Sandalphon (Hebrew: סַנְדַּלְפוֹן Sandalp̄ōn; Greek: ΣανδαλφώνSandalfón) is an archangel in Jewish and Christian writings, although not in scripture. Sandalphon figures prominently in the mystical literary traditions of Rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity, notably in the Midrash, Talmud, and Kabbalah and is generally seen as gathering prayers and passing them on to God.
Though not explicitly referenced in scripture, some of the earliest sources on Sandalphon refer to him as the prophetElijah transfigured and risen to angelic status.[1] Other sources (mainly from the midrashic period) describe him as the "twin brother" of Metatron, whose human origin as Enoch is similar to the human origin of Sandalphon.[2]
Meaning of name
The name Sandalphon, which may be related to the Hebrew sandek, godfather (thereby corresponding to the tradition of a station held by Elijah with regard to evocation of the prophet in his capacity being protector of unborn children[3]), may also be derived from the Greek prefix sym-/syn-, meaning "together", and adelphos, meaning "brother"; thus approximately meaning "co-brother", since the modern Greek word for "co-worker", synadelfos (συνάδελφος), has these roots as seen in the Book of Revelation, chapter 19, verse 10. This probably refers to Sandalphon's relationship to Metatron, though this derivation shows uncertain Semitic influences.[4]
Descriptions and functions
Physical descriptions of Sandalphon vary depending on the source. He is uniformly depicted as extremely tall—he exceeds Hadraniel in height by a 500-year foot journey.[5][6] During Moses' visit to the Third Heaven, he is said to have glimpsed Sandalphon and called him the "tall angel", though this legend dates to much later than the time of the Torah. The Babylonian TalmudHagigah 13b says Sandalphon's head reaches Heaven, which is also said of Israfil and of the Greek monster Typhon, with whom Sandalphon seems to have similar mythological roots. He is also described as being a member of the śārim (Hebrew: שָׂרִים "princes"), and a Hazzan (חַזָּן master of heavenly song).
In the Greater Key of Solomon, Sandalphon is designated "the left-hand feminine cherub of the Ark of the Covenant". In the liturgy for Sukkot, he is credited with gathering the prayers of the faithful, making a garland of such prayers, and then "adjuring them to ascend as an orb to the supreme King of Kings". In the Zohar he is "chief of the Seventh Heaven".[7] As Michael does, he carries on a ceaseless battle with Samael (perhaps Satan), angel of evil.
The ancient sages also referred to him by the name Ofan (אוֹפַן "wheel"), a reference to the "wheel within the wheel" from Ezekiel's vision of the heavenly chariot in the Book of Ezekiel chapter 1.[8] Sandalphon is also said to be instrumental in bringing about the differentiation of sex in the embryo.[7]
Ibn Hazm mentions Sandalphon as an angel "who serves the crown". He discusses Jews, though regarding Metatron as an angel, celebrating Metatron as a lesser god 10 days each year, probably a reference to Rosh Hashanah in connection with Merkabah mysticism that Metatron took part on the creation of the world.[9]
In Kabbalah, Sandalphon is the angel who represents the sefirahMalkuth[10] and overlaps (or is confused with) the angel Metatron. He is said to appear before the feminine presence of the Shekhinah[1] and to receive human prayers and send them to God.
^ abDavidson, Gustav (1967), A Dictionary of Angels, Including The Fallen Angels, Free Press, p. 257, Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 66-19757, ISBN9780029070505
^ abLewis, James R., Oliver, Evelyn Dorothy, Sisung Kelle S. (Editor) (1996), Angels A to Z, Entry: Sandalphon, pp. 352, 353, Visible Ink Press, ISBN0-7876-0652-9
^Pick, Bernard (1913), The Cabala, Chapter 2: "The Development of the Cabala in The Pre-Zohar Period", at sacred-texts.com
^"The World of Beriah (Creation)", A Study of The Book of Revelation at Yashanet
^Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth (1886) [1841]. "Sandalphon". The Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: The Poetical Works. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company. pp. 175–176.
External links
Copenhagen Qabalah
Angelics sign
Inner light-workers site
Smashwords.com
February 13, 2023
sandalphon, hebrew, פו, sandalp, greek, Σανδαλφών, sandalfón, archangel, jewish, christian, writings, although, scripture, figures, prominently, mystical, literary, traditions, rabbinic, judaism, early, christianity, notably, midrash, talmud, kabbalah, general. Sandalphon Hebrew ס נ ד ל פו ן Sandalp ōn Greek Sandalfwn Sandalfon is an archangel in Jewish and Christian writings although not in scripture Sandalphon figures prominently in the mystical literary traditions of Rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity notably in the Midrash Talmud and Kabbalah and is generally seen as gathering prayers and passing them on to God Sandalphon by Florence Freeman Contents 1 Origin 2 Meaning of name 3 Descriptions and functions 4 In literature 5 References 6 External linksOrigin EditThough not explicitly referenced in scripture some of the earliest sources on Sandalphon refer to him as the prophet Elijah transfigured and risen to angelic status 1 Other sources mainly from the midrashic period describe him as the twin brother of Metatron whose human origin as Enoch is similar to the human origin of Sandalphon 2 Meaning of name EditThe name Sandalphon which may be related to the Hebrew sandek godfather thereby corresponding to the tradition of a station held by Elijah with regard to evocation of the prophet in his capacity being protector of unborn children 3 may also be derived from the Greek prefix sym syn meaning together and adelphos meaning brother thus approximately meaning co brother since the modern Greek word for co worker synadelfos synadelfos has these roots as seen in the Book of Revelation chapter 19 verse 10 This probably refers to Sandalphon s relationship to Metatron though this derivation shows uncertain Semitic influences 4 Descriptions and functions EditPhysical descriptions of Sandalphon vary depending on the source He is uniformly depicted as extremely tall he exceeds Hadraniel in height by a 500 year foot journey 5 6 During Moses visit to the Third Heaven he is said to have glimpsed Sandalphon and called him the tall angel though this legend dates to much later than the time of the Torah The Babylonian Talmud Hagigah 13b says Sandalphon s head reaches Heaven which is also said of Israfil and of the Greek monster Typhon with whom Sandalphon seems to have similar mythological roots He is also described as being a member of the sarim Hebrew ש ר ים princes and a Hazzan ח ז ן master of heavenly song In the Greater Key of Solomon Sandalphon is designated the left hand feminine cherub of the Ark of the Covenant In the liturgy for Sukkot he is credited with gathering the prayers of the faithful making a garland of such prayers and then adjuring them to ascend as an orb to the supreme King of Kings In the Zohar he is chief of the Seventh Heaven 7 As Michael does he carries on a ceaseless battle with Samael perhaps Satan angel of evil The ancient sages also referred to him by the name Ofan או פ ן wheel a reference to the wheel within the wheel from Ezekiel s vision of the heavenly chariot in the Book of Ezekiel chapter 1 8 Sandalphon is also said to be instrumental in bringing about the differentiation of sex in the embryo 7 Ibn Hazm mentions Sandalphon as an angel who serves the crown He discusses Jews though regarding Metatron as an angel celebrating Metatron as a lesser god 10 days each year probably a reference to Rosh Hashanah in connection with Merkabah mysticism that Metatron took part on the creation of the world 9 In Kabbalah Sandalphon is the angel who represents the sefirah Malkuth 10 and overlaps or is confused with the angel Metatron He is said to appear before the feminine presence of the Shekhinah 1 and to receive human prayers and send them to God In literature EditSandalphon is the eponymous subject of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow s poem Sandalphon 11 References Edit a b Davidson Gustav 1967 A Dictionary of Angels Including The Fallen Angels Free Press p 257 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 66 19757 ISBN 9780029070505 Angel Princes Kolatch Alfred J The Jewish Book of Why Jonathan David New York 1995 ISBN 0 8246 0256 0 Sandalfon at JewishEncyclopedia com Pesikta Rabbati 20 3 Who is Metatron Archived 2007 01 02 at the Wayback Machine at Hebrew Witness Archived 2006 12 05 at the Wayback Machine a b Lewis James R Oliver Evelyn Dorothy Sisung Kelle S Editor 1996 Angels A to Z Entry Sandalphon pp 352 353 Visible Ink Press ISBN 0 7876 0652 9 Pick Bernard 1913 The Cabala Chapter 2 The Development of the Cabala in The Pre Zohar Period at sacred texts com Hava Lazarus Yafeh Intertwined Worlds Medieval Islam and Bible Criticism Princeton University Press 2004 ISBN 9781400862733 p 32 The World of Beriah Creation A Study of The Book of Revelation at Yashanet Longfellow Henry Wadsworth 1886 1841 Sandalphon The Works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow The Poetical Works Boston Houghton Mifflin and Company pp 175 176 External links EditCopenhagen Qabalah Angelics sign Angel therapy Inner light workers site Smashwords com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sandalphon amp oldid 1127075269, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
