Here's What Angels Actually Look Like According to the Bible

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   Angels called Malakim can take on the appearance of men. Malakim, or malachim, means “messengers” and “angels” in Hebrew. They’re depicted as messenger angels who spread God’s word; the archangels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael are all malakim. In the Bible, malakim in their physical forms resemble male humans—and sometimes, the mortals who see them don’t immediately recognize them as angels. ^[7]

   • Mark 16:5: “As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.”
   • Daniel 10:5-6: “I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. His body was like beryl, his face like the appearance of lightning, his eyes like flaming torches, his arms and legs like the gleam of burnished bronze, and the sound of his words like the sound of a multitude.”
   • Joshua 5:13: “Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, ‘Are you for us or for our enemies?’”
   • Genesis 18:2: “Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground.”
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   The Bible doesn’t describe humanoid angels as having wings. Although many famous works of medieval art portray angels as winged men, it’s actually unclear if biblical angels that took on a human-like appearance in visions actually had wings; their descriptions don’t mention wings of any kind. The only angelic creatures depicted with wings are cherubim and seraphim! ^[8]
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   Angels are depicted as clothed and able to eat in human form. Whenever angels appear with human features, they’re also wearing clothes —often brightly-colored or white garments. They can also eat food, as described in Genesis (although, as spirits, it’s believed that angels don’t need to eat to survive the way humans do). For example: ^[9]

   • Genesis 18:8: “Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.”
   • Luke 24:4: “While they were perplexed about this thing, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them.”
   • Acts 1:10: “They were looking intently up into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.”
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1. 1
   Angels are spirit beings that can adopt physical forms. Because they’re spirits, angels are believed to manifest in many different forms—to the extent that it’s difficult to say for sure what a biblically accurate angel looks like. Although the Bible contains a few descriptions, they’re vague enough that an angel’s true appearance can be interpreted in different ways. ^[10]

   • If nothing else, the Bible affirms that angels are mysterious, otherworldly, and awe-inspiring.
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   Angels are messengers and warriors who spread God’s word. According to the Bible, angels are servants of God who often deliver messages to humans. They tend to appear and speak to people when God has an important lesson to convey or news to share—although, as warriors, they also issue warnings and carry out God’s justice when commanded to. ^[11]

   • Luke 1:19: “The angel said to him, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.”
   • Hebrews 1:14: "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"
   • Psalm 48:49: “He unleashed against them his hot anger, his wrath, indignation and hostility— a band of destroying angels."
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   Angels are protectors and guardians. Ever heard of a “guardian angel?” Many people who believe in angels take comfort in the thought that they’re watching over humanity. The idea that some angels serve as protectors is addressed in the Bible—in verses from Exodus and Genesis, for example. ^[12]

   • Exodus 14:19-20: “Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel's army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them, coming between the armies of Egypt and Israel.”
   • Genesis 48:16: “The Angel who has delivered me from all harm—may he bless these boys. May they be called by my name and the names of my fathers Abraham and Isaac, and may they increase greatly on the earth."
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   Angels direct all praise and worship to God. Throughout the Bible, angels are often depicted as kind and loyal beings. Two exceptions mentioned in the Bible are Gabriel confronting Zechariah for unbelief in Luke 1 and the destruction of Sodom in Genesis 18. In any biblical story in which someone sees an angel and starts to worship them, the angel instead tells them to give that praise to God—despite the fact that they’re portrayed as majestic beings with a striking, commanding appearance. ^[13]
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1. Seven notable archangels are associated with specific colors. The majority of angels don't have any sort of set color or color palette in the Bible or other religious texts. However, it’s believed that the 7 archangels are each represented by a different color (or light ray). ^[14]

   • Red represents the archangel Remiel also called Ophaniel.
   • Orange represents the archangel Gabriel.
   • Yellow represents the archangel Raguel.
   • Green represents the archangel Uriel.
   • Blue represents the archangel Michael.
   • Indigo represents the archangel Sariel also called Saraqael.
   • Purple represents the archangel Raphael.

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