Samael, is an archangel who has had many roles, the most important being that of destruction and death as well as he is an accuser and a seducer.
Samael is necessary evil, being primarily an archangel that stand as the left hand of God, acting as the judge, arbiter, prosecutor and executioner. Samael is an enemy of Humans, yet can be seen by some as one to God or Heaven aswell and he served as a sort of scapegoat, whose mandate was to make humanity commit sin and disobedience and later to judge and accused them.
Biography[]
In Hebrew lore, Samael is the infernal count, and he is known as "Poison of God," and is the executioner of death sentences decreed by God.
Depending on tradition, Samael can be a fallen angel or an angel that enforces the darker side of faith (in either form he can be considered as Satan or a unique entity in his own right). He is seen as the very embodiment of chaos, judgement, punishment, wrath, death, and disorder. Samael is also the Ruler of the Fifth Heaven and Hell aswell as the head of all the satans.
A trait of Samael that different from Satan is that even when depicted as a fallen angel he is said to be under the command of the Lord and also a Rebel - as opposed to being a direct enemy. Though malevolent, this doesn't mean Samael is pure-evil, as he tempted or seduced to see if their faith to God is strong. Although many of his functions resemble the Christian notion of Satan, to the point of being sometimes identified as a fallen angel.
In Israelites lore, Samael was equated with the Serpent of Eden, who tempted Eve into sin. He later seduced and impregnated her with Cain. Samael then became the consort of Adam's first wife, Lilith. Their demon offspring include Sariel, a son also known as the "Sword of Samael". Fearing that Samael and Lilith would plague the world with their heinous progeny, God castrated the corrupt angel.
In the Zohar, one of Kabbalah's principal works, Samael is described as a leader of the divine forces of destruction, part of the qlippoth. He is mentioned again as the serpent's rider, and is described as an accuser who tempts mankind to commit sin to show God how mankind can easily be led astray from him, as well as an arbiter who judges sinners on behalf of God. In Judaism, Samael's job is to tempts humans, then accuses and pleads for their destruction at God's court.
In addition, while an angel, Samael can mostly be seen as God's executioner and assassin, acting as the angel who do most of the dirty works for God. He is associated with Mars, the left side, the north, and Tuesday. He was created to be a tempter and seducer of angels, men and beyond and he served as God's instrument to test the faith and loyalty of others.
The title of satan is also applied to him in the midrash Pirkei De-Rabbi Eliezer, where he is the chief of the fallen angels, and a twelve-winged seraph. According to the text, Samael opposed the creation of Adam and descended to Earth to tempt him into evil. Riding the serpent, he convinces Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. His role here might be similar to the Islamic idea of Iblis, who refused to prostrate himself before Adam because he consists of fire and Adam merely from dust.
Other Media[]
Creepypasta[]
- Main article: Samael (Creepypasta)
High School DxD[]
- Main article: Samael (High School DxD)
DC[]
- Main article: Lucifer Morningstar (DC)
