browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
more about angel
angel |
4 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Angel \An"gel\, n. [AS. [ae]ngel, engel, influenced by OF angele, angle, F. ange. Both the AS and the OF words are from L. angelus, Gr 'a`ggelos messenger, a messenger of God, an angel.] 1. A messenger. [R.] The dear good angel of the Spring, The nightingale. --B. Jonson 2. A spiritual, celestial being superior to man in power and intelligence. In the Scriptures the angels appear as God's messengers. O, welcome, pure-eyed Faith, white-handed Hope, Thou hovering angel, girt with golden wings. --Milton. 3. One of a class of ``fallen angels;'' an evil spirit; as the devil and his angels. 4. A minister or pastor of a church, as in the Seven Asiatic churches. [Archaic] Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write. --Rev. ii 1. 5. Attendant spirit; genius; demon. --Shak. 6. An appellation given to a person supposed to be of angelic goodness or loveliness; a darling. When pain and anguish wring the brow, A ministering angel thou. --Sir W. Scott. 7. (Numis.) An ancient gold coin of England, bearing the figure of the archangel Michael. It varied in value from 6s. 8d. to 10s. --Amer. Cyc. Note: Angel is sometimes used adjectively; as angel grace; angel whiteness. {Angel bed}, a bed without posts. {Angel fish}. (Zo["o]l.) a A species of shark ({Squatina angelus}) from six to eight feet long, found on the coasts of Europe and North America. It takes its name from its pectoral fins, which are very large and extend horizontally like wings when spread. b One of several species of compressed, bright colored fishes warm seas, belonging to the family {Ch[ae]todontid[ae]}. {Angel gold}, standard gold. [Obs.] --Fuller. {Angel shark}. See {Angel fish}. {Angel shot} (Mil.), a kind of chain shot. {Angel water}, a perfumed liquid made at first chiefly from angelica; afterwards containing rose, myrtle, and orange-flower waters, with ambergris, etc [Obs.] From WordNet r 1.6 [wn]: angel n 1: spiritual being attendant upon God 2: person of exceptional holiness [syn: {saint}, {holy man}, {holy person}] 3: invests in a theatrical production [syn: {backer}] 4: the highest waterfall; has more than one leap; flow varies seasonally [syn: {Angel}, {Angel Falls}] From The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (13 Mar 01) [foldoc]: AngelA single {address space}, {micro-kernel} {operating system} for {multiprocessor} computers, developed at {Imperial College} and {City University}, London, UK [Ariel Burton] (1995-11-24) From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary [easton]: Angel a word signifying, both in the Hebrew and Greek, a "messenger," and hence employed to denote any agent God sends forth to execute his purposes. It is used of an ordinary messenger (Job 1:14: 1 Sam. 11:3; Luke 7:24; 9:52), of prophets (Isa. 42:19; Hag. 1:13), of priests (Mal. 2:7), and ministers of the New Testament (Rev. 1:20). It is also applied to such impersonal agents as the pestilence (2 Sam. 24:16, 17; 2 Kings 19:35), the wind (Ps. 104:4). But its distinctive application is to certain heavenly intelligences whom God employs in carrying on his government of the world. The name does not denote their nature but their office as messengers. The appearances to Abraham at Mamre (Gen. 18:2, 22. Comp. 19:1), to Jacob at Peniel (Gen. 32:24, 30), to Joshua at Gilgal (Josh. 5:13, 15), of the Angel of the Lord, were doubtless manifestations of the Divine presence, "foreshadowings of the incarnation," revelations before the "fulness of the time" of the Son of God. (1.) The existence and orders of angelic beings can only be discovered from the Scriptures. Although the Bible does not treat of this subject specially, yet there are numerous incidental details that furnish us with ample information. Their personal existence is plainly implied in such passages as Gen. 16:7, 10, 11; Judg. 13:1-21; Matt. 28:2-5; Heb. 1:4, etc These superior beings are very numerous. "Thousand thousands," etc (Dan. 7:10; Matt. 26:53; Luke 2:13; Heb. 12:22, 23). They are also spoken of as of different ranks in dignity and power (Zech. 1:9, 11; Dan. 10:13; 12:1; 1 Thess. 4:16; Jude 1:9; Eph. 1:21; Col. 1:16). (2.) As to their nature, they are spirits (Heb. 1:14), like the soul of man, but not incorporeal. Such expressions as "like the angels" (Luke 20:36), and the fact that whenever angels appeared to man it was always in a human form (Gen. 18:2; 19:1, 10; Luke 24:4; Acts 1:10), and the titles that are applied to them ("sons of God," Job 1:6; 38:7; Dan. 3:25; comp. 28) and to men (Luke 3:38), seem all to indicate some resemblance between them and the human race. Imperfection is ascribed to them as creatures (Job 4:18; Matt. 24:36; 1 Pet. 1:12). As finite creatures they may fall under temptation; and accordingly we read of "fallen angels." Of the cause and manner of their fall" we are wholly ignorant. We know only that "they left their first estate" (Matt. 25:41; Rev. 12:7,9), and that they are "reserved unto judgement" (2 Pet. 2:4). When the manna is called "angels' food," this is merely to denote its excellence (Ps. 78:25). Angels never die (Luke 20:36). They are possessed of superhuman intelligence and power (Mark 13:32; 2 Thess. 1:7; Ps 103:20). They are called holy" (Luke 9:26), elect" (1 Tim. 5:21). The redeemed in glory are "like unto the angels" (Luke 20:36). They are not to be worshipped (Col. 2:18; Rev. 19:10). (3.) Their functions are manifold. a In the widest sense they are agents of God's providence (Ex. 12:23; Ps 104:4; Heb. 11:28; 1 Cor. 10:10; 2 Sam. 24:16; 1 Chr. 21:16; 2 Kings 19:35; Acts 12:23). b They are specially God's agents in carrying on his great work of redemption. There is no notice of angelic appearances to man till after the call of Abraham. From that time onward there are frequent references to their ministry on earth (Gen. 18; 19; 24:7, 40; 28:12; 32:1). They appear to rebuke idolatry (Judg. 2:1-4), to call Gideon (Judg. 6:11, 12), and to consecrate Samson (13:3). In the days of the prophets, from Samuel downward, the angels appear only in their behalf (1 Kings 19:5; 2 Kings 6:17; Zech. 1-6; Dan. 4:13, 23; 10:10, 13, 20, 21). The Incarnation introduces a new era in the ministrations of angels. They come with their Lord to earth to do him service while here They predict his advent (Matt. 1:20; Luke 1:26-38), minister to him after his temptation and agony (Matt. 4:11; Luke 22:43), and declare his resurrection and ascension (Matt. 28:2-8; John 20:12, 13; Acts 1:10, 11). They are now ministering spirits to the people of God (Heb. 1:14; Ps 34:7; 91:11; Matt. 18:10; Acts 5:19; 8:26; 10:3; 12:7; 27:23). They rejoice over a penitent sinner (Luke 15:10). They bear the souls of the redeemed to paradise (Luke 16:22); and they will be the ministers of judgement hereafter on the great day (Matt. 13:39, 41, 49; 16:27; 24:31). The passages (Ps. 34:7, Matt. 18:10) usually referred to in support of the idea that every individual has a particular guardian angel have no such meaning. They merely indicate that God employs the ministry of angels to deliver his people from affliction and danger, and that the angels do not think it below their dignity to minister even to children and to the least among Christ's disciples. The "angel of his presence" (Isa. 63:9. Comp. Ex 23:20, 21; 32:34; 33:2; Num. 20:16) is probably rightly interpreted of the Messiah as the guide of his people. Others have supposed the expression to refer to Gabriel (Luke 1:19).
more about angel