Ronnda Baker Dead Sea Scrolls Final Exam Dr.

David Suter May 11, 2011

What is the significance of angels in the Dead Sea Scrolls? Where did the idea of angels come from? If you read the Book of Enoch Backwards, you will notice in his premonitions, the Angel Michael came to get Enoch when he first began his walk with God. In addition, when he first arrived in heaven, Enoch saw Michael and the three other Archangels walking in and out of the house of God, almost as if they were greeting him, making heaven ready for Enoch, and they guiding him throughout his entire journey throughout the book of Enoch, especially during the Book of Watchers. According to the Book of Watchers, this is supposed to be an interpretation of Genesis 6:1-4 the Angels are the Sons of God, However these Godly sons are only supposed to be only the good Angels or the Archangels. Enoch in chapter XIX is listing the names of the watchers after he is in heaven with them. The names he listed are the Seven Archangels, who are the Holy Watchers, and they are Uriel, this is the angel who is explaining to him in heaven what is going on and the Archangel who is over the world and over Tartarus. Raphael, one of the holy angels, who is over the spirits of men. Raguel takes vengeance on the world of the luminaries. Michael, one of the holy angels, who in Revelations, goes to battle with the fallen Angels and to wit, he that is set over the best part of mankind and over chaos. Saraql, who is set over the spirits, and he who sin in the spirit. Gabriel, who is over Paradise, the serpents, and the Cherubim. Remiel, one of the holy angels, whom God set over those who rise (The Book of Enoch, 1917). We later find out, that t he watchers are dispatched to watch over the earth, as guardians. Their Leader, gave strict orders unto them as Angels, not to have relationships with the women of Earth, because it was immoral, however in it states Genesis: 6:6, and the "sons of God took the

daughters of men for wives. In chapter LXIV it states. In addition, other forms I saw hidden in that place. I heard the voice of the angel saying: 'These are the angels who descended to the earth, and revealed what was hidden to the children of men and seduced the children of men into committing sin (The Book of Enoch, 1917). Enoch saw what was going on with the Angels before it was happening. These angels and women end up having illegitimate children, which turn into giants. Now the earth needs to be cleansed because of the impure union and the resulting children that are born, the only way to cleanse this is to wash the earth. This is where the flood comes into play and again, Angels, but this time punishment angels are used. I never knew there were punishments Angels however, Enoch LXVI. Clearly states: The Angels of the Waters bidden to hold them in Check (The Book of Enoch, 1917). So not only are there Watcher Angels, but there are Angels of the Waters, Punishment Angels, and these Angels are the Angels that will be responsible for the flood that will carry out the punishment for the earth, which is the flood that Noah will go down in biblical history for. So Angels play a part in the Dead Sea Scrolls from escorting Enoch in his journey, to guiding him throughout heaven, to causing the great flood, to carrying out the great floods plan, to eventually if Michael the Archangel is one in the same, taking part in the battle in the book of revelation, so Angels come full circle. Some additional research that I found while digging into the Book of Enoch is that it was not so much that the Angels had affairs with these women; it was that the women learned forbidden knowledge. It almost like a recreation of the Garden of Eden, once you learn something forbidden you must be banished. So these fallen angels there are over 200 however , There are 20 leaders in the Book of Enoch also called 1 Enoch the section that mentions them reads: And these are the names of their leaders: Smazz, their leader, Arkba, Rml,

Kkabl, Tml, Rml, Dnl, zql, Barqjl, Asl, Armrs, Batrl, Annl, Zaql, Samspl, Satarl, Trl, Jmjl, Saril. These are their chiefs of tens. (The Book of Enoch, 1917). The leaders named out of the 200 were the ones that taught the forbidden knowledge and that is why I assume they were named out of all those cast out. They knowledge that they passed on was vital and in human hands were dangerous, which is why they were damned. Araqiel taught humans the signs of the earth (The Book of Enoch, 1917). However, in the Sibylline Oracles (RUCH, 1898), Araqiel is referred to not as a fallen angel, or Watcher, but as one of the 5 angels who lead the souls of men to judgment, the other 4 being Ramiel, Uriel, Samiel, and Azazel. Armaros (also Amaros) in Enoch I taught men the resolving of enchantments. Azazel taught men to make weapons and devise ornaments and cosmetics Gadriel taught the art of cosmetics. Baraqel (Baraqiel) taught men astrology. Chazaqiel, taught men the signs of the clouds. Kokabiel is a high-ranking, holy angel but, in general apocryphal lore and also in Enoch I, he is a fallen Watcher, resident of nether realms, and commands 365,000 surrogate spirits to do his bidding (The Book of Enoch, 1917). Among other duties, he instructs his fellows in astrology. Penemue "taught mankind the art of writing with ink and paper," and taught "the children of men the bitter and the sweet and the secrets of wisdom. Sariel (also Suriel) taught mankind about the courses of the moon (at one time regarded as forbidden knowledge). Samyaza is one of the leaders of the fall from heaven. Shamsiel, once a guardian of Eden, served as one of the two chief aides to the archangel Uriel, when Uriel bore his standard into battle, and is the head of 365 legions of angels and crowns prayers, accompanying them to the fifth heaven. He is referred to as one of the Watchers. He is a fallen angel who teaches the signs of the sun.

How would you explain the significance of the Scrolls to a friend or relative, when they ask you what you have been up to for the last eight weeks? I would be hard for me to explain the significance of just the Dead Sea Scrolls without explaining all I have learned while learning about the Dead Sea Scrolls. I would explain the Significance of the Scrolls as more than just a religious class requirement. I would say in my opinion the Scrolls are a chance to expand your thought process into spirituality. While studying the Scrolls I was able to go deeper into religion than I ever have previously than other religion class including the psychology of religion. The reason being is that while studying the Scrolls, there was no definitive answer or organization of doctrine. No one really knows for sure who wrote the scrolls, why they were written, when they were written, or for what basis. What we do know, is that there are similarities to Christianity, and Judaism and what should be taken from the scrolls is how the Judaic and Christian beliefs tie into each other, and the scrolls themselves. However, whos to say that if a student or believer of Islam werent to study the scrolls they wouldnt find a similarity inside of the scrolls also? I would explain that we know about the scrolls is that some religious sect, presumably the Essenes wrote these scrolls on the basis of their communities, of their religious perspective during the birth of what we know today as Christianity. I also know that these scrolls were written during a time in Jewish history when the second temple had fallen, so this may have influenced the proposed sect the Essenes in their perspectives in writing the scrolls. The scrolls have given insight into the lives and customs of the people who lived in a time of Roman invasion and Jewish history. Although the texts do not hold all the answers, they do give people a tool to use when studying biblical history. I would explain further, the parallels in the Scrolls and those biblical stories such as the Genesis Apocryphon, and the lineage of Noah, the Thanksgiving Hymns and the Psalms, and how you

can use the Scrolls to expand on the bible. When people dispute the Validity of King Solomon and David I go to Google or Vermes and break out the comparisons to the verses in Isaiah and the Book of War and say hey look, it says the same thing. Technology has made it so being a scholar is no longer a requirement, and now students such as me can have access to the scrolls in both the native and English language scripts. This is very important, because doing our own research, helps in just understanding the scrolls, but allows the student or researcher to come their own opinion. I do think that the Dead Sea Scrolls give us insights into other views of Religion as well, as taking the course has broadened my perspectives on things. I would explain to a family member that in no way do I think that the Scrolls take away from any other form of religion such as Christianity, or Judaism, because they create enough controversy on their own. I simply think that the scrolls are one of the more recent religious finds in a long time that have stirred up both religious believers and skeptics alike. The reason being is nobody wants to ever believe that their own religion may have not be correct, and certain things in the scrolls for me raised questions, or should I say provide answers to questions. Maybe that would be the greatest significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls: Depending on your open-mindedness to religious doctrine, the Dead Sea Scrolls provide answers too many of both Christianitys and Judaism unanswered questions. The reason I say this is because in the bible, for instance, you read about the great flood, and you know the flood is that God is angry at the world, and the human race he has created. It only states that The Nephilim are on the earth, however it doesnt state who or what they are other than the men went down to earth and had children with the women ( Gen VS 4). If not for the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Book of Enoch, I would have never know that the Nephilim were these Giants that were the result of the adulterous impure affair between the Angels and the earth, and it goes on to say that the flood

was a result of that punishment. I think without the Dead Sea Scrolls those blanks would have not been filled. In conclusion, and it will sound very similar to that of my research paper because I really enjoyed this class, and the topics the scrolls presented. I think that the Dead Sea Scrolls are among the greatest archaeological finds in the history of modern times. I am glad this is one of the classes offered at Saint Martins University; however, it is very hard to discuss the significance to a person who has never experienced them. I think the scrolls are an important part of history, and once they are fully studied, I feel they will provide a bigger piece into the puzzle that is Religion.