Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Part 1, Slice 1 by Various
page 25 of 281 (08%)
page 25 of 281 (08%)
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monotheistic religions, _e.g._. Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and in
allied religions, such as Zoroastrianism. In polytheism the grades of superhuman beings are continuous; but in monotheism there is a sharp distinction of kind, as well as degree, between God on the one hand, and all other superhuman beings on the other; the latter are the "angels." "Angel" is a transcription of the Gr. [Greek: angelos], messenger. [Greek: angelos] in the New Testament, and the corresponding _mal'akh_ in the Old Testament, sometimes mean "messenger," and sometimes "angel," and this double sense is duly represented in the English Versions. "Angel" is also used in the English Version for [Hebrew:] _'Abbir_, Ps. lxxviii. 25. (lit. "mighty"), for [Hebrew:] _'Elohim_, Ps. viii. 5, and for the obscure [Hebrew:] _shin'an_, in Ps. lxviii. 17. [v.02 p.0005] In the later development of the religion of Israel, _'Elohim_ is almost entirely reserved for the one true God; but in earlier times _'Elohim_ (gods), _bn[=e] 'Elohim, bn[=e] Elim_ (sons of gods, _i.e._ members of the class of divine beings) were general terms for superhuman beings. Hence they came to be used collectively of superhuman beings, distinct from Yahweh, and therefore inferior, and ultimately subordinate.[1] So, too, the angels are styled "holy ones,"[2] and "watchers,"[3] and are spoken of as the "host of heaven"[4] or of "Yahweh."[5] The "hosts," [Hebrew:] _Sebaoth_ in the title _Yahweh Sebaoth_, Lord of Hosts, were probably at one time identified with the angels.[6] The New Testament often speaks of "spirits," [Greek: pneumata].[7] In the earlier periods of the |
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