Mastema- Hebrew/Jewish AngelAngel"Prince of Enmity"

The Petition

In the Book of Jubilees, a second-century BCE retelling of Genesis, Mastema appears after the Flood. God had bound the offspring of the fallen Watchers, the demons that had corrupted the earth before the waters came. Mastema stepped forward with a request: "Lord, Creator, let some of them remain before me, and let them hearken to my voice; for if some of them are not left to me, I shall not be able to execute the power of my will on the sons of men."

God granted it. Nine-tenths of the demons were bound; one-tenth remained under Mastema's authority. His enmity toward humanity was sanctioned. He operated not in defiance of God but with divine license, an accuser with demons at his command.

The Exodus

Jubilees gives Mastema a role in the confrontation with Pharaoh. When Moses performed signs before the Egyptian court, Mastema assisted the Egyptian magicians in matching them, standing with the powers of Egypt against the God of Israel.

On the night of Passover, Mastema came with destructive intent, but God bound him. He could not touch the houses marked with the lamb's blood. The binding was temporary. Jubilees records that he resumed his work after that night, his enmity unbroken.

Abraham's Trial

Jubilees attributes the command to sacrifice Isaac to Mastema's provocation. He came before God and said: "Behold, Abraham loves Isaac his son, and he delights in him above all things else; bid him offer him as a burnt-offering on the altar, and Thou wilt see if he will do this command."

God accepted the challenge. Abraham proved faithful. When the angel stayed Abraham's hand, Mastema was put to shame.