The answer is: Messenger

Luke 7:24 - The word is translated as messenger here, but it's the same word that is translated as angel elsewhere.

The Greek word "aggelos" indeed means "messenger," and it's fascinating when you think about the role of angels throughout the Bible as facilitators of communication between the divine and humanity. In Luke 7:24, it's enlightening to see the flexibility of the term; just imagine—angels carrying divine messages and also earthly ones!

Going beyond the mythical, there are times when folks throughout history believed that interpreting omens from nature, like the movement of birds or the spreading of clouds, served a similar purpose to what the "messengers" did. This idea of interpreting messages resonates with our human experience of seeking guidance. By looking at how "aggelos" populates other texts, we see angels charged with missions ranging from the everyday task to transporting urgent acts of divine significance—like delivering the news of birth, as with the angel announcing the arrival of Jesus.

Fun fact: the non-specificity of "angel" opens up conversations about beings in other cultures that hold the same messenger role, further illustrating our shared human history. From the dispatchers of divine will in Zoroastrianism to peace-bringing spirits in various international traditions, it seems like the need for connection through heavenly messages is almost universal!

In art, it’s said that the longer they hover around humans in their winged forms, the more their ethereal essence reflects our hopes and aspirations. Next time you encounter the idea of angels, remember—the term "aggelos" is a beautiful reminder of our desire to connect with something greater than ourselves!