Raphael (English spelling) repā'ēl Hebrew

An angel that appears in the Book of Tobit, an apocryphal book of the Old Testament. Its meaning is "God has healed," and its role is defined as watching over human souls (Book of Enoch, Chapter 20, 3). During the journey of Tobiah, the blind, righteous man, the angel appears under the name of Azariah, gives Tobiah wisdom, helps him obtain money and a bride, and when he returns to Nineveh, heals his father's eyes, reveals his true identity, teaches him, and ascends to heaven. The coat of arms of Saint Raphael is a silver staff and a golden travelling bag on a blue background, representing the priesthood of the Savior.

[Shiro Kawamata]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

『旧約聖書』外典の「トビト書」に登場する天使。意味は「神はいやされた」で、役割は人間の霊魂を見守ると規定され（「エノク書」20章3）、盲目の義人トビトの子トビヤが旅をする途上で、天使はアザリヤの名で登場し、トビヤに知恵を与えて助け、金と嫁を入手させ、ニネベに戻って、彼の父親の目をいやし、正体を明かすと、教えを与えて天に昇る。聖ラファエルの紋章は青色の地に銀の杖(つえ)と旅用の金の肩かけ鞄(かばん)で、救い主の祭司性の表象を示している。

［川又志朗］

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