I. Name
The name Michael appears as a personal name in the Bible: Num. 13.13; Ezra 8.8; 7 times in 1 Chr and 2 Chr. 21.2. It is commonly interpreted as ‘who is like God?’ The guardian of Israel referred to in Dan. 10.13, Dan. 21; Dan. 12.1 is without doubt a heavenly figure.
II. Identity
Given the prominence of this angel in ancient Judaism, it has been supposed that the origins of his name and functions should be seen in the Canaanite deity Mikal, explaining the name as deriving from the root ykʾl, to be able etc. The ‘a…