The Iconography of the Angels in the Coptic Wall Paintings

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of Tourism Guidance, Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, University of Sadat City, Egypt

Abstract

The angels are represented throughout the Bible as a body of spiritual beings intermediate between God and men. They are employed by God as the ministers of His will. The Arabic word of angel is مَلاك Malak which is derived from the Arabic verb أَلَكَ Alak which means (who carries a message) and its derivatives are- أَلْكًا Alkka – أُلُوكَةً Alokah – أُلُوكاً Alokan – مَأْلَكًا Malakan – آلَكَ Alak – إلاَكَةً Alkah - أستألك Astalak –الَمَلَك Almalak – مَلاك Malak.The English word “angel” comes from the Greek αγγελος angelus, which means 'messenger'. In the Old Testament, along with the Hebrew word for “angel” is malakh, %a>;">l:M also meaning ‘messenger’. So both languages carry the same synonym of angel. Etymology suggesting a being responsible for carrying messages between the human world and God, someone who is an intermediary between ‘down here’ and ‘up there’.
 

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