‘zr’l', The Angel of Death and the Ethiopic Apocalypse of Peter

While the angel ‘Ezrā’ēl', an angel of Hell, appears in the Ethiopic Apocalypse of Peter, the name ‘Ezrā’ēl' remains obscure. Where did this name come from? Islamic tradition may provide the answer, since the same angelic name ‘Azrā’īl' or ‘Izrā’īl', is a common name for the Angel of Death. This article assesses the history of the use of this name and asks whether Islamic tradition influenced its use in the Ethiopic version of the Apocalypse of Peter. In addition, this study asks whether it is possible also to use the inclusion of the name ‘Ezrā’ēl' as a means of dating the text.