דניאל, פרק ד׳, פסוק י׳

The night visions of the king continue to unfold, bringing new images to his mind as he rests in his bed [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם]. In his dream, a holy angel suddenly descends from heaven. The exact nature and role of this heavenly visitor are understood in a few distinct ways.

One perspective views this being as an entirely spiritual, bodiless entity characterized by constant wakefulness, an angel that never sleeps [רש״י, אבן עזרא בשם רבי משה]. Conversely, another understanding points to a more severe purpose, identifying the figure as an angel of ruin and destruction [מצודות]. A third view describes the angel simply as a divine emissary sent to deliver a message [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

While the primary approach among commentators is that these varied descriptions apply to a single holy angel, a different perspective reveals two distinct heavenly forces at work. Rather than one entity, the vision presents a hierarchy within the heavenly realm. One angel acts as the executing officer responsible for carrying out a decree, while a higher, holy angel acts as the judge who issues the directive. Together, this divine judge and officer descend from heaven to fulfill their mission [מלבי״ם].