- Meaning: An angel is typically understood as a spiritual being believed to act as a messenger, agent, or servant of God in various religions, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Angels are often depicted as benevolent celestial beings who mediate between Heaven and Earth, guiding and protecting humans or carrying out God’s tasks.
- Etymology and Origin:
- The word “angel” comes from the Old English “engel” and the Old French “angele,” both of which derive from Latin “angelus.” This Latin term is borrowed from the Greek word “ἄγγελος” (angelos), meaning “messenger.”
- The concept of angels, as supernatural beings that serve a deity, is ancient and not exclusive to a single culture or religion. Variants of these beings appear in many early religious systems.
- In the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), the term “mal’akh” (messenger) is used, which is translated into Greek as “angelos.” In Christian theology, this concept was further developed, and angels were categorized into different orders and roles.
- Similarly, in Islam, angels (Arabic: ملائكة, malā’ikah) are regarded as important spiritual beings who obey God’s will and perform various tasks.
The term “angel,” with its roots in the Greek word for messenger, reflects a widespread belief in spiritual beings acting as divine messengers or agents. This concept has been adopted and adapted by various religious traditions, forming an integral part of their belief systems.
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