The Messengers of God Angels

Etymology Angel has come from Late Latin Angelus, which in turn has been borrowed from Greek Angelos. The Hebrew word for Angel is Mal’akh. The word simply means ‘messenger’.

Angels: Nature and Function Angels are not simply minor gods, despite Old Testament calling them “Sons of God” at one place (Job 1:6). Jewish, Christian, and Islamic tradition sees them as God’s creations. They are not eternal or equal to God. They act as servants, messengers, courtiers and soldiers of God.

Angels: What are they made from? Talmud says that the Angels are made from Fire. The Quran says that the Angels are made from Light. Origen believed that Angels have a body, though of a subtle kind. Augustine and Aquinas believed that Angels are pure spirits having no physical body. Milton accepts the theory of Origen.

Angels in The Old Testament: 1 Angels first appear in Genesis 18:2. Here three men visit the Jewish patriarch Abraham and prophesy that his aged wife Sarah will bear a male child. Notably, here Angels are called “men”. They are without wings or halos, and are not named. They also eat like ordinary human beings.

Angels in The Old Testament: 2 Angels are mentioned in Book of Job, Daniel,Tobit and Enoch. Daniel mentions different ranks of Angels, naming two of them – Michael and Gabriel. Raphael appears in Tobit. Enoch gives the names of the seven archangels – Uriel, Raphael, Raguel, Michael, Saraqael, Gabriel and Remiel. 2 Esdras also mentions Uriel and Jeremiel.

Tobias and the Angel: Andrea del verrocchio

Angels in The New Testament Jesus talked about the Angels a number of times. Gabriel (Luke 1: 26 – 38) and Michael (Jude 9; Revelation 12: 7) are specifically mentioned in The New Testament.

The annunciation: Fra Angelico

St. Michael Vanquishing satan: raphael

Hierarchy of Angels Dionysus the monk mentions the following nine-level Angelic hierarchy: 1. Seraphim 2. Cherubim 3. Thrones 4. Dominations 5. Virtues 6. Powers 7. Principalities 8. Archangels 9. Angels

Angels in The Quran Abraham or Ibrahim was visited by Angels (51: 24). Angels visited Mary (Maryam) prophesying the birth of Jesus (Isa ibn Maryam). Michael (Mikhail), Gabriel (Jibreel) and Raphael (Israfil) are mentioned in Islamic texts. The revelation in The Quran is said to have been transmitted by Gabriel (Jibreel ) Farishta (2: 97). Two other Angels Harut and Marut are mentioned who taught the Babylonians Magic and Sorcery.

Milton’s Angels Milton mentions several Angels in Paradise Lost, including Uriel, Gabriel, Raphael and Michael. Milton’s Angels possess bodies. They eat, drink and make love. They are genderless, but may adopt any gender on will. They are neither omnipotent nor omniscient.

Michael binding satan: blake

Reading List The Holy Bible: King James Version. New York: Ivy Books, 1991. Jones, David Albert. Angels: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011.

Dr AYUSMAN CHAKRABORTY Assistant Professor of English Prepared by Dr AYUSMAN CHAKRABORTY Assistant Professor of English Taki Government College

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