גַּבְרִיאֵל
Gabriel, an archangel
Definition
Gabriel is an archangel whose name means 'man of God' or 'God is my strength.' In the Old Testament, he appears exclusively in the book of Daniel as a divine messenger who interprets visions for the prophet. In Daniel 8:16, he is commanded to help Daniel understand a vision concerning the end times. In Daniel 9:21-23, he arrives during Daniel's prayer to provide the famous prophecy of the 'seventy weeks,' offering insight and wisdom about Israel's future.
Biblical Usage
Gabriel is used only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the book of Daniel. He functions specifically as an interpreting angel, sent to explain complex prophetic visions to Daniel. His appearances are in highly charged apocalyptic contexts, where he bridges the divine and human realms to communicate God's plans. For example, in Daniel 8:16, he is called to explain the vision of the ram and goat, and in Daniel 9:21-23, he provides a timeline for Jerusalem's restoration.
Etymology
The name Gabriel (גַּבְרִיאֵל) is a compound of two Hebrew elements: גֶּבֶר (gever, H1397), meaning 'man' or 'strong man,' and אֵל (el, H410), meaning 'God.' Thus, the name translates to 'man of God' or 'God is my strength.' It is a theophoric name, common in Semitic cultures, where a divine name (El) is incorporated to signify a relationship with or strength from God.
Semantic Range
Gabriel is a key figure in biblical angelology, representing God's direct communication and revelation to humanity. His role in Daniel establishes him as an interpreter of eschatological prophecy, which later connects to his New Testament appearances announcing the births of John the Baptist and Jesus (Luke 1). Understanding the Hebrew name emphasizes his function as God's empowered messenger, highlighting themes of divine sovereignty, revelation, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan across Scripture.
In ancient Israelite and broader Near Eastern culture, angels like Gabriel were understood as supernatural envoys of God, often appearing in human form to deliver messages or execute divine will. Unlike some later Jewish and Christian traditions that developed complex angelic hierarchies, the Old Testament presents Gabriel simply as a designated messenger for specific, weighty revelations, particularly in apocalyptic literature where interpreting dreams and visions was crucial.
מִיכָאֵל (Mikha'el, H4317) — Michael, another archangel, depicted more as a warrior prince protecting Israel (Daniel 10:13, 21; 12:1), whereas Gabriel is a messenger and interpreter.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →