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Semyazza
Samyaza (Aramaic: שמיחזה, Greek: Σεμιαζά) also Shemyazaz, Sźmīazāz, Semjāzā,
Shemyaza, Samyaza, Shemhazai, and Amezarak (Ethiopic corruption) is a fallen
angel of Christian tradition that ranked in the heavenly hierarchy as one of the
Grigori (meaning "Watchers" in Greek). The name 'Shemyazaz' means 'infamous
rebellion', (the combination of 'shem' [meaning 'name' or 'fame' {whether
positive or negative}] + 'azaz' [which means 'rebellion' or 'arrogance' as a
negative particle]). Michael Knibb lists him as the (or my) name has seen or
he sees the name. The interesting thing about the second interpretation is
there is a tale about Semjāzā knowing the explicit name of God and making a deal
with a human Istahar to tell her the name.
Jewish and Christian views
Samyaza is most likely another name for Sheten (Heb: 'the adversary'), who was
originally an entity created in the service of God; he was the caretaker of
God's throne, but later fell from the heavens because of his pride according to
Isaiah 14:12-15 and Ezekiel 28:12-18. Jesus states that he saw Heilil fall from
heaven like lightning in Luke 10:18. Shemhazai (meaning 'heaven-seizer') is
alternately described as being suspended like a star between heaven and earth
and being hurled to Sheol according to some Jewish traditions. This would make
his name infamous rebellion rather fitting since he was originally the most
powerful angel in heaven but then he sinned by rebelling against God.
Sins of Samyaza and his associates
In the Book of Enoch he is portrayed as the leader of a band of angels called
the grigori that are consumed with lust for mortal women and become Fallen
Angels.
"3. And Semjāzā, who was their leader, said unto them: 'I fear ye will not
indeed agree to do this deed, and I alone shall have to pay the penalty of a
great sin. 4. And they all answered him and said: 'Let us all swear an oath, and
all bind ourselves by mutual imprecations not to abandon this plan but to do
this thing.' 5. Then sware they all together and bound themselves by mutual
imprecations upon it." - Chapter 6, Verse 3-5."
A full listing of the leaders of the group can be found on the 1 Enoch page.
Semjāzā convinced several other Grigori to join him in fornicating with women as
a result he and the other sinful Grigori begot giant offspring (in Genesis
called Nephilim or 'fallen ones' in Hebrew) that dominated and feasted upon
humans during the days of Enoch. The Watchers' other sin was to teach humans
various creative art especially Azāzźl's who taught the secrets of war brought
down the wrath of God.
God commanded the angel Gabriel to cause the Giants to wage Civil War:
"And to Gabriel said the Lord: 'Proceed against the bastards and the reprobates,
and against the children of fornication: and destroy [the children of
fornication and] the children of the Watchers from amongst men [and cause them
to go forth]: send them one against the other that they may destroy each other
in battle: for length of days shall they not have." - Chapter 10, Verse 9
The judgement of the associates of Shemyazaz is described in Chapter 10 verse
12-14 of the Book of Enoch.
"11. And the Lord said unto Michael: 'Go, bind Semjāzā and his associates who
have united themselves with women so as to have defiled themselves with them in
all their uncleanness. 12. And when their sons have slain one another, and they
have seen the destruction of their beloved ones, bind them fast for seventy
generations in the valleys of the earth, till the day of their judgement and of
their consummation, till the judgement that is for ever and ever is consummated.
13. In those days they shall be led off to the abyss of fire: 〈and〉 to the
torment and the prison in which they shall be confined for ever. And whosoever
shall be condemned and destroyed will from thenceforth be bound together with
them to the end of all generations." - Chapter 10, Verses 11-14
After the destruction of the Giants, God caused the Great Flood (Noah's flood)
to wipe out the humans who had become corrupted. For a more detailed treatment
please see the Book of Enoch page.
Seraphim Angels
Seraphiel
Metatron
Michael
Vehuel Uriel
Nathanael Jehoel
Chamuel
Lucifer Abaddon
Asmodeus Astaroth
Leviathan Samael
Semyazza
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Angels
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