=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 prowess next.” Go, Michael of celestial armies prince; And thou in military prowess next, Gabriel; lead forth to battle these my sons Invincible. Milton, _Paradise Lost_, vi. 44, etc, (1665). ⁂ Gabriel is so called “The Messenger of the Messiah,” because he was sent by the Messiah 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 professes 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 _thousand_; 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 messages to man. The Jews call Gabriel their enemy and the messenger of wrath; but Michael they call their friend, and the messenger of all good tidings. In mediæval 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 messages of God to man. Longfellow, in the _Golden Legend_, makes Gabriel “the angel of the moon,” and says that he “brings to man the gift of hope.”