Bible Dictionary
WATCHER
A watcher is a wakeful heavenly messenger mentioned in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. The figure is associated with holiness and authority to announce or enforce a decree.
Definition
A watcher is a wakeful heavenly messenger. In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, the watcher descends from heaven with a holy one and shares authority to announce or enforce decrees.
Biblical Usage
The watcher appears in Daniel 4 as part of the heavenly scene surrounding the decree against the proud ruler. The designation emphasizes wakefulness and heavenly authority.
Historical Background
The Aramaic term means wakeful one. Later apocryphal writings develop the idea of watchers in different ways, including angels who instruct humanity and, in some accounts, fallen angels.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>woch'-er (Aramaic 'ir, "wakeful one"): In Nebuchadnezzar's dream (Da 4:13,17,23 (MT 10,14,20)) a messenger who with "a holy one" descended from heaven, they having joint authority to issue decrees. In the apocryphal literature the doctrine of the "watchers" is much elaborated. In Jubilees they are regarded as angels sent to instruct mankind in righteousness. In Enoch they sometimes appear as archangels and at other times as fallen angels. In the latter condition only we find them in the Book of Adam and Eve. The place of descent was according to Enoch 6:6 the summit of Mt. Hermon.</p><p>W. M. Christie</p>