In 3 Enoch
In 3 Enoch, the Holy One answers a plea by sending Metatron, an exalted angel called the Prince of the Presence. Metatron spreads his wings and descends to Rabbi Ishmael, taking his hand and reassuring him before the other heavenly beings. At God's command, he steps forward and restores Rabbi Ishmael's spirit, acting as the faithful Prince of the Presence.
The text also presents Metatron as God's representative, ruling over heavenly beings and the leaders of different realms. That authority has an exception, eight powerful princes who carry the sacred name of their King. Another passage explains his service through obedience, saying that Metatron faithfully carries out whatever the Holy One commands.
In Hekhalot Rabbati
Hekhalot Rabbati names Metatron as Enoch ben Jared, lifted from among human beings and given a throne facing God's throne. The text also calls him Servant of the Lord and describes him as patient and abundant in mercy. In another passage, Metatron introduces himself as the Prince of the Host of the Lord and says his name is as the Lord's name.
Metatron identifies a young man as the Messiah of the Lord, born into the House of David. Zerubbabel questions Metatron and Michael about the covenant with the holy ones, and the two also answer about a messenger sent to Israel.
Where Metatron appears
- 3 EnochIn 3 Enoch, Metatron serves near God's glory, helps Rabbi Ishmael, and carries out the Holy One's commands. · The Complete Books of Enoch
- Hekhalot RabbatiHekhalot Rabbati identifies Metatron as Enoch ben Jared and gives him the titles Servant of the Lord and Prince of the Host. · The Complete Books of Enoch
What the texts say, in their own words
“The Holy One heard his plea and sent Metatron, the Prince of the Presence, a great and exalted angel who serves closest to God’s glory.”
“Metatron was now God’s representative, ruling over all the heavenly beings and the leaders of different realms—except for eight powerful princes who carried the sacred name of their King.”
“I gave him strength, I took him, I charged him (that is, Enoch ben Jared, whose name is Metatron), and I lifted him out from among the children of men, and I made for him a throne facing My own throne.”
“And because of the love with which they love him on high, they call him in the camps of the holy ones Metatron, Servant of the Lord, slow to anger and abounding in mercy.”
Questions
Who is Metatron?
In 3 Enoch, Metatron is an exalted angel called the Prince of the Presence, serving closest to God's glory. Hekhalot Rabbati also identifies him as Enoch ben Jared and calls him Servant of the Lord.
Is Metatron Enoch?
Hekhalot Rabbati explicitly identifies Enoch ben Jared as Metatron in a passage describing his elevation from among human beings.
What does Metatron do for Rabbi Ishmael?
Metatron meets Rabbi Ishmael, takes his hand, and reassures him in the presence of other heavenly beings. He also restores Rabbi Ishmael's spirit when God commands him to step forward.
Where is Metatron mentioned in the lost texts?
Metatron appears in 3 Enoch and Hekhalot Rabbati, in The Complete Books of Enoch.
