Watcher (
Aramaic עִיר
iyr, plural עִירִין
iyrin,
IPA ʕiːr(iːn); Theodotian
trans:
ir; from the root of
Heb.
`er, "awake, watchful";
Greek: ἐγρήγοροι,
transl.:
egrḗgoroi;
Slav transliteration,
Grigori, "Watchers", "those who are awake"; "guard", "watcher") is a term used in connection with
biblical angels.
Watcher occurs in both plural and singular forms in the
Book of Daniel (2nd century BC), where reference is made to their holiness. The
apocryphal Books of Enoch (1st and 2nd centuries BC) refer to both good and bad Watchers, with a primary focus on the rebellious ones.