Angels

Angels are considered to be messengers.

Strongs # 4397 Hebrew: malak: from an unused root mean. to dispatch; as a deputy; a messenger; spec. of God i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher):- ambassador, angel, king, messenger.

Strongs # 32 Greek: anggelos; a messenger; esp. an "angel" by impl. a pastor:- angel, messenger

Angels are sometimes referred to as "watchers" [Dan 4:13: 4:23: 4:17]

Watcher- Strongs # 5894 (Chal), from a root corresp. to 5782; a watcher; i.e. an angel (as guardian);- watcher

The watchers are also mentioned in the Pseudipigrapha in the book of Jubilees, Enoch I, and in some rabbinic and cabalistic lore. Supposedly there are good and evil watchers.

Angels were thought to look like human males, and were sometimes even mistaken as men, according to the Bible as well as Israelite tradition. As in the case of Lot [Gen 19]


Sometimes it almost seems as if angels are assigned certain territories and areas to have watch over. See [Dan 10:5-20] where this prince of Persia was able to thwart an angel of God. An adverse spirit was prince of the kingdom of Persia. This adverse spirit withstood the angel of God three weeks! Till Micheal came to help. A fight on a spiritual level. Over what? Territory?


Angels are said to function as guardians, messengers, and warriors.

After ancient Israel was captured by the Babylonians in 597 B.C., angels took on a somewhat altered state. The artists and writers began to provide wings for even the anthropomorphic angels, and an interest was developed in angel's names and ranks.


Although belief in angels is upheld by the Bible, in some works of the Psuedipigrapha and the Apocrapha, written from 200 B.C to about 200 A.D., there seems to be a remarkable growth of angel folklore, some being "borrowed" from the polytheistic religions; by turning pagan gods into angels.

El is part of the name of God, as in Elohim and El Shaddai. Many of the angels mentioned by name, such as Michael and Gabriel in the canon of the Bible, have the "El" included in their names. Even the original name of Lucifer (Helel or Azazel) contains the "el" There seems to be some difference of opinion as to who Lucifer actually was. In [Enoch I, 86:1] it says the first star to fall from Heaven was Satan - Helel. In Canaanitish mythology, Helel tried to usurp the throne of the chief god. and, as punishment was cast down to the abyss.


But, some feel that Azazel is the chief of the fallen angels.


Irenaus calls Azazel "that fallen and yet mighty angel."


In The Apocalypse of Abraham, Azazel is called "lord of hell, seducer of mankind."

In the Psuedepigrapha and Apocrapha there are found more angels that have contained in their names part of the name of God. such as: Uriel, Raphael, Romiel, Phanuel, Raziel, and many, many, more.

Michael seems to rank as one of the great, if not the greatest angel. The Chaldeans even worshipped him as a god. In Islamic writings he is called Mika'il. In Baruch III, Michael holds the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven-.


In the "War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness", Michael is called the prince of light.


He is supposedly known as the destroyer of Babylon, and was also declared the 'patron of policemen' in 1950 by Pope Pius XII.

The word arch-angel is not mentioned in the Old Testament at all and in the New Testament only twice (IThes 4:16 and Jude 9)


The only arch angel specifically mentioned in scripture is Michael He is also called "one of the cheif princes" and "great angel" [Dan 10:13,21; 12:1; Rev 12:7] But because Gabriel is a prominent angel and his name means strength or cheif [politically] some conclude that he is an archangel too. Though this opinion is not supported by scripture.

Some seem to feel that Lucifer (Helel or Azazel) was an archangel before his fall; but this also is not supported by scripture, and is merely speculation based on the influence he held over the other angels who fell with him. Satan is called Archangel Ruin'd - by Milton in Paradise Lost I, 593.

Enoch mentions seven archangels in Enoch I (Uriel, Raquel, Michael, Seraqael, Gabriel, Haniel, and Raphael).


the Kabbalah mentions ten.

References:


A Dictionary of Angels by Gustav Davidson


Funk and Wagnall Encyclopedia- article angels


Strong's Concordance Dictionary


Hayford's Bible Handbook- under angels

The Angel of YHVH