Interesting Facts

• Phanuel is identified as one of the four prominent archangels, listed alongside Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael.
• He is among the holy angels who have access to the celestial realm, described as going “in and out” of the house of fire in the heavens.
• Phanuel was among the archangels who witnessed the extensive bloodshed and lawlessness that had overtaken the earth.
• He is mentioned as being in the company of Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael in the presence of the Head of Days during Enoch’s translation to the heavens.

Genealogy

• The sources establish Phanuel as one of the holy ones of heaven and an archangel, thus situating him within the divine hierarchy.
• Similar to the other archangels mentioned, the provided texts offer no information regarding Phanuel’s ancestry, earthly birth, marital status, or progeny, as he is presented as a spiritual being within the celestial court and service of the Lord.

Historical Context

The mentions of Phanuel occur during a pivotal era marked by the descent of the Watchers, their forbidden unions with human women, and the subsequent corruption and violence that engulfed the earth. This period saw the proliferation of giants, the teaching of secret and harmful knowledge, and a general turning away from divine order. Phanuel, as one of the archangels observing these events from the heavenly perspective, existed within a context of increasing divine concern and the eventual decision to bring about a great judgment in the form of the flood. His presence in the celestial realm underscores the contrast between the purity and order of the heavens and the escalating depravity on earth, highlighting the necessity for divine intervention. Enoch’s ascensions and visions provide a crucial backdrop, revealing Phanuel’s place within the heavenly council and his proximity to the divine presence before the impending cataclysm.

Narrative

Phanuel’s narrative role in these texts is primarily that of a celestial observer and a member of the divine retinue. He is depicted alongside Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, collectively witnessing the dire consequences of the Watchers’ transgressions on Earth, including the widespread bloodshed and lawlessness. This shared observation likely contributed to the archangels’ collective plea to the Lord regarding the state of humanity. Furthermore, Phanuel’s inclusion among the holy angels who “go in and out” of the house of fire signifies his privileged access to the divine presence and his role as a servant within the heavenly court. During Enoch’s transformative experience of being raised aloft to heaven, Phanuel is specifically named as one of the archangels who were in the presence of the Head of Days. This detail underscores Phanuel’s high standing within the angelic hierarchy and his association with significant moments of divine revelation and judgment. While Phanuel is not given specific tasks or direct speech in these excerpts, his presence as a named archangel underscores the heavenly concern over earthly affairs and his role within the celestial order surrounding the Lord of Spirits.