In some Jewish literature his name is taken to another form of God, and over 100 synonyms have been found for his name - whose origin itself is very obscure. In some books he is even called 'lesser Yahweh' - perhaps equating him with Gnostic Demi-Urge - God of earthly regions.

Metatron seems to have taken over many characteristics originally attributed to Angel Jahoel, one of Angels of Presence, that is one of Angels that are said to stand before God. Jahoel was sometimes said to be chief of Seraphim (a role also ascribed to Seraphiel), and to be in charge of heavenly choir. He was also responsible for holding Leviathen in check, monster that is said will swallow sould of sinners on Judgement Day. These duties all came to be associated with Metatron.

Other functions ascribed to Metatron are as Minister to Throne of Glory, as chief of Guardian Angels of '70 peoples of world', as a minister of wisdom and as teacher of children who die too soon.

When invoked, Metatron appears as a column of fire and is chief angel to dead and dying.As with all mythological characters Metatron is a Magician. There is a legend that speaks of two evil Egyptian sorcerers who used their advanced knowledge of magic to ascend to heaven. Such was their strength that neither Michael nor Gabriel could expel them. Metatron, however, broke their spells and cast out impudent Egyptians. For this reason, Metatron is considered by some to be superior to most of angels, including Michael, Gabriel, and Uriel. Omens of millennium :the gnosis of angels, dreams, and resurrection by Harold Bloom The Angel Experience by Terry Taylor Metatrón by: Philip Potdevin Segura 1995 Revelations of Metatron by: Gary Sornson, John Rossner, Miguel Sanchez Behold Metatron: The Recording Angel by: Sol Yurick December, 1985 Revelations of Metatron Author: ANONYMOUS The Encyclopedia of Angels, Second Edition

Rosemary Ellen Guiley, Foreword by Lisa Schwebel, Ph.D., Professor of Religion, Hunter College, City University of New York (Preface by John Rossner, Ph.D). 1996 Bunson, Matthew. Angels A to Z: A Who's Who of Heavenly Host. New York: Crown Trade Paperbacks. 1983 The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha Volume 1. Edited by James H. Charlesworth. New York: Doubleday. 1983 The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha Volume 2. Edited by James H. Charlesworth. New York: Doubleday. 1967 Davidson, Gustav. A Dictionary of Angels: Including Fallen Angels. New York: The Free Press. 1996 Fox, Matthew and Rupert Sheldrake. The Physics of Angels. San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco. 1990 Godwin, Malcom. Angels: An Endangered Species. New York: Simon and Schuster. 1998 Keck, David. Angels and Angelology in Middle Ages. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 1993 Milton, John. Paradise Lost. Edited by Scott Elledge. New York: W.W. Norton and Company. 1996 Panati, Charles. Sacred Origins of Profound Things. New York: Penguin Books USA.

Perhaps name Abel evokes judgement,or justice. When meditating on name Abel call forth right judgement and justice in a situation.