Sandalphon (Hebrew: סַנְדַּלְפוֹןSandalp̄ōn;Greek:ΣανδαλφώνSandalphṓn) is anarchangel inJewish andChristian writings, although not inscripture. Sandalphon figures prominently in the mystical literary traditions ofRabbinic Judaism and earlyChristianity, notably in theMidrash,Talmud, andKabbalah and is generally seen as gathering prayers and passing them on to God.
Although not explicitly referenced in scripture, some of the earliest sources on Sandalphon refer to him as theprophetElijah transfigured and risen toangelic status.[1] Other sources (mainly from themidrashic period) describe him as the "twin brother" ofMetatron, whose human origin asEnoch is similar to the human origin of Sandalphon.[2]
The nameSandalphon, which may be related to the Hebrewsandek, godfather (thereby corresponding to the tradition of a station held by Elijah with regard to evocation of the prophet in his capacity being protector of unborn children[3]), may also be derived from theGreek prefixsyn-, meaning "together", andadelphos, meaning "brother"; thus approximately meaning "co-brother", since the modern Greek word for "co-worker",synádelphos (συνάδελφος), has these roots as seen in theBook of Revelation, chapter 19, verse 10. This probably refers to Sandalphon's relationship to Metatron, although this derivation shows uncertainSemitic influences.[4]
Physical descriptions of Sandalphon vary depending on the source. He is uniformly depicted as extremely tall—he exceedsHadraniel in height by a 500-year foot journey.[5][6] DuringMoses' visit to theThird Heaven, he is said to have glimpsed Sandalphon and called him the "tall angel", though this legend dates to much later than the time of the Torah. TheBabylonian TalmudHagigah 13b says Sandalphon's head reaches Heaven, which is also said ofIsrafil and of theGreek monsterTyphon, with whom Sandalphon seems to have similar mythological roots. He is also described as being a member of theśārim (Hebrew:שָׂרִים "princes"), and aHazzan (חַזָּן master of heavenly song).
In theGreater Key of Solomon, Sandalphon is designated "the left-hand femininecherub of theArk of the Covenant". In the liturgy forSukkot, he is credited with gathering the prayers of the faithful, making a garland of such prayers, and then "adjuring them to ascend as an orb to the supreme King of Kings". In theZohar he is "chief of the Seventh Heaven".[7] AsMichael does, he carries on a ceaseless battle withSamael (perhapsSatan), angel of evil.
The ancient sages also referred to him by the nameOphan (אוֹפַן "wheel"), a reference to the "wheel within the wheel" fromEzekiel's vision of the heavenly chariot in theBook of Ezekiel chapter 1.[8] Sandalphon is also said to be instrumental in bringing about the differentiation of sex in the embryo.[7]
Ibn Hazm describes Sandalphon as an angel "who serves the crown". He further states that theJews, though regardingMetatron as an angel, celebrate him as a lesser god for 10 days in each year (probably a reference toRosh Hashanah in connection withMerkabah mysticism - in which Metatron is conceived actually to have played a part in the creation of the world).[9]
InKabbalah, Sandalphon is the angel who represents thesephirahMalkuth[10] and overlaps (or is confused with) the angel Metatron. He is said to appear before the feminine presence of theShekhinah[1] and to receive human prayers and send them toGod.
Sandalphon is theeponymous subject ofHenry Wadsworth Longfellow's poem "Sandalphon".[11]
In the Japaneselight novel seriesDate A Live, Sandalphon is the name of a spiritual weapon (referred to as Angels within the series), belonging to Tohka Yatogami. Sandalphon takes the form of alargebroadsword stuck in a gilded throne. The sword has the power to send out waves of Spirit Power that can cut through objects. At full power, Sandalphon can cut virtually anything, including the fabric ofspacetime.
A character named Sandalphon features prominently as an antagonist-turned-ally and, subsequently, playable character in the Japaneserole-playing video gameGranblue Fantasy, as an archangel created by Lucifer under the guidance of Lucilius. Following Lucifer's death at the hands of Beelzebub and Belial, Sandalphon takes over his role as the Supreme Primarch and vows to protect the Sky Realm in his stead.