Archangel Metatron: Meaning, 3 Enoch, Metatron's Cube and Stones

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Metatron is a great angel of Jewish mystical tradition, sometimes identified with Enoch. Discover his origin, 3 Enoch, the Talmud, and the modern origin of "Metatron's Cube".

Key points

Name	Uncertain etymology (at least nine hypotheses): meta-thronos, metator...
Sources	Talmud (tractate Hagigah), 3 Enoch (around the 5th-6th centuries), Targum, midrash
Link with Enoch	In 3 Enoch, Enoch (Genesis 5:24) is transformed into Metatron
Status	Absent from the Bible; angel of Jewish mysticism
Titles	Prince of the Presence, Prince of the World, great scribe of heaven
Metatron's Cube	A modern figure of sacred geometry, with no ancient origin
Feast	No official feast
Modern stones	Variable lists: watermelon tourmaline, rock crystal, pyrite

Who is Metatron?

Metatron is one of the most mysterious angels in Jewish tradition. He is not in the Bible, but in the Talmud, in mystical texts (the Hekhalot) and in the Kabbalah. His name itself is a puzzle: no one knows where it comes from. Scholars have proposed at least nine explanations, Greek, Latin or Hebrew, for example "one who is beside the throne" (Greek meta-thronos) or "the measurer" (Latin metator). Gershom Scholem, the great historian of the Kabbalah, thought that the name might have no particular meaning at all.

This page is part of our guide to the archangels.

What the sources say

Source	Status	What it says about Metatron
Genesis 5:24	Biblical	Enoch "walked with God; and he was not, for God took him". The text does not mention Metatron.
Babylonian Talmud, tractate Hagigah	Jewish tradition	A sage, Elisha ben Abuyah, sees Metatron seated in heaven and concludes that there are "two powers". Rabbinic tradition responds by making clear that Metatron is an angel subject to God and not a god.
3 Enoch (Sefer Hekhalot)	Jewish mystical text, around the 5th-6th centuries	The patriarch Enoch is transformed into Metatron, set up as prince of the angels, and guides Rabbi Ishmael through the heavenly worlds.
Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Numbers Rabbah	Rabbinic texts	Metatron is the great scribe of heaven, or the high priest of the heavenly sanctuary.

Keep in mind that in classical Judaism, Metatron's place is debated: several rabbis were wary of a figure who might have been taken for a second god. Christianity and Islam do not know Metatron by this name. In Islam, Idris, mentioned in the Quran, is often compared with Enoch.

Enoch, who became an angel

The story is that of a man who becomes an angel. Enoch, the seventh patriarch after Adam, mysteriously disappears from Genesis. Ancient traditions made him a traveller through the heavens (Book of Enoch). The tradition of 3 Enoch goes further: God raises him up and transforms him into Metatron, with thousands of eyes and wings, scribe and chancellor of heaven. This legend says that the distance between the human and the divine is not closed.

Metatron's Cube: a modern figure

"Metatron's Cube" is a drawing of sacred geometry: thirteen circles connected by straight lines, within which one can find the five Platonic solids. It is very widespread on jewellery and posters.

It must be stated clearly: this figure is not attested in the ancient texts on Metatron. It is a creation of recent New Age literature, which gave it this name. The geometric figure can be appreciated for its beauty without attributing to it an ancient origin.

Symbolism, feast, day and colour

Metatron symbolises the link between the human and the divine, memory, writing, and transformation. In Christian Kabbalah and the Golden Dawn, he is linked to Kether, the crown, the first sphere of the Tree of Sefirot.

No feast or traditional day is attached to him. As for colours, there is no consensus: gold, white, blue-violet, or green and pink depending on the author. These are modern choices.

Stones associated in modern traditions

The lists vary a great deal. For example, the following are cited:

Watermelon tourmaline: green and pink crystals, much sought after.
Rock crystal: colourless quartz.
Pyrite: iron sulphide with a golden lustre, which can deteriorate in humidity.

These are modern conventions, with no ancient basis. Refer to the stone pages for care.

Respectful practice

A notebook: writing is the gesture of Metatron, the scribe. Note three events of the day and what you take from each.
A candle (gold or white), placed in a stable holder on a non-flammable surface. Do not leave it unattended.
A meditation: focus on a geometric drawing for a few minutes, for example Metatron's Cube. Sustained attention on a form is a common meditation exercise. No result is promised.
If you are a believer: respect the position of your tradition. Many believers will prefer not to invoke Metatron.

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Metatron mean?

No one knows for certain. At least nine hypotheses exist, including the Greek meta-thronos ("assistant to the throne") and the Latin metator ("measurer").

Is Metatron Enoch?

In 3 Enoch (a Jewish mystical text from around the 5th-6th centuries), Enoch is transformed into Metatron. This is a tradition of that text, which does not appear in the Bible.

Is Metatron's Cube ancient?

No. It is a figure of sacred geometry from recent New Age literature. The ancient texts on Metatron do not mention it.

Is Metatron biblical?

No. He appears in the Talmud, 3 Enoch and other later Jewish texts.

Which stones are associated with Metatron?

The lists vary: watermelon tourmaline, rock crystal, pyrite. No ancient convention exists.