The concept and function of angels in ancient Judaism were some of the many elements incorporated from contemporary cultures and religious views. The Hebrew malakh was translated into the Greek angelos, both of which indicated not their nature, but their function as "one who is sent" or "a messenger." Angels were a form of divination or the way gods communicated their will to humans.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original content at https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2538/angels-in-ancient-judaism/.