What does Daniel 4:13 mean?
Nebuchadnezzar is describing his dream (Daniel 4:4–5) which included an image of a massive, productive, respected tree (Daniel 4:10–12). Next, the king observed a heavenly being. Religions like those common in Babylon included a council of deities who watched over the world. While Nebuchadnezzar would understand "holy" to simply mean "godlike," Daniel understood it to mean something separated unto God for His service. Although Nebuchadnezzar would have assumed the spirit he saw was a god, Daniel would know this was an angel. The modern term "angel" derives from a Greek term, and in both Greek and Hebrew, the term for an "angel" is literally "messenger." The Hebrew concept of angels saw them as those who served God and brought His messages, rather than as fully-independent spiritual beings.Revelation 14:10 refers to God's holy angels as witnessing the punishment of whoever worships the beast and his image in the tribulation period. An angel is seen in the role of messenger as he speaks to Mary concerning the Son who would be born to her (Luke 1:26–33). Angels served as God's messengers by heralding to shepherds the good news of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:8–14).