Difference between revisions of "Archangel Michael"

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(Created page with "350px|thumb|Archangel Michael defeating the dragon (Satan) '''Archangel Michael''' (Hebrew: מִיכָאֵל, romanized: Mīḵāʾēl, lit. ...")
 
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==Earliest textual appearance==
==Earliest textual appearance==
The earliest surviving mention of Michael is in a 3rd century BC Jewish apocalypse, the [[Book of Enoch]]. This text lists him as one of seven archangels (the remaining names are [[Archangel Uriel|Uriel]], Raguel, [[Archangel Raphael|Raphael]], Sariel, [[Archangel Gabriel|Gabriel]], and Remiel), who, according to a slightly later work, the Book of Tobit, "stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord." The fact that Michael is introduced in both works without explanation implies that readers already knew him and the other named angels, which in turn implies that they are earlier than the late 3rd century BC (the earliest possible date of the relevant passages in the Book of Enoch), but although their origins remain a matter for speculation there is no evidence that they are older than the Hellenistic period.
The earliest surviving mention of Michael is in a 3rd century BC Jewish apocalypse, the [[Book of Enoch]]. This text lists him as one of seven archangels (the remaining names are [[Archangel Uriel|Uriel]], Raguel, [[Archangel Raphael|Raphael]], Sariel, [[Archangel Gabriel|Gabriel]], and Remiel), who, according to a slightly later work, the [[Book of Tobit]], "stand ready and enter before the glory of the Lord." The fact that Michael is introduced in both works without explanation implies that readers already knew him and the other named angels, which in turn implies that they are earlier than the late 3rd century BC (the earliest possible date of the relevant passages in the Book of Enoch), but although their origins remain a matter for speculation there is no evidence that they are older than the Hellenistic period.


He is mentioned again in last chapters of the Book of Daniel, a Jewish apocalypse composed in the 2nd century BC although set in the 6th, in which a man clothed in linen (never identified, but probably Archangel Gabriel) tells Daniel that he and "Michael, your prince" are engaged in a battle with the "prince of Persia", after which, at the end-time, "Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise."
He is mentioned again in last chapters of the Book of Daniel, a Jewish apocalypse composed in the 2nd century BC although set in the 6th, in which a man clothed in linen (never identified, but probably Archangel Gabriel) tells Daniel that he and "Michael, your prince" are engaged in a battle with the "prince of Persia", after which, at the end-time, "Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise."
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The seven archangels mentioned in the [[Bible|New Testament]] (or four - the traditions differ but always include Michael) were associated with the branches of the menorah, the sacred seven-branched lampstand in the Temple as the seven spirits before the throne of God, and this is reflected in the Revelation of John 4:5 ("From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God" - ESV).
The seven archangels mentioned in the [[Bible|New Testament]] (or four - the traditions differ but always include Michael) were associated with the branches of the menorah, the sacred seven-branched lampstand in the Temple as the seven spirits before the throne of God, and this is reflected in the Revelation of John 4:5 ("From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God" - ESV).


Michael is mentioned explicitly in [[Book of Revelation|Revelation 12:7-12]], where he does battle with [[Satan]] and casts him out of heaven so that he no longer has access to God as accuser (his formal role in the Old Testament). The fall of Satan at the coming of [[Jesus Christ|Jesus]] marks the separation of the New Testament from [[Judaism.]] In Luke 22:31 Jesus tells Peter that Satan has asked God for permission to "sift" the disciples, the goal being to accuse them, but the accusation is opposed by Jesus, who thus takes on the role played by [[angel]]s, and especially by Michael, in Judaism.
Michael is mentioned explicitly in [[Book of Revelation|Revelation 12:7-12]], where he does battle with [[Satan]] and casts him out of heaven so that he no longer has access to God as accuser (his formal role in the Old Testament). The fall of Satan at the coming of [[Jesus Christ|Jesus]] marks the separation of the New Testament from [[Judaism]]. In Luke 22:31 Jesus tells Peter that Satan has asked God for permission to "sift" the disciples, the goal being to accuse them, but the accusation is opposed by Jesus, who thus takes on the role played by [[angel]]s, and especially by Michael, in Judaism.


Michael is mentioned by name for the second time in the Epistle of Jude, a passionate plea for believers in Christ to do battle against [[heresy]]. In verses 9-10 the author denounces the heretics by contrasting them with the Archangel Michael, who, disputing with Satan over the body of Moses, "did not presume to pronounce the verdict of 'slander' but said, 'The Lord punish you!'"
Michael is mentioned by name for the second time in the Epistle of Jude, a passionate plea for believers in Christ to do battle against [[heresy]]. In verses 9-10 the author denounces the heretics by contrasting them with the Archangel Michael, who, disputing with Satan over the body of Moses, "did not presume to pronounce the verdict of 'slander' but said, 'The Lord punish you!'"
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==Occult traditions==
==Occult traditions==
[[File:Michael.png|400px|thumb|Archangel Michael's summoning sigil, made according to Kabbalistic instructions]]
[[File:Michael.png|400px|thumb|Archangel Michael's summoning [[sigil]], made according to Kabbalistic instructions]]
In [[occult]] traditions, Michael's letter is ''Hod''. The direction he rules is south, and his primary element is fire. In [[astrology]], he is linked to the planet [[Mars]] and the [[Sun]] as well as the signs of [[Aries]], [[Leo]], and [[Sagittarius]]. He is the governing archangel of Sunday.
In [[occult]] traditions, Michael's letter is ''Hod''. The direction he rules is south, and his primary element is fire. In [[astrology]], he is linked to the planet [[Mars]] and the [[Sun]] as well as the signs of [[Aries]], [[Leo]], and [[Sagittarius]]. He is the governing archangel of Sunday.


The angelology of Pseudo-Dionysius, which was widely read as of the 6th century, gave Michael a rank in the [[hierarchy of angels]]. Later, in the 13th century, others such as Bonaventure believed that he is the prince of the [[Seraphim]], the first of the nine [[angel|angelic]] orders. According to Thomas Aquinas and [[Robert Fludd]], he is the prince of the last and lowest choir, the [[angels]]. Robert Ambelain places him over the choir of [[Virtues]].
The angelology of Pseudo-Dionysius, which was widely read as of the 6th century, gave Michael a rank in the [[hierarchy of angels]]. Later, in the 13th century, others such as Bonaventure believed that he is the prince of the [[Seraphim]], the first of the nine [[angel|angelic]] orders. According to Thomas Aquinas, he is the prince of the last and lowest choir, the [[angels]]. Robert Ambelain and [[Robert Fludd]] place him over the choir of [[Virtues]], which seems to have become the consensus for most [[occultist]]s.


===''Testament of Solomon''===
===''Testament of Solomon''===

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