of Hebrew origin (גַּבְרִיאֵל); Gabriel, an archangel:--Gabriel.
Transliteration:Gabriḗl
Pronunciation:gab-ree-ale'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek name Γαβριήλ (Gabriḗl, `{{G1043}}`) is derived directly from the Hebrew גַּבְרִיאֵל (Gavri'el, `{{H1403}}`). The name is a compound of two elements: גֶּבֶר (gever), meaning "strong man," "hero," or "warrior" (related to `{{H1397}}` or `{{H1399}}`), and אֵל (El), meaning "God" (`{{H410}}`). Thus, the name Γαβριήλ fundamentally means "God is my strength," "Man of God," or "Hero of God." Semantically, it conveys a sense of divine power, authority, and close association with the divine will, reflecting the character and role of this celestial being as a powerful messenger and agent of God's purposes.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Gabriel appears by name in both the Old and New Testaments, consistently in the role of a divine messenger delivering highly significant revelations.
In the Old Testament, Gabriel is found in the book of Daniel:
* [[Daniel 8:16]]: He is commanded by a voice from the Ulai to "make this man understand the vision." Here, Gabriel functions as an interpreter of complex prophetic visions concerning the future of kingdoms and the end times.
* [[Daniel 9:21]]: He flies swiftly to Daniel at the time of the evening sacrifice, bringing understanding and insight regarding the prophecy of the seventy weeks, which points to the coming of the Messiah. His swift arrival underscores the urgency and divine origin of the message.
In the New Testament, Gabriel plays a pivotal role in the Gospel of Luke:
* [[Luke 1:19]]: He appears to Zechariah in the Temple to announce the miraculous birth of John the Baptist. He identifies himself with the profound statement, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news." This self-identification highlights his unique and exalted status among angelic beings, indicating direct access to the divine throne room. When Zechariah expresses doubt, Gabriel silences him as a sign of the truth of his words and a consequence of disbelief.
* [[Luke 1:26]]: Six months later, Gabriel is sent by God to Nazareth to the virgin Mary to announce the most significant event in human history: the miraculous conception and birth of Jesus, the Son of God. This annunciation (the Annunciation) is the climax of his biblical appearances, linking him directly to the Incarnation.
Across these occurrences, Gabriel's function is consistently one of delivering crucial, future-oriented divine messages, often involving the unfolding of God's redemptive plan and the coming of the Messiah. His presence always signifies a moment of profound theological importance.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **Angel (ἄγγελος, `{{G32}}`):** Gabriel is explicitly identified as an angel. While the New Testament only names Michael as an "archangel" (ἀρχάγγελος, `{{G743}}` in [[Jude 1:9]]), Gabriel's self-description as one who "stands in the presence of God" and the supreme importance of his messages strongly imply an archangelic or similarly exalted status among the heavenly host.
* **Divine Messenger:** This is Gabriel's primary role. He serves as a direct conduit for God's communication to humanity, particularly concerning His will, plans, and prophetic insights. This relates to the Hebrew concept of *mal'akh* (מַלְאָךְ, `{{H4397}}`), which can mean both "messenger" and "angel."
* **Revelation:** Gabriel is an agent of divine revelation, unveiling aspects of God's plan that were previously hidden or unclear. His messages are always revelatory in nature, providing insight into future events and God's purposes.
* **Prophecy:** Especially in Daniel, Gabriel is deeply involved in interpreting and delivering prophetic messages concerning the future of Israel and the nations, culminating in the timeline leading to the Messiah.
* **Divine Presence:** His declaration in [[Luke 1:19]] signifies an intimate relationship with God, suggesting a unique privilege and authority derived from direct access to the divine presence.
### Theological Significance
Gabriel's appearances are not merely incidental but are deeply significant for understanding God's active involvement in human history and His plan of salvation.
* **God's Communicative Nature:** Gabriel's role powerfully demonstrates that God is a God who communicates with humanity. He does not remain silent but actively reveals His will, His plans, and His love through His chosen messengers.
* **Pivotal Moments in Salvation History:** Gabriel consistently appears at crucial junctures in redemptive history. His messages mark the transition from the period of the exile to the expectation of the Messiah (Daniel), the announcement of the Forerunner (John the Baptist), and most significantly, the Incarnation of the Son of God (Jesus Christ). His presence signals that God is bringing about a new and decisive phase of His plan.
* **Divine Sovereignty and Order:** Gabriel's ability to stand in God's presence and deliver such weighty messages highlights God's sovereign control over all things, including the use of celestial beings to accomplish His purposes in an orderly fashion.
* **The Incarnation:** Gabriel's annunciation to Mary is central to Christian theology. He is the divine herald of the greatest miracle—God becoming man—thereby directly linking him to the core mystery of the Christian faith.
* **Consequences of Unbelief:** His immediate silencing of Zechariah ([[Luke 1:20]]) underscores the gravity of God's word delivered through His messenger and the consequences of doubt in the face of divine truth, contrasting sharply with Mary's humble acceptance.
### Summary
Gabriel (Γαβριήλ, `{{G1043}}`), meaning "God is my strength," is a highly significant angelic figure in biblical narrative. Consistently portrayed as a divine messenger of supreme importance, he appears in Daniel to interpret complex prophecies concerning the Messiah and the end times, and in Luke to announce the births of John the Baptist and, most profoundly, Jesus Christ. His self-identification as one who "stands in the presence of God" underscores his exalted status and unique access to the divine. Gabriel's appearances mark pivotal moments in salvation history, revealing God's active communication, His sovereign plan, and the unfolding of His redemptive purposes through His chosen celestial agents. He embodies the swiftness, authority, and revelatory nature of God's direct engagement with humanity.
TRV