How many different angels are there?

One of the most common ordering of angels from around the fifth century consists of nine orders:

First Hierarchy

1. Seraphim
2. Cherubim
3. Thrones

Second Hierarchy

4. Principalities
5. Virtues or Strongholds
6. Powers

Third Hierarchy

7. Dominions
8. Archangels
9. Angels

Biblical References to Different Angels

Seraphims

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly (Isaiah 6:2 KJV).

Cherubims

Cherubims are found in the Bible as early as Genesis, but also appear in many other passages.

So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life (Genesis 3:24 KJV).

Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, & Powers

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him (Colossians 1:16 KJV).

Virtues or Strongholds

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV).

Archangels

But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" (Jude 1:9 NIV).

Angels

Angels appear throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments.

Ordering of the Angels

The groupings of these orders as well as the sequence was developed initially in The Works of Dionysius the Areopogite:

Which is the first Order of the Heavenly Beings? which the middle? and which the last?
How many, and of what sort, are the Orders of the supercelestial Beings, and how the Hierarchies are classified amongst themselves, I affirm, the deifying Author of their consecration alone distinctly knows; and further, that they know their own proper powers and illuminations, and their sacred and supermundane regularity. For it is impossible that we should know the mysteries of the supercelestial Minds and their most holy perfections, except, some one might say, so far as the Godhead has revealed to us, through them, as knowing perfectly their own condition. We, then, will utter nothing as from ourselves, but whatever angelic visions have been gazed upon by the holy Prophets of God, we, as initiated in these, will set forth as best we can. The Word of God has designated the whole Heavenly Beings as nine, by appellations, which shew their functions. These our Divine Initiator divides into three threefold Orders. He also says that that which is always around God is first and is declared by tradition to be united closely and immediately, to Him, before all the rest. For he says that the teaching of the Holy Oracles declares, that the most Holy Thrones, and the many-eyed and many-winged hosts, named in the Hebrew tongue Cherubim and Seraphim, are established immediately around God, with a nearness superior to all. This threefold order, then, our illustrious Guide spoke of as one, and of equal rank, and really first Hierarchy, than which there is not another more Godlike or immediately nearer to the earliest illuminations of the Godhead. But he says, that which is composed of the Authorities, and Lordships, and Powers is second; and, as respects the lowest of the Heavenly Hierarchies, the Order of the Angels and Archangels and Principalities is third (Caput VI).

External References

  • Dionysius the Areopagite, Works - http://www.ccel.org/ccel/dionysius/works.html
  • Hierarchy of Angels (Wikipedia) - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierarchy_of_angels