Bible Dictionary
Gabriel
Gabriel is an angel who stands in God’s presence and delivers His messages. He explained visions to Daniel and announced to Zacharias the birth of John the Baptist and to Mary the birth of Jesus.
Definition
Gabriel is the angel commissioned by God to deliver and explain significant messages. He explained visions to Daniel and announced the births of John the Baptist and Jesus.
Biblical Usage
Gabriel interpreted Daniel’s vision of the ram and he-goat and communicated the prophecy of the seventy weeks. In the New Testament he announced John’s birth to Zacharias and Jesus’ birth to Mary, describing himself as one who stands in God’s presence.
Historical Background
The name means “man of God.” Although Gabriel is commonly called an archangel, the supplied material notes that Scripture does not give him that title. Later Jewish writings also present him as one of the chief angels.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Champion of God, used as a proper name to designate the angel who was sent to Daniel (8:16) to explain the vision of the ram and the he-goat, and to communicate the prediction of the seventy weeks (Dan. 9:21-27). He announced also the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11), and of the Messiah (26). He describes himself in the words, “I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God” (1:19).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(man of God), an angel sent by God to announce to Zacharias the birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary the birth of Christ. He was also sent to Daniel to explain his visions. (Daniel 8:16; 9:21)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>ga'-bri-el (gabhri'-el, "Man of God"; Gabriel):</p><p>The name of the angel commissioned to explain to Daniel the vision of the ram and the he-goat, and to give the prediction of the 70 weeks (Da 8:16; 9:21).</p><p>In the New Testament he is the angel of the annunciation to Zacharias of the birth of John the Baptist, and to Mary of the birth of Jesus (Lu 1:19,26).</p><p>Though commonly spoken of as an archangel, he is not so called in Scripture. He appears in the Book of Enoch (chapters 9, 20, 40) as one of 4 (or 6) chief angels. He is "set over all powers," presents, with the others, the cry of departed souls for vengeance, is "set over the serpents, and over Paradise, and over the cherubim." He is prominent in the Jewish Targums, etc.</p><p>See ANGEL.</p><p>James Orr</p>