The concept of a celestial messenger within Judaism originates from the Hebrew term mal’akh (). This word fundamentally signifies a messenger or representative. Its application extends beyond the purely spiritual realm, encompassing human envoys as well. For example, a prophet delivering divine pronouncements could be considered a mal’akh. The designation indicates a role as an agent acting on behalf of another, rather than inherently denoting a specific supernatural entity.
Understanding this foundational meaning is crucial for interpreting biblical and rabbinic texts. The term’s flexibility highlights the context-dependent nature of its usage. Instead of solely representing winged figures of lore, it emphasizes the function of delivering messages or fulfilling divinely ordained tasks. Historically, this understanding avoids the imposition of later, Hellenistic or Christian conceptions of angels onto the earlier Hebrew texts, ensuring a more accurate interpretation.
