The shortest answer would be ‘yes’ and ‘no’–and possibly ‘maybe’. However, to answer this question thoroughly, we will need to delve into some Scripture as well as delve into some popular myths surrounding angels.

What Scripture actually has to say about angels . . .

Nowhere do you find a statement within the Scriptures that states all angels have wings. The examples that are revealed to us about these heavenly beings run a gamut.

Starting with one of the first mention of an angel–in this case it is the leader of the fallen angels–we see the Accuser (Satan) in the garden as a serpent (Genesis 3:1-5, 13-16). This instance clearly indicates the sort of powers that can be exhibited by angels. Whether it be by shape-shifting or possession, there is a precedent for at least certain angels being able to take on forms other than their own. Also notice that there are no wings mentioned here. However, upon looking at the Hebrew of the text, there is the idea here that this “serpent”–which is the Accuser–could be a seraph which, in some depictions, is a winged serpent being.

Staying in the garden, we have mention of another angel–the cherubim (Genesis 3:24). This type of angel is not given a name other than what it is, cherubim (lower case letters). Do cherubim have wings? In short, yes. Their depictions were in the Ark of the Covenant as well as other components of God’s Temple as we see in the Old Testament (OT). They are clearly standing beings with feet but the most noted aspect about them are their wings. Their heads have faces and the wings are specifically described as to where they are pointing or touching. We can infer they have legs from the standing description. One thought is that these angels are humanoid but posses a pair of wings rather than arms. However, there is mention of hands present in Ezekiel as well as multiple faces on their heads. So with this, we get a winged humanoid with multiple faces for the cherubim. (Exodus 25:18-22; 1 Kings 6:23-35; 2 Chronicles 3:13; Ezekiel 10:3, 7-8; 41:18)

I have seen pictures labelled as cherubim depicting other features as well like multiple sets of wings but none of the scriptural mentions indicate more than a single pair. However, there are other angelic beings mentioned with multiple sets–the Seraphim as seen in Isaiah 6.

The “angel of the Lord” that often appears in Scripture (Old and New Testaments) appears in the form of a man (or possibly men as there are instances of multiple). However, not every incident did they take this form. One example being the pillar of cloud or fire that went before the Israelites (Exodus 14:19). They often come as messengers and speak to humans–so having a human form would be advantageous. Even so, despite the numerous references throughout Scripture to angels in general or the “angel of the Lord”, there remains not even a mention of wings in this angel reference.

Could this variety of angels potentially have wings? It does seem that most references are general on some points but more specific on others. This could mean there is a variety of angels being referred to in these mentions. They also seem they could easily be of a general cast of angels.

One item that muddies the waters is something revealed upon studying the Hebrew text. Many of our English translations today broad-brush the various angels in Scripture simply as “angel” (messenger). The Hebrew text does not do this. A great example being what are called the watchers. They are certainly angels so it is not wrong to call them this but we seem to lose some of the Word’s own differentiation made when we translate simply as “angel.” This can also interrupt our understanding on topics such as in this article.

There is the idea in Scripture of angels being able to “shape-shift” to some degree. We also have the famous verse of Hebrews 13:2 to drive this idea home all the more.

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Hebrews 13:2

Not only does this drive home a human appearance among angels but that suggests they can suppress what they actually are from us such that we have no clue they’re angels. This is a key verse in the idea that angels are quite capable of making themselves look like any average human in the crowd while still being angels and not humans.

Coming to the book of Revelation, we find some of the most unique angels described. Not only do we have four winged creatures about the thrown which seem to depict a special kind of heavenly being or angel, but we see glimpses of angels responsible for various events of the end times. These are in addition to the ever present group of angels we just finished talking about.

In the end . . .

There are clearly angels with wings. There are angels without wings–though perhaps only disguising themselves. There appear to be angels that can be with or without wings

Ultimately, the most commonly mentioned angels are not described as having wings at all but context treats them as appearing human or, at least, nearly so (humanoid). They simple do not go around looking like the popular image of humans with wings. Another point is that they are either referred to as simply angels or appearing as men–of course, leaving out the special types like cherubim, seraphim, and some of those mentioned in Revelation.

So there are angels with wings. We can confidently say that, yes, angels have wings. However, they do not appear to always have them. So, while we tend to think of wings as an identifying characteristic of angels, I am led to believe that we are fixating on the wrong aspect of their being if that is all we want to talk about. All the angelic host are created to primarily serve God and His purposes. They will therefore take on the form best suited or be of a certain kind best suited for whatever it is the Lord needs of them.