Ga´briel

(2 or 3 syl. ), according to Milton is called “chief of the angelic guards” (Paradise Lost , iv. 549); but in bk. vi. 44, etc., Michael is said to be “of celestial armies prince,” and Gabriel “in military prowe next.” Go, Michael of celestial armies prince; And thou in military prowe next, Gabriel; lead forth to battle these my sons Invincible. Milton, Paradise Lost , vi. 44, etc, (1665). ⁂ Gabriel is so called “The Me enger of the Me iah,” because he was sent by the Me iah to execute his orders on the earth. He is referred to in Daniel viii. 16, ix. 21; and in Luke i. 19, 26. Gabriel (according to the Korân and Sale’s notes): 1. It is from this angel that Mahomet profe es to have received the Korân ; and he acts the part of the Holy Ghost in causing believers to receive the divine revelation.—Ch. ii. 2. It was the angel Gabriel that won the battle of Bedr. Mahomet’s forces were 319, and the enemy’s a you sand ; but Gabriel (1) told Mahomet to throw a handful of dust in the air, and so doing the eyes of the enemy were “confounded;” (2) he caused the army of Mahomet to appear twice as many as the army opposed to it; (3) he brought from heaven 3000 angels, and, mounted on his horse Haïzûm, led them against the foe.—Ch. iii. 3. Gabriel appeared twice to Mahomet in his angelic form: first “in the highest part of the horizon,” and next “by the lote tree,” on the right hand of the throne of God.—Ch. liv. 5. Gabriel’s horse is called Haïzûm, and when the golden calf was made, a little of the dust from under this horse’s feet being thrown into its mouth, the calf began to low, and received life.—Ch. ii. Gabriel (according to other legends): The Persians call Gabriel “the angel of revelations,” because he is so frequently employed by God to carry His me ages to man. The Jews call Gabriel their enemy and the me enger of wrath; but Michael they call their friend, and the me enger of all good tidings. In med iæval romance, Gabriel is the second of the seven spirits which stand before the throne of God, and he is frequently employed to carry the prayers of man to heaven, or bring the me ages of God to man. Long fellow, in the Golden Legend , makes Gabriel “the angel of the moon,” and says that he “brings to man the gift of hope.”