Archangel Zadkiel, the Angel of Mercy

Archangel Zadkiel is known as the angel of mercy. He helps people approach God for mercy when they've done something wrong, reassuring them that God cares and will be merciful to them when they confess and repent of their sins, and motivating them to pray. Just as Zadkiel encourages people to seek the forgiveness that God offers them, he also encourages people to forgive those who have hurt them and helps deliver divine power that people can tap into to enable them to choose forgiveness, despite their hurt feelings. Zadkiel helps heal emotional wounds by comforting people and healing their painful memories. He helps repair broken relationships by motivating estranged people to show mercy to each other.

Zadkiel means "righteousness of God." Other spellings include Zadakiel, Zedekiel, Zedekul, Tzadkiel, Sachiel, and Hesediel.

Energy color: Purple

Zadkiel's Symbols

In art, Zadkiel is often depicted holding a knife or dagger, because Jewish tradition says that Zadkiel was the angel who prevented the prophet Abraham from sacrificing his son, Isaac when God tested Abraham's faith and then showed mercy on him.

Role in Religious Texts

Since Zadkiel is the angel of mercy, Jewish tradition identifies Zadkiel as the "angel of the Lord" mentioned in Genesis chapter 22 of the Torah and the Bible, when the prophet Abraham is proving his faith to God by preparing to sacrifice his son Isaac and God has mercy on him. However, Christians believe that the angel of the Lord is actually God himself, appearing in angelic form. Verses 11 and 12 records that, right at the moment when Abraham picked up a knife to sacrifice his son to God:

"[...]The angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, 'Abraham! Abraham!' 'Here I am,' he replied. 'Do not lay a hand on the boy,' he said. 'Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.'

In verses 15 through 18, after God has provided a ram to sacrifice instead of the boy, Zadkiel calls out from heaven again:

"The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, 'I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring, all nations on earth will be blessed because you have obeyed me.'"

The Zohar, the holy book of the mystical branch of Judaism called Kabbalah, names Zadkiel as one of two archangels (the other is Jophiel), who help the Archangel Michael when he fights evil in the spiritual realm.

Other Religious Roles

Zadkiel is the patron angel of people who forgive. He urges and inspires people to forgive others who have hurt or offended them in the past and work on healing and reconciling those relationships. He also encourages people to seek forgiveness from God for their own mistakes so they can grow spiritually and enjoy more freedom.

In astrology, Zadkiel rules the planet Jupiter and is linked with the zodiacal signs Sagittarius and Pisces. When Zadkiel is referred to as Sachiel, he is often associated with helping people earn money and motivating them to give money to charity.