Sandalphon

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For the angel by this name in Neon Genesis Evangelion, see Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion).

Sandalphon (in Greek: Σανδαλφών) is an archangel in some Jewish (especially rabbinic) and Christian writings.

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[edit] Meaning of name

The name Sandalphon is of uncertain derivation. Possibly it comes from the Greek sandalion, meaning "sandal"; thus meaning "one who wears sandals". It is also possibly derived from the Greek prefix sym-/syn-, meaning "together", and adelphos, meaning "brother"; thus approximately meaning "co-brother". This probably refers to Sandalphon's relationship to Metatron (see below), though this derivation shows uncertain Semitic influences.[1]

[edit] Sandalphon the angel

[edit] Origin

Some of the earliest sources on Sandalphon refer to him as the prophet Elijah transfigured and elevated to angelic status.[2] Other sources (mainly from the midrashic period) describe him as the "twin brother" of Metatron, whose human origin as Enoch was similar to the human origin of Sandalphon.[3] Whatever his origin, Sandalphon figures prominently in the mystical literary traditions of Rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity, notably in the Midrash, Talmud, and Kabbalah.

[edit] Descriptions and functions

Physical descriptions of Sandalphon vary depending on the source. He is uniformly depicted as extremely tall—he exceeds Hadraniel (another angel) in height by a 500-year foot journey.[4] During Moses' visit to the Third Heaven, he is said to have glimpsed Sandalphon and called him the "tall angel" (though this legend dates to much later than the time of the Torah). The Babylonian Talmud Hagigah 13b says Sandalphon's head reaches Heaven, which is also said of Israfel and of the Greek giant Typhon, with whom Sandalphon seems to have similar mythological roots. He is also described as being a member of the Sarim (angelic princes), and a Hazzan (master of heavenly song).

In The Greater Key of Solomon, Sandalphon is designated "the left-hand feminine cherub of the Ark". In the liturgy for the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles, he is credited with gathering the prayers of the faithful, making a garland of such prayers, and then "adjuring them to ascend as an orb to the supreme King of Kings". In Enoch chapter 3, he is the ruler of the Sixth Heaven (makom) but in the Zohar he is "chief of the Seventh Heaven". According to Islamic lore, he dwells in the Fourth Heaven.[5] As Michael does, he carries on a ceaseless battle with Samael (perhaps Satan), angel of evil.

The ancient sages also referred to him by the name Ophan (Hebrew for "wheel"), a reference to the "wheel within the wheel" from Ezekiel's vision of the merkabah (heavenly chariot) in Ezekiel chapter 1.[6] Sandalphon is also said to be instrumental in bringing about the differentiation of sex in the embryo.[5]

In Kabbalah, Sandalphon is the angel who represents the sephirah of Malkhut[7] and overlaps (or is confused with) the angel Metatron. He is said to appear before the feminine presence of the Shekhinah[2] and supposedly receives the prayers of humans and sends them to God.

[edit] Other appearances

Other references to Sandalphon include the poem "Sandalphon" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, in which he is referred to as the "Angel of Glory" and "Angel of Prayer".[8]

Sandalphon is also referenced in the game Silent Hill 3[9] by appearing as the Lakeside Amusement Park's pink mascot, Robbie the Rabbit.

Sandalphon is also one of the angels appearing in Neon Genesis Evangelion. See Angel (Neon Genesis Evangelion).[10]

Sandalphon also plays a major role in Angel Sanctuary as the twin brother of Metatron.[11]

Sandalphon appears in the role-playing game Shadow Hearts[12] as one of Yuri's fusions.

In the Lucifer series by DC comics, Sandalphon is an angel who captured Michael Demiurgos in an attempt to leech his power.[13]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Sandalfon at JewishEncyclopedia.com
  2. ^ a b A Dictionary of Angels, Including The Fallen Angels, p. 257, Gustav Davidson 1967, Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 66-19757
  3. ^ Angel Princes
  4. ^ "Who is Metatron" at Hebrew Witness
  5. ^ a b Angels A to Z, James R. Lewis and Evelyn Dorothy Oliver, Kelle S. Sisung (Editor), p. 353, Visible Ink Press, 1996, ISBN 0-7876-0652-9
  6. ^ The Cabala, Chapter 2: "The Development of the Cabala in The Pre-Zohar Period," by Bernhard Pick [1913] at sacred-texts.com
  7. ^ "The World of Beriah (Creation)," A Study of The Book of Revelation at Yashanet
  8. ^ "Sandalphon" by H.W. Longfellow
  9. ^ General Answers: Silent Hill
  10. ^ Transcript of Neon Genesis Evangelion Episode 23
  11. ^ Review of Angel Sanctuary 16 on MarsImport.com
  12. ^ Shadow Hearts walkthrough
  13. ^ The Unofficial Lucifer Morningstar Biography
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