Samael (Hebrew: סַמָּאֵל, Sammāʾēl, 'Venom of God, Poison of God' or 'Blindness of God'; Arabic: سمسمائيل, Samsama'il or سمائل, Samail; alternatively Smil, Samil, or Samiel) is an archangel in Talmudic and post-Talmudic lore; a figure who is the accuser (Ha-Satan), seducer, and destroyer (Mashhit). Although many of his functions resemble the Christian notion of Satan, to the point of being sometimes identified as a fallen angel, in others he is not necessarily evil, since his functions are also regarded as resulting in good, such as destroying sinners. He is considered in Talmudic texts to be a member of the heavenly host with often grim and destructive duties. One of Samael's greatest ro...