In the vast and trembling hierarchy of celestial beings, where seraphim burn with divine love and cherubim guard the throne with whirling swords of fire, one figure stands as a supreme anomaly. He is not a being created of light at the dawn of time, nor is he a spirit formed from the elemental winds. He is known as the “Youth,” the “Prince of the Countenance,” and, most controversially, the “Lesser YHWH.” When scholars ask Who is Metatron, they are delving into the deepest mysteries of the Jewish mystical tradition.

But Who is Metatron? To the uninitiated, he is a mysterious archangel found in the margins of mysticism, a figure often detailed in comprehensive resources like the Encyclopedia Britannica. However, to those who study the ancient traditions, he represents the ultimate theological paradox: he is the celestial alter ego of a human being. He is the patriarch Enoch, the man who “walked with God; and he was not, for God took him” (Genesis 5:24). Understanding Who is Metatron requires looking at the bridge between the finite and the infinite.

This transformation—from flesh and blood into the supreme angelic authority—is one of the most captivating narratives in religious history. It suggests a destiny for humanity that transcends the grave. To fully answer Who is Metatron, we must journey beyond the canonical scriptures into the visionary world of the Hekhalot literature and the Third Book of Enoch.

The Historical Origins of the Legend

To grasp the magnitude of the tradition, we must step back into the world of Late Antiquity. While the canonical Genesis account offers only a single, enigmatic sentence about Enoch’s departure, the Second Temple period saw an explosion of curiosity regarding his fate. This fascination is thoroughly documented in The Legacy of Enoch, which traces how this minor biblical figure became a titan of apocalyptic literature.

The primary text documenting this transformation is 3 Enoch, also known as Sefer Hekhalot (The Book of Palaces). Written in Hebrew significantly later than its Ethiopic predecessor, this work likely emerged between the 5th and 7th centuries CE. It reflects the zenith of Merkabah (Chariot) mysticism. For a deeper dive into these ancient accounts, you can explore the Jewish Encyclopedia’s entry on Metatron, which provides critical historical context for those asking Who is Metatron.

In a historical context where the Temple in Jerusalem lay in ruins, the figure of Metatron emerged as a necessary mediator. The Jewish people turned their eyes upward, and Metatron became the celestial High Priest and scribe. He was living proof that a human could enter the divine council and not only survive but rule.

Genesis 5:24: The Scriptural Seed

The entire legend germinates from a vacuum in the Torah, a silence that screams for an explanation. This silence is often what leads seekers to ask Who is Metatron in the first place.

“Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.” — Genesis 5:24 (RSV)

In the canonical narrative, this verse implies a translation to heaven without death, a privilege shared only by the prophet Elijah. However, scripture remains silent on the aftermath. Where did he go? Later traditions, which involve Decoding the Book of Enoch and its varying manuscripts, filled this silence with elaborate theological architecture. They posited that “God took him” was not merely a rescue from mortality but an inauguration into a cosmic office. Enoch was not just saved; he was transmuted, answering the question of Who is Metatron through a lens of human elevation.

From Mortal Flesh to Celestial Fire

The description of Enoch’s transformation in 3 Enoch is visceral, terrifying, and sublime. It describes a physical and ontological overhaul that no mortal could survive without divine intervention. You can read the full account of this event in the Sefaria library. It is not a gentle floating into the clouds but a radical restructuring of being.

When the visionary Rabbi Ishmael ascends to the seventh heaven, he is met by a terrifying angel who reveals his identity: “I am Enoch, the son of Jared.” This revelation provides the core answer to Who is Metatron. Metatron then recounts the specific details of his change. The Creator stripped away his humanity to withstand the radiation of the divine presence.

“He made my flesh ‘flame’ and my veins ‘fire’ … He made my eyeballs ‘lightning’ and the light of my eyes ‘torches of fire’.” — 3 Enoch 15:1

This passage illustrates the fundamental incompatibility of human flesh with the divine realm. To serve as the supreme guide among the Exploring the Angelic Hierarchies in the Book of Enoch, Enoch had to be unmade and remade. This celestial reconstruction is essential to defining Who is Metatron.

The “Lesser YHWH” Controversy

Perhaps the most startling title bestowed upon this being in 3 Enoch is Yahweh Katan, or the “Lesser YHWH.” This title signifies that the figure acts as the plenary representative of God, wielding divine authority. This concept is vital for anyone researching Who is Metatron and his unique status.

This concept brought Jewish mystics close to “binarianism”—the belief in two powers. The text includes a dramatic scene where the heretic visionary Elisha ben Abuyah ascends and sees the angel seated on a throne. He exclaims, “There are two powers in heaven!” To correct this error and prove there is only one Sovereign, the angel is humiliated and struck with sixty lashes of fire. This punishment demonstrates that despite his title as the 3 Enoch Hidden Realms administrator, he remains a servant.

Comparing Metatron and the Son of Man

The figure does not exist in a vacuum. When asking Who is Metatron, one must also compare him with the “Son of Man” found in earlier apocalyptic texts.

1. 1 Enoch: Enoch is identified with the pre-existent “Son of Man,” a messianic figure who will judge the world.
2. New Testament: Jesus adopts the title “Son of Man,” claiming the role of divine judge and mediator.
3. 3 Enoch: Jewish mysticism elevates Enoch to this angelic status, assigning him roles that rival Christological functions.

While the “Son of Man” in the Gospels is a savior, the angel in 3 Enoch is administrative and legal. He runs the heavenly court and maintains the archives. This role is crucial for those asking Who is Metatron in a legalistic or priestly context.

Why the Figure of Metatron Matters Today

The question Who is Metatron leads us to profound theological implications that resonate in modern spirituality and theology alike.

1. The Human Potential for Divinity The story suggests that human beings are not merely dust. The fact that the highest authority in the angelic world was once a mortal man implies that humanity possesses a “divine spark.” It is a narrative of ultimate hope—that our earthly limitations are not the final truth.

2. The Necessity of Mediation The angel fulfills the human desire for a mediator who understands the struggle of existence. Unlike the Watchers—a story detailed in Who Are the Watchers: The Fallen Angels of the Book of Enoch—this being remembers being human. He understands fear, hunger, and temptation, making the answer to Who is Metatron one of compassionate advocacy.

3. The Evolution of Mysticism For the Merkabah mystics, he was the ultimate guide, the psychopomp of the Hekhalot. He bridges the gap between the unknowable God and the created world. He is the lens through which the infinite light can be perceived.

4. Sacred Geometry In modern times, the name has been associated with “Metatron’s Cube,” a sacred geometric figure. While this is a modern development, it reflects the enduring legacy of the figure as the architect of the cosmos.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Metatron mean? The etymology is debated. Some argue it derives from the Greek meta-thronos (one who serves next to the throne). Others link it to the Latin metator (a guide). Kabbalistic tradition suggests the name shares the same gematria as Shaddai (314), further helping to define Who is Metatron.

Is Metatron mentioned in the Bible? The name does not appear in the canonical Bible. However, tradition identifies him with the “Angel of the Lord” who led the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 23:20-21).

Is Metatron an angel or a man? He is unique because he is both. He is a transfigured human, an ontological hybrid who bridges the nature of man and the nature of the divine. This duality is central to the mystery of Who is Metatron.

Why is he called the Scribe of Heaven? As the vice-regent of heaven, he records the deeds of humanity. This connects back to the view of Enoch as the inventor of writing, a theme explored in Apocrypha Bible Meaning.

Conclusion

The figure of Metatron challenges our rigid categories of reality. In him, we see the dust of the earth ignited by the fire of heaven. He is the answer to the ancient silence regarding Enoch’s fate, a testament to the belief that walking with God changes a person fundamentally.

Who is Metatron? He is the promise that the distance between the Creator and the created is traversable. He is the burning reminder that intimacy with the Divine can lead to destinations we cannot yet imagine—where flesh becomes flame, and the finite touches the infinite.

Check out the author’s book here: The Books of Enoch.