Archangel

An Archangel is a superior or higher-ranking angel. They are to be found in a number of religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Zoroastrianism.

The word 'archangel' derives from the Greek arche (ruler or source) and angelos (messenger).

In Zoroastrianism

In Zoroastrianism, Aməša Spənta are the Holy Immortals, the equivalent of Archangels in Christian theology. Some interpreters, however, think that Zarathustra originally saw them as more like aspects of God, rather like the persons of the Christian Trinity. The Aməša Spəntas are:

• Khshathra (Vairya), translated as "Desirable Power" or "Desirable Dominion,"
• Haurvatat, translated as "Wholeness,"
• (Spenta) Armaiti, translated as "(Holy) Piety," "Devotion," or "Serenity,"
• Ameretat, translated as "Immortality,"
• Vohu Manah, translated as "Good Thought" or "Good Purpose,"
• Spənta Mainyu, translated as "Holy Spirit" or "Creative Energy," and
• Aša (Vahišta), translated as "Justice and Truth" or "(Best) Truth."

These are the names of the spirits in Avestan. In Pahlavi, Khshathra is called Shāhrevar, Haurvatat is called Hordad, Spenta Armaiti is called Spendarmad, Ameretat is called Amurdad, Vohu Manah is called Vahman, Spenta Mainyu is called Spenag Mēnōg and Asha Vahistha is called Ašwahišt, Ardwahišt or "Ardebehišt". The names are naturally spelled in countless different ways in different English transcriptions, but this is one common way of writing them.

Though Spənta Mainyu (Spenag Mēnōg) is counted among the Aməša Spentas, he is often identified with Ahura Mazda (Ohrmazd, Modern Persian Hormæzd), the creator of the remaining six Aməša Spentas and essentially above them.

Each of the Aməša Spentas helped to create a particular part of creation and now presides over it or is represented by it. Khshathra Vairya helped to create the stony firmament and presides over it as well as stone tools such as the stone pestle and the flint knife. Haurvatat helped to create and presides over water. Spənta Armaiti helped to create and presides over earth. Amərətāt helped to create and presides over plants. Vōhu Mānah helped to create and presides over cattle. Spənta Mainyu helped to create and presides over the just man and Aša helped to create and presides over fire.

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. The earliest references to archangels are in the literature of the intertestamental period (e.g. 4 Esdras 4.36).

It is therefore widely speculated that Jewish interest in angels was learned during the Babylonian captivity. According to Rabbi Simeon ben Lakish of Tiberias (230–270 C.E.), all the specific names for the angels were brought back by the Jews from Babylon, and some modern commentators would argue that the details of the angelic hierarchy were largely Zoroastrian in origin.

Within the rabbinic tradition and the Kabbalah, the usual number given is at least seven: Michael, Raphael, Gabriel, Uriel, Sariel, Raguel, and Remiel (possibly the Ramiel of the Apocalypse of Baruch, said to preside over true visions). Zadkiel, Jophiel, Haniel and Chamuel are also listed as archangels.

In Christianity

Gabriel, traditionaly 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, (which is referring in passing to a Jewish legend) 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 Christian tradition, however, there are three Archangels: Michael, Gabriel, Raphael (and sometimes Uriel is given as a fourth). Eastern Orthodox tradition mentions Seven Archangels. Uriel is included, and the other three are most often cited as Selaphiel, Jegudiel, and Barachiel.

Sometimes Satan is considered a fallen Archangel whose original name was Lucifer.

Some Protestants view Michael as the sole Archangel, as the only one explicitly mentioned as such in the Bible.

The Protestant Bible actually never mentions a "Raphael", and is therefore not recognized by many. 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.

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 Jesus was actually the Archangel Michael in incarnate form. In this view, Michael is the first and greatest of all God's creatures.

This is in contrast to certain Protestants, such as 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 archangels are Michael or Mikael (Archangel of the Weather), Gabriel or Jibril (who brought the Koran to Muhammad), Azrael (Angel of Death), Israfil or Isra'afeel (Archangel who is to blow the horn on Judgement Day), Malik (Keeper of Hell) and Munkar and Nakir (Angels of Interrogation that will question deceased souls on their life before their death). Neither Israfel nor Azrael are mentioned in the Qu'ran.

It is emphasised in Islamic texts that angels are genderless.

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.

Among the Tarish, the four archangels are Michael, Gabriel, Tariel (aka Raphael), and Lucifer.

In art, archangels are usually depicted with larger wings and many eyes. The most often represented archangels are Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.

See also

• The Hierarchy of angels
• Seven archangels
• John Dee
• Angels in Islam
• Angels in art
• Olympian spirits
• Yazata
• Angels

References

ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

• britannica.com
• Mary Boyce (1984). Textual Sources for the Study of Zoroastrianism. Manchester University Press.

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