Interesting Facts

• Samsapeel is listed as one of the principal leaders of the two hundred angels who descended to Earth.
• This figure is also identified as Shamsiel, who taught men “the signs of the sun“.
• A variant name, Simâpêsîêl, appears in another listing of the descended angels, occupying the sixteenth position.
• Samsapeel was among the two hundred angels who swore an oath on Mount Hermon, committing themselves to their plan.

Genealogy

• Samsapeel/Shamsiel/Simapesiel is identified as one of the “angels who descended to the earth“.
• He was part of the company of two hundred angels led by Semjaza.
• The provided texts do not offer any information regarding this figure’s ancestry within the celestial realm, his birth, any marital unions with human women, or any offspring resulting from such unions. His lineage is solely within the context of the Watchers.

Historical Context

The actions of Samsapeel/Shamsiel/Simapesiel unfolded during a critical juncture in the early history of humankind, when “men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them“. This era, often referred to as “the days of Jared“, witnessed a significant transgression as “the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose“. The descent of the two hundred angels, including Samsapeel/Shamsiel/Simapesiel, upon Mount Hermon and their collective oath marked a pivotal act of defiance against the divine order. As Shamsiel, this angel is specifically credited with imparting to humanity knowledge of “the signs of the sun“. This dissemination of celestial secrets, along with other forbidden arts and sciences taught by the Watchers, contributed to a growing tide of godlessness and corruption among humankind. The consequence of these actions was the birth of the Nephilim or giants, who further exacerbated the wickedness on Earth, ultimately leading to the divine decree of the Flood.

Narrative

The narrative involving Samsapeel/Shamsiel/Simapesiel places him squarely within the rebellious faction of Watchers who chose to descend to Earth and transgress divine boundaries. As one of the listed principal leaders, under the overall leadership of Semjaza, his participation was crucial to the initial conspiracy and the binding oath taken on Mount Hermon. This oath cemented his commitment, along with the other two hundred, to intermingle with human women despite the anticipated repercussions. Notably, as Shamsiel, he is identified as a specific instructor, revealing to humankind “the signs of the sun“. This act of imparting celestial knowledge, likely related to astronomy or astrology, represents a direct intervention in the natural order and a sharing of wisdom that was not intended for humankind at that time. While the texts do not provide further individual actions or dialogues for Samsapeel/Shamsiel/Simapesiel, his inclusion as a leader and a specific teacher underscores his significant contribution to the overall narrative of the Watchers’ rebellion and the subsequent moral decline of the pre-diluvian world. His actions, as part of this collective of fallen angels, directly contributed to the conditions that warranted divine judgment and the subsequent Flood.