Archangel

This article is about the supernatural beings. For other uses, see Archangel (disambiguation).

Archangels (Lat. archangelus, pl. archangeli) are superior or higher-ranking angels. Archangels are found in a number of religious traditions, including Islam, Judaism and Zoroastrianism. In Biblical Christianity, the only archangels ever clearly named as being of the order are Michael and Gabriel; Raphael is mentioned in the Deuterocanonical book of Tobit.

The word archangel derives from the Greek αρχάγγελος archangelos = αρχ- arch- ("first, primary, chief") and άγγελος angelos ("messenger").

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. 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.

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

In Christianity

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

The New Testament rarely speaks of angels, and 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. Contrary to popular belief, Gabriel is never called 'archangel' in the Gospels.

In later Church tradition, however, there are three archangels: Michael, Gabriel, and usually Raphael; sometimes Uriel is given as a fourth. Eastern Orthodox tradition mentions "thousands of archangels" but venerates only seven of them by name. Uriel is included, and the other three are most often named Selaphiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel.

Sometimes Satan (named Satanel in the Book of Enoch) is considered a fallen archangel whose original name was Lucifer.

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

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.

Orthodox icon of the seven archangels. From left to right: Jegudiel, Gabriel, Selaphiel, Michael, Uriel, Raphiel, Barachiel. Beneath the mandorla of Christ are representations of Cherubim and Seraphim.

Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Michael is one of the names Jesus has in heaven. 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 name, fighting the forces of Satan and protecting God's people on earth. (Revelation 12:7• 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 the biblical book 1Thessalonians 4:16, where it says regarding Jesus: "Because the Lord himself will descend from Heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel's voice."

This is in contrast to certain Protestants, such as Seventh-day Adventists, the Baptist evangelist Charles Spurgeon and the Presbyterian Commentary author Matthew Henry, who believe that the Archangel Michael is not an angel but is instead the uncreated, divine Son of God. In this view "archangel" means "head of the angels" rather than "head angel," and is a title similar to "Prince of the host." (Daniel 8:11)

In Islam

In Islam, the named archangels include Michael or Mikail (archangel of sustenance), Gabriel or Jibril (archangel of revelation; who brought the Qur'an to Muhammad), and the Angel of Death- a common name for the angel is Azra-eel.-; however, not mentioned in any scriptures. The names that are mentioned include the "Angel of Death" or Malak al-Maut, Israfel or Israfil (archangel who is to blow the horn on Judgment Day), Maalik (Keeper of Hell), Munkar and Nakir (Angels of Interrogation that will question deceased souls on their life before their death) and Radwan (Keeper of Heaven). Neither Israfil nor Izrail are mentioned in the Qur'an, however, and neither Nakir nor Munkar are mentioned as archangels in the Qur'an or any other Islamic Text.

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.

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. 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, 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 usually depicted with larger wings and many eyes. Some of the more commonly represented archangels are Gabriel, Michael, Raphael, Metatron, Uriel, and Satanel.

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)

Bibliography

• Metzeger, Bruce M. (ed) (1993). The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-504645-5. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

See also

• Angels in art
• Angels in Islam
• Hierarchy of angels
• John Dee
• Olympian spirits
• Seven Archangels
• Zoroastrian angelology
• Angelology