michael Summary and Overview

who is like God? (1.) The title given to one of the chief angels (Dan. 10:13, 21; 12:1). He had special charge of Israel as a nation. He disputed with Satan (Jude 1:9) about the body of Moses. He is also represented as warning against "that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world" (Rev. 12:7-9). (2.) The father of Sethur, the spy selected to represent Asher (Num. 13:13). (3.) 1 Chr. 7:3, a chief of the tribe of Issachar. (4.) 1 Chr. 8:16, a Benjamite. (5.) A chief Gadite in Bashan (1 Chr. 5:13). (6.) A Manassite, "a captain of thousands" who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:20). (7.) A Gershonite Levite (1 Chr. 6:40). (8.) The father of Omri (1 Chr. 27:18). (9.) One of the sons of king Jehoshaphat (2 Chr. 21:2, 4). He was murdered by his brother Jehoram.

(who is like God?). 1. An Asherite, father of Sethur, one of the twelve spies. #Nu 13:13| 2. One of the Gadites who settled in the land of Bashan. #1Ch 5:13| 3. Another Gadite, ancestor of Abihail. #1Ch 5:14| 4. A Gershionite Levite, ancestor of Asaph. #1Ch 6:40| 5. One of the five sons of Izrahiah, of the tribe of Issachar. #1Ch 7:3| 6. A Benjamite of the sons of Beriah. #1Ch 8:16| 7. One of the captains of the "thousands" of Manasseh who joined David at Ziklag. #1Ch 12:20| 8. The father or ancestor of Omri, chief of the tribe of Issachar in the reign of David. #1Ch 27:18| 9. One of the sons of Jehoshaphat who were murdered by their elder brother, Jehoram. #2Ch 21:2,4| 10. The father or ancestor of Zebadiah, of the sons of Shephatiah. #Ezr 8:8| 11. "One," or "the first, of the chief princes" or archangels, #Da 10:21| as the "prince" of Israel, and in ch. #Da 12:1| as "the great prince which standeth" in time conflict "for the children of thy people."

MI'CHAEL (who like God?), a name of frequent occurrence in the sacred writings. 1. Father of Sethur, the spy selected from the tribe of Asher. Num 13:13. 2. A Gadite who settled in the land of Bashan, 1 Chr 5:13, and one of his ancestors. 1 Chr 5:14. 3. A Gershonite Levite. 1 Chr 6:40. 4. A chief of the tribe of Issachar in the time of David. 1 Chr 7:3. 5. A Benjamite. 1 Chr 8:16. 6. A Manassite chief who joined David at Ziklag. 1 Chr 12:20. 7. The father of Omri. 1 Chr 27:18. 8. A son of Jehoshaphat, murdered by his brother Jehoram. 2 Chr 21:2, 2 Chr 21:4. 9. The ancestor of Zebadiah, who returned with Ezra. Ezr 8:8. 10. The prince among the angels, the archangel, Jude 9, described in Dan 10:13, 2 Chr 11:21; Dan 12:1, as standing in a special relation to the Jewish nation, and in Rev 12:7-9 as leading the hosts of the angels.

("who is like unto God?") 1. Numbers 13:13. 2. 1 Chronicles 5:13. 3. 1 Chronicles 5:14. 4. 1 Chronicles 6:40. 5. 1 Chronicles 7:3. 6. 1 Chronicles 8:16. 7. 1 Chronicles 12:20. 8. 1 Chronicles 27:18. 9. 2 Chronicles 21:2-4. 10. Ezra 8:8. The ARCHANGEL (Daniel 10:13; Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1; 2 Peter 2:11; Revelation 12:7). On the meaning compare Exodus 15:11; Psalm 89:6-8. Contrast "who is like unto the beast?" (Revelation 13:4.) 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 Judges 1:9; Zechariah 3:1-5. Michael will usher in the coming resurrection by standing up for God's people, as their unique champion (Daniel 12:1-2; Daniel 10:21), "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, Daniel 10:8) 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 Daniel 10:13 says that Michael (apparently distinct from the divine Son described Daniel 10:5-6; Revelation 1:13-15) 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. Daniel 10:21, "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 (2 Kings 6:17).