Michael
“Who is like God?”
Summary
Michael is an archangel described in Scripture as the guardian prince of Israel who wages war against Satan, and also the name of several men in the Old Testament.
☩The Archangel Michael
Michael is the only angel specifically called 'the archangel' in Scripture. In Daniel, he is described as 'one of the chief princes' and 'the great prince who stands for the children of your people.' His role is that of Israel's heavenly patron and champion, contending against the spiritual powers opposing God's people. In the book of Daniel, Michael assists another angel against 'the prince of Persia,' demonstrating the spiritual warfare occurring behind earthly events. He is particularly associated with the end times, when he will 'stand up' for God's people during the great tribulation.
☩Conflict with Satan
Jude records that Michael 'when contending with the devil disputed about the body of Moses,' yet did not bring a railing accusation against him, but said 'The Lord rebuke thee.' This incident, drawn from Jewish tradition about Moses's burial, demonstrates Michael's character—powerful yet restrained, relying on divine authority rather than his own. In Revelation, Michael leads the angelic hosts in war against 'the dragon, that old serpent, which is called the Devil and Satan,' casting him and his angels out of heaven. This battle is connected with the Messianic triumph of the last days.
☩Jewish and Christian Tradition
In Jewish angelology, Michael is counted among the seven archangels and often regarded as the chief among them. The rabbinical traditions oppose him to Sammael (Satan) and describe him as 'the great high-priest in heaven.' Some early Protestant scholars identified Michael with the preincarnate Christ, though most distinguish him as a created angel of the highest order. The Christian church has venerated Michael as the guardian angel of all believers, and his festival (Michaelmas) is celebrated on September 29 in the Western church.
☩Men Named Michael
Several men in the Old Testament bear the name Michael, meaning 'Who is like God?' These include an Asherite spy, two Gadites, a Gershonite Levite ancestor of Asaph, a man from Issachar, a Benjamite, a captain of Manasseh who joined David, the father of Omri, a son of King Jehoshaphat murdered by Jehoram, and the father of Zebadiah who returned with Ezra.
Related Verses15 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Michael," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VI (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Michael," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Michael," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "MICHAEL," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. VII (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 5.George Morrish, "Michael," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).