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Where does the word "angel" come from? It comes from Greek angelos, passing through Latin before entering English (medieval).
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Where does the word "angel" come from? It comes from Greek angelos, passing through Latin before entering English (medieval).
Angel’s story begins in Greek: angelos meant “a messenger.” Literally "messenger". By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as angelus. Latin Christianity used it to translate Hebrew 'malakh', messenger. It reached English by medieval as engel. Brought by Augustine's mission of 597 and replacing the native word for messenger. Today, angel means a spiritual being that serves as a messenger of God.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient angelos "a messenger", literally "messenger".
- Stage 2 · Latin · ancient angelus "a divine messenger", Latin Christianity used it to translate Hebrew 'malakh', messenger.
- Stage 3 · Old English · medieval engel "a heavenly messenger", brought by Augustine's mission of 597 and replacing the native word for messenger.