Is there an angel named Raguel in the Bible?
I. Is Raguel Mentioned in the Bible?
No. The name Raguel does not appear anywhere in the 66 canonical books of Scripture. The Bible only names two holy angels:
Michael, the archangel and protector of Israel (Daniel 10:13; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7)
Gabriel, the messenger of God (Daniel 8:16; Luke 1:19, 26)
Raguel is a name found in extra-biblical literature, particularly the Book of Enoch, a non-canonical and mythological Jewish text.
II. Raguel in the Book of Enoch
The Book of Enoch, which was never considered Scripture by Jews or Protestants, provides an elaborate framework for angelology, filled with names and functions absent from the Bible. In 1 Enoch 20:4, Raguel is listed as:
“Raguel, one of the holy angels, who inflicts punishment on the world and the luminaries.”
In Enoch chapter 23, Raguel is again described as the one who explains the judgment of rebellious angels—called “luminaries”—and presides over punishment.
This mythological portrayal led to Raguel being assigned the role of:
Overseer of justice and fairness
Punisher of demons
Enforcer of God’s will among the angelic host
While interesting, these descriptions are not from the Bible and should not be treated as authoritative.
III. Church Tradition and the Name Raguel
Historically, some branches of Christianity—particularly within early Roman Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy—included additional angels based on non-canonical sources, such as:
Raphael (from the Apocrypha, Book of Tobit)
Raguel
Uriel
Phanuel, and others from 1 Enoch
However, in AD 745, Pope Zachary, through the Council of Rome, ordered the restriction of recognized angelic names to only those found in Scripture—namely Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael—to combat growing superstitions. Even Raphael, while popular, is only found in the Apocrypha (Tobit), not in the Protestant canon.
IV. What Does the Bible Say About Angelic Names and Revelation?
The Bible warns us not to go beyond what God has revealed in His Word:
Deuteronomy 29:29 (NKJV):
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us…”
1 Timothy 1:4 (NKJV):
“Nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification…”
Colossians 2:18 (NKJV):
“Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels…”
Creating or promoting elaborate stories about named angels such as Raguel, Uriel, Phanuel, and others can distract from the central focus of Christ and biblical truth.
2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NKJV):
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…”
V. Conclusion: Should We Believe in an Angel Named Raguel?
From a biblical and Baptist perspective:
Raguel is not mentioned in the Bible.
The stories about him come from apocryphal and mystical sources such as 1 Enoch, not from inspired Scripture.
No doctrine or angelology should be built on non-canonical books.
The only reliable guide to understanding angels is God’s revealed Word.
Our focus must remain on Christ, not on speculative supernatural beings.
1 Timothy 2:5 (NKJV):
“For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.”
John 17:17 (NKJV):
“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
