Conceptions of warlike angels in literature of the late Second Temple period

Abstract

The work begins with a chapter that presents the various traditions concerning "angelic" warriors in the Hebrew Bible. In this context, we have investigated the two main biblical traditions: the council of gods and the Angel of Yahweh. It can be demonstrated that both these traditions were connected with martiality, which might have influenced later speculations about warlike angels. The second chapter deals with the various Second Temple beliefs concerning the principal angels, angelic hierarchies, the angel of the presence as well as angelic military designations. In the third chapter I examine the figures of the two angelic Divine warriors, Michael and Gabriel, with regard to their patronage over wars. Chapter four describes the functions of angels in 1 Enoch. It concerns mainly the four "archangels": Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel (Sariel). In chapter five, angelic notions in the Dead Sea Scrolls are discussed. The main focus is the War Scroll (IQM) and the Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice. I have also examined the warlike traditions connected with Melchizedek. In the sixth chapter we research martial angelophanies described in 2 Maccabees and 3 Maccabees and their possible connection with Hellenistic narratives.