Archangel

12th century icon of the Archangels Michael and Gabriel (Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai).

Archangels are members of the second choir of angels. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. The only archangel ever clearly named as being of the order in the Bible is Michael. 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 archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael are venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast on 29 September.

The word archangel derives from the Greek αρχάγγελος archangelos.

Contents

In Judaism

There are no explicit references to archangels in the canonical texts of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament). Indeed, even 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). The earliest references to archangels are in the literature of the intertestamental periods (e.g., 4 Esdras 4:36).

It is therefore widely speculated that Jewish interest in angels developed during the Babylonian captivity.[1] 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.

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.[2]

In addition, traditional homes often sang an ode to the angels before beginning Friday night (Shabbos) dinner. It is entitled Shalom Aleichem, meaning "peace unto you" (referring to the angels).

In Christianity

Gabriel, traditionally named as an archangel, delivering the Annunciation. Painting by El Greco (1575).

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), but makes only two references to "archangels": 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; sometimes Uriel or Phanuel is given as a fourth.

Eastern Orthodox Tradition mentions "thousands of archangels"[3] but venerates only seven of them by name.[4] Uriel is included, and the other three are most often named Selaphiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel (an eighth, Jeremiel, is sometimes included).[5] The Orthodox Church celebrates the Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the Other Bodiless Powers on November 8 of 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:[5]

Russian icon of the Archangel Jegudiel.

Some Protestants view Michael as the sole archangel, as the only one explicitly described as such in the Protestant canon of the Bible.[6] (Jude 1:9) 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.

Angelic Council (Ангелскй Собор). Orthodox icon of the seven archangels. From left to right: Jegudiel, Gabriel, Selaphiel, Michael, Uriel, Raphael, Barachiel. Beneath the mandorla of Christ Emmanuel are representations of Cherubim (blue) and Seraphim (red).

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.[7] 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.[8].

A similar opinion is held by certain Protestants, such as Seventh-day Adventists,[9] the Baptist evangelist Charles Spurgeon[10] and the Presbyterian Commentary author Matthew Henry,[11] who believe that the Archangel Michael is not an angel but 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 not all Baptists hold to this view, Seventh-day Adventists generally do.

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. He is mentioned specifically by name and as the Holy Spirit in the Qur'an.

• 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.

• Angel of Death, who is responsible for parting the spirit of the human from the body at the time of departure from this earthly realm. The Qur'an never uses this name, referring instead to Malak al-Maut (which translates directly as Angel of Death. The spirit is removed from the body from the same point it entered, via the Latifa located between the eyebrows, known as the Khafi, or the Hidden. (Azrael (Izra'il in Arabic) which is a common mistake that commoners call Angel of Death by that name, Qur'an and Hadith didn't mention any name for this angel, only "Angel of Death", Since it is not mentioned either in the Qur'an nor Hadith, it is not part of the religion)

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.[12]

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.[13] The main seven archangels with the names given by Saint Gregory are Anael, Gabriel , Michael, Oriphiel, Raphael, Samael and Zachariel have a special assignment to act as a global Zeitgeist ('time spirit'), each for periods of about 380 years. Since 1879, Michael is our leading time spirit. Four important archangels also display periodic spiritual activity over the seasons: spring = Raphael, summer = Uriel, autumn = Michael and winter = 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.

In the lesser banishing ritual of the pentagram,[14] the invocation includes the words "Before me Raphael; Behind me Gabriel; On my right hand Michael; On my left hand Auriel [i.e., 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.[15]

In the noncanonical 1 Enoch, Saraqael is described as one of the angels that watches over "the spirits that sin in the spirit". (20:7, 8)

References

  1. ↑ Judaism at HighBeam Encyclopedia, Section: The Postexilic Period
  2. ↑ Metzger & Coogan (1993) Oxford Companion to the Bible, p54.
  3. ↑ Anaphora, Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
  4. ↑ The World of The Angels Holy Transfiguration Russian Orthodox Church, Baltimore MD
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Nicholai Velimirovic, November 8 Prologe From Ochrid
  6. ↑ Graham, Billy (1975), Angels: God's Secret Agents, ISBN 0849950740
  7. ↑ Watchtower Official Website, "The Truth About Angels"
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ Questions on Doctrine: Christ, and Michael the Archangel
  10. ↑ Morning and Evening: Daily Readings, Morning October 3rd retrieved from Christian Classics Ethereal Library
  11. ↑ Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary at Christnotes.org, commentary on Daniel 12
  12. ↑ The Pagan's Path, Metaphysics 101: The Archangels
  13. ↑ "The Mission of Rudolf Steiner," Dr. Ernst Katz, retrieved from The Rudolph Steiner archive
  14. ↑ "On the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Pentagram" from The Internet Book of Shadows at Sacred-texts.com
  15. ↑ Angels in Art on HumanitiesWeb

Bibliography

  • Metzeger, Bruce M. (ed); , Michael D. Coogan (ed) (1993). The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-504645-5. 

See also

External links

Christian angelic hierarchy
First Sphere
(liberated)

Seraphim • Cherubim • Thrones •

 Paradiso Canto 31.jpg
Second Sphere
(active)

Dominions • Virtues  • Powers
Third Sphere
(active)

Principalities • Archangels • Angels