Editing Azrael (section)

==Etymology and place in Judaism==
The [[Hebrew Bible]] does not mention an angel by the name Azrael, nor does it appear in the [[rabbinic literature]] of the [[Talmud]] or [[Midrashim]]. No such angel is treated as canonical in traditional [[Rabbinic Judaism]]. However, an angel by a similar name, ''Azriel'' ({{lang|he|עזריאל}}), is mentioned in Kabbalistic literature such as the ''[[Zohar]]''.

Despite the absence of such a figure in Judaism, the name ''Azrael'' is suggestive of a Hebrew [[theophoric name|theophoric]] {{lang|he|עזראל}}, meaning "the one whom God helps". [[Archeology|Archeological]] evidence uncovered in Jewish settlements in [[Mesopotamia]] confirms that it was indeed at one time used on an [[incantation bowl]] from the [[7th century]].<ref>C.D. Isbell, Corpus of the Aramaic Incantation Bowls, Missoula: Scholars Press, 1975, §12:14 and 41:7, pp. 44 and 98</ref><ref>J. Naveh and S. Shaked, Amulets and Magic Bowls: Aramaic Incantations of Late Antiquity, Jerusalem: Magnes Press, 1985, §1:13; 2:16; 7:3, pp. 40–41, 46–7 and 68–9.</ref> However, as the text thereon only lists names, an association of this angelic name with death cannot be identified in Judaism.<ref>Burge, S. (2019). Themes in Islamic angelology. In Angels in Islam: Jalal Al-Din al-Suyuti's al-Haba'ik Fi Akhbar al-Mala'ik (p. 36). essay, Routledge.</ref>

After the emergence of Islam, the name Azrael became popular among both Christian and Islamic literature and [[folklore]].{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} The name spelled as ''Ezrā’ël'' appears in the [[Geʽez|Classical Ethiopic]] version of [[Apocalypse of Peter]] (dating to the 16th century) as an angel of hell who avenges those who had been wronged during life.<ref>S. R. Burge (University of Edinburgh)  ''cZR’L, The Angel of Death and the Ethiopic Apocalypse of Peter ''</ref>