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 Michael , Gabriel is described as the guardian angel of the people of Israel , defending it against the angels of the other peoples. Islam regards Gabriel as an archangel sent by God to various prophets, including Muhammad.
This would make the translation of the archangel's name "man of God". Proclus of Constantinople , in his famous Homily 1, stated that the meaning of Gabriel's name prefigured that Jesus, whose birth was announced by Gabriel, would be both man and God.
Exposure to Zoroastrianism , with its intricate angelology and the concept of a cosmic struggle between good and evil, likely influenced this evolution. The striking similarities between "holy immortal" Amesha Spentas Vohu Manah or "good mind" and Gabriel's role as a messenger suggest a potential connection. This exposure to Zoroastrian angelology during the exile period may have played a part in shaping Gabriel's prominent role as a divine messenger in Judaism.
Later, in Daniel's final vision , an angel, not named but likely Gabriel again, appears to him and speaks of receiving help from prince Michael in battle against the demon prince of Persia Daniel , 21 and also Michael's role in times to come Daniel These are the first instances of a named angel in the Bible.
Gabriel's main function in Daniel is that of revealer, responsible for interpreting Daniel's visions, a role he continues to have in later traditions. Talmudic Judaism understands the angel in the Book of Ezekiel, who was sent to destroy Jerusalem , to be Gabriel. According to the Jewish Encyclopedia , Gabriel takes the form of a man, and stands at the left hand of God.
