Interesting Facts

• Araqiel is listed as one of the leaders of the two hundred angels who descended to Earth.
• Araqiel was among those who swore a mutual oath with the other Watchers upon Mount Hermon.
• The text of Enoch identifies that Araqiel taught humankind the signs of the earth.

Genealogy

• Araqiel is identified as one of the “leaders” of the “angels” who descended to the earth.
• He was part of the company of two hundred angels who gathered on the “summit of Mount Hermon” and bound themselves by a solemn oath.
• This collective endeavor was under the leadership of Semlazaz.
• The provided sources do not furnish details regarding Araqiel’s origins in the celestial realm, his creation or birth, any marital relationships he may have formed with human women, or any offspring he might have fathered. His genealogical context, within these texts, is solely within the framework of the rebellious angels and their hierarchical structure under Semlazaz.

Historical Context

The descent and actions of Araqiel and his fellow Watchers transpired during a significant epoch in the early history of humanity, specifically when “men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them“. This period, noted as being “in the days of Jared“, witnessed the attraction of “the sons of God” to the “daughters of men that they were fair“, leading to them taking wives “of all which they chose“. The assembly of the two hundred angels, including Araqiel, on Mount Hermon and their collective oath represented a grave transgression of the divine order. This act of defiance involved the revelation of knowledge that was intended to remain hidden from humankind. Specifically, Araqiel is credited with instructing humanity in “the signs of the earth“. This imparting of esoteric knowledge, alongside the teachings of other Watchers, contributed to a surge of “much godlessness” and societal “corruption“, further evidenced by the birth of the “great giants” who engaged in rampant destruction and sin. The cumulative effect of these transgressions ultimately led to the divine decree of the Flood.

Narrative

Araqiel’s place within the narrative of the Watchers is marked by his participation as one of the “leaders” in their deliberate descent to Earth. His inclusion in the list of principal figures underscores the collaborative nature of this celestial rebellion. The oath sworn upon Mount Hermon serves as a pivotal moment in his narrative, signifying his commitment to the shared plan of cohabiting with human women and revealing forbidden knowledge, despite the anticipated consequences. Araqiel is specifically identified for the knowledge he imparted to humankind: “the signs of the earth“. While the precise nature of these “signs” is not detailed, this act places Araqiel within the context of those Watchers who actively transgressed divine boundaries by revealing celestial secrets and empowering humanity with knowledge beyond their appointed sphere. Unlike some other Watchers associated with warfare or enchantments, Araqiel’s teaching pertains to earthly phenomena, suggesting a broader influence on human understanding of their environment. Although the ultimate judgment against Araqiel is not explicitly detailed in these excerpts beyond his inclusion as a fallen Watcher, his actions contributed to the growing wickedness on Earth, solidifying his role in the narrative that culminates in the divine purification through the Flood. His contribution highlights the diverse ways in which the Watchers deviated from their intended purpose, leading to the corruption of the antediluvian world.