Sandalphon, spelled Sandalfon in the Sefaria translation cited below, is a towering angel in Jewish visionary and rabbinic literature. A well-defined early reference appears in Chagigah 13b, which describes him weaving crowns for his Maker.
Sandalphon in Chagigah 13b
The discussion in Chagigah 13b concerns the heavenly vision in Ezekiel. A teaching identifies an immense angel whose feet are on earth and whose head reaches the divine creatures. Sandalfon is said to exceed his fellow by a distance measured as a journey of five hundred years.
The passage places him behind the divine chariot, weaving crowns for God. It then asks how this can happen when God’s place is not known. The answer describes a name being pronounced for the crown, which ascends of its own accord.
This sequence is important: the source does not merely provide a list of powers. It presents a heavenly image and discusses a theological difficulty raised by that image.
Later accounts and interpretations
The historical Jewish Encyclopedia article “Sandalfon” gathers further traditions, including a heavenly journey of Moses and interpretations of the crowns as praise. Its separate references help distinguish the Talmudic passage from other accounts.
Descriptions that connect the crowns with prayer or praise should therefore identify which later work supplies the explanation. The wording of Chagigah 13b itself should not be replaced by a modern paraphrase about an angel literally making crowns from every human prayer.
Names and comparisons
Sandalfon and Sandalphon are spellings readers may encounter for this figure. When comparing him with Metatron or other heavenly princes, check the text’s own name and function rather than assuming that every list uses a single consistent celestial hierarchy.
The source cited here supports Sandalphon’s crown-weaving role. More detailed claims about music, planetary rulership, or transformation from a biblical prophet require additional, specifically identified evidence.
Explore related entries
Continue with Metatron, Raziel, the A–Z angel name index, or our guide to sources and traditions.