About a Legendary Sapphire and a List of Angels

The curious book called in Hebrew "Sepher de-Adam Kadmah" and attributed to the angel Raziel, is supposed to belong to the twelfth or the thirteenth century, or at the earliest to the eleventh century, although the redactor may have used some earlier materials. Legend states that it was engraved upon a sapphire and was given by the angel Raziel to Adam when the latter was driven from Paradise. Handed down from generation to generation, it finally came into the possession of Solomon. The name Raziel signifies "secret of God," in allusion to the revelations contained in the book, which was supposed to protect the house wherein it was from all danger of fire.

In this book there is an interesting list of angels, denominated the twelve princes, set over the twelve months of the year. The text of the first printed edition appears to be corrupt in some places, but the names may be transliterated as follows:

Sh'efiel, "Balm of God" Presiding over Nisan (April)

Ragael, "Balance of God" Presiding over Ayyar (May)

Didanor, "Our Light" Presiding over Sivan (June)

Ta'anbanu, "Answer for us" Presiding over Tammuz (July)

Tohargar, "Whirlwind" Presiding over Ab (August)

Morael, "Fear of God" Presiding over Elul (September)

Hahedan, "The Brilliant" Presiding over Tishri (October)

Uleranen, "To chant, celebrate" Presiding over Marchesvan (November)

Anatganor, "Thou art the Guardian" Presiding over Kislev (December)

Mephniel, "Before God" Presiding over Tebah (January)

Tashnadernis, "Saturnus" Presiding over Shebat (February)

Abarchiel, "Fire of God" Presiding over Adar (March)

The following list, while probably of later date than the one we have just given, is more frequently cited as authoritative:

Orders Angels Tribes Signs

Seraphim Malchidiel Dan Aries

Cherubim Asmodel Reuben Taurus

Thrones Ambriel Judah Gemini

Dominations Muriel Manasseh Cancer

Powers Verchiel Asher Leo

Virtues Hamaliel Simeon Virgo

Principalities Zuriel Issachar Libra

Archangels Barbiel Benjamin Scorpio

Angels Adnachiel Naphtali Sagittarius

Innocents Hanael Gad Capricornus

Martyrs Gabriel Zabulun Aquarius