Who is Archangel Metatron?

Who is Archangel Metatron?

Introduction

Metatron, The Prince of Presence, is the name of an angelic being described in the Babylonian Talmud and other mystical writings.

Metatron serves as a bridge to Earth. His strong connection to humanity and closeness to the Creator make him a quintessential angelic help.

Metatron means either “one serves behind [God’s] throne” or “one who guards.” 

Metatron and Sandalphon are believed to be the only two angels to have ascended from a human incarnation on earth, into the angelic realm.

According to the mystical writings, Metatron is second only to God in terms of strength and glory, wisdom and power, and that the other angels are all ruled by him.

Metatron is mentioned in passages from the Babylonian Talmud — an ancient text containing Jewish ideas and sayings. It mentions Metatron by name in three places:

• Avodah Zarah 3b;
• Sanhedrin 38b;
• Hagigah 15a.

For instance, in Hagigah 15a it is said that Elisha ben Abuyah (a rabbi born in Jerusalem sometime before 70 CE) saw Metatron seated in Paradise and said, “perhaps there are two powers.” Note – sitting down is an action that is not done in the presence of God.

The Talmud explains that Metatron was given permission to be seated only because he was the Heavenly Scribe recording the good deeds of Israel.

The Talmud also states that it was proved to Elisha ben Abuyah that Metatron is not a second deity since Metatron received 60 “strokes with fiery rods” to demonstrate that Metatron was not a god, but an angel, and could be punished.

In Islamic tradition, he is also known as Mīṭaṭrūsh.

Enoch as Metatron

The name Metatron is not mentioned in the Torah. But, in Jewish apocrypha “Metatron” is the name that Enoch received after he ascended to heaven and was changed from a human being into an angel.

Gershom G. Scholem wrote in Major Trends in Jewish Mysticism:

“This Enoch, whose flesh was turned to flame, his veins to fire, his eye-lashes to flashes of lightning, his eye-balls to flaming torches, and whom God placed on a throne next to the throne of glory, received after this heavenly transformation the name Metatron.”

Enoch as Metatron is the archangel responsible for recording the deeds of all creation in the Book of Life. 

Metatron is never mentioned in the Bible, but Enoch is. The belief that he was taken alive is shown in Hebrews 11:5:

”By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”

Enoch is also mentioned in Genesis 5:18-24:

”And Jared lived an hundred sixty and two years, and he begat Enoch: And Jared lived after he begat Enoch eight hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty and two years: and he died. And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.”

In the Book of Zerubbabel, Metatron is not identified as Enoch but as the archangel Michael.

The book details how Zerubbabel had a vision in which he is transported by Metatron to Ninevah, the “city of blood” representing Rome.

READ MORE: Facts About Angels in the Bible

Metatron’s Cube

Metatron’s Cube is a complex two-dimensional geometric figure made from 13 circles of the same size. All of the circles are connected by straight lines — a total of 78 lines are created. The straight lines represent the masculine, while the spheres of Metatron’s Cube represent the feminine.

The Cube is derived from the ancient structure of the Flower of Life.

”Metatron’s Cube can be used as a visual focal point to connect with the archangel, or it can be used as a concentration tool for meditations that promote peace and balance,” wrote Rose Vanden Eynden in ”Metatron: Invoking the Angel of God’s Presence.”

READ MORE: Bible Verses About Angels

Vatican & Rogue Angels

In an attempt to diminish the increasing influence of New Age religious movements, The Vatican has banned the veneration of angels who do not appear in the Bible in 2002, reported The Telegraph.

According to a 300-page Directory of Public Piety, all prayer and veneration should be directed solely towards Raphael, Gabriel, and Michael.

“The danger of superstition is everywhere in the religious phenomenon,” said Cardinal Medina Estevez. He added: “We need to purify that which is not consistent with faith and revelation.”

Featured image credit – melitas/Shutterstock

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