|
Home
OLD ANGEL is a source for students of the Bible. In
addition to the LESSONS, students are
encouraged to ask questions about any aspect of the Bible through CONTACT US. Scripture quotations are
taken from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV) and are referenced to the Hebrew
and Greek words that have been translated into English. The Hebrew and
Greek words will be presented as English transliterations, except where
clarity will be achieved by presenting them in their original language. For
example, the Greek word αγγελος
is transliterated as the English word angelos. Angelos
has a meaning of “messenger” and is also the source of the English word
“angel”. Note that the double γγ
is transliterated as the English letters “ng”. It is presumed that
students know that the Bible was originally written principally in Hebrew
(the Old Testament) and Greek (the New Testament) and not in English or
some other language. The Bible that English speaking students read is
solely a translation of those original Hebrew and Greek languages. See Definitions for a brief explanation of the difference
between “translation” and
“transliteration”.
The English words “old” and “angel” are translations of the Greek words αρχαιος and αγγελος. The Greek word αρχαιος,
transliterated as archaios, has a meaning of “old” or “original”. The
Greek word αγγελος has a meaning of “messenger”. The essential meaning of the words
“Old Angel” is that it provides the “original message” of Scripture,
without contemporary interpretations. In other words, God’s words are
sufficient in and of themselves and stand on their own merit, res
ipsa loquitur.
All
scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine
(teaching), for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness. That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished for all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
However, contemporary interpretations of events
may be placed side by side with the Biblical evidence, but only so that
students may compare and contrast any perceived differences or
similarities for themselves. It will rest with students to decide for
themselves that which is true, Scripture or the wisdom and traditions of
man. No attempts are made to persuade or change student’s beliefs beyond
the presentation of Biblical evidence. If evidence is presented which
cannot be documented with Biblical support, it will be openly labeled as
speculation in order that students may decide for themselves whether or not
it can be maintained in the face of Biblical evidence.
No attempt is made to change the basic meaning of
Hebrew or Greek words where they are translated into English. For
example, in 2 Timothy 3:17, the English word “man” is a translation of the Greek word ανθρωπος,
transliterated with the English letters anthrōpos, which has a meaning of a male person.
It is not paraphrased or translated as person, persons, or people, etc.
The Greek word for woman is γυνη,
gynē. Students are free to conclude for themselves
what is meant by ανθρωπος
and γυνη,
something they may not be able to do if the Greek words are paraphrased
as person, persons or people. (For ανθρωπος,
see Strong No. 444 = 435 + 3700. For
γυνη,
see Strong No. 1135) The Greek word, archangelos,
has a meaning of “archangel”, “chief angel”, or “highest angel”.
The word archangelos,
itself, is also a combination
of two other Greek words, archō, which means “highest
in rank”, and angelos, which has a meaning of “messenger”,
as indicated above. In other words, an archangel is a messenger who is
the first or highest in rank or power. Two examples of “archangels” are
Michael and Gabriel.
By implication and etymology, αρχαιος and αγγελος,
also have meanings of “ancient angel”, “old angel”, “ancient
messenger”, “old messenger”, or even “earliest messenger”, “first in point of time, order,
place, or rank” (Jude 1:9; Strong No. 743
<
757 and 32, and 744 < 746). The Biblical
evidence for the use of αρχαιος
and
αγγελος, in that manner, is not
uncommon and may be found, for example, in Luke 9:8,19; 2 Corinthians
5:17; Acts 15:21 and Acts 21:16 where αρχαιω
μαθητη mean “old or early disciple.” (For αρχαιω, “highest in rank”,
see Strong No. 744. For μαθητη,
“disciple or student”, see Strong No. 3101(3129). For αγγελος,
“messenger”, see Strong No. 32 <
71 and 34. Based on Nos. 71 and 32, respectively, the meaning of αγγελος can
have a meaning of a “leader” (agw,
71, as a shepherd) of a “herd” (agelh, 34, of sheep), such as a
pastor. It has nothing to do with
angel worship. It is not angel
worship. Angels are simply messengers, in whatever form they appear.
For example, messengers may appear as teachers, prophets, pastors,
preachers, any man, woman, child, or animal. (Numbers 22:22-35) Why do
man’s images of angels have wings, when Biblical angels have no wings?
No judgments are made regarding individual persons, places or
organizations beyond the concept of 2 Timothy 3:16-17. God’s words are sufficient for all and without commentary,
res ipsa loquitur.
[NOTE 1:
The phrase “inspiration of God” in 2 Timothy 3:16 is a translation of the
Greek word θεοπνευστος,
transliterated as theopneustos,
God breathed, Strong 2315 = 2316 + 4154]
[NOTE 2:
Where understanding is helpful, Greek words and their letters are
followed by their transliterated form as English letters. This is not the
same as a translation, which may or may not utilize different words and
letters. For example the Greek word πνευμα
and its letters pneuma,
but it is translated as the English word spirit. Also, the Greek word pneuma is the basis for the
English word pneumatic
as it is used in pneumatic, air filled, tires, and pneumatic drills,
etc.]
[NOTE 3:
The double gamma, γγ, is transliterated as
the English letters ng
and pronounced as the letters ng
in finger, not as the ng in singer. The Greek letters αγγελος are
transliterated as the English letters angelos and translated as the English word angel which has a basic meaning of messenger in the Greek language.]
[NOTE 4:
The English letters ō
and ē represent the Greek letters ω and η in
ōmēga. Contrary
to contemporary use, ō, is pronounced like the o
in oaf and ē is pronounced like the a in gate
and NOT as a long sounding e
, as in be.]
|
