What is the significance of standing opposite him?
Rashi: He was fighting with him in Shamayim, like one who asks how long Malchus Paras will subjugate you.
Ibn Ezra citing Rav Sadya Gaon: Gavriel was teaching Sar Paras. The power of two will stand against him. "Negdi" can mean to help. Yehoshua saw "Ish Omed k'Negdo." Therefore, he asked "are you of ours, or of our afflicters?" Gavriel said that he comes to fight with Melech Paras, i.e. to help him. This is like "ha'Selech Iti la'Milchamah." Iti is like Imi. 1
Malbim: Sar Malchus Paras prosecuted against Binyan Beis ha'Mikdash, and leaned the king's heart to cease it.
Ibn Ezra: This is wrong. Lehilachem Im or Es, both mean fighting against. We read "ha'Selech Iti", so it means with me; Iti is not read with la'Milchamah. Also, if Gavriel was helping him, why does it say "va'Ani Yotzei v'Hinei Sar Yavan Ba" (20)?
What are "Sarim ha'Rishonim"?
Rashi: They are the important ones. They enter first.
Ibn Ezra: They sit at the head in the kingdom. Therefore, he is called ha'Sar ha'Gadol.
Malbim: He is higher than the other Sarim, and influences on them. Targum Yonason of "v'Kara Zeh El Zeh" is u'Mekablin Dein Min Dein.
What is the meaning of "Nosarti Sham Etzel Malchei Paras"?
Rashi: I remained there, to silence Sar Paras in Shamayim.
Malbim: Etzel is like El Atzilei Bnei Yisrael ? Sarim that are Ma'atzil (give influence, without detracting from their own) Chochmah to the nation. I had Yisaron to influence on Malchei Paras, and switch their hearts to Chesed on Yisrael. The influence of the first Sar on them will descend via me.
