In Abrahamic religions, death often comes as an unspecified messenger from God. In Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, this messenger either assists in the death of individuals or exterminates entire populations of sinful people. But the idea of the angel of death has also spread into the secular culture and has become a symbol known in the modern realm as the “Grim Reaper”.
What are the angel of deaths?
The angel of death is an ominous creature, usually sent by a god. To kill the wicked and collect those souls ready to die. Many angels, especially those who come from the archangel class, are often those whom God chooses for this specific dialect.
Is the Grim Reaper the same as the Angel of Death?
Before we explore the angel of deaths as mentioned in religious texts, it is important to note that the modern interpretation of the angel of deaths is somewhat different. In this modern context, it is understood that death is its power. He bestows the final doom on whom He wills; No one can know whom she will choose next.
Jewish observation of the messengers of death
Although there is no concrete figure for the angel of death in the Torah, Jewish texts such as the Testament of Abraham and the Talmud point to Satan as a counterpart. Here, Death is an angelic messenger with 12 wings who gathers mortal souls while bringing doom and gloom to joyous festivities. There are many tips and curses to keep it away. This is because only God can grant the power of deaths, a mortal attempting to bargain, control, or trick the angel of death.
Islamic view of the messenger of death
The Qur’an does not name the angel of death, but there is a figure known as the ‘angel of death’ whose job is to collect the souls of those who die. This angel of death takes out the souls of sinners in a zigzag way, making sure they feel pain and suffering, while the souls of the righteous are gently removed.
List of angels of death
Archangel Michael
Michael plays an important role in all three Abrahamic religions. Of all the Archangels in God’s holy company, Michael most notably takes on the role of the Angel of Death. According to Roman Catholic teachings, Michael has four main roles, of which the angel of death is his second. In this role, Michael appears to him on his deathbed and allows him to redeem himself before his death. His third role is to weigh the souls after their death, much like the ancient Egyptian ‘weighing of souls’ ceremony.
In the Testament of Abraham, a psychological text of the Old Testament, Michael is portrayed as a guide to departed souls. After many attempts by Abraham to trick, defeat, or avoid death, it finally gets him. Michael grants Abraham’s last prayer in his desire to see all the wonders of the world so that he may die without regrets. The Archangel prepares for a visit which ends with him helping Abraham prepare to die.
Azrael
In some Jewish traditions, which function as a psychokinesis, is a person or creature that escorts the souls of the deceased to the afterlife. In this regard, Azrael is portrayed as a benevolent being who undertakes his thankless work. He is not independent in his actions but only obeys the will of God. However, in some Jewish sects, Azrael is seen as a symbol of evil.
In both Islam and Judaism, Azrael holds a scroll on which he erases people’s names at death and adds new ones at birth. Azrael is depicted as a being with 4 faces, 4000 wings, and 70,000 feet and his entire body. The body is covered in tongues and eyes equal to the number of humans.
Azrael is described in the Western world as being similar to the Grim Reaper. He is mentioned in several literary works. of death, but the phrase malak al-mat is used. This Arabic name translates as Angel of Death, and is related to the Hebrew “Malach ha-math”. The figure coincides with that of Azrael, though he is not named.
Santa Muerte
Nuestra Señora de la Santa Muerte is a female deity and folk saint. Her name can be translated as Saint Death or Holy Death. She provides protection, healing, and a safe passage into the afterlife for her followers.
Santa Muerte is depicted as a skeletal female figure who wears a robe and holds objects such as a scythe or globe. She is associated with the Aztec goddess of death, Mictecacihuatl. It is well known that many people associated with this drug cartel and human trafficking gang are ardent followers of Santa Muerte. Jewish scriptures. Her name means “Poison of God”, “Blindness of God”, or “Venom of God”.
Samael
He is not only a seditionist and a destroyer, but also a blamer, a symbol of both evil and good.
Samael is the equivalent of Shaitan. He symbolizes the evil forces responsible for the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. He puts out the garbage for all the descendants of Adam and acts on his initiative in coordination with the will of God’s commands.
Shaitan/ Lucifer
Throughout Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, Shaitan is the ultimate angel of death. This thing has special importance in many religious texts. Since his fall from grace, Shaitan is often equated with the angel of death. He also orders his fallen comrades to do his bidding, making them angels of death when asked to do so.
In Muslim and Christian belief, it is Shaitan who will lead his army in the great battle between good and evil during the Apocalypse. In the Jewish Talmud, it is interesting to note that Lucifer, the “Light Bringer”, is the twin of the Archangel Michael. When Lucifer defied God, his name changed from Lucifer (Light Bringer) to Shaitan, which translates as “Great Enemy”. Like the Grim Reaper, it’s not the same thing. This is because it is commonly believed that the Grim Reaper acts of its own free will and is not connected to any higher entity, but the traditional angel of death acts only according to the will of the Almighty, performing a necessary but unwanted deed.
