The History of Archangels and Angels

The Origin of Angels

The idea of angels has its roots in ancient Mesopotamia and Persian Zoroastrianism. These traditions introduced the idea of ​​celestial beings who acted as mediators between the divine and humans. Such concepts later came to influence the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Within Judaism there were early descriptions of an angel called Malakh Yahweh (Angel of the Lord). This figure was often perceived as a human manifestation of the divine itself. In addition to Malakh Yahweh, other supernatural beings are mentioned in the Torah, such as cherubim and seraphim, who functioned as God's servants and messengers.

Christianity further developed these ideas into more complex hierarchies. In the New Testament, the title archangel is mentioned twice, always with reference to Michael. However, Gabriel is never mentioned as an archangel in the Gospels; it is only in later Christian traditions that one begins to speak of several archangels, including Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel.

Occurrence of Angels in Different Religions

In different religious traditions, angels play different roles, but they always remain a link between the divine and the earthly. Here are some examples:

• Judaism: Angels act as God's messengers and perform specific tasks. Archangel Michael is one of the most prominent and is described as Israel's protector.
• Christianity: The idea of ​​angels here develops into a more structured hierarchy. Seraphim, cherubim and archangels such as Michael, Gabriel and Raphael have different roles.
• Islam: Angels, or malaika, are created from light and serve God without free will. Gabriel (Jibril) is the most famous, because he revealed the Koran to the Prophet Muhammad.
• Gnosticism: In Gnostic texts, angels are seen as both helpers and obstacles on the spiritual journey. They often represent complex forces that can be both good and malevolent.

Angels in the Bible

Terrifying and strange beings, the Bible often paints a picture of angels that differs from the peaceful creatures we see in popular culture. In the book of Ezekiel, for example, cherubim are described as creatures with many faces (man, lion, ox and eagle) and many wings covered with eyes. Seraphim, mentioned in Isaiah, have six wings—two that cover the face, two that cover the feet, and two that are used for flight. These descriptions reinforce the image of angels as overwhelming and powerful, rather than soft and gentle. Often they were so terrifying that the people who encountered them fell to their knees in fear. The archangels, as leaders among the angels, play a special role in this hierarchy.

Angels in Kabbalism

In Kabbalism, a mystical tradition rooted in Judaism, angels are seen not only as spiritual beings but also as powerful mediators of God's will and energy. They act as a link between the material world and the divine world. Kabbalistic texts often describe angels in relation to the Serifot. In Kabbalism, the sefirot represent the ten divine emanations or aspects of God's will and nature. The word "emanation" in this context means a projection of something from a source, without the source losing anything of itself. In Kabbalism, it refers to how God expresses Their will and energy through various aspects (sefirot), which are like "rays" or "reflections" of God's attributes.

These emanations are structured like a tree of life and act as a map of the structure of creation as well as the spiritual development of humans. Each sefira (singular of sefirot) carries unique characteristics and symbolizes different parts of the divine energy. The emanations in the tree of life are thus the ways in which God interacts with and manifests Themselves in the world. They act as a bridge between the infinite (God) and the finite (creation). Their mission is to maintain the order of the universe and guide people on their spiritual journey.

The view of angels in Kabbalism

Kabbalistic tradition describes various hierarchies of angels, divided into levels that reflect their closeness to God. Among the most prominent are:

• Seraphim and Kerarim (those closest to God).
• Malachim and Elohim.
• Ishim (those closest to humans).

Each sefira is associated with specific angels or groups of angels that act as mediators of the energy of the sefirot. Angels in Kabbalism have many tasks:

• Channel divine energy by acting as channels for God's will.
• Guide souls on their spiritual journey and offer protection.
• Carry out God's plans both on a cosmic and individual level.

Symbolism and names

Each angel has a unique name that reflects its mission and essence. These names, written in Hebrew, are often linked to specific powers or qualities. Some of the most prominent angels in Kabbalistic tradition are:

1. Metatron (מֶטָרוֹן): One of the highest angels, sometimes called God's scribe. According to some traditions, Metatron was once the human Enoch, who was elevated to an angel.

2. Raziel (רָזִיאֵל): Angel of mysteries and knowledge, known for giving the Adam a book filled with wisdom.

3. Gabriel (גַּבְרִיאֵל): A powerful guardian and messenger of God who plays an important role in the spiritual development of humans.

4. Michael (מִיכָאֵל): A protective warrior and protector who fights against negative forces.

5. Uriel (אוּרִיאֵל): Angel of light and wisdom, often associated with enlightenment and inner knowledge.

Kabbalistic teachings also contain meditations and prayers where one works with the names of angels, both to achieve spiritual enlightenment and to influence one's surroundings.