Editing Metatron (section)

=== Scholem's scholastic analysis ===
Many scholars see a discontinuity between how Enoch is portrayed in the early Enoch literature and how Metatron is portrayed. Scholars commonly see the character of Metatron as being based on an amalgam of Jewish literature; in addition to Enoch, [[Michael (archangel)|Michael]], [[Melchizedek]], and [[Yahoel]] among others are seen as influences.<ref name=Orlov />

Scholem argues two streams of thought influenced Metatron's character: One linking Metatron with Enoch, and one fusing different obscure entities and mythic motifs.<ref name=Reeves>{{cite book |last=Reeves |first=John C. |year=2005 |title=Trajectories in Near Eastern Apocalyptic: A Postrabbinic Jewish Apocalypse Reader |url={{GBurl|TO6q6Je0r24C}} |pages=55, 180–185 |publisher=Society of Biblical Literature Atlanta |isbn=978-1-589-83102-5}}</ref> Scholem argues that this second tradition was originally separate but later fused with the Enoch tradition.<ref name=Orlov /> He points to texts where this second Metatron is a primordial angel and referred to as Metatron Rabbah.<ref name=Orlov /> Scholem theorizes that the two Hebrew spellings of Metatron's name represent these two separate traditions.<ref name=Orlov /> In his view, the second Metatron is linked to Yahoel. Scholem also links Yahoel with Michael.<ref name=Orlov /> In the [[Apocalypse of Abraham]], Yahoel is assigned duties normally reserved for Michael. Yahoel's name is commonly seen as a substitute for the Ineffable Name.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last=Ginzberg |first=Louis |year=1906 |title=Abraham, Apocalypse of |url=https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/361-abraham-apocalypse-of |encyclopedia=Jewish Encyclopedia}}</ref>

In [[2 Enoch]], Enoch is assigned titles commonly used by Metatron such as "the Youth, the Prince of the Presence and the Prince of the World."<ref name=Orlov /> Enoch is not called the Lesser Yahweh.<ref name=Orlov /> In 3 Enoch, Metatron is called the Lesser Yahweh. This raises a problem since the name Metatron does not seem to be directly related to the name of God, Yahweh.<ref name=Orlov /> Scholem proposes that this is because the Lesser Yahweh is a reference to Yahoel.<ref name=Orlov /> In [[Maaseh Merkabah]], the text reasons that Metatron is called the Lesser YHWH because in Hebrew gematria, Metatron is numerically equivalent to another name of God {{transliteration|hbo|[[El Shaddai|Shaddai]]}}.<ref name ="Speculum">{{Cite book |last=Wolfson |first=Elliot R. |year=1994 |title=Through a Speculum That Shines - Vision and Imagination in Medieval Jewish Mysticism |url={{GBurl|FqKT7ML2re8C|pg=PA259}} |page=259 |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-691-01722-8}}</ref> Scholem does not find this convincing.<ref name=Orlov /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Charlesworth |first=James H. |year=1983 |title=The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha |url={{GBurl|Z8cyt_SM7voC}} |page=227 |publisher=Hendrickson Publishers |isbn=978-1-598-56491-4}}</ref> Scholem points to the fact that both Yahoel and Metatron were known as the Lesser YHWH. In 3 Enoch 48D1, Metatron is called both Yahoel Yah and Yahoel.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Deutsch |first=Nathaniel |year=1999 |title=Guardians of the Gate - Angelic Vice Regency in Late Antiquity |url={{GBurl|yhfMea8gTu4C|pg=PA34}} |pages=36–37 |publisher=E.J. Brill |isbn=978-9-004-10909-4}}</ref> In addition to being one of the seventy names of Metatron from 3 Enoch 48D, Yahoel and Metatron are also linked in Aramaic [[incantation bowl]] inscriptions.<ref name=Orlov /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Charlesworth |first=James H. |year=2006 |title=The Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls: The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Qumran Community |url={{GBurl|rwod-AUjaWQC|pg=PA369}} |page=369 |publisher=Baylor University Press |isbn=978-1-932-79220-1}}</ref>