Γαβριήλ (Gabriēl)
Gabriēl
Gabriel
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Gabriēl appears only twice in the New Testament, both within the Gospel of Luke (1:19, 26). It identifies the archangel who serves as a divine messenger, bridging the gap between heaven and earth to announce pivotal moments in salvation history.
Derived from Hebrew roots meaning "man of God" or "hero of God," the name reflects his role as a powerful agent of divine revelation. In Luke’s narrative, he first appears to Zechariah to announce the birth of John the Baptist, and later to Mary to proclaim the incarnation of Jesus.
His appearances are characterized by solemn authority and clarity. He does not merely deliver information but interprets God’s timing and purposes, establishing a pattern of angelic intervention that underscores the significance of the events he announces.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Gabriel means "man of God," and his two appearances in Luke’s Gospel show how God uses messengers to bring clarity during uncertain times. When he visited Zechariah, he explained why prayers were answered even when the timing seemed delayed. This reminds us that God hears every prayer, even when the answer requires patience.
Later, Gabriel appeared to Mary in Nazareth with a message that changed history. He did not just deliver news; he helped her understand the weight and hope of what was coming. His words grounded her in truth, showing that divine promises are reliable. In our own lives, we can trust that God’s plans are purposeful and good.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Gabriel2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Γαβριὴλ2×
Key Verses
-
Luke 1:19
The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news.
Gabriel identifies himself as standing in God's presence, emphasizing his role as a direct representative of divine authority.
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Luke 1:26
Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,
The mention of Gabriel being sent from God to Nazareth highlights the specific location and timing of the Incarnation announcement.