**The Names and Order of the Angels in the Book of Enoch: The Seven Types of Angels**
The Book of Enoch, an ancient Jewish religious text attributed to Enoch, the great-grandfather of Noah, offers a striking and detailed account of the heavenly order, especially regarding the names and roles of specific angels. Though not included in the traditional canon of most Bibles, the Book of Enoch was well-known in early Jewish and Christian communities and provides unique insights into angelic beings, their hierarchies, and functions.
### The Seven Holy Angels Who Watch (Enoch Chapter 20)
In Chapter 20 of the Book of Enoch, we are introduced to seven prominent angels, referred to as the “holy angels who watch.” Each is assigned a particular responsibility:
1. **Uriel** – Set over the world and over Tartarus (the abyss), Uriel is a powerful angel concerned with the earth and its judgment.
2. **Raphael** – He is over the spirits of men. Raphael is often associated with healing and guidance, especially for the righteous.
3. **Raguel** – He takes vengeance on the world of the luminaries, possibly implying the judgment of celestial or divine beings who have rebelled.
4. **Michael** – Set over “the best part of mankind and over chaos.” Michael is widely recognized as a warrior and protector, especially for Israel.
5. **Saraqael** – Oversees the spirits of the children of men that transgress. His role connects to divine justice and the consequences of sin.
6. **Gabriel** – Set over Paradise, serpents, and Cherubim. Gabriel is a messenger but also a guardian of holy domains.
7. **Remiel** – Set over those who rise, possibly referring to the resurrection of the righteous.
These seven angels are not only watchers but also governors of creation, justice, and the spiritual order. Their roles emphasize a cosmic structure that balances mercy, wrath, guidance, and resurrection.
### The Four Archangels (Enoch Chapter 40)
Another prominent passage, Enoch 40, introduces four leading angels whose voices the prophet hears in a heavenly vision:
1. **Michael** – The merciful and long-suffering.
2. **Raphael** – Overseer of all diseases and wounds of humanity.
3. **Gabriel** – In charge of all the powers.
4. **Phanuel** – Guardian of repentance and hope for those who will inherit eternal life.
Phanuel, not mentioned in Chapter 20, is a significant addition. His function—overseeing repentance and hope—marks him as a vital link in the redemption of humanity.
These four are described as the “Four Angels of the Lord Most High,” and they appear again later (Enoch 71:7–8) in the presence of countless other angels—“ten thousand times ten thousand”—who surround the throne of glory. The presence of **Cherubim, Seraphim, and Ophannim** is emphasized as well, celestial beings who “sleep not” and continually guard the throne.
### Seven Princes of the Seven Heavens (3 Enoch 17)
The later mystical text **3 Enoch**, expanding on earlier traditions, lists seven honored “princes” who govern the seven heavens:
1. **Michael**
2. **Gabriel**
3. **Šatqiʾel**
4. **Šaḥaqiʾel**
5. **Baradiʾel**
6. **Baraqiʾel**
7. **Sidriʾel**
While some names are familiar (Michael and Gabriel), others are lesser known and appear only in later mystical literature. These seven are depicted as ruling over cosmic realms and maintaining the divine order of the heavens.
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### The Seven Types of Angels
From Scripture and extra-biblical texts like Enoch, angelic beings fall into at least seven broad categories based on their nature and function:
1. **Cherubim** – Often associated with guarding sacred spaces, such as Eden or the Ark of the Covenant. They are described as having multiple wings and faces and are symbols of divine presence and power.
2. **Seraphim** – Seen in Isaiah 6, Seraphim are fiery beings who cry “Holy, holy, holy” before the throne. Their role is to purify and praise, emphasizing God’s holiness and majesty.
3. **Living Creatures (Zoa)** – Mentioned in Revelation, these six-winged beings are full of eyes and have heads like a lion, ox, man, and eagle. They echo the imagery of the Cherubim but serve a liturgical role in heavenly worship.
4. **Archangels / Warrior Angels** – Michael is the chief example. Archangels engage in spiritual warfare, protect God’s people, and execute judgment upon evil.
5. **The Angel of God** – This figure appears throughout Scripture delivering divine messages or executing God's will. Sometimes this angel seems to represent the divine presence itself.
6. **The Angel of the Lord** – This being sometimes appears to take on characteristics of The Deity, speaking with divine authority. Some theologians interpret these appearances as manifestations of the Logos or pre-incarnate Christ.
7. **Guardian Angels** – Hebrews 1:14 clarifies that angels are “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation.” These angels are assigned to protect and guide those destined for redemption.
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### Do All People Have Guardian Angels?
Psalm 91:11 says, “For He will give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” While this has been interpreted as implying universal guardianship, **Hebrews 1:14** refines this view, indicating that guardian angels are assigned **only to those who will inherit salvation**—those who belong to the redeemed community.
Therefore, guardian angels are not sent for every person indiscriminately, but specifically to protect and guide those who are aligned with The Deity's purpose—those whose lives will be transformed through redemption.
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### Conclusion
The Book of Enoch expands our understanding of angelic beings far beyond what is revealed in the canonical Scriptures. From the seven holy watchers to the hierarchy of Cherubim and Seraphim, we see a divine order structured around justice, mercy, protection, and worship. While some angels, like Michael and Gabriel, are familiar to many, others—such as Saraqael, Phanuel, and Remiel—emerge from ancient texts with profound roles that highlight the vast complexity of the heavenly host.
Understanding these angelic beings gives us a greater appreciation for the structured, intentional design of the heavens and reminds us of the unseen forces at work in the service of divine will and the redemption of mankind.
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