Texts in Conversation
In Isaiah, the angel of God's presence saves Israel in its distress. In 3 Enoch, Metatron bears that title and rescues Ishmael from the angels, giving the saving role a place in a human journey to heaven.
Share:
2500 BCE
1000+ CE
Isaiah 63:9
Hebrew Bible
7 I will tell of the faithful acts of the Lord, of the Lord’s praiseworthy deeds. I will tell about all the Lord did for us, the many good things he did for the family of Israel, because of his compassion and great faithfulness. 8 He said, “Certainly they will be my people, children who are not disloyal.” He became their deliverer. 9 Through all that they suffered, he suffered too. The messenger sent from his very presence delivered them. In his love and mercy he protected them; he lifted them up and carried them throughout ancient times. 10 But they rebelled and offended his Holy Spirit, so he turned into an enemy and fought against them.
3 Enoch 1:4
Hebrew Book of Enoch
Pseudepigrapha, Apocalypses
"Lord of the Universe, I pray you, that the merit of Aaron, the son of Amram, the lover of peace and pursuer of peace, who received the crown of priesthood from Your Glory on the mount of Sinai, be valid for me in this hour, so that Qafsiel, the prince, and the angels with him may not get power over me nor throw me down from the heavens". At once the Holy One, blessed be He, sent to me Metatron, his Servant ('Ebed) the angel, the Prince of the Presence, and he, spreading his wings, with great joy came to meet me so as to save me from their hand.
Tags:
Search:
Notes and References
“... 1. Prince of the Divine Presence (Sar happdnim): an angel who has the privilege of
serving in God's immediate presence; see 3 Enoch 8:1; 48C:7; Hekalot Rabbati 11:1 (BHM,
vol. 3, p. 91). It is possible that the idea of the Prince of the Divine Presence may be
connected with that of the curtain: note Masseket Hekalot 7 (BHM, vol. 2, p. 46). 3 Enoch
frequently calls Metatron Prince of the Divine Presence, but others, such as Suryah in
Hekalot Rabbati 14:4 (BHM, vol. 3, p. 94), also bear the title. It is probable that the title
is derived from Isaiah 63:9: "In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his
presence [maPakpdndyw] saved them"; cf. Tobit 12:15; Jubilees 1:27; Hekalot Rabbati 3:3
(BHM, vol. 3, p. 85); Cairo Genizah Hekalot B/l, 36 (ed. Gruenwald, p. 369). Note also ...”
Philip S. Alexander
"3 (Hebrew Apocalypse of) Enoch" in James H. Charlesworth (ed.) The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Volume 1
(p. 242) Doubleday, 1983
* The use of references are not endorsements of their contents. Please read the entirety of the provided reference(s) to understand the author's full intentions regarding the use of these texts.
Your Feedback:
Leave a Comment
Anonymous comments are welcome. All comments are subject to moderation.
User Comments
,