Archangel

Archangels (/ˌɑːrkˈeɪndʒəls/) are the second-lowest rank of angel in the Christian hierarchy of angels, put forward by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite in the 5th or 6th century in his book De Coelesti Hierarchia (On the Celestial Hierarchy).^[1]^[2]^[3] The word is usually associated with the Abrahamic religions; very similar beings exist in several other religions.

"Archangel" is derived from Greek ἀρχάγγελος (arkhángelos), the Greek prefix "arch-" meaning "chief". A common misconception is that this is the highest rank of angel in Christianity, likely stemming from John Milton's Paradise Lost and confusion over the "arch-" prefix.^[4]

In Judaism, the highest ranking angels such as Michael, Raphael, Gabriel and Uriel, who are usually referred to as archangels in English, are given the title of śārīm (Hebrew: שָׂרִים, sing. שָׂר, śār), meaning "princes", to show their superior rank and status.^[5] Two examples of this can be seen in Daniel 10:13 and 12:1, where Michael, Chief of the Heavenly Host, is referred to as ʾaḥaḏ haśśārīm hārišōnīm (Hebrew: אַחַד הַשָּׂרִים הָרִאשֹׁנִים) in the former, meaning "one of the first/chief princes", and haśśar haggāḏōl (Hebrew: הַשַּׂר הַגָּדוֹל) in the latter, meaning "the great prince".^[6]^[7]^[8]^[9]

^ Chase, Steven (2002). Angelic spirituality. p. 264. ISBN 978-0-8091-3948-4.
^ McInerny, Ralph M. (1998). Selected writings of Thomas Aquinas. p. 841. ISBN 978-0-14-043632-7.
^ Pseudo-Dionysius, the Areopagite (1987). Pseudo-Dionysius : the complete works. Colm Luibhéid, Paul Rorem. New York: Paulist Press. pp. 161–173. ISBN 0-8091-0383-4. OCLC 15282383.
^ The Methodist New Connexion Magazine and Evangelical Repository, Volume XXXV., Third Series. London: William Cooke. 1867. p. 493.
^ "Strong's Hebrew Concordance - 8269. sar".
^ "Daniel 10:13". Sefaria.
^ "Daniel 10:13, Westminster Leningrad Codex, Hebrew Text Analysis". Bible Hub.
^ "Daniel 12:1". Sefaria.
^ "Daniel 12:1, Westminster Leningrad Codex, Hebrew Text Analysis". Bible Hub.

[1] Chase, Steven (2002). Angelic spirituality. p. 264. ISBN 978-0-8091-3948-4.

[2] McInerny, Ralph M. (1998). Selected writings of Thomas Aquinas. p. 841. ISBN 978-0-14-043632-7.

[3] Pseudo-Dionysius, the Areopagite (1987). Pseudo-Dionysius : the complete works. Colm Luibhéid, Paul Rorem. New York: Paulist Press. pp. 161–173. ISBN 0-8091-0383-4. OCLC 15282383.

[4] The Methodist New Connexion Magazine and Evangelical Repository, Volume XXXV., Third Series. London: William Cooke. 1867. p. 493.

[5] "Strong's Hebrew Concordance - 8269. sar".

[6] "Daniel 10:13". Sefaria.

[7] "Daniel 10:13, Westminster Leningrad Codex, Hebrew Text Analysis". Bible Hub.

[8] "Daniel 12:1". Sefaria.

[9] "Daniel 12:1, Westminster Leningrad Codex, Hebrew Text Analysis". Bible Hub.

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