So instead (and unfortunately), I'll only be posting an excerpt of my original post (to which I'll be elaborating on), which covers a little bit of background information on the angel we know as Gabriel. Our "journey to the manger" begins with Gabriel and his proclamation to Zacharias. In next week's post we're going to skip to his proclamation to Mary however. But without further a due, let's learn a little bit about this interesting character:
Gabriel is one of two non-fallen angels mentioned by name in the entire bible, the other of which being Michael. Gabriel's name in Hebrew is actually pronounced “Gavriel” (Gahv-ree-el), and essentially means “mighty man of God.” He is first mentioned in Daniel 8:16, and while not much is said about him there, we learn later in Luke 1:19 that Gabriel “stands in the presence of God.” He is never explicitly titled as an Archangel, Cherub, or Seraph, but it is safe to assume by his statement in Luke 1:19 that he probably falls under one of those three as far as angelic hierarchy is concerned. Gabriel is typically viewed as a messenger, because of his roles in the book of Daniel, and of course the New Testament.
The Qur'an references Gabriel (called by "Jibrail" in Arabic), though I don't think it's really worth citing in this case, as views of Gabriel in the Qur'an were most likely adopted and distorted from Jewish or Christian views anyway. Normally I find value in citing extra-biblical texts to give my readers an idea of what popular Ancient Near Eastern thought was on certain subjects, but considering that the Qur'an was written really late in the game (610 - 632 CE), there's nothing worth citing from it.
The Book of Enoch however does mention Gabriel, and while the credibility of that text is in obvious question, it does at least give us a hint to what some or most Jews thought at the time. In the Book of Enoch, Gabriel is said to have been commanded by God to instigate war between the offspring of Nephilim (who are called "The Watchers" in the Book of Enoch) because they were so corrupt. Furthermore, it mentions that Gabriel is an authoritative figure above "all that is powerful" (including the seraphim and cherubim) and sits at the left hand of God with the angel Metatron (supposedly the angel who interceded and saved Isaac from Abraham's sacrifice). Considering the Book of Enoch focuses a lot on angel literature (an unnecessary deviation from the Tanakh), it's probably just fanciful elaboration for the most part... but there is still educational value to it historically speaking.
Case and point though, Gabriel is a pretty powerful guy! His name says so, and God certainly says so if He allows him to stand in His presence for eternity. If Gabriel ever dropped you a line, I'd recommend you listen up!
I find your writing fascinating Darrell, I only have two questions; what is the Book of Enoch, and what did Gabriel say to Zacharias?? For the sake of a self-contained argument let us say. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe Book of Enoch is an Jewish apocryphal text dating around 300-100 BC that talks a lot about Enoch and his dealings with The Watchers, who are supposedly fallen angels (once in charge of "watching" mankind) that gave birth to the Nephilim in Genesis 6 and also supposedly taught man things like warfare, cosmetics, astrology, and other things. It used to be a popular text to my knowledge, and there are some fragments of it in the Dead Sea Scrolls.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Gabriel's proclamation to Zacharias goes, he reveals to him that his wife Elizabeth (a relative of Mary) was going to bare a child, despite her barrenness. That child of course being John the Baptist. Zacharias questions him however, and gets struck with muteness until John is born. The whole of their conversation can be found in Luke 1:5-24. : )