What Do Angels Really Look Like?
The Bible vs Popular Portrayals
When we think of angels, we often picture glowing, human-like figures with flowing robes, feathery wings, and gentle faces—images shaped by centuries of art and modern media. However, the Bible’s descriptions of angels tell a much more awe-inspiring and otherworldly story. These heavenly beings are not only powerful but often appear in forms that defy human imagination.
For instance, the Seraphim, described in Isaiah 6:2, are fiery beings with six wings: “Above it stood the seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.” These angels continuously worship God, crying out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!” Their fiery, radiant nature emphasizes the majesty and holiness of God.
The Cherubim, often misunderstood as cherubic children, are far from soft or small. In Ezekiel 10, they are described as having four faces—that of a human, a lion, an ox, and an eagle—symbolizing intelligence, power, service, and swiftness. They also possess four wings and are covered in eyes: “And their whole body, with their back, their hands, their wings, and the wheels that the four had, were full of eyes all around” (Ezekiel 10:12). The Cherubim guard sacred spaces, such as the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24) and the Ark of the Covenant.
Even more mysterious are the Ophanim, or “wheels,” described in Ezekiel 1:16-18. These beings appear as glowing, fiery wheels covered in eyes that move in perfect harmony: “The appearance of the wheels and their workings was like the color of beryl, and all four had the same likeness... Their rims were full of eyes, all around the four of them.” The Ophanim reflect God’s omnipresence and divine authority.
In contrast, when angels appear as messengers of God, such as those who visited Abraham (Genesis 18) or the shepherds at Jesus’ birth (Luke 2:9-14), they often take on human-like forms. Yet their presence is still so awe-inspiring that they must reassure people with the words, “Do not be afraid.”
These biblical descriptions reveal that angels are far more powerful and extraordinary than the soft, winged figures we often see in paintings or movies. They are messengers, worshippers, and divine warriors, reflecting the glory, majesty, and mystery of God. By looking to Scripture, we gain a deeper understanding of these heavenly beings and their roles in God’s creation.
