Interesting Facts

• Gabriel is identified as one of the archangels.
• Along with Michael, Raphael, and Phanuel, Gabriel looked down from heaven and witnessed the shedding of much blood and lawlessness upon the earth.
• Gabriel is one of the holy angels who go in and out of the house of fire in the heavens.
• The Lord commands Gabriel to proceed against the bastards and reprobates, and the children of fornication, ordering their destruction through mutual conflict.
• Gabriel is named alongside other prominent angels such as Michael, Raphael, and Phanuel in the heavenly realm.

Genealogy

• The sources present Gabriel as one of the holy ones of heaven and an archangel, placing him within the celestial hierarchy.
• These texts do not provide any information concerning Gabriel’s ancestry, birth in a terrestrial sense, marital connections, or offspring, as he is depicted as a spiritual being existing within the divine court.

Historical Context

The mentions of Gabriel in these texts occur primarily within the context of the escalating wickedness on Earth following the descent of the Watchers and their interaction with human women. This era is marked by the birth of giants, the spread of forbidden knowledge, and pervasive violence and corruption. Gabriel’s role is defined by the divine response to this corruption, specifically in the form of judgment against the offspring of the illicit unions and the spirits associated with them. The narrative unfolds before the cataclysmic flood intended to purge the earth of this pervasive sin. Enoch’s visionary experiences of the heavenly realm also provide a backdrop, illustrating Gabriel’s position and function within the divine order and his proximity to the Lord of Spirits.

Narrative

Gabriel’s primary narrative function in these sources is that of a messenger and an executor of divine judgment. Observing the rampant lawlessness and bloodshed on Earth, Gabriel, along with other archangels, brings the plight of humanity before the Lord Most High. In response to this intercession, the Lord issues specific commands to the archangels, assigning to Gabriel the task of acting against the “bastards and reprobates”, the offspring of the Watchers and human women. The divine instruction to Gabriel is to incite them against one another so that they might be destroyed, emphasizing that they are not destined for a long life. This action underscores Gabriel’s role in carrying out God’s will to cleanse the earth from the corrupting influence of these beings. Furthermore, Gabriel’s presence alongside other archangels within Enoch’s visions of the heavenly court highlights his esteemed position and his access to the divine presence. While Gabriel does not engage in direct dialogue within the earthly realm in these excerpts, his divinely appointed actions are crucial in the unfolding narrative of judgment and the preparation for the renewal of creation after the impending flood.