Archangel

As Archangel (from the Greek ἀρχή Ark ( early, leadership ', in the derived meaning, Upper - ') and άγγελος Angelos (' messenger ')) is in Judaism, Christianity, and called in Islam one of the angels in the angelic hierarchy and for faith plays a prominent role. Only Michael is mentioned in the Bible as Archangel, and only two angels are ever named in the Bible by name. One is the Archangel Michael ( Daniel 10:13, 12:1; Jude 9, Revelation 12:7, 8 ), the other angel is Gabriel ( Daniel 8:16, 9:21, Luke 1:11-20, 26 -28 ). In later writings also still find Raphael ( Tobit 5:4-12:22 ) mention; However, other angels are understood in the tradition of faith ( doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church ) as part of a group of archangels.

• 2.1 Three / Four Archangels
• 2.2 Other names of archangels
• 2.3 position of the Archangel

Archangel in Jewish religion

Two Archangel

By the time of the captivity, the Babylonian exile, begins in the sacred writings of the Jews, a naming of angels. In the interpretation of the Tanakh two angels has special function to:

• Michael, Hebrew מיכאל mîkā'ēl " Who is like God? "
• Gabriel, Hebrew גַּבְרִיאֵל gavri'ēl "God is my hero " or " My strength is God"

According to the Jewish view is gavri'ēl the head of the cherubim and seraphim.

More Archangel

The later Jewish tradition was one of the seven archangels. The number seven goes back to a point in the book of Tobit, where Raphael says he is " one of the seven holy angels that emerge carry the prayers of the saints, and contact him before the majesty of the holy God. " Archangel names contained addition to the two in the Tanakh Gabriel and Michael are mentioned in the course of time, for example in the pseudepigraphic and deuterocanonical writings and in the tradition of the Kaballah Chamuel, Haniel Jophiel, Raguel, Sariel, Ramiel, Zadkiel, Raphael, and Uriel as names of archangels.

Archangel of the Christian Religion

Main article: Angels # Angels in Christianity

Three / Four Archangels

In Christianity, the existence of three or four archangels was to the Middle Ages analogous to the Jewish tradition, taught (with or without " Uriel " ):

• Gabriel
• Michael
• Raphael
• Uriel

Especially Michael as Angel of the " Last Judgment " of the Apocalypse and Gabriel as "ambassadors" Angel of the Annunciation were widely known and popular figures in Christian art. A group of four with Uriel was honored mainly in the Eastern Christian space. From theologians also the position and " actual " number of Archangel was discussed in the angelology until the late Middle Ages.

Other names of archangels

In Palermo emerged from 1516 with the rediscovery of a fresco with seven archangels in the Church " Setti Angeli " a worship of seven archangels and expanded further to Italy and in the Netherlands and Russia and South America. Three other archangels were known as Jehudiel, Sealtiel and Barachiel in popular belief. The Russian Orthodox Church added an eighth Archangel, Jeremiel. In the West, the number of Archangel was further increased to nine or twelve.

Position of the Archangel

A chorus of Archangel stands above the "normal" angels, which are considered as an emanation of the archangels.

Four angels of Islam

Belief in angels is one of the six articles of faith of Islam. The Qur'an mentions in a special form four angels:

• Azrael, (Arabic عزرائیل, DMG ʿ ʾ Azra īl ), the " angel of death ", Malik al- toll
• Israfil, ( إسرافيل, DMG Israfil ), the "Angel of the Last Judgment "
• Jibril ( جبريل, DMG Ǧibrīl ), the " transmitter of divine wisdom " to German Gabriel ( This is the same Archangel who appears at the Annunciation Mary)
• Mika'il / / Mikaal ( ميكائيل / ميكال ), the "Angel of natural events " ( to Michael German )

Of special significance is Jibril, because according to Islamic view, he is the bearer of the Quran (Holy Spirit, روح القدس / Ruh al - Qudus ) and is considered the " ambassador " between God and prophets.