Shamsiel is associated with the signs of the sun in 1 Enoch. A similar name, Shimshiel, occurs in 3 Enoch as an angel appointed over the day. The two passages give the name different settings and should be compared without inventing a story that joins them.
The signs of the sun in 1 Enoch
In 1 Enoch 8:3, Charles’s translation includes Shamsiêl in the list of figures who teach knowledge to humanity. His particular attribution concerns solar signs. Neighboring entries assign the constellations, clouds, terrestrial signs and the moon to other names.
The phrase is brief. It does not enumerate eclipses, horoscopes or particular divination techniques. Those details should not be presented as though they were written in this verse. Charles also prints textual brackets around the Araqiel-and-Shamsiel wording, a detail worth preserving when comparing editions.
Shimshiel in 3 Enoch
In Hugo Odeberg’s edition of 3 Enoch, 14:4 lists Shimshiel as appointed over the day. The same list names Galgalliel over the solar globe. Daylight and the sun’s globe therefore receive distinct entries within that account.
Odeberg’s notes compare names in these angel lists with the Enochic Watcher traditions. Such comparisons help explain why a reader encounters related forms in different works. They do not establish that the solar teacher of 1 Enoch repented, changed sides or later received the office described in 3 Enoch.
Explore related entries
Read Araqiel, Kokabiel, Galgaliel, the Watcher and fallen-angel catalogue, the angel names A–Z index, or the guide to source traditions.