Do Angels physically have wings?

Answer 1

Angels are thought by many to possess wings. This has arisen from references to their ability to fly (Daniel 9:21). Both cherubim and seraphim are depicted with wings in the Bible, and they are both traditionally associated within both the Jewish and Christian hierarchy of angels. Angels are only depicted in Christian, Jewish and Zoroastrian art from the times of the Roman emperor Constance. They are commonly depicted with halos.

In Christian iconography, the use of wings is a convention used to denote the figure as a spirit. Depictions of angels in Christian art as winged human forms, unlike classical pagan depictions of the major deities, follow the iconic conventions of lesser winged gods, such as Eos, Eros, Thanatos and Nike.

Angels are portrayed as powerful and dreadful, endowed with wisdom and with knowledge of all earthly events, correct in their judgment, holy, but not infallible: they strive against each other, and God has to make peace between them. When their duties are not punitive, angels are beneficent to man (Psalms 103:20, 78:25; 2 Samuel 14:17,20, 19:28; Zechariah 14:5; Job 4:18, 25:2).

In the Hebrew Bible, angels often appear to people in the shape of humans of extraordinary beauty, and often are not immediately recognized as angels (Genesis 18:2, Genesis 19:5; Judges 6:17, Judges 8:6; 2 Samuel 29:9). Some fly through the air, some become invisible, sacrifices touched by some are consumed by fire, and some may disappear in sacrificial fire. Angels, or the Angel, appeared in the flames of the thorn bush (Genesis 16:13; Judges 6:21-22; 2 Kings 2:11; Exodus 3:2). They are described as pure and bright as Heaven; consequently, they are said to be formed of fire, and encompassed by light, as the Psalmist said (Psalm 104:4): "He makes winds His messengers, burning fire His ministers." Some verses in the Apocrypha/Deuterocanonical works depict angels wearing blue or red robes but no such reference occurs in the Protestant books.

The number of angels is enormous. Jacob meets a host of angels; Joshua sees the "captain of the host of the Lord"; God sits on His throne, "all the host of heaven standing by Him on His right hand and on his left"; the sons of God come "to present themselves before the Lord" (Genesis 32:2; Joshua 5:14-15; 1 Kings 22:19; Job 1:6, 2:1; Psalm 89:6; Job 33:23). The general conception is the one of Job 25:3: "Is there any number of his armies?" In the Book of Revelation, the number is "a thousand thousands, and many tens of thousands".

Though the older writings usually mention one angel of the Lord, embassies to men as a rule comprised several messengers. The inference, however, is not to be drawn that God Himself or one particular angel was designated: the expression was given simply to God's power to accomplish through but one angel any deed, however wonderful.

Angels are referred to in connection with their special missions as, for instance, the "angel which hath redeemed" (Genesis 48:16); "an interpreter" (Job 33:23);"the angel that destroyed" (2 Samuel 24:16); "messenger of the covenant" (Malachi 3:1); "angel of his presence" (Isaiah 43:9); and "a band of angels of evil" (Psalm 78:49).

When, however, the heavenly host is regarded in its most comprehensive aspect, a distinction may be made between cherubim, seraphim, chayot ("living creatures"), Ofanim ("wheels"), and Arelim (another name for Thrones). God is described as riding on the cherubim and as "the Lord of hosts, who dwelleth between the cherubim"; while the latter guard the way of the Tree of Life (1 Samuel, Psalm 80:2, Genesis 3:24). The seraphim are described by Isaiah 6:2) as having six wings; and Ezekiel describes the ḥayyot (Ezekiel 1:5 et seq.) and ofanim as heavenly beings who carry God's throne.

Answer 2

Some angels do have wings and some don't. When angels appeared on earth to men, they didn't. They walked and talked as men. But the angels who appeared to the wise men to announce the birth of Christ did. That's why the song says they were bending near the earth.

Answer 3

I honestly cant understand why they would need wings
they are spiritual beings , they dont need to fly anywhere

I have a theory on why they were portrayed that way though
apart from the obvious , people back then thought heaven was in the sky and the only way to get there would be to fly.....

but we have an aura , it resonates ... it is energy
the higher a spiritual being , the faster the aura resonates...
so much so that at times it can look like flapping wings
maybe people really did see these spiritual beings and confused the aura for wings

Answer 4

Some do, some don't.

Those that are saying Angels are spirits don't know what they're talking about.

For example, "the Seraphim have six wings; two covering their face, two covering their feet, and two that they fly with."

Answer 5

You said physically. Angels don't have material bodies. They are spirits so spirits can't have wings because they are energy.

Answer 6

Since a bit ago, Angels, in general, aren't allowed to physically manifest anymore...So, technically, no...

When they did, since they're non-physical beings, when they manifest physically, they appear as they feel like appearing...or sometimes as it would fit the expectations of the person they're appearing before...

Answer 7

Angels are spiritual beings, thus they don't have physical parts.

Answer 8

no

Answer 9

no