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THE NAME SAMAEL AUN WEOR
Gnostic Instructor
The name "Samael" [Hebrew: סםאל] is very ancient and carries a very deep and extensive history. It is possible to understand the meaning of this name and its use throughout mythology and scripture if we first understand a little about Kabbalah and the Hebrew language. Without this knowledge, we fall into the ignorance of those who condemn Samael as a demon or negative force, while ignoring that this is the name of an angel: the suffix -el [אל] is Hebrew for God, thus all angels of the Hebrew pantheon are called Michael, Uriel, Raphael, etc.

The Meaning of Samael in Hebrew

Written in Hebrew (which is written from right to left), Samael is:

The last two letters (אל aleph-lamed) mean "God" and are at the end of the name of every angel: Michael, Raphael, Uriel, Zachariel, Anael, etc., because they are all "of God." Samael [סמאל] is the name of an angel.

The first two letters of Samael are samech [ס] and mem [מ]. These two letters contain the whole significance of his name. We will explain them in detail later in this article. But first, written as a word, sam (samech-mem) is:

סם: bitter beverage, drug, poison, toxin, medicine, potion; perfume

Thus when translated literally, Samael can mean "the bitter beverage of God" or "the poison of God." This unique (albeit disquieting) name reveals the unique nature of this important angel in the hierarchies of the divine. Yet the name can equally be translated as "the perfume of God," or "the medicine of God." This dual nature is deeply meaningful and when fully investigated reveals many mysteries in the Judeo-Christian scriptures. Yet, one should not lose sight of the fact that, whichever way the name should be applied in context, it always carries within it "El" - OF GOD. This is not a force to be condemned, for it belongs to God.

Samael plays a critical role in the scriptures, but without doubt, it is a controversial one.

The Holy One [God], blessed be He, said to him [Samael], "Since it is so, give Me advice on what I should do, so that the children of Jacob would accept it, as you say."

Samael said to him, "Master of the world, there is a need to bribe them. Take light from the light of the legions in heaven and impart it to them. By this, they will accept her [the Torah] and here is some of my light [Aur], which I will give first." He removed from himself the light that enveloped him and gave it to the Holy One, blessed be He, to present it to Yisrael. - ספר הזהר Zohar 19.8.144

The name Samael Aun Weor is Hebrewסםאל און ואור] ], and is pronounced sam-ayel on vay-ohr. Aun is Hebrew for "sexual strength." Weor or ve-Aur [ואור] means "and light." Thus, his full name reads "The bitter beverage of God, sexual strength, and light."