Interesting Facts

• Barakiel is identified as the father of Dinah, who became the wife of Mahalaleel from the lineage of Seth.
• The name Baraqijal (which may be a variant of Barakiel or a distinct individual) is listed among the chief leaders of the Watchers who descended to earth.
• This Baraqijal is specifically noted for having taught astrology to humankind.

Genealogy

• Barakiel, the father of Dinah, was the son of the brother of Mahalaleel’s father. This establishes him as a cousin to Mahalaleel.
• His daughter was Dinah, who married Mahalaleel in the second week of the tenth jubilee.
• The lineage of Baraqijal, the Watcher, is not detailed in these excerpts beyond his being one of the “sons of God” who descended from heaven. He is listed among the leaders, including names such as Samlazaz and Azazel. These Watchers took wives from the daughters of men, but the specific offspring or further familial connections of Baraqijal are not mentioned here.

Historical Context

The life of Barakiel, the father of Dinah, falls within the tenth jubilee. A pivotal event that occurred during this period, specifically between the years 460-465 A.M., was the descent of the Watchers and their subsequent transgression of taking wives from the daughters of men. This act, instigated by leaders like Samlazaz and involving those such as Baraqijal, ushered in an era of profound moral and societal change. The Watchers imparted forbidden knowledge, including “charms and enchantments, and the cutting of roots, and made them acquainted with plants“, as well as arts of war and the workings of metals. Baraqijal’s contribution was the teaching of “astrology“. This period was marked by increasing “lawlessness“, the birth of the “Nephilim” or giants, and widespread corruption that deeply affected both humanity and the natural order. Thus, Barakiel, whether as the father-in-law of Mahalaleel or as the Watcher Baraqijal himself, lived in a time of significant divine displeasure and the spread of unrighteousness across the earth.

Narrative

The narrative concerning Barakiel, as the father of Dinah, is primarily within the genealogical record. His importance in the text lies in his connection to Mahalaleel through marriage, thus weaving his lineage into the broader tapestry of Seth’s descendants. There are no specific actions or dialogues attributed to him directly in these sources; his role is foundational in establishing familial ties during this early period of human history.

In contrast, the narrative of Baraqijal, as one of the Watchers, is one of transgression and the dissemination of forbidden knowledge. As a leader who bound himself by oath, he actively participated in the descent and the subsequent corruption of mankind. His specific act of teaching astrology had implications for how humanity perceived and interacted with the celestial realm. This dissemination of secret knowledge, along with the actions of his fellow Watchers, is presented as a direct cause of the increasing wickedness and the eventual divine judgment that looms over the earth. Baraqijal’s story is thus a cautionary one, highlighting the consequences of celestial beings overstepping their bounds and interfering with the natural order, leading to the moral decline of humanity.