Eden, God placed cherubim on the east side of the Garden to guard the way to the tree of life. (Genesis 3:24)

We find them mentioned numerous other times in the Scriptures including figures of cherubim being carved on the walls of the temple (2 Chronicles 3:7). The Bible even says God flew on a cherub when he heard David cry out in distress. (2 Samuel 22:7-11)

3. Archangels

The word archangel comes form the Greek word “archangelos”, which means “chief angel”. The only archangel directly named in the Bible is Michael. Two references are made to him in the New Testament.

(1 Thessalonians 4:16) For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

(Jude 1:9) But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

Michael The Warrior Archangel

Most people associate Michael with being a warrior angel.

(Revelation 12:7) Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.

(Daniel 10:13) But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.

(Daniel 12:1) At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise.

Gabriel The Messenger Archangel

While the Bible never directly calls Gabriel an archangel, most Christians consider him to be one. From reading the Scriptures, he appears to be the messenger archangel. He was sent to bring good news to both Zechariah and Mary. He came to give Daniel insight and instruction.

(Luke 1:19) The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.

(Luke 1:26) In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.

(Daniel 9:21-22) While I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. He instructed me and said to me, “Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding.

4. Fallen Angels (Satan and Demons)

Satan was at one time an anointed guardian cherub (Ezekiel 28:14). Because of his desire to raise himself above God he was cast down to earth (Isaiah 14:12-13), along with a third of the angels (Revelation 12:3-4). The former guardian cherub is now known as Satan (the devil), and the other fallen angels are referred to as demons.

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