Difference between revisions of "Alpha and the Omega"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
| − | The term ''Alpha and Omega'' comes from the phrase "I am the alpha and the omega" ([ | + | The term ''Alpha and Omega'' comes from the phrase "I am the alpha and the omega" ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koin%C3%A9_Greek Koiné Greek]: "ἐγὼ τὸ Α καὶ τὸ Ω"), an appellation of [[Jesus]] in the [[Book of Revelation]] (verses 1:8, 21:6, and 22:13). The first part of this phrase ("I am the Alpha and Omega") is first found in Chapter 1 verse 8, and is found in every [[manuscript]] of Revelation that has 1v8. Several later manuscripts repeat "I am the Alpha and Omega" in 1v11 too, but it does not receive support here from most of the oldest manuscripts, including the Alexandrine, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinaitic_Palimpsest Sinaitic], and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codex_Ephraemi_Rescriptus Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus]. It is, therefore, omitted in some [[modern]] [[translations]]. Scholar Robert Young stated, with regard to "I am the Alpha and Omega" in 1v11, that the "oldest [manuscripts] omit" it. |
| − | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1526] |
==Definition== | ==Definition== | ||
*1: the beginning and ending | *1: the beginning and ending | ||
*2: the principal element | *2: the principal element | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | '''Alpha and Omega''' (alpha (Α or α) and omega (Ω or ω)), are the first and the last letters of the [ | + | '''Alpha and Omega''' (alpha (Α or α) and omega (Ω or ω)), are the first and the last letters of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_alphabet Greek alphabet] and are an appellation of [[Christ]] or of [[God]] in the [[Book of Revelation]]. These couple of letters are used as [[Christian]] [[symbols]], and are often combined with [[the Cross]], [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chi-rho Chi-rho], or other Christian symbols. |
| − | This symbol was suggested by [[Book of Revelation|the Apocalypse]], where many believe that [[Christ]], as well as [[the Father]], is "the First and the Last" (ii, 8); "the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (cf., xxii, 13; i, 8). [ | + | This symbol was suggested by [[Book of Revelation|the Apocalypse]], where many believe that [[Christ]], as well as [[the Father]], is "the First and the Last" (ii, 8); "the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (cf., xxii, 13; i, 8). [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clement_of_Alexandria Clement of Alexandria] (2nd century, philosopher and commentator on [[pagan]] and [[Christian]] information) speaks of [[the Word]] as "the Alpha and the Omega of Whom alone the end becomes beginning, and ends again at the original beginning without any break" (''[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stromata Stromata]'', IV, 25). Tertullian (lawyer, theologian) also alludes to Christ as the Alpha and Omega (De Monogamiâ, v), and from Prudentius (Cathemer., ix, 10) we learn that in the fourth century the [[interpretation]] of the apocalyptic letters was still the same: "Alpha et Omega cognominatus, ipse fons et clausula, Omnium quae sunt, fuerunt, quaeque post futura sunt." It was, however, in the [[monuments]] of early Christianity that the symbolic Alpha and Omega had their greatest [[vogue]]. |
| − | This phrase is [[interpreted]] by many Christians to mean that [[Jesus]] has existed for all [[eternity]]. The phrase "alpha and omega" may signify that God is [[eternal]]. The symbols were used in [ | + | This phrase is [[interpreted]] by many Christians to mean that [[Jesus]] has existed for all [[eternity]]. The phrase "alpha and omega" may signify that God is [[eternal]]. The symbols were used in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Christianity early Christianity] and appear in the Roman [[catacombs]].[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_and_omega] |
[[Category: Religion]] | [[Category: Religion]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:43, 12 December 2020
Origin
The term Alpha and Omega comes from the phrase "I am the alpha and the omega" (Koiné Greek: "ἐγὼ τὸ Α καὶ τὸ Ω"), an appellation of Jesus in the Book of Revelation (verses 1:8, 21:6, and 22:13). The first part of this phrase ("I am the Alpha and Omega") is first found in Chapter 1 verse 8, and is found in every manuscript of Revelation that has 1v8. Several later manuscripts repeat "I am the Alpha and Omega" in 1v11 too, but it does not receive support here from most of the oldest manuscripts, including the Alexandrine, Sinaitic, and Codex Ephraemi Rescriptus. It is, therefore, omitted in some modern translations. Scholar Robert Young stated, with regard to "I am the Alpha and Omega" in 1v11, that the "oldest [manuscripts] omit" it.
Definition
- 1: the beginning and ending
- 2: the principal element
Description
Alpha and Omega (alpha (Α or α) and omega (Ω or ω)), are the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet and are an appellation of Christ or of God in the Book of Revelation. These couple of letters are used as Christian symbols, and are often combined with the Cross, Chi-rho, or other Christian symbols.
This symbol was suggested by the Apocalypse, where many believe that Christ, as well as the Father, is "the First and the Last" (ii, 8); "the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end" (cf., xxii, 13; i, 8). Clement of Alexandria (2nd century, philosopher and commentator on pagan and Christian information) speaks of the Word as "the Alpha and the Omega of Whom alone the end becomes beginning, and ends again at the original beginning without any break" (Stromata, IV, 25). Tertullian (lawyer, theologian) also alludes to Christ as the Alpha and Omega (De Monogamiâ, v), and from Prudentius (Cathemer., ix, 10) we learn that in the fourth century the interpretation of the apocalyptic letters was still the same: "Alpha et Omega cognominatus, ipse fons et clausula, Omnium quae sunt, fuerunt, quaeque post futura sunt." It was, however, in the monuments of early Christianity that the symbolic Alpha and Omega had their greatest vogue.
This phrase is interpreted by many Christians to mean that Jesus has existed for all eternity. The phrase "alpha and omega" may signify that God is eternal. The symbols were used in early Christianity and appear in the Roman catacombs.[1]
