Table of Contents

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What Is an Archangel?

An Archangel is an angel of the highest rank. The English word archangel comes from the Greek word archangelos, meaning “chief angel” or “principal messenger.”

In Christianity, Judaism, and several other Abrahamic traditions, archangels are viewed as powerful servants of God who carry out important divine missions. They announce God’s plans, protect His people, defeat evil, and assist in carrying out His will.

Although the Bible explicitly uses the singular title “the archangel” only for Michael (Jude 1:9), many Christian traditions recognize several other angels as archangels because of their prominent roles in Scripture and ancient religious writings.

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Where Does the Idea of Seven Archangels Come From?

The belief in seven archangels comes primarily from two ancient Jewish writings.

The strongest biblical support appears in the Book of Tobit, where Raphael introduces himself by saying:

“I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand in the glorious presence of the Lord, ready to serve him.” (Tobit 12:15)

The Book of Enoch, an ancient Jewish work not included in most biblical canons, also describes seven holy angels who watch over the world and carry out God’s judgments.

Because Tobit is accepted by Catholics and Orthodox Christians—but not by most Protestant churches—the doctrine of the Seven Archangels is understood differently among Christian traditions.

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Who Are the Seven Archangels?

While Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel appear consistently across many traditions, the remaining three differ depending on the church or ancient text being referenced.

Tradition	Seven Archangels
Catholic (traditional)	Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Chamuel, Jophiel, Zadkiel
Eastern Orthodox	Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jegudiel, Raguel
Ethiopian Orthodox	Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Sarathiel, Ananiel, Zadkiel
Book of Enoch	Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Remiel, Sarakael (Sariel)

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The Four Most Common Archangels

1. Michael – “Who Is Like God?”

Michael is the only angel explicitly called “the archangel” in the Bible (Jude 1:9).

He is portrayed as:

• Commander of God’s heavenly army
• Defender of God’s people
• Victor over Satan
• Protector against evil

The Book of Revelation describes Michael leading God’s angels against the dragon (Satan):

“Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” (Revelation 12:7–9 NIV)

Michael is often shown carrying a sword or spear and standing over the defeated dragon, symbolizing God’s ultimate victory over evil.

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2. Gabriel – “God Is My Strength”

Gabriel is God’s chief messenger.

He appears in Scripture to:

• Explain Daniel’s visions (Daniel 8–9)
• Announce the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah (Luke 1)
• Announce Jesus’ birth to Mary (Luke 1:26–38)

In the Book of Enoch, Gabriel is assigned the task of destroying the Nephilim before the Flood.

Gabriel is usually depicted carrying a scroll, trumpet, or lily, symbolizing divine revelation and God’s message to humanity.

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3. Raphael – “God Heals”

Raphael is best known from the Book of Tobit.

His responsibilities include:

• Healing Tobit’s blindness
• Protecting Tobias on his journey
• Driving away the demon Asmodeus

Raphael’s name means “God heals,” making him closely associated with healing and restoration.

In Christian tradition, Raphael is regarded as the patron of:

• Doctors
• Nurses
• Healthcare workers
• Travelers

The name also reminds many believers of God’s title Jehovah Rapha, “The Lord Who Heals.”

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4. Uriel – “Light of God”

Unlike Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Uriel is not mentioned in the Protestant Bible but appears in several ancient Jewish and Christian writings.

Uriel is associated with:

• Wisdom
• Divine light
• Knowledge
• Prophecy

He is commonly portrayed carrying:

• A flame
• A sword
• A scroll or book

The Book of Enoch describes Uriel as one of the holy angels who watches over the world.

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Comparison Table of the Four Most Recognized Archangels

Archangel	Meaning of Name	Primary Role	Main Sources
Michael	Who is like God?	Warrior, protector	Daniel, Jude, Revelation
Gabriel	God is my strength	Messenger	Daniel, Luke
Raphael	God heals	Healing and guidance	Tobit
Uriel	Light of God	Wisdom and illumination	Enoch, 2 Esdras, Christian tradition

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Different Churches Recognize Different Archangels

One reason lists of the Seven Archangels differ is that Christian denominations accept different collections of sacred writings.

• Protestant churches officially recognize only Michael and Gabriel by name in the canonical Bible. Raphael appears only in Tobit, which Protestants do not include in the Old Testament.
• Catholic Church recognizes Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael as the only angels officially named in the canon of Scripture, though historical traditions sometimes mention additional archangels.
• Eastern Orthodox churches preserve traditions naming Selaphiel, Jegudiel, and Raguel.
• Ethiopian Orthodox Church accepts the Book of Enoch and includes additional archangels such as Sarathiel and Ananiel.

Because of these differences, there is no single universally accepted list of seven archangels across all Christian traditions.

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Are All Seven Archangels Mentioned in the Bible?

No.

Only Michael and Gabriel are named in the Protestant Bible.

Raphael appears in the Book of Tobit, which is accepted by Catholic and Orthodox churches but is considered deuterocanonical (or apocryphal) by most Protestants.

Uriel and the remaining archangels are found primarily in ancient writings such as the Book of Enoch, 2 Esdras, and various church traditions rather than in the universally accepted biblical canon.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the Seven Archangels?

The most commonly recognized seven archangels are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, and three others whose identities vary depending on Christian tradition. Different churches include names such as Raguel, Selaphiel, Jegudiel, Zadkiel, Chamuel, Jophiel, Sarathiel, or Ananiel.

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Are all Seven Archangels mentioned in the Bible?

No. Only Michael and Gabriel appear in the Protestant canon by name. Raphael appears in Tobit, while Uriel and several others come from the Book of Enoch, 2 Esdras, and church tradition.

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Which churches recognize different archangels?

Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Ethiopian Orthodox churches each preserve slightly different traditions regarding the seven archangels because they recognize different biblical canons and ancient writings.

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What does the Book of Enoch say about the Seven Archangels?

The Book of Enoch identifies seven holy angels who watch over creation and carry out God’s judgments. These include Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Raguel, Remiel, and Sarakael (also called Sariel in some manuscripts). Although highly influential in early Judaism and Christianity, the Book of Enoch is considered canonical only by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

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Conclusion

The Seven Archangels occupy an important place in Jewish and Christian tradition, even though not all are named in every biblical canon. Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, and Uriel remain the most widely recognized, while the identities of the remaining three differ among ancient texts and Christian denominations.

Regardless of these differences, the central biblical message remains the same: angels are God’s servants, carrying out His will, protecting His people, and proclaiming His glory. The focus of Scripture is ultimately not on the angels themselves, but on the God whom they faithfully serve.