Archangel Raphael, which means "the Shining One who heals," came to be recognized by Jewish and Christian scholars as the Angel of Healing. Raphael's attributes are to bring us understanding, knowledge, chemistry, and medicine.

The Archangel Raphael is concerned with our suffering and with every affliction of the sons of men. He is charged with the sacred duty to heal the earth and to heal mankind of its maladies, symbolized by the staff he carries. The fish Raphael carries is an ancient symbol of medicine. Many interior parts of a fish were used in healing. Raphael is also called the Angel of Medicine, Science and Knowledge.

It is said that Raphael is the most sociable of the archangels. He is often even funny and has the best sense of humor and the happiest disposition of the archangels. For this reason, the Archangel Raphael is often depicted chatting merrily with mortal beings. It is said that Raphael delights in bringing health, happiness and joy everywhere he goes, as he encourages the Guardian Angels in their work.

When Solomon prayed to God for help in the building of the Temple, God answered with the gift of a magic ring, which Raphael delivered to the Hebrew king. The ring, engraved with a five-pointed star, had the power to subdue all demons. It was with this "slave labor" of demons that Solomon was able to complete the building of the Temple.

Archangel Raphael is one of the Seven Angels of the Throne, or the seven who stand before God.

It is written in the Old Testament that Raphael traveled with Tobiah, the son of Tobit, but did not reveal who he was until the journey's end. On this journey Tobiah caught a huge fish and Raphael taught him how to use each part of it, saying "the heart, the gall and the liver...these are necessary for useful medicines...as for the gall, if you rub it on the eyes of a man who has cataracts his sight will be restored". Raphael said to Tobiah before he reached his father, I am certain that his eyes will be opened. Smear the fish gall on them". When Tobit saw his son, he threw his arms around him and wept.

He exclaimed, I can see you, son, the light of my eyes!

Raphael healed Abraham of the pain of circumcision, an operation the patriarch had avoided until late in his life. It is further said that Raphael gave to Noah a medical book which was probably the Book of the Angel Raziel. This book gave Noah the knowledge he needed to build the Ark.