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Is there such a thing as guardian angels? There are Bible verses that seem to prove this is true, as well as “the Book of the Watchers” from the non-canonical “the Book of Enoch” that speaks of angelic oversight.
We’ve all heard the term “guardian angels.” But do such angels actually exist? Do all humans have an angel watching over them?
According to the Bible, not all angels are the same. There are various types of angels, and they are essentially named according to their “job descriptions.” In Hebrew, Malakim refers to “messenger angels,” which are the most common type of angels found in the Bible.
However, at least two verses in the Bible seem to indicate that all human beings have angels that watch over them.
Here is the first and another verse that also quotes it…
“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
– Psalm 91:11
It is interesting that Satan used this very verse in an attempt to tempt Jesus.
“Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.””
–Matthew 4:5-6
This verse seems to indicate that Satan understood there are angels to whom God has given the duty of protection. Further, Satan is an angel himself.
To better understand this verse, we first need the context of the preceding verses. In Matthew 18:1-14, Jesus is asked by the disciples, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus says we must humble ourselves and become like children. He warns of causing “little ones who believe in me to sin,” inferring it will incur the most severe damnation. Now we come to the key verse:
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.”
–Matthew 18:10
Essentially, this implies that angels keep constant guard over children. Further, since we all start off his children – it would imply we all have Guardian Angels.
“The Book of Enoch” is an apocryphal, noncanonical work that is believed to contain several pseudepigraphal (falsely attributed works) whose claimed authorship is unfounded. Although the text bears the name of Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, and asserts its author was Enoch, most scholars do not believe he is the writer.
The first section in the book of Enoch (1 Enoch) is called “the Book of the Watchers.” It defines biblical angels as “watchers” or “guards.” Watchers come in two varieties, good and bad, with the latter being “fallen Angels” who rebelled against God.
However, it is worth noting that the book of Enoch (1 Enoch 60:1) is quoted in the book of Jude 1:14-15. Is also referenced in the Gospel of Luke and the epistle to the Hebrews.
According to the book of Enoch, watcher angels were tasked with observing human development. However, it also focuses on the fall of the watchers, something also described in the Bible in Genesis 6:1-5 when the Angels intermingled with human women.