Interesting Facts

• Araklba is listed among the chief leaders of the two hundred angels who descended to the summit of Mount Hermon in the days of Jared.
• In another enumeration, the name Artaqifa appears as the second of these fallen angels, suggesting a possible variation in naming or listing order for the same entity.
• Araklba, as part of this assembly of Watchers, participated in a solemn oath binding them all to carry out their plan of taking human wives.
• These Watchers, including Araklba, are identified as those who revealed hidden knowledge to the children of men and led them into sin.
• As one of the Watchers, Araklba faced a severe declaration of judgment, with no promise of peace or forgiveness for their transgressions.

Genealogy

• The sources identify Araklba/Artaqifa as one of the “angels who descended to the earth” or “sons of God“. Their celestial origin is noted, but no specific genealogy within the heavenly host is provided in these excerpts.
• There is no mention in these sources of Araklba/Artaqifa’s birth within a familial structure, as their existence predates their descent to the mortal realm.
• The primary transgression of Araklba and the other Watchers was taking “wives” from the daughters of men. However, no specific marital connections or the names of any consorts of Araklba/Artaqifa are detailed here.
• The texts indicate that the union of the Watchers with human women resulted in the birth of “giants“. While Araklba was part of this collective action, no specific offspring are attributed to him individually in these sources.

Historical Context

The descent of Araklba and the other Watchers occurred “in the days of Jared“. This period, around the year 460 A.M. according to these chronologies, was a significant turning point in the early history of humankind. The Watchers, despite their celestial nature, were captivated by the “fair” daughters of men and conspired to take them as wives. This act of disobedience and the subsequent impartation of “secret knowledge” such as “charms and enchantments, and the cutting of roots“, the “metals of the earth and the art of working them“, and “astrology” taught by Baraqijal, led to a rapid increase in “much godlessness” and corruption. The birth of the Nephilim or giants further exacerbated the situation, as they “devoured mankind” and “began to sin against birds, and beasts, and reptiles, and fish“, filling the earth with “blood and unrighteousness“. The very fabric of the created order was strained by these events, influencing the moral and societal landscape in which Araklba and his fellow Watchers acted.

Narrative

The personal narrative of Araklba/Artaqifa within these texts is primarily defined by his participation in the collective rebellion of the two hundred Watchers. He was among those who swore a binding oath to carry out their plan to cohabitate with human women, signifying his active consent and involvement in this transgression. As one of the leaders, Araklba held a position of influence within this fallen host. Their actions of revealing hidden knowledge and teaching forbidden arts directly contributed to the moral decline of humanity. Consequently, a severe judgment was pronounced against these Watchers, including Araklba, by divine decree. They were to face eternal condemnation, witness the destruction of their progeny, and be bound in the depths of the earth until a future day of final judgment. While no specific dialogues or individual actions are attributed solely to Araklba/Artaqifa, his role as a leader and oath-taker places him squarely within the narrative of celestial disobedience and its profound, detrimental consequences for both the angelic and the human realms. His story serves as a stark reminder of the penalties incurred by those who forsake their appointed place and defy the divine order.