If you’ve ever pictured an angel as a chubby baby with wings or a glowing figure in a white robe, you might be surprised at what the Bible actually says. Scripture paints a much more complex unexpected picture. So, do angels look like people? The answer is: sometimes yes, sometimes no.

Angels Who Look Like People

In several places, angels appear just like ordinary humans. In Genesis 18, Abraham welcomes three visitors who appear as men but are later revealed to be the Lord and two angels. In Genesis 19, the angels who visit Lot in Sodom are described simply as “two men.” Hebrews 13:2 even tells us, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Clearly, angels can take on human appearance.

Angels Who Don’t Look Human at All

But other times, angels look nothing like us. Isaiah 6 describes angels called “seraphim” which have six wings – two covering their faces, two covering their feet, and two used to fly. Ezekiel 1 gives us an even wilder description of cherubim: four faces (human, lion, ox, eagle), four wings, and something like fire and lightning flashing between them. Revelation adds scenes of mighty angels, blazing with glory and power, very unlike humans.

So, Which Is It?

Both. Sometimes angels appear in the most ordinary way possible, not much different than your next-door neighbor. Other times, their appearance is so overwhelming it drops people to the ground in fear. That’s why, so often, the first words angels speak when they appear are, “Do not be afraid.”

Bottom Line

What angels look like is an interesting thing to think about, but it’s not as important as what they do. Their purpose isn’t to draw attention to themselves but to point us to God and carry out His will. Whether they look like the person who sits across from you on the bus or a some kind of otherworldly being, angels remind us of God’s presence, power, and protection.

More About Angels

For more, check out Mark Moore’s Essay on Angels.

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Three Minute Theology is a series of blog posts, each designed to offer a quick but meaningful look at a subject related to God and faith – something you can read in just a few minutes but reflect on for much longer. Think of this as a starting point, not the full journey. My hope is that these snapshots will spark your curiosity and challenge you to dig deeper, open your Bible, ask questions, and explore how these truths about faith in Jesus shape your everyday life. Got a question you want answered? Drop it in the comments.