Is Satan an archangel who rebelled against God? Many believe so, but one may search Genesis and read on until the end of Revelation, but one would never read that Satan is an archangel. In order to discover information that says Satan is an archangel, one must read extra-biblical literature. The idea is not scriptural, because it simply is not in the Bible! In fact, the scriptures reveal the existence of only one archangel, and that is Michael (Jude 1:9).
On the other hand, if Satan is not an archangel could he be an angelic being? No, neither is he an angel, although some might conclude that he is by reading 2Corinthians 11:14.
2 Corinthians 11:14 KJV (14) And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Nevertheless, when one considers the context, this idea lacks support. 2Corinthians 11:13 says men were troubling the church at Corinth, claiming to be apostles, but Paul calls them false apostles. Using the logic many derive from 2Corinthians 11:14, one could hardly conclude from verse-13 that by virtue of their power to transform their appearance, these false apostles became actual apostles. They were never apostles to begin with, for Paul calls them false apostles and later (verse-15) refers to them as ministers of Satan, who transformed themselves to appear as though they were ministers of righteousness.
Therefore, using this same reasoning about false apostles, can we say with certainty that verse-14 claims Satan is an angelic being, when it calls him an angel of light? This, itself, is an oxymoron. How could we ever believe, by the virtue of his power of deception, that Satan is an angel of light. The whole idea of his transformation is for deception or to impersonate the reality. The act of transformation, vis-à-vis the deception, does not make Satan the real thing. However, if Satan is not an angel of light, could 2Corinthians 11:14 be construed to indicate that he is at least an angelic being? In other words, could Satan be an angel, whom God created in the beginning (cp. Genesis 1:1)? I don’t believe so, because nowhere else in scripture are the words Satan, devil, serpent, wicked one or dragon associated with the word angel! One needs more than one verse in the Bible to build a doctrine.
Many believe Job chapters one and two and Revelation chapter 12 show that Satan is an angelic being, but even in these scriptures Satan is not called an angel or an archangel. They cannot be used to support the assumption that Satan is an angel.
The word ‘satan’ is from the Hebrew satan (H7854) and simply means “adversary” or “enemy.” Christians have used the word for a title for a rebellious being, but the scriptures cannot be used to prove that a being, of the nature we describe in our doctrine of Satan, ever existed. Consider, for example, in 1Samuel 29:4 David is called the Philistine’s satan (H7854). In 2Samuel 19:22 one of David’s close associates acted as his satan by giving him bad advice. 1Kings 5:4 reveals that God gave Solomon peace on all his borders, and he had no satans or enemies! Later, however, God stirred up several satans, because of Solomon’s unfaithfulness (cp. 1Kings 11:14, 23, 25). We can even find that the Angel of the Lord, who later became Jesus, was Balaam’s satan or adversary (H7854, cp. Numbers 22:22, 32)!
In scripture referred to above, the same word is used. Therefore, just because we see the word satan in scripture does not necessarily indicate some evil and powerful being is presented in the text. On the contrary, what would we do with David (1Samuel 29:4) or the Angel of the Lord (Numbers 22:22, 32)? For that matter, what would we do with Peter? The Lord called him a satan, when Peter tried to give Jesus bad advice about the necessity of Jesus having to die on the cross (Matthew 16:23), just as David’s close associate did to him (2Samuel 19:22).
If we believe the scriptures are accurate testimony to teach us what we should believe, not only can’t we prove Satan is an archangel, but we can’t even say he is an angel. 2Corinthians 11:14 simply cannot be used to show he is an angelic being. The context simply doesn’t support this proposition, and there are no other scriptures in all the Bible that claim Satan is an angel. So, if he isn’t an angel, what is he?[1]
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[1] This study has been revised and updated as of December 2024.
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16 responses to “Is Satan an Archangel or Even an Angel?”
You say, “We cannot prove that this being was ever angelic.” However, what do you think of these two scriptures:
Ezekiel 28:16 In the abundance of your trade you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned; so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God, and I destroyed you, O guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
Ezekiel 28:14 You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked.
guardian cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
Ezekiel 28:14 You were an anointed guardian cherub. I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God; in the midst of the stones of fire you walked.
I am so disappointed that you think Jesus was an angel before.
Greetings AMG.
First of all, what is a “cherub”? The text doesn’t say—does it? Cherubim seem to be spirit beings, and if I understand the Scriptures properly, they have the face of an ox (compare Ezekiel 10:14 & Revelation 4:7). They also have what appears to be hands like that of men (Ezekiel 10:8), and of course they have wings. Are they akin to angels or are they beings of a class by themselves? Nevertheless, concerning Ezekiel 28:14, there is a problem with the text in Hebrew. The pronoun “you” in the clause “you are the anointed cherub” is feminine, but elsewhere the ruler of Tyre is referred to in the masculine gender. It is thought that this is a corruption in the text and should actually be written as the preposition “with” as is the case in the Septuagint, the Greek Old Testament. It appears as:
Ezekiel 28:14 LXX (14) From the day that you were created you were with the cherub; I set you on the holy mount of God; you were in the midst of the stones of fire.
Compare this with one of our more modern translations:
Ezekiel 28:14 NET. I placed you there with an anointed guardian cherub; you were on the holy mountain of God; you walked about amidst fiery stones.
Finally, many biblical scholars believe that Ezekiel 28 and Isaiah 14 point to Satan. Whether this is so or not, I have no opinion, because it changes nothing about Satan if he is Adam. Both Scriptures seem to conclude **he** has similar spiritual problems that humans have. If he is not flesh, how could this be?
Anyway, I don’t perceive this as that big a deal as far as Christian doctrine is concerned. Whether Satan is a spirit being or a man, he is the enemy of God. All enemies will be brought into subjection and finally repent. The main thing about Christianity is what we do with Jesus. Satan is not all that important.
I don’t know where you have gotten the idea that I believe Jesus is or was an angelic being. I do not nor have I ever believed this. He is called the “Angel of the Lord” in the Old Testament, but this doesn’t make him an angelic being. Men are called messengers (meaning of the word ‘angel’). “Angel of the Lord” simply means that Jesus carried the message or word of God to mankind. Jesus is not an angel.
Hope this helps,
Eddie
Greetings,
Surely, there is much more studying I could do on cherubs and angels, but there is nothing that
would convince me the whole time the bible speaks of Adam, that he is really that ancient serpent. It just is not biblical, you are projecting too much of your own thoughts and feelings. There is not a hidden message there.
You said, “Both Scriptures seem to conclude **he** has similar spiritual problems that humans have. If he is not flesh, how could this be?” You are struggling with something that you should just accept. Just because he is not flesh does not give us reason to question God’s word about what spiritual problems Satan may have. The bible says the sons of God found the daughters of man attractive. We should just believe the written word, lean not on your own understanding.
As you say, it is not a big deal as far as salvation goes on what we believe about Satan, but the big deal is in how carefully we try to stay in the line of the Word.
You said, “I don’t know where you have gotten the idea that I believe Jesus is or was an angelic being.” You said Jesus was the angel of the Lord, that is where I got the idea.
You said,” Men are called messengers (meaning of the word ‘angel’).” I think what you say here is very telling…I think that you are getting into a swirl with studying Greek.
Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.
AMG, thank you again for your interest. At times I simply stop replying in a discussion, simply because I don’t wish to appear too aggressive with what I believe. I certainly don’t wish to push what I believe upon others, because most of what we will differ concerning does not pertain to Jesus or our salvation.
I sense you are not willing to consider these proposals and that is fine. One way or another, all it means is one of us is in error in how we perceive our enemy. What has that got to do with salvation? One thing that caught my eye is that you say, “You are struggling with something that you should just accept.” What should I accept—what man tells me concerning the meaning of Scripture? I’ve done that decades ago and found a man had led me astray. I vowed a vow to God that I would never let another man believe for me again. I do struggle in the Scriptures, but I think this is a good thing. Jacob struggled with the One who became Jesus and prevailed. I like to think God lets me prevail here in the Scriptures that I struggle in. Up to now, I haven’t found anyone who could show me in the text where I am wrong. Many people tell me I am wrong, but why should I bow to popular opinion? If what I have written is wrong. I would wish to change, because I have a vested interest in telling the truth. I don’t wish to teach error. However, if no one is able to show me in Scripture that I am wrong, what am I supposed to think? I pray that God guides me. Shouldn’t I assume he has guided me if no one is able to show me my error? As I have said, many have claimed I am in error, but no one has the Scriptures to prove it.
You refer to Genesis 6 above and that the sons of God (angels) found the daughters of men attractive… The doctrine that angels raped or married women is not sound for two reasons. First, according to Jesus’ reply to the Sadducees concerning men and women in the resurrection, they are like angels, implying no sexual relationships will occur. Secondly, Genesis 1 implies that “kind” produces after “kind”. Angels simply have no way of marrying or raping women and producing an offspring. The Scriptures seem to denounce such an idea. I cannot get a dog to produce an offspring with a cat or a horse. It simply cannot be done. How much less should we believe that a spirit being could produce an offspring with flesh? This may be done in Greek mythology, but it cannot be done according to the word of God. Men have tried to produce offspring with similar species like donkeys and horses, but their offspring cannot reproduce. Men and angels are not similar creatures.
Concerning Jesus being the “Angel of the Lord”, many commentators of the Bible also believe Jesus is the “Angel of the Lord”. However, this does not mean the “Angel of the Lord” is an angelic being. The Angel of the Lord is called YHWH (the name of God) in the Scriptures. The term ‘angel’ in this connection simply means he brings something from God (the Father); usually this means he brings the word of God to someone.
Lord bless,
Eddie
I know I told you that I would not discuss with you anymore, but when I see someone lost and confused, I cannot help but respond.
You said, “I certainly don’t wish to push what I believe upon others, because most of what we will differ concerning does not pertain to Jesus or our salvation.”
I wonder how much a believer can obey when they cannot read the scriptures correctly.
You said, “What should I accept—what man tells me concerning the meaning of Scripture?”
God reveals to others too, and not just you. We should study the scriptures to see if what a person tells us is true. I have only spoken the scriptures to you. You are the one who believes you can add and change what the scriptures say. You think that studying Greek will lead you to the Truth, but that is not so. You change what the bible says with your Greek interpretations. You cannot see the obvious message of the scriptures because the Greek study is throwing you off. It is not the learned whom God reveals His Truth. We do not have to learn another language, in fact, the studying Greek is a Calvinist’s staple. If it were not so serious…I would laugh about it. I believe there is some kind of spirit Calvinists follow, and that is not of God, it makes you all frantic scholar wannabes, and you Calvinists follow the spirit of maybe Calvin himself.
You said, “I do struggle in the Scriptures, but I think this is a good thing. Jacob struggled with the One who became Jesus and prevailed.”
Of course, it is good to struggle with the scriptures! However, you struggle with certain words and look for the Greek. In addition, you keep struggling and do not accept scripture.
You said, “I like to think God lets me prevail here in the Scriptures that I struggle in. Up to now, I haven’t found anyone who could show me in the text where I am wrong.”
I have shown you were you are wrong, but you are blind to the truth. You actually think that the Bible says all Israelis will be saved! I explained it to you plainly, but you will not accept the truth.
You said, “Many people tell me I am wrong, but why should I bow to popular opinion?”
So are you just trying to be a rebel? In addition, that is ridiculous to say that my beliefs are “popular opinion”.
You said, “However, if no one is able to show me in Scripture that I am wrong, what am I supposed to think? I pray that God guides me. Should not I assume he has guided me if no one is able to show me my error? As I have said, many have claimed I am in error, but no one has the Scriptures to prove it.”
I have shown you the scriptures. You blame me for your blindness.
You said, “You refer to Genesis 6 above and that the sons of God (angels) found the daughters of men attractive… The doctrine that angels raped or married women is not sound for two reasons. First, according to Jesus’ reply to the Sadducees concerning men and women in the resurrection, they are like angels, implying no sexual relationships will occur.”
This is a perfect example of your mistakes with the scriptures. You will not even consider listening to someone else unless it is said what you already believe. For one, angels DO NOT have sexual intercourse, UNLESS OF COURSE IF THEY TURN THEMSELVES INTO HUMANS. The scriptures tell us angels CAN turn themselves into humans.
You said, “Secondly, Genesis 1 implies that “kind” produces after “kind”. Angels simply have no way of marrying or raping women and producing an offspring.”
Again, the angels turned themselves into humans. In addition, these angels did not give the human women normal children; they gave them giants. The name of the children from the half-human half angel was the Nephilim. Do you need scriptures to show you that angels can appear as humans?