What are angels? Angels according to the Hebrew bible and Christian scriptures, are messengers sent from God to humankind. The choirs of angels serve God and are considered higher in rank (like a military rank but more on that later) than humans whether on earth or in heaven.
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Greek |
Transliterated Greek |
English |
Comments |
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αγγέλιον |
Angelion |
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News or important information |
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εὐαγγέλιον |
Euangelion |
Evangel |
“Eu”=”good” becomes “Ev” – The “Good News” = “Good spell” (old English) = “Gospel” (modern English) |
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άγγελος |
Angelos |
Angel |
Messenger or the being that conveys the news |
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Evangelist |
One (a human) who proclaims or preaches the Good News |
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ευχαριστία |
Eucharistia |
Eucharist |
“Eu”=”good” becomes “Ev” (in modern Greek) + Charis = Good Gifts or “Thanksgiving” = “Thank you” in modern Greek |
Angels were an important part of Jewish belief at the time of Jesus. Graphic depictions of angels in earlier Middle Eastern cultures (Persian, Mycenean and Egyptian) are consistent, so it is quite likely that angels in Jewish and Christian belief have much earlier antecedents in ancient pagan religions. Often the ranks of angels resemble military ranks where each lower level serves the one above it.
At the very top of the angel hierarchy are the four archangels, Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel. Sometimes the archangels are paired with one of the seven planets in the Ptolemaic solar system. H.W. Longfellow’s poem “The Golden Legend” lists them. (Sidebar: In seminary, we lived net door to the Longfellow house which is now part of the National Park system)
The “el” ending on these Hebrew names means “god,” so Michael = “Who is like God,” Gabriel = “God is my champion,” Raphael = “God heals,” and Uriel = “God is my light” (Uriah = “The Lord is my light”)
Why should we care about angels? If nothing else, they are a reminder that among intelligent beings, humans are not at the top of the heap. How do you spell humility?