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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]
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.
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.
In the Psuedipigrapha 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-.
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)
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).
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