Throughout history, across multiple religious traditions, seven archangels have stood as powerful symbols of divine protection, guidance, and healing.
But who are these celestial beings? What do their names mean? And how do different traditions view them?
While most people know Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael—the three archangels mentioned in the Bible—many traditions speak of seven archangels who stand before the throne of God. The Book of Tobit explicitly states this when Raphael declares: “I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord” (Tobit 12:15) .
This complete guide explores the 7 archangels names and meanings across various traditions—from Catholic and Orthodox Christianity to Jewish and Ethiopian Orthodox sources. Whether you’re seeking spiritual insight or simply curious about these powerful heavenly beings, you’ll find everything here.
What Are Archangels?
Before diving into specific 7 archangels names and meanings, let’s understand what archangels are.
Archangels are among the nine choirs of angels in traditional angelology: Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Principalities, Powers, Virtues, Archangels, and Angels. Despite being relatively low in this hierarchy by nature, archangels are the ones most involved with humanity because they are ministering spirits “sent to serve those who will inherit salvation” .
Note on Names: All archangel names in Hebrew end with “el” (אל), which means “God.” Michael means “Who is like God?”, Gabriel means “God is my strength,” Raphael means “God heals,” and Uriel means “Fire of God” or “Light of God” .
Where Does the Number Seven Come From?
The tradition of seven archangels comes primarily from two sources:
The Book of Revelation also mentions “seven spirits” or “seven angels” before God’s throne, reinforcing the number seven as symbolizing completeness and divine perfection.
In 745 A.D., during the Council of Rome, Pope Saint Zachary and the Catholic Church officially recognized only three archangels by name: Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. The Church recognizes these three archangels because Sacred Scripture includes only these names in its canonical books. The Church rejects the naming of other angels from apocryphal sources to prevent potential abuses and discourage angel worship.
Archangels in the Catholic Tradition
The Catholic Church formally recognizes three archangels by name, while acknowledging that there are seven who stand before God.
Saint Michael (Who is like God?)
Michael’s name is a battle cry—both shield and weapon. He is the only angel explicitly called “Archangel” in Scripture (Jude 9) .
The Book of Daniel identifies Michael as “one of the chief princes” (Daniel 10:13) and describes him as “the great prince who stands for the children of your people” (Daniel 12:1). The Book of Revelation portrays Michael as the commander of God’s heavenly army and shows him leading the battle against the dragon and his angels. Revelation records, “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven” (Revelation 12:7–8). Through these passages, Scripture presents Michael as a powerful protector, a defender of God’s people, and the leader of the heavenly hosts.
Michael as Guardian of the Church:
Traditionally, Michael was the Guardian Angel of the people of Israel, and is now revered as the Guardian Angel of the Catholic Church .
“St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.”
Apparitions of St. Michael:
- According to Christian tradition, Michael appeared on Mount Gargano between approximately 492 and 496 A.D. After the apparition, believers erected a shrine inside the cave where the event reportedly occurred. Christians commemorate this appearance each year on May 8.
- St. Joan of Arc: Michael appeared to St. Joan of Arc, encouraging her to lead the French forces during the Hundred Years War .
- Our Lady of Fatima (1917): Michael appeared to the three children at Fatima, bringing them Holy Communion .
Saint Gabriel (God is my strength)
Gabriel’s name can be translated as “Strength of God,” “Hero of God,” or “God has shown Himself Mighty” .
Gabriel in Scripture:
- To Daniel: Gabriel appeared to explain a vision from God (Daniel 8 and 9)
- To Zechariah: He announced the birth of John the Baptist (Luke 1:11-20)
- To Mary: He announced the birth of Jesus at the Annunciation (Luke 1:26-38)
Luke 1:19 records Gabriel identifying himself and explaining his mission: “I am Gabriel, who stand before God, and am sent to speak to thee, and to bring thee these good tidings.” Through these words, Gabriel reveals that he serves in God’s presence and delivers God’s messages to humanity.
Additional Roles: Tradition indicates that Gabriel was also the angel who appeared to St. Joseph in his dreams (Matthew 1-2) and was the Guardian Angel of Jesus and the Holy Family . Pope Pius XII proclaimed Gabriel the patron of all communications arts, particularly television .
Gabriel in Islam: Muslims believe it was the angel Gabriel (Jibril) who gave the Prophet Muhammad the revelations of the Qur’an .
Saint Raphael (God heals)
Raphael in the Book of Tobit: Raphael plays a pivotal role in the Book of Tobit, guiding Tobias on his journey, healing Tobit’s blindness, and driving away the demon Asmodeus.
At the end of the journey, Raphael reveals his true identity:
“I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord.” (Tobit 12:15)
The Healing Angel: Raphael’s name comes from the Hebrew word “rophe” meaning “to heal” . Traditionally, he is revered as the Archangel of Healing and may be the angel alluded to in John 5:2-4, which describes an angel stirring the waters of the pool of Bethesda to heal the sick .
Raphael as Guardian Angel: The Book of Tobit provides the clearest biblical example of a guardian angel. Raphael accompanies, protects, and guides Tobias throughout his journey, serving as the model for the Church’s teaching on guardian angels .
Archangels in the Eastern Orthodox Tradition
The Eastern Orthodox Church venerates seven archangels (and sometimes an eighth) .
| Archangel | Name Meaning | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Michael | Who is like God | Commander of heavenly hosts |
| Gabriel | God is my strength | Divine messenger |
| Raphael | God heals | Healer and guide |
| Uriel | Fire/Light of God | Illumination, wisdom |
| Selaphiel (Salathiel) | Prayer of God | Intercessor, leads prayers |
| Jegudiel (Jehudiel) | Glorifier of God | Reward for good works |
| Barachiel | Blessing of God | Distributor of blessings |
The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates all archangels together on November 8 — the Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers.
Uriel (Fire of God)
Uriel is described as the angel who warned Noah about the upcoming flood and is sometimes called the angel of wisdom or the angel of truth . In apocryphal sources, he is God’s regent over Sheol/Hades (the underworld) .
Selaphiel (Prayer of God)
Selaphiel’s name means “Prayer of God.” He is believed to lead humanity in prayer and intercede before God. In icons, he is often depicted with hands folded in prayer or holding an incense censer .
Jegudiel (Glorifier of God)
The name Jegudiel means “Glorifier of God.” Christian tradition associates Jegudiel with rewarding people who persevere in good works and remain faithful to their duties. Religious icons often depict him holding a crown to symbolize reward and a whip to represent discipline.
Barachiel (Blessing of God)
Barachiel’s name means “Blessing of God.” He is the distributor of God’s blessings, especially to families. In icons, he is often depicted with roses or bread, symbols of blessing .
Archangels in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tradition
The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which considers the Book of Enoch canonical, follows its list of seven archangels .
According to 1 Enoch Chapter 20, the seven archangels are:
The Four Principal Archangels
Western Christian tradition often recognizes four principal archangels, even though Catholic doctrine officially names only three. Writers such as John Milton in Paradise Lost and Joost van den Vondel in Lucifer included these four archangels in their works.
Symbols and Attributes of the Archangels
In religious art, each archangel is traditionally depicted with specific symbols:
Attire: In art, archangels are often depicted wearing blue cloaks—a symbol of protection, power, faith, courage, and strength .
Archangels in Art and Literature
Artists and writers have featured the archangels prominently in art and literature for centuries.
John Milton’s Paradise Lost (1667): Milton incorporated Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel in his epic poem about the fall of Lucifer .
Artistic Depictions:
- Many churches display mosaics that show Michael slaying the dragon, as described in Revelation 12:7–9.
- Artists frequently depict Gabriel holding a lily, which symbolizes Mary’s purity, and a banner bearing the words “Ave Maria” (“Hail Mary”). Artists often portray Raphael alongside Tobias and the fish from the Book of Tobit. Renaissance artists included the Seven Angels in religious artwork, including Last Judgment by Orcagna.
How to Pray to the Archangels
Many Christian denominations encourage prayer to the archangels, asking for their intercession and protection.
Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel:
“St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil…”
Invoking Archangels for Specific Needs:
| Need | Archangel to Invoke | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Michael | He is the defender against evil |
| Healing | Raphael | His name means “God heals” |
| Communication | Gabriel | The divine messenger |
| Wisdom/Understanding | Uriel | The light/fire of God |
| Prayer support | Selaphiel | Leads prayers before God |
| Blessings | Barachiel | Distributes divine blessings |
| Justice | Raguel | Friend of God, angel of justice |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are there exactly seven archangels?
The Bible does not explicitly list seven archangels by name. Tobit 12:15 refers to Raphael as “one of the seven angels,” and Revelation 8:2 mentions seven angels standing before God. Different religious traditions identify different archangels within this group.
Q. Why do some churches recognize only three archangels?
The Catholic Church officially recognizes only Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael because the canonical Bible names only these three archangels. Pope Zachary and later popes discouraged Christians from assigning names to other angels not mentioned in Scripture to prevent abuses and excessive devotion.
Q. Is Lucifer an archangel?
Christian tradition identifies Lucifer, or Satan, as a high-ranking angel who rebelled against God and fell from grace. Some traditions describe him as a fallen archangel, but no Christian tradition includes him among the seven holy archangels.
Q. What does “el” at the end of archangel names mean?
The Hebrew word “El” means “God.” Archangel names include “el” because they reflect a connection to God. For example, Michael means “Who is like God?”, Gabriel means “God is my strength,” and Raphael means “God heals.”
Q. Which archangel is the most powerful?
Christian tradition generally regards Michael as the chief of the archangels and the commander of God’s heavenly armies. Many believers also refer to him as the Prince of the Heavenly Host.
Q. What is the Feast of the Archangels?
Western Christians celebrate the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, also known as Michaelmas, on September 29. This feast honors Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
Q. Is Uriel mentioned in the Bible?
The canonical Hebrew Bible and New Testament do not mention Uriel. However, texts such as 2 Esdras and the Book of Enoch include references to him, and some Christian traditions recognize these writings.
Q. Which archangel is associated with healing?
Raphael serves as the archangel of healing. His name means “God heals,” and the Book of Tobit presents him as a guide, protector, and healer.
Final Takeaway
The 7 archangels names and meanings represent one of the most fascinating aspects of angelology across multiple religious traditions.
Three Things to Remember
- The canonical Bible names only three archangels—Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Religious traditions and apocryphal texts such as Tobit and Enoch provide the other archangel names.
- Different traditions list different archangels — Eastern Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, and Coptic traditions each have their own lists, with variations in names and roles .
- All archangel names end with “el” — the Hebrew word for God, reflecting their divine mission and connection to the Almighty .
Quick Reference Card
| Archangel | Name Meaning | Primary Role | Tradition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael | Who is like God | Warrior, protector | All traditions |
| Gabriel | God is my strength | Messenger, revelation | All traditions |
| Raphael | God heals | Healer, guide | All traditions |
| Uriel | Fire/Light of God | Wisdom, light | Orthodox, Anglican |
| Selaphiel | Prayer of God | Prayer leader | Eastern Orthodox |
| Jegudiel | Glorifier of God | Rewarder | Eastern Orthodox |
| Barachiel | Blessing of God | Blessings | Eastern Orthodox |
| Raguel | Friend of God | Justice | Ethiopian, Enoch |
| Remiel | Thunder of God | Resurrection | Ethiopian, Enoch |
| Sariel | Command of God | Over sin | Ethiopian, Enoch |
Lillian Hayes is a content writer focused on explaining meanings and language in a simple and clear way. She creates easy-to-understand content that helps readers learn and communicate better.
