The Angel was a representative for God, condemning Captain Phillip Vanderdecken of the Fleiger Hollander to an eternity of sailing the ocean for cursing God's name.
The Angel also spared the lives of Nebuchadnezzar (Ben) and Denmark (Ned), granting them immortality, telepathic communication, and eternal youth. The Angel instructed the pair to roam the world, assisting those in need. Upon the sound of a bell (unless the Angel specified otherwise), Neb and Den were required to leave their current area, and find a new place.