Are all angels male or are some female?
There are two primary lines of evidence to examine in order to determine whether angels are male or female. First, we can look at the pronouns applied to angels in the Bible. Second, we can examine the nature of angels to determine whether they would exist as male and female similar to humans.The first line of evidence is very clear. Every reference to angels in the Bible uses the masculine gender. An angel is always a "he" rather than a "she" or an "it." In addition, the Greek word for "angel" in the New Testament is angelos, itself a masculine noun. A feminine form of this word does not exist. The angels mentioned throughout the visions of Revelation are referred to with the pronouns "he" and "his."
The second line of evidence, concerning angelic nature, provides a more interesting discussion. First, when angels appear in human form in Scripture, they are always in male form (Genesis 18:2, 16; Ezekiel 9:2). There are no examples of angels presenting themselves as females in Scripture.
Then there is Matthew 22:30: "For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven." Nothing here negates or confirms the idea of angels being masculine; all that this verse teaches is that marriage does not take place among angels.
However, Matthew 22:30 does highlight one important and often overlooked aspect of this discussion. Angels are not human, so we should not assume they live and function in the same way humans do. The Bible clearly presents angels as males, yet that portrayal may be an allowance for our limited understanding. Angels may truly exist in a manner in which gender is not the same as we understand it.
In the end, we would do well to be content with what Scripture has communicated on the subject. Angels are God's ministering spirits sent to serve the Lord's purposes. They are presented in masculine terms in the Bible. Whether angels are male or female is ultimately less important than whether we know and love the Lord of the angels.
What are angels according to the Bible?
Do humans become angels after death?
What are archangels? Is there more than one archangel?
Are there guardian angels?
Does an angel of death exist?
Truth about Angels
