Angels of Presence

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Angels of Presence are high-level angels also known as "angels of the face". According to the book of Jubilees, angels of the presence and angels of Sanctification are the two highest orders of angels. They were created on the first day, already circumcised, so that they could participate in the keeping of the Sabbath with God in heaven and on earth. God instructed one of these angels (thought to be St. Michael), to write the history of creation for Moses. The angel took the tablets of history and law, and in a long revelation, recited them to Moses with instructions to write them down.

Other angels usually identified as angels of presence are Metatron, Suriel, Sandalphon, Astanphaeus, Sarakiel, Phanuel, Jehoel, Zagzagael, Uriel, Yefefiah, Sabaoth, and Akatriel. The angels of presence are also equated with the angels of glory.

In rabbinic tradition, there are 70 tutelary angels called angels of presence. According to the Zohar, the angels of presence revealed the "mystery" (purpose) of God to people, and thus were expelled from the divine presence.

In the Testaments of the 12 Patriarchs, Judah, one of the 12 sons of Jacob and Leah, testifies that he was blessed by an angel of the presence.

[edit] Further reading

Charlesworth, James H., ed. The Old Testament Pseudepigriapha. Vols. 1 and 2. New York: Doubleday, 1983, 1985.