Michael (Archangel)

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Hebrew Mî kā’ēl (“Who is like God?”), a rhetorical name affirming God’s uniqueness
• Period/Era: Exilic (Daniel’s visions set in the Babylonian–Persian period)
• Main References: Daniel 10:13, 10:21; 12:1
• Key Connections: “Your people”/Israel in Daniel’s visions; interaction with an angelic messenger in Daniel 10

Who was Michael (Archangel)?

Michael is depicted in Daniel as a prominent heavenly “prince” associated with Israel.
He appears within apocalyptic visions that portray conflict among “princes” and angelic messengers.
Daniel presents him as an ally who helps in opposition to hostile spiritual powers.
He is also named in an end-time context as the great prince who stands over Daniel’s people.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Helps the angelic messenger against the “prince of the kingdom of Persia” (Daniel 10:13).
• Event 2: Is identified as the only one who contends alongside the messenger against the “prince of Greece” (Daniel 10:20–21).
• Event 3: Stands up as “the great prince” connected with a time of unparalleled trouble and deliverance for Daniel’s people (Daniel 12:1).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Daniel portrays Michael as a heavenly guardian figure whose activity underscores that Israel’s history unfolds amid unseen spiritual conflict under God’s governance.

Key Verse

"At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book." — Daniel 12:1, ESV