The angel Phanuel is mentioned only once in the Bible, in the Gospel of Luke. Let’s take a look at what the Bible says about this mysterious angelic being.
The Gospel of Luke Mentions Phanuel
In Luke 2:25-38, we read about Simeon, a righteous and devout man in Jerusalem. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ (the Messiah).
One day, the Spirit led Simeon to the temple courts just as Mary and Joseph were bringing in the baby Jesus to dedicate him to the Lord. Simeon took Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)
Simeon then blessed Mary and Joseph and said to Mary about Jesus:
“Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” (Luke 2:34-35)
After this, Luke mentions a prophetess named Anna who was also at the temple. She began to give thanks to God and speak about Jesus to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:36-38).
In the midst of this narrative, Luke provides an explanatory detail about Simeon in verse 25:
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. (Luke 2:25)
The verse goes on to explain that “it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.” But the specific detail relevant to this angel is in the first part of the verse, which in Greek reads:
καὶ ἰδοὺ ἄνθρωπος ἦν ἐν Ἰερουσαλὴμ ᾧ ὄνομα Συμεών, καὶ ὁ ἄνθρωπος οὗτος δίκαιος καὶ εὐλαβής, προσδεχόμενος παράκλησιν τοῦ Ἰσραήλ, καὶ Πνεῦμα ἦν Ἅγιον ἐπ’ αὐτόν·
The last phrase is translated as “and the Holy Spirit was upon him.” But the word for “upon” is the Greek word “ep’ auton” which literally means “on him.” This has led some scholars to believe that Luke was implying the Holy Spirit was on Simeon in the form of an angel who revealed things to him.
The Possible Identity of the Angel
There is a Jewish tradition from the Book of Enoch and other apocryphal sources that the Holy Spirit was the angel Phanuel. Putting this together with Luke’s wording, some have speculated that the identity of the angel “upon” Simeon was Phanuel. This angel revealed details about the Messiah to Simeon and led him to the temple courts to see Jesus.
The Book of Enoch, which is not part of the biblical canon, says this about Phanuel:
“Phanuel: one of the four voices Enoch heard praising God. Phanuel interpreted the voice of God. He was an angel of truth and penance.” (Ethiopic Book of Enoch 40:9)
It’s important to note that while this explanation about Phanuel has been around for centuries, it still remains speculative. Luke does not directly identify the Holy Spirit upon Simeon as the angel Phanuel. And the Book of Enoch is not considered Scripture, so its description of angels cannot be taken as authoritative biblical teaching.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
Whether Phanuel was literally present with Simeon or not, the Holy Spirit is clearly emphasized in the passage as the one who revealed details to Simeon and guided him. The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Trinity and has a distinct, personal identity, even though He is one with the Father and the Son. Jesus said this about the Holy Spirit:
“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:13-14)
The Holy Spirit inspired the prophets of the Old Testament and revealed the future to them (2 Peter 1:21). This included revelations about the coming Messiah. In the New Testament, the Spirit guides believers into truth, glorifies Jesus, and discloses things still to come.
This seems to be what’s happening with Simeon. The Holy Spirit is revealing prophetic truths to him and even guiding his specific actions to place him right where Jesus would be brought as an infant. The Spirit’s role is emphasized much more than any potential role of the angel Phanuel.
No Other Biblical References to Phanuel
Phanuel is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible. There are only two biblical angels whose names include a part of God’s name: Michael and Gabriel. Scripture focuses much more on the titles and responsibilities of angels rather than their names.
We have no evidence from the Bible itself that Phanuel had a special role relating to the Holy Spirit or revealing the Messiah. That connection comes only from apocryphal texts outside the biblical canon.
Summary of Key Points
- The angel Phanuel is mentioned in some apocryphal Jewish writings, such as 1 Enoch, as a special angel who reveals truth and penance. But this is not part of inspired Scripture.
- The only biblical reference to Phanuel is indirectly in Luke 2:25. It describes the Holy Spirit being “upon” Simeon using language that could reflect an angel’s presence.
- Some have proposed this angel was Phanuel based on the tradition of him being equated with the Holy Spirit. But the Bible does not specify the angel’s identity.
- It’s pure speculation that Phanuel revealed details about Jesus to Simeon. The text emphasizes the Holy Spirit’s role, not any particular angel.
- No other verses in the Bible mention Phanuel, so there is no biblical evidence for his purported special powers of revelation.
In the end, Phanuel remains a mysterious figure known only from non-biblical texts. The Bible focuses on the important ministry of the Holy Spirit in revealing truths about Jesus. The identity and role of Phanuel lack definitive biblical support, so his significance remains an open question.
The Bible does not emphasize speculation about angels, but rather focusing on Jesus Christ as revealed through Scripture. As Hebrews 1:14 says, angels are “ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation.” Their purpose is to point to Christ, not draw attention to themselves.
So while Jewish tradition might attribute special qualities to the angel Phanuel, Christians recognize that Scripture does not give him any definitive role or emphasis. The biblical text keeps the focus where it should be – on God’s self-revelation through His Spirit and His Son.
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