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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comFausset Bible Dictionary: Michael
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("who is like unto God?")
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10. . The ARCHANGEL (; ; ; ; ). On the meaning compare ; -8. Contrast "who is like unto the beast?" (.) Some think that Michael is the Son of God. Certainly the Angel of Jehovah, or Jehovah the Second Person, in pleading for Joshua the high priest representing the Jewish church, uses the same rebuke to Satan as Michael does in ; -5. Michael will usher in the coming resurrection by standing up for God's people, as their unique champion (-2; ), "your prince."
"Michael when contending with the devil about the body of Moses (which Jehovah buried, but which was probably translated shortly afterward, for 'no man knoweth of his sepulchre'; hence, he appeared in a body, as did Elijah, at the transfiguration; Satan, the accuser of the brethren, probably opposed his translation on the ground of his sins, but Michael contended with him and prevailed) durst not (from reverence to Satan's former dignity, ) bring against him a railing accusation, but said The Lord rebuke thee." This language suits an archangel rather than the divine Son. But the connection of Michael with the Son of God in name and some functions is intimate. The angel in says that Michael (apparently distinct from the divine Son described -6; -15) as patron of Israel before God "helped" him, while "he was detained with the (angel of the) kings of Persia."
Gesenius translates notartiy "I gained the ascendancy," namely, against the adverse angel of Persia, so as to influence the Persian kings to permit the Jews' return to Jerusalem. , "none holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince," means that Michael alone, with the angelic speaker, had the office of protecting Israel, the world powers were all against Israel. In the captivity, during the withholding of God's regular manifestations to Israel, those visions of angels come precisely when most needed. When the world powers seemed to have overwhelmed the kingdom of God so utterly, Israel needed to have her faith in God's promises of restoration reinvigorated by a glimpse into the background of history in the world of spirits, and to see there the mighty angelic champions who are on her side under the Son of God ().