Chief or first angel. The English term “archangel” is a derivative of the Greek word archangelos, which occurs only twice in the NT.

Only one archangel is named in the Bible, though it is possible that there are others. In jude’s letter the archangel Michael is depicted as disputing with Satan over the body of Moses (Jude 9). In the tenth chapter of the book of Daniel, this same Michael is described as one of the chief princes. This may imply that other chief princes (archangels) exist. Jewish apocalyptic literature of the postexilic period describes seven archangels who stand in the presence of God: Suruel, Raphael, Raguel, Michael, Gabriel, Remiel, and Uriel (Tobit 12:15; 1 Enoch 20:1-7; 9:1; 40:9 “These are scriptures from the apocrypha and it’s mentioned for your educational purpose ONLY! To know more about this book type in apocrypha in the search bar) Some scholars

speculate that these are the same angels who stand before God and blow the trumpets of God’s judgment (Rev 8:2-9:15). Although John does not refer to them as archangels, it is interesting to note the association of God’s trumpet and the rapture of the Church with the voice of the archangel (1 Thess 4:16). However, Paul uses the singular form of the noun, and this is probably a reference to the work of Michael at the end of the age (Dan 12:1).

Archangels seem to command other angels, akin to an army general. Michael and his angels battle the dragon and his angels. It appears that Michael throws Satan down to Earth (Rev 12:7-9), and it may be Michael who binds Satan for 1,000 years (Rev 20:1-3), though the text does not say so. It may also be an archangel who holds the scroll that John is instructed to eat (Rev 10:1). Michael is also described as the protector of God’s people (Dan 12:1).