What Does a Biblically Accurate Angel Look Like?

When you think of angels, you probably imagine beautiful beings with flowing white robes, gentle faces and perhaps a pair of wings. However, you might be surprised to learn that a biblically accurate angel can be a far cry from these modern depictions.

As the Bible describes them, these spiritual beings serve very specific roles in the celestial hierarchy and, therefore, they appear accordingly. Some are meant to be intimidating, while others are meant to be messengers of peace. As a result, biblically accurate angels can be both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

Here are several types of angels as the biblical texts describe them, revealing just how diverse these heavenly creatures can be.

6-winged Seraphim

The Seraphim are perhaps the most well-known among the biblical angels, thanks to the prophet Isaiah's heavenly vision. These angels have six wings and are spiritual beings that continually worship God, calling out their praise repeatedly.

The Book of Isaiah describes them this way:

With their powerful presence and the awe they inspire in Isaiah's recounting of their appearance, these beings with six wings represent just one of the many different forms angels take in the Bible.

4-faced Living Creatures

Ezekiel’s vision in the Old Testament introduces us to the somewhat bizarre imagery of four living creatures. The Bible describes the beings as moving straight forward, following the Spirit wherever He goes, with straight feet like those of a calf’s foot.

Each one has four faces — of a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle — and four wings.

The Book of Ezekiel states:

These four living creatures serve as part of God's chariot, showcasing the eldritch forms these spirit beings take in the Bible — forms meant to strike fear and awe in those who encounter them.

Sparkling Ophanim

Another striking vision from the Book of Ezekiel involves the Ophanim, sometimes also called the Thrones or the "four wheels" or the "wheels within wheels." While there's some debate as to whether or not the Ophanim are officially angels, it's clear these beings are associated with the heavenly throne.

Ezekiel describes the Ophanim as being beside the four living creatures and having the appearance of burnished brass or burnished bronze. According to biblical descriptions, they are also covered in eyes, and they move in all four directions. Ezekiel writes:

Protective Cherubim

Cherubim are another type of biblically accurate angels, which the Bible often depicts as guardians of holy places. The scriptures describe them as having four wings and four faces — human, lion, ox and eagle — similar to the living creatures in Ezekiel’s vision.

Their role is significant in biblical texts; for example, they guard the entrance to the Garden of Eden. The Book of Genesis states:

Unlike the serene, childlike figures that often appear in Renaissance art, the biblically accurate angels called Cherubim are powerful beings with a sometimes fearsome presence.

Human-like Angels

Not all the angels in the Bible take strange forms. Some biblical angels take on human-like appearances, with the scriptures often describing them as looking similar to men in white robes. These beings act as messengers from God, delivering divine messages to humans.

For example, when angels appear to Abraham, the Bible describes them as three men:

Although these angels are human-like in form, they are still spiritual beings, imbued with the power and authority of God. Abraham clearly feels this when he is struck by their appearance, feeling the urge to humble himself in their presence.

Beautiful Fallen Angels

Fallen angels, once part of the heavenly host, are beings God has cast out of heaven due to their rebellion. These spirit beings, now corrupted, stand in stark contrast to the other angels who continue to serve and worship God.

The most famous of these fallen angels is Lucifer, whom the Bible depicts as a beautiful yet prideful angel who sought to usurp God’s throne. The Book of Ezekiel describes Lucifer before his fall as "the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty" (Ezekiel 28:12). The scriptures continue:

After Lucifer's fall from grace, Isaiah summarizes the tragedy: "How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn!" (Isaiah 14:12)

Triumphant Archangels

The Bible also speaks of Archangels, who are high-ranking messengers within the celestial hierarchy. The Archangels, though similar in appearance to human-like angels, carry an even greater sense of authority and power.

As a result, artists have often depicted Archangels with more grandeur, sometimes with swords or trumpets, symbolizing their role as God's primary warriors and heralds.

Two of the best-known Archangels from the Bible include Michael and Gabriel. Michael leads the many angels of the heavens in the final battle against Satan in the Book of Revelation, and the scriptures suggest Michael appears as a warrior angel:

The Archangel Gabriel announces the birth of Jesus to the Virgin Mary. Although the Bible isn't specific about Gabriel's appearance, it must be impressive, if not a little intimidating, for Mary to be so visibly fearful after the angel introduces himself. The Book of Luke states:

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.

Original article: What Does a Biblically Accurate Angel Look Like?

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