The angel Gabriel is mentioned four times in the Bible. Gabriel means “man of God” or “strong man of God” per Strong’s Concordance. Twice Gabriel is noted by the Old Testament prophet Daniel. His announcements focus on the end times in Daniel.
And two times Gabriel is observed in the New Testament by the physician Luke. Gabriel brings an announcement to humanity regarding the pending births of John the Baptist and Jesus.
Gabriel speaks to 3 people in the Bible: Daniel, Zechariah the priest, and the virgin Mary. In every case, Gabriel’s message from the throne of God tells of the promise of the Messiah.
Most of what is attributed to Gabriel is mentioned in the book of Enoch. If one includes the time from Enoch to the birth of Jesus, his career spans at least 3,500 years???
Yes, the book of Enoch is an extra biblical source. Take it for what it is worth to the individual reader. Gabriel is a messenger from God. He is not to be worshiped.
Enoch 10:9 And to Gabriel said the Lord: ‘Proceed against the bastards and the reprobates, and against the children of fornication: and destroy (the children of fornication and) the children of the Watchers from amongst men (and cause them to go forth): send them one against the other that they may destroy each other in battle: for length of days shall they not have.
For those who are not familiar, the “Watchers” would be the fallen angels who mingled with human women. The result was a hybrid race of giants. This concept of giants is documented in Genesis in the pre flood world. Gabriel does not appear to be a promoter of sexual promiscuity.
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The responsibilities of Gabriel are noted in the verse below. This would mean Gabriel is over the anointed cherub Satan and his minions.
Enoch 20:7 Gabriel, one of the holy angels, who is over Paradise and the serpents and the Cherubim.
Enoch was having a conversation with an angel. He inquired as to the names of four specific angels. The angel of peace revealed the following information.
Enoch 40:9 And he said to me: ‘This first is Michael, the merciful and long-suffering: and the second, who is set over all the diseases and all the wounds of the children of men, is Raphael: and the third, who is set over all the powers, is Gabriel: and the fourth, who is set over the repentance unto hope of those who inherit eternal life, is named Phanuel.’ And these are the four angels of the Lord of Spirits and the four voices I heard in those days.
The commentaries of Gabriel being over all Cherubim, serpents and powers, brings the verse below to mind.
Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
It seems plausible that God (Father, Son, and Spirit) dispatches Gabriel on our behalf against the dark forces of this world.
In the final analysis…
Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
