Angels Azrael and Raziel in Jewish and Christian Tradition
The names Azrael and Raziel do not appear in the biblical canon, though the name Azareel, which means "whom the Lord helps" or "help of God," is found in the Old Testament [2, 3]. Azareel identifies several individuals: a Korhite who joined David, a Levite musician, a prince of the tribe of Dan, and a son of Bani who put away his foreign wife [2]. One biblical reference also lists "Azareel" among those who played musical instruments in Ezra's time [1].
While Azrael and Raziel are not biblical figures, angels are frequently mentioned throughout the Old and New Testaments. The term "angel" can refer to celestial beings who serve God [7, 10]. Angels are depicted as messengers, protectors, and sometimes as agents of divine judgment [5, 8]. For instance, an angel strengthened Jesus in Gethsemane [5]. In some cases, an angel is even identified with God himself, as seen in Exodus 23:21 where an angel is called "Jehovah and Elohim" [6].
Only two angels are named in the biblical canon: Gabriel and Michael [9]. Gabriel, whose name means "man of God," appears to Daniel and later to Mary and Zechariah [4, 9]. Michael is described as one of the chief princes or "mightiest of the angels" and an archangel in Jewish tradition [9, 13]. He is mentioned in Daniel, Jude, and Revelation [9, 13]. Jewish tradition, as seen in Rashi's commentary, sometimes interprets "a man" in biblical texts as referring to an angel [11, 12].
The concept of angels and their roles developed further in Jewish tradition beyond the biblical texts, leading to the naming of other angels like Azrael and Raziel in non-canonical literature. These names are not found in the canonical scriptures but emerge in later mystical and rabbinic writings.
Sources
- Ezra “Ezra 10:41 (Geneva1599) — Azareel, and Shelemiah, Shemariah,”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Azareel, Or Azareel — (whom the Lord helps). + A Korhite who joined David in his retreat at Ziklag. (1 Chronicles 12:6) (B.C. 1060.) + A Levite musician of the family of Heman in the time of David, (1 Chronicles 25:18) called [218]Uzziel in (1 Chronicles 25:4) (B.C. 1050.) + Son of Jeroham, and prince of the tribe of Dan when David numbered the people. (1 Chronicles 27:22) + One of the sons of Bani, who put away his foreign wife on the remonstrance of Ezra. (Ezra 10:41) (B.C. 459.) + Father or ancestor of Maasiai, or Amashai, a priest who dwelt in Jerusalem after the ”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Azareel — help of God”
- Daniel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Daniel 8:15: 8:15-16 The name Gabriel means “man of God”; he appeared like a man to Daniel (see also 9:21; Luke 1:19, 26).”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 22:43: 22:43 an angel from heaven: Angels often help and encourage human beings (see Heb 1:14; cp. 1 Kgs 19:5-8; Ps 91:11-12; Dan 3:28; 10:16-19).”
- Exodus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Exodus 23:21: my name is in him--This angel is frequently called Jehovah and Elohim, that is, God.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Isaiah 6:3: Hosts . Angels that are above.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 33:2: AND I WILL SEND AN ANGEL BEFORE THEE. To help you.”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 1:19: 1:19 I am Gabriel! Two angels are named in Scripture: Gabriel (Dan 8:16; 9:21) and Michael (Dan 10:13; 12:1; Jude 1:9; Rev 12:7).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Genesis 3:5: AND YE SHALL BE AS GOD. As angels. 18 See I.E.’s comment on Gen. 1:1.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Daniel 8:13: one holy one one of the angels.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Zechariah 1:8: and behold! A man an angel.”
- Jude (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jude 1:9: 1:9 Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels: In Jewish tradition, “archangel” was the highest rank of angel (see also 1 Thes 4:16). Michael is mentioned several other times in Scripture (Dan 10:13, 21; 12:1; Rev 12:7); the story about him fighting with the devil about Moses’ body is not in the Old Testament but is preserved in Jewish tradition (see Assumption of Moses).”