In the Hebrew Bible, Gabriel appears to the prophet Daniel to explain his visions Daniel 8 —26, 9 — The archangel also appears in the Book of Enoch and other ancient Jewish writings not preserved in Hebrew. Alongside the archangel MichaelGabriel is described as the guardian angel of Israeldefending its people against the angels of the other nations.
Islam regards Gabriel as an archangel sent by God to various prophets, including Muhammad. The name Gabriel Hebrew: גַּבְרִיאֵל, Gaḇrīʾēl is composed of the first person singular possessive form of the Hebrew noun gever גֶּבֶרmeaning "man", and ʾĒl, meaning "God".
This would make the translation of the archangel's name "God is my man". The Zoroastrian "holy immortal" Amesha Spentas Vohu Manah or "good mind"played a similar role to Gabriel in Zoroastrianism, appearing to Zarathustra and revealing the true nature of God and his covenant with man.
Later the angel Michael also appears to him Daniel 1021, Daniel 12 ,1. These are the first instances of a named angel in the Bible. Gabriel's main Häst och Ridsport in Daniel is that of revealer, responsible for interpreting Daniel's visions, a role he continues to have in later traditions.
Gabriel, Hebrew : גַּבְרִיאֵלromanized : Gaḇrīʾēl is interpreted by Talmudic rabbis to be the "man in linen" mentioned in the Book of Daniel and the Book of Ezekiel. Talmudic Judaism understands the angel in the Book of Ezekiel, who was sent to destroy Jerusalemto be Gabriel.
According to the Jewish EncyclopediaGabriel takes the form of a man, and stands at the left hand of God. In the Kabbalistic traditionGabriel is identified with the sephirah of Yesod. Gabriel also has a prominent role as one of God's archangels in the Kabbalah literature.
There, Gabriel is portrayed as working in concert with Michael as part of God's court. Gabriel is not to be prayed to because only God can answer prayers and sends Gabriel as his agent. According to Jewish mythologyin the Garden of Eden there is a tree of life or the "tree of souls" [15] that blossoms and produces new soulswhich fall into the Gufthe Treasury of Souls.
Gabriel reaches into the treasury and takes out the first soul that comes into his hand. Then Lailahthe Angel of Conception, watches over the embryo until it is born. Gabriel's first appearance in the New Testamentconcerns the annunciation of the birth of John the Baptist.
John's father Zachariasa priest of the course of Abia, Luke —7 was childless because his wife Elisabeth was barren. An angel appears to Zacharias while he is Häst och Ridsport in the Temple, to announce the birth of his son. When Zacharias questions the angel, the angel gives his name as Gabriel:.
After completing his required week [17] of ministry, Zacharias returns to his home and his wife Elizabeth conceives. After she has completed five months of her pregnancy Luke —25Gabriel appears again, now to Mary, to announce the birth of Jesus:. And the angel departed from her.