In 1 Enoch
In 1 Enoch, Michael is appointed over the best of humanity and has power over chaos. The text also describes him as one of the honored and holy angels, serving as their leader. Michael looks down from heaven with Uriel, Raphael, and Gabriel, seeing violence and wrongdoing across the earth.
The Lord commands Michael to capture Semjâzâ and his followers, who have made themselves unclean with human women. In another passage, Michael takes the speaker's right hand and helps him rise, offering direct help rather than speaking alone.
In Testament of Abraham
In Testament of Abraham, the Lord sends Michael to tell Abraham about his approaching death so he can put his affairs in order. Abraham sees Michael approaching like a warrior and rises to welcome him, as he welcomes strangers. The Lord tells Michael to stay with Abraham, eating what he eats and sleeping wherever he sleeps.
The Lord later directs Michael to return Abraham to his house, then bring him to the Lord. When Abraham asks about souls facing destruction, Michael proposes searching among them for even one righteous soul.
In 2 Enoch
In 2 Enoch, Michael is called chief of the archangels and lifts Enoch up before presenting him to the Lord. Michael then obeys, removes Enoch's earthly robe, and anoints him with oil brighter than the sun.
Where Michael appears
- 1 EnochIn 1 Enoch, Michael has power over chaos and is appointed over the best of humanity. · The Complete Books of Enoch
- 2 EnochIn 2 Enoch, Michael is chief of the archangels and presents Enoch before the Lord. · The Complete Books of Enoch
- Testament of AbrahamIn Testament of Abraham, Michael carries the Lord's message about Abraham's approaching death. · The Complete Books of Enoch
- Testament of SolomonIn Testament of Solomon, the speaker receives grace from the Lord Sabaoth through Michael his archangel. · The Complete Books of Enoch
- Mysteries of Heaven and EarthIn Mysteries of Heaven and Earth, Michael prepares for battle and knocks Satan down. · The Complete Books of Enoch
- Daniel (Greek parts)In Daniel (Greek parts), Michael is a great leader who protects the people addressed in the passage. · The Complete 88-Book Ethiopian Bible
- RevelationIn Revelation, Michael and his angels fight against the dragon and his angels. · The Complete 88-Book Ethiopian Bible
What the texts say, in their own words
“Michael is appointed over the best of humanity and has power over chaos. Saraqâêl watches over the spirits that have sinned.”
“Then Michael, the chief of the archangels, approached and lifted me up. He presented me before the Lord, and the Lord commanded His heavenly servants, “Let Enoch stand before Me forever.””
“Therefore the Lord God, summoning his archangel Michael, said to him: Go down, chief-captain Michael, to Abraham and speak to him concerning his death, that he may set his affairs in order, for I have blessed him as the stars of heaven, and as the sand by the sea-shore, and he is in abundance of long life and many possessions, and is becoming exceeding rich.”
“Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back.”
Questions
Who is Michael the archangel?
Michael is called an archangel in 1 Enoch and chief of the archangels in 2 Enoch. In Testament of Abraham, the Lord sends him to announce Abraham's death.
What does Michael do for Enoch?
In 2 Enoch, Michael lifts Enoch up and presents him before the Lord. He also removes Enoch's earthly robe and anoints him with shining oil.
Does Michael fight the dragon?
In Revelation, Michael and his angels fight the dragon, whose angels fight back alongside him.
Where is Michael mentioned in the lost texts?
Michael appears in 1 Enoch, 2 Enoch, Testament of Abraham, Testament of Solomon and Mysteries of Heaven and Earth, in The Complete Books of Enoch; Daniel (Greek parts) and Revelation, in The Complete 88-Book Ethiopian Bible.
