Brief Overview of Γαβριήλ (G1043: Gabriēl)

Transliteration and Meaning:
The Greek word Γαβριήλ (Gabriēl), pronounced gab-ree-EL, is the transliteration of a Hebrew name that means “God is my strength” or “man of God.” The name is a combination of two Hebrew words: gabar (גָּבַר), meaning “to be strong” or “to prevail,” and El (אֵל), which is a common Semitic word for God. In biblical tradition, Gabriēl is one of the archangels, a messenger of God who plays a significant role in delivering divine messages to key figures in both the Old and New Testaments.

Lexical Insights and Biblical Usage:
According to BDAG (Bauer, Danker, Arndt, and Gingrich), Gabriēl is a proper noun referring to the archangel Gabriel, who serves as a divine messenger in biblical literature. Thayer’s Lexicon echoes this definition, noting that Gabriēl is specifically associated with delivering messages from God, particularly those involving significant events in salvation history. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance identifies Gabriēl as an archangel, emphasizing his role as a messenger of God.

The name Gabriēl appears four times in the Bible, twice in the Old Testament and twice in the New Testament. In the Old Testament, Gabriel appears to the prophet Daniel to explain visions concerning the end times (Daniel 8:16; 9:21). In the New Testament, Gabriel announces the birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah (Luke 1:19) and the birth of Jesus to Mary (Luke 1:26-27). These passages highlight Gabriel’s role as a bearer of divine revelation and a key figure in the unfolding of God’s plan for humanity.

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Classical Greek Usage:
While the name Gabriēl itself is not found in classical Greek literature, the concept of divine messengers or angels is prevalent in both Jewish and early Christian texts. For instance, the Jewish historian Josephus mentions angels as intermediaries between God and humans, emphasizing their role in delivering divine messages.

1. The Book of Enoch, a Jewish apocryphal text, also mentions Gabriel as one of the four archangels, highlighting his role as a messenger and warrior of God.
2. The Dead Sea Scrolls, particularly the War Scroll, refer to Gabriel as a leader in the heavenly armies, further underscoring his significance in Jewish angelology.
3. Early Christian writings, such as those of the Church Fathers, often reference Gabriel in discussions of angelology and the annunciation to Mary, indicating his continued importance in early Christian thought.

Summary:
The name Γαβριήλ (Gabriēl) is a significant term in both Jewish and Christian traditions, representing one of the most important archangels in biblical literature. Derived from the Hebrew words meaning “God is my strength” or “man of God,” Gabriēl serves as a divine messenger in key biblical events, such as the annunciations to Daniel, Zechariah, and Mary. Lexical sources like BDAG and Thayer’s Lexicon highlight Gabriēl as a proper noun referring to this archangel, emphasizing his role as a bearer of divine revelation. While the name Gabriēl is unique to biblical texts and does not appear in classical Greek literature, the concept of divine messengers is well-attested in both Jewish and early Christian writings. This overview underscores Gabriēl‘s crucial role in salvation history and his enduring significance in both religious traditions.