Archangels
are found in a number of religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Michael is the only archangel named in the Bible as recognized by both Jews and Christians. Gabriel, named in Luke, is considered to be an archangel, as are Raphael (mentioned in the Book of Tobit) and Uriel (mentioned in the Book of Enoch). The Book of Tobit is included in the Catholic Canon of the Bible; however, this book is considered apocryphal by many Protestants. The archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast on 29 September. The named Archangels in Islam are Gabriel, Michael, Raphael and Azrael.
The word archangel
derives from the Greek a?????e??? archangelos
.
The names of Archangels are commonly used as male first names in various cultures.
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ARCANGEL Y DE LA GHETTO TICKETS
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In Judaism
The
Hebrew Bible uses the terms ???? ????? (
melakh Elohim
; messenger of God), ???? ???? (
melakh Adonai
; messenger of the Lord), ??? ?????? (
b'nai elohim
; sons of God) and ??????? (
ha-qodeshim
; the holy ones) to refer to beings traditionally interpreted as
angelic messengers
. Other terms are used in later texts, such as ????????? (ha-olinim, the upper ones). Indeed, angels are uncommon except in later works like
Daniel, though they are mentioned briefly in the stories of
Jacob (who, according to several interpretations, wrestled with an angel) and
Lot (who was warned by angels of the impending destruction of the cities of
Sodom and Gomorrah).
Daniel is the first biblical figure to refer to individual angels by name.
[1] It is therefore widely speculated that Jewish interest in angels developed during the
Babylonian captivity.
[2]
According to
Rabbi Simeon ben Lakish of
Tiberias (230–270 AD), all the specific names for the angels were brought back by the Jews from
Babylon.
There are no explicit references to
archangels
in the
canonical texts of the
Hebrew Bible (
Old Testament). In
post-Biblical Judaism, certain angels came to take on a particular significance and developed unique personalities and roles. Though these
archangels were believed to have rank amongst the heavenly host, no systematic hierarchy ever developed.
Metatron is considered one of the highest of the angels in Merkabah and
Kabbalist mysticism and often serves as a scribe. He is briefly mentioned in the Talmud,
[3] and figures prominently in Merkabah mystical texts.
Michael, who serves as a warrior and advocate for Israel () is looked upon particularly fondly.
Gabriel is mentioned in the
Book of Daniel () and briefly in the Talmud,
[4] as well as many Merkabah mystical texts. The earliest references to archangels are in the literature of the intertestamental periods (
e.g.
, 4
Esdras 4:36).
Within the rabbinic tradition, the
Kabbalah, and the
Book of Enoch chapter 20, and the
Life of Adam and Eve, the usual
number of archangels
given is at least seven, who are the focal angels. Three higher archangels are also commonly referenced:
Michael,
Raphael, and
Gabriel. There is confusion about one of the following eight names, concerning which one listed is not truly an archangel. They are:
Uriel,
Sariel,
Raguel, and
Remiel (possibly the
Ramiel of the
Apocalypse of Baruch
, said to preside over true visions),
Zadkiel,
Jophiel,
Haniel and
Chamuel.
[5] Medieval
Jewish philosopher Maimonides made a
Jewish angelic hierarchy.
In addition, traditional homes often sing an ode to the angels before beginning Friday night (
Shabbos) dinner. It is entitled
Shalom Aleichem
, meaning "peace unto you" (referring to the angels as messengers of godly light, peace and love).
In Christianity
The
New Testament speaks frequently of angels (for example, angels giving messages to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds; angels ministering to Christ after his temptation in the wilderness, an angel visiting Christ in his agony, angels at the tomb of the risen Christ, the angels who liberate the Apostles Peter and Paul from prison); however, it makes only two references to "archangels." They are: Michael in
Jude 1:9 and
I Thessalonians 4:16, where the "voice of an archangel" will be heard at the return of
Christ.
The Protestant Bible provides names for two archangels:
Michael and
Gabriel. In the Book of Tobit of the Catholic Bible, a third name,
Raphael is given;
Uriel is named in
2 Esdras;
Phanuel is named in the
Book of Enoch.
Eastern Orthodox Tradition mentions "thousands of archangels;
[6] however, only
seven archangels are venerated by name.
[7] Uriel is included, and the other three are most often named
Selaphiel,
Jegudiel, and
Barachiel (an
eighth
,
Jeremiel, is sometimes included as archangel).
[8] The Orthodox Church celebrates the
Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other
Bodiless Powers on
November 8 of Stencyl the
Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar (for those churches which follow the
Julian Calendar,
November 8 falls on
November 21 of the modern
Gregorian Calendar). Other
feast days of the Archangels include the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel on
March 26 (
April 8), and the
Miracle of the Archangel Michael at
Colossae on
September 6 (
September 19). In addition, every Monday throughout the year is dedicated to the Angels, with special mention being made in the church hymns of Michael and Gabriel. In Orthodox
iconography, each angel has a symbolic representation:
- Michael
in the Hebrew language means "Who is like unto God?" or "Who is equal to God?" St. Michael has been depicted from earliest Christian times as a commander, who holds in his right hand a spear with which he attacks Lucifer, Satan, and in his left hand a green palm branch. At the top of the spear there is a linen ribbon with a red cross. The Archangel Michael is especially considered to be the Guardian of the Orthodox Faith and a fighter against heresies.
- Gabriel
means "Man of God" or "Might of God." He is the herald of the mysteries of God, especially the Incarnation of God and all other mysteries related to it. He is depicted as follows: In his right hand, he holds a lantern with a lighted taper inside, and in his left hand, a mirror of green jasper. The mirror signifies the wisdom of God as a hidden mystery.
- Raphael
means "God's healing" or "God the Healer" (, ). Raphael is depicted leading Tobit (who is carrying a fish caught in the Tigris) with his right hand, and holding a physician's alabaster jar in his left hand.
- Uriel
means "Fire of God," or "Light of God" (III Esdras 3:1, 5:20). He is depicted holding a sword against the Persians in his right hand, and a fiery flame in his left.
- Sealtiel
means "Intercessor of God" (III Esdras 5:16). He is depicted with his face and eyes lowered, holding his hands on his bosom in prayer.
- Jegudiel
means "Glorifier of God." He is depicted bearing a golden wreath in his right hand and a triple-thonged whip in his left hand.
- Barachiel
means "Blessing of God." He is depicted holding a white rose in his hand against his breast.
- (Jeremiel
means "God's exaltation." He is venerated as an inspirer and awakener of exalted thoughts that raise a person toward God (III Ezra 4:36). As an eighth
, he is sometimes included as archangel.)
Some
Protestants view Michael as the sole archangel, as the only one explicitly described as such in the Protestant canon of the Bible.
[9] () In their view, Gabriel is never called 'archangel' in the
Gospels. According to
Origen, verse 1:9 of Jude is an insertion that led to the writing of
The Assumption of Moses
.
The edition of the Bible used by Protestants, which excludes the
Apocrypha, never mentions a "Raphael" and he is therefore not recognized by many of them. Raphael, however, is mentioned in the
Book of Tobit, one of the
deuterocanonical books. In the story, Raphael comes to the aid of Tobit, healing him of blindness, and his son Tobias, driving away a demon that would have killed him. Raphael also plays an important role in
the Book of Enoch.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Michael is one of the names
Jesus has in heaven.
[10] In this view, Michael is the first and greatest of all God's creatures, the chief messenger of Jehovah that takes the lead in vindicating God's sovereignty, sanctifying God's name, fighting the forces of Satan and protecting God's people on earth. (Revelation 12:7; 19:14,16• Daniel 12:1) This belief is held because of the prominence Michael has among the heavenly sons of God in the Bible, the similarity of Michael’s and Jesus’ mission and the connection of Jesus with the archangelic office in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, where it is said: "Because the Lord himself will descend from Heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel's voice." Taking also into account that the Bible refers to one archangel only using a definite article (Jude 9), Jehovah's Witnesses have concluded that Michael and Jesus are one and the same.
[11]
A similar opinion is held by certain Protestants, such as
Seventh-day Adventists,
[12] the Baptist evangelist
Charles Spurgeon [13] and the Presbyterian Commentary author
Matthew Henry,
[14] who believe that the Archangel Michael is not an angel, and is instead the divine Son of God. In this view "archangel" means "head of the angels" rather than "head angel," and is a title similar to "Prince or Leader of the host." (
Daniel 8:11) While few Baptists hold to this view, Seventh-day Adventists generally do.
In the canon of the
Ethiopian Orthodox Church in
1 Enoch,
Saraqael is described as one of the angels that watches over "the spirits that sin in the spirit." (20:7, 8) (see
Ethiopian Orthodox Church)
In Islam
In Islam, the named archangels include:
- Gabriel (or Jibraaiyl or Jibril or Jibrail in Arabic). Gabriel is the Archangel responsible for revealing the Qur'an to Muhammad. Gabriel is known as the angel who communicates with the Prophets.
- Michael (Mikail or Mikaaiyl in Arabic). Michael is often depicted as the Archangel of mercy who is responsible for bringing rain and thunder to Earth.
- Raphael (Israfil or Israafiyl). According to the Hadith, Israfil is the Angel responsible for signaling the coming of Judgment Day by blowing a horn and sending out a Blast of Truth. It translates in Hebrew as Raphael.
- Malak al-Maut (Azrael) Responsible for parting the soul from the body. Although he is frequently referred to as Azrael in Arabic, he is referred to as Malak al-Maut (the angel of death) in the Quran (Surah al-Sajdah 32:11). There is also no mention of the name Azrael in reference to Malak al-Maut found amongst the verified Hadith of Bukhari.
Other traditions
Occultists sometimes associate archangels in Kabbalistic fashion with various seasons or elements, or even colors. In some Kabbalah-based systems of
ceremonial magic, all four of the main archangels (Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel) are invoked as guarding the four quarters, or directions, and their corresponding colors are associated with magical properties.
[15]
In
anthroposophy, based on teachings by
Rudolf Steiner, there are many spirits belonging to the hierarchical level of archangel. In general, their task is to inspire and guard large groups of human beings, such as whole nations, peoples or ethnic groups. This reflects their rank above the
angels who deal with individuals (the
guardian angel) or smaller groups.
[16] The main seven archangels with the names given by Pope
Saint Gregory I are Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel (or
Anael),
Simiel (or
Samael),
Oriphiel and
Zachariel have a special assignment to act as a global
Zeitgeist ("time spirit" or, "spirit of the times/age"), each for periods of about 380 years. According to this system, since 1879, Michael is the leading time spirit. Four important archangels also display periodic spiritual activity over the seasons:
Spring is Raphael,
Summer (Uriel),
Autumn (Michael) and
Winter is Gabriel. In anthroposophy, archangels may be good or evil; in particular, some of their rank are collaborators of
Ahriman, whose purpose is to alienate humanity from the spiritual world and promote materialism and heartless technical control.
Another Catholic variation lists them corresponding to the days of the week as: St
Michael (Sunday), St
Gabriel (Monday), St
Raphael (Tuesday), St
Uriel (Wednesday), St
Sealtiel/
Selaphiel (Thursday), St
Jehudiel/
Jhudiel (Friday), and St
Barachiel (Saturday).
In the lesser banishing ritual of the
pentagram,
[17] the invocation includes the words "Before me Raphael; Behind me Gabriel; On my right hand Michael; On my left hand Auriel [Uriel]..."
In art, archangels are sometimes depicted with larger wings and many eyes. Some of the more commonly represented archangels are Gabriel, Michael, Raphael,
Metatron, Uriel, and
Satanel.
[18]
In Tibetan Buddhism,
bodhisattva
is synonymous with
archangel
.
[19]
See also
- Archangel Michael: Roman Catholic traditions and views
References
- Jewish Encyclopedia, accessed Feb. 15, 2008
- Judaism at HighBeam Encyclopedia, Section: The Postexilic Period
- Sanhedrin 38b and Avodah Zerah 3b.
- cf. Sanhedrin 95b
- Metzger & Coogan (1993) ''Oxford Companion to the Bible'', p54.
- Anaphora, Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
- The World of The Angels Holy Transfiguration Russian Orthodox Church, Baltimore MD
- Nicholai Velimirovic, November 8 ''Prologe From Ochrid''
- Graham, Billy (1975), ''Angels: God's Secret Agents'', ISBN 0849950740
- Watchtower Official Website, "The Truth About Angels"
- ''What Does The Bible Really Teach?'' Chapter 9 Paragraph 4 under the heading A WAR IN HEAVEN, also see appendix of same publication, pages 218-219. Published by Jehovah's Witnesses 2005.
- Questions on Doctrine: Christ, and Michael the Archangel
- Morning and Evening: Daily Readings, Morning October 3rd retrieved from Christian Classics Ethereal Library
- Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary at Christnotes.org, commentary on Daniel 12
- The Pagan's Path, Metaphysics 101: The Archangels
- "The Mission of Rudolf Steiner," Dr. Ernst Katz, retrieved from The Rudolph Steiner archive
- "On the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram" from ''The Internet Book of Shadows'' at Sacred-texts.com
- Angels in Art on HumanitiesWeb
- Tibetan Art at Brown University, Rhode Island, USA