Category:Angels & Demons (subject)

BACK TO THE TOPICS--INDEX

Angels & Demons

Overview

The Four (or Seven) Archangels

As early as the Book of Watchers, there are lists that include either four (1 En 9:1) or seven archangels (1 En 20:1-8). The names of Gabriel, Michael and Raphael are present in both versions. As for the other archangels, sources offer a diversity of names.

In the Aramaic text of 1 En 9:1, the four archangels are: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Sariel. These are the names that are also attested in the War Scroll (1QM IX 15 16). The Greek version, however, has "Uriel" instead of Sariel (it could be a scribal error or an intentional alteration, due to to the prominent role of Uriel in 1En 19-21; 72-82). In the book of the Parables, "Phanuel" appears instead of "Sariel" / "Uriel" (1En 40:8 9; 53:6; 70:11, 16). By identifying the four archangels with the four heavenly beings known from Ezekiel’s inaugural vision, 1En 40:9 points to Ezek 1 as to the possible biblical background of the concept of four supreme angelic princes. A similar connection between the four archangels and the beings at the four sides of God’s throne is also drawn in Rabbinic writings (Num. Rab. 2:10; Pesiq. Rab. 46:3; Pirqe R. El. 4), with the sole exception that it is again "Uriel" and not "Phanuel" who is included in the lists.

The tradition of seven archangels also seems to come from Ezek 9. Here, the visionary beholds six men with deadly weapons in their hands who are accompanied by a further, different figure with a writing case (Ezek 9:2). The earliest extant list that contains their names is only attested in 1En 20. The chapter provides the names of the angels that accompany Enoch on his eastward journey which is reported in 1En 21 36. It mentions Uriel, Raphael, Raguel, Michael, Sariel, Gabriel and Remiel. The idea of seven archangels is stated in the Book of Tobit when Raphael reveals himself, declaring: "I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand in the glorious presence of the Lord, ready to serve him." (Tobit 12:15)

The Animal Apocalypse combines the two traditions. As four of the seven archangels are busy with the punishment of the Watchers, the remaining three can show Enoch to his watchtower. Together, all seven return at the time of the final judgment and lead the rebel angels before God’s throne where they are to receive their sentence (90:21). They remain unnamed.

The names of the four or seven archangels remains fluid in the Christian tradition, with the exception of Michael, Gabriel and Raphael. Pseudo-Dionysius names the seven archangels as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Camael, Jophiel, and Zadkiel. Pope Saint Gregory I lists them as Michael, Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel (or Anael), Simiel, Oriphiel, and Raguel. But there many other lists with different names, except the first three. In the Anglican tradition the "fourth" archangel is commonly identified as Uriel.