The 9 Types of Angels
A Guide to the Heavenly Hierarchy
When we think of angels, we often imagine winged beings in flowing robes, guiding and protecting humans. But the biblical and theological reality is far more complex — and often stranger — than these popular depictions.
The word angel comes from the Greek angelos, meaning “messenger,” but angels in scripture serve a variety of roles, not just delivering divine messages. Some wield swords and command celestial armies, others uphold the throne of God itself, and a few appear as multi-winged, multi-eyed beings beyond human comprehension.
To make sense of these celestial beings, Thomas Aquinas (and others before him) classified angels into a hierarchy of nine types, divided into three orders based on their roles and proximity to God.
The lower orders interact with humanity, the middle orders govern spiritual forces, and the highest orders exist solely to serve God.
Today, we explore the nine types of angels — from the familiar to the truly otherworldly…
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I. The Third Order: Angels Who Interact with Humanity
(The lowest tier of angels. These are the closest to us, acting as messengers and protectors.)
Angels – The Messengers
These are the angels we most commonly associate with divine guidance. Aquinas believed every person has a guardian angel, an unseen protector guiding them through life.
In Genesis 28:12, Jacob’s vision of a ladder stretching to Heaven shows angels ascending and descending — delivering messages and fulfilling divine commands. Some, like those who visited Abraham, even appeared as ordinary men, lacking wings or supernatural radiance.
Archangels – The Divine Enforcers
Archangels are responsible for the most crucial messages and battles in scripture. Gabriel announced the birth of Jesus to Mary, while Michael led the charge against Satan in the war for Heaven.
Though only Michael is explicitly called an archangel in the Bible, tradition assigns this title to several others, including Raphael and Uriel. Archangels serve as divine warriors and heralds, carrying out God’s most urgent decrees.
Principalities – Guardians of Nations
Principalities preside over nations, cities, and communities, influencing their spiritual well-being. While not explicitly named in scripture, their role is inferred from Colossians 1:16, which mentions “thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers.”
Tradition suggests they help earthly leaders, strengthening them in times of need — and perhaps even aiding biblical figures like King David in battle.
II. The Second Order: Heavenly Governors
(These angels reside in Heaven but influence Earthly matters, ensuring divine order is maintained.)
Powers – The Heavenly Warriors
Powers act as the military defenders of Heaven, guarding the spiritual realm from demonic forces. They are often depicted in armor, wielding weapons as they defend against dark spiritual threats.
According to Christian tradition, Powers also escort souls to Heaven, ensuring their safe passage after death. Some believe the battle between good and evil plays out in part through these celestial warriors.
Virtues – The Workers of Miracles
Virtues are associated with miracles and the elements of nature. They are believed to regulate celestial phenomena and assist in divine interventions.
In Christian tradition, the two angels who appeared at Christ’s Ascension are often considered Virtues, their role being to manifest God’s power on Earth.
Dominions – The Angelic Rulers
Dominions do not typically interact with humans directly; instead, they act as commanders, overseeing lower angels and ensuring divine order is maintained.
They are described as serene, wise beings, often depicted with golden staffs and orbs, symbolizing their authority and close relationship with God.
III. The First Order: The Angels Closest to God
(These angels are entirely focused on worship and divine service, and exist in the highest realms of Heaven.)
Thrones – The Wheels of God’s Chariot
Among the most enigmatic angelic beings, Thrones are described in Ezekiel’s vision as wheels covered in eyes, spinning within wheels:
As I looked at the living creatures, I saw a wheel on the ground beside each creature with its four faces. This was the appearance and structure of the wheels: They sparkled like topaz, and all four looked alike. Each appeared to be made like a wheel intersecting a wheel. As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the creatures faced; the wheels did not change direction as the creatures went. Their rims were high and awesome, and all four rims were full of eyes all around.
When the living creatures moved, the wheels beside them moved; and when the living creatures rose from the ground, the wheels also rose. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, and the wheels would rise along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels. When the creatures moved, they also moved; when the creatures stood still, they also stood still; and when the creatures rose from the ground, the wheels rose along with them, because the spirit of the living creatures was in the wheels.
-Ezekiel 1:15-21
These beings serve as God’s chariot, supporting His throne and executing divine justice. Their unusual, abstract form symbolizes stability and divine order.
Cherubim – The Guardians of Glory
Cherubim have been drastically misrepresented in popular culture — far from the plump, baby-like figures seen in Renaissance paintings, biblical Cherubim are fearsome creatures.
Described in Ezekiel 10, they have four faces — a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle — and four wings. They also appear in Genesis 3:24, guarding the entrance to Eden with flaming swords after Adam and Eve’s expulsion.
Aquinas believed Satan himself was a fallen Cherub. His theory is supported by Ezekiel 28, which speaks of an angelic being cast down from God’s presence:
You were anointed as a guardian cherub,
for so I ordained you.
You were on the holy mount of God;
you walked among the fiery stones.
You were blameless in your ways
from the day you were created
till wickedness was found in you.
Through your widespread trade
you were filled with violence,
and you sinned.
So I drove you in disgrace from the mount of God,
and I expelled you, guardian cherub,
from among the fiery stones.
Your heart became proud
on account of your beauty,
and you corrupted your wisdom
because of your splendor.
So I threw you to the earth;
-Ezekiel 28:14-17
Seraphim – The Highest & Holiest
Seraphim stand at the very throne of God, continuously worshiping Him.
In Isaiah’s vision (Isaiah 6:1-7), they are described as having six wings — two to fly, two to cover their feet, and two to cover their faces, symbolizing their humility before God. They sing “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory.”
When the Seraphim appear again in Revelation, this time their wings are covered in eyes, representing divine omniscience. There’s also a slight variation on their song:
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”
-Revelation 4:8
Unlike other angelic beings, Seraphim do not interact with humans — they exist purely to glorify God.
“Be Not Afraid”
The angelic hierarchy provides a glimpse into the complex and mysterious celestial order of God’s universe. From the lowest ranks of angels to the highest, each angelic being has its unique role to play in the unfolding drama of salvation.
While the nature of angels will never be fully comprehensible to us, the vast differences in their descriptions — ranging from humanoid figures to incomprehensible multi-winged, multi-eyed beings — help explain at least one thing:
Why so many angelic encounters in scripture begin with the phrase:
“Be not afraid”...
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Is there a corresponding hierarchy of deamons?
The Biblical word for "angel" is malach (מלאך) which means "messenger."