Bringers of death, claimer of souls, Reapers have been thought to be the last thing every person see’s before they die. Most famously The Grim Reaper. Typically they are described as skeletal, wearing a long, hooded, robe and carrying a scythe. This description dates back to the early 15th century as a description of death. Reapers have also been referred to as ‘Angel of Death’ and ‘Devil of Death’ or ‘Angel of the dark and light’ originating from The Bible and Talmudic lore.
The Bible itself does not mention ‘The Angel of Death’ however it does mention ‘Abaddon’ (‘The Destroyer’) an Angel who is known as the ‘Angel of the Abyss’. In Talmudic lore he is characterized as Archangel Samuel.
Death is always distinguished as a male character in many languages (including English) though in some it is described as female (such as Slavic or Romance languages) and in many descriptions Reapers are the bringers of death and can be bribed of tricked into letting people live, though in others they can not influence a person’s fate and therefore serve merely as the guide that leads our souls from their mortal bodies to their home in the afterlife.
The Bible itself does not mention ‘The Angel of Death’ however it does mention ‘Abaddon’ (‘The Destroyer’) an Angel who is known as the ‘Angel of the Abyss’. In Talmudic lore he is characterized as Archangel Samuel.
Death is always distinguished as a male character in many languages (including English) though in some it is described as female (such as Slavic or Romance languages) and in many descriptions Reapers are the bringers of death and can be bribed of tricked into letting people live, though in others they can not influence a person’s fate and therefore serve merely as the guide that leads our souls from their mortal bodies to their home in the afterlife.