Who Is Uriel? What the Lost Texts Say

In 1 Enoch

In 1 Enoch, Uriel is a holy angel in charge of the world and the place of punishment. With Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel, he looks down from heaven and sees violence and wrongdoing filling the earth. Uriel is also sent to Noah with instructions to warn him in the sender's name.

As Enoch's companion, Uriel explains the place where angels who took human wives remain imprisoned. The text also calls Uriel an archangel and leader of the lights of heaven, which he shows to the speaker.

In 2 Esdras

In 2 Esdras, Uriel is the angel sent to the speaker, whom he challenges about understanding the world and God's ways. The speaker follows Uriel's instruction to fast for seven days, while feeling sad and crying. Later, the frightened speaker calls for Uriel and says that the angel brought him into a deep trance.

In Testament of Solomon

In Testament of Solomon, the speaker prays for the archangel Uriel's help and sees him descend from the heavens. Another speaker names Uriel as the angel who frustrates him, while another says an appeal to Uriel makes him retreat.

Where Uriel appears

What the texts say, in their own words

“Uriel is a holy angel who is in charge of the world and the place of punishment.”

1 Enoch · The passage identifies Uriel's role over the world and the place of punishment. · Read it in The Complete Books of Enoch

“Such is the vision and the picture of every light of heaven, which Uriel the archangel, their leader, showed to me.”

1 Enoch · The speaker describes the heavenly lights that Uriel shows him. · Read it in The Complete Books of Enoch

“The angel sent to me, named Uriel, answered me and said, “You completely misunderstand this world. Do you think you can understand God’s ways?””

2 Esdras · Uriel answers the speaker by challenging his understanding of the world. · Read it in The Complete 88-Book Ethiopian Bible

“And as he was not willing to be subject to me, I prayed the archangel Uriel to come and succour me; and I forthwith beheld the archangel Uriel coming down to me from the heavens.”

Testament of Solomon · The speaker calls for help and sees Uriel descend from heaven. · Read it in The Complete Books of Enoch

Questions

Who is Uriel?

Uriel is called a holy angel in 1 Enoch and an angel sent to the speaker in 2 Esdras. In 1 Chronicles, the name also appears for a leader among Kohath's sons.

Is Uriel called an archangel?

Both 1 Enoch and Testament of Solomon call Uriel an archangel. In 1 Enoch, he is also described as the leader of the lights of heaven.

What does Uriel show in 1 Enoch?

Uriel shows the speaker the lights of heaven and explains where angels who took human wives remain imprisoned.

Where is Uriel mentioned in the lost texts?

Uriel appears in 1 Enoch, Testament of Solomon and Apocalypse of Elijah, in The Complete Books of Enoch; 2 Esdras, 1 Chronicles and 2 Chronicles, in The Complete 88-Book Ethiopian Bible.