08-15-2008, 12:47 AM
Shlama Akhi Ryan,
The word "Eyr" is first attested in Aramaic documents found at Qumran. The word comes from the Aramaic~Hebrew root "Ayn-Waw-Resh" (Hebrew) and "Ayn-Yodh-Resh" (Aramaic), which means "awake~guard~watch".
(The difference between the Hebrew Waw and Aramaic Yodh is a common observance, many instances exist where the substitution of the 2nd radical of Waw with Yodh, or vice-versa, exists between the two languages.)
"M-L-Kh" is the usual title for angels, but that root in both languages conveys more of a "messenger" meaning, whereas the "Eyr~Ewr" root conveys more of a "guardian" meaning. It becomes the dominant word for angel in later CoE patristic writings and plays a prominent role in our liturgy.
+Shamasha
Amatsyah Wrote:Now, I have a question for you:
"and the watchers extolled Him with their praises"
"and watchers descended to minister unto Him"
"and the watchers glorified Him with their praises"
Is the Syriac that Mar Narsai is conveying here as "watchers" congruent to the Ethiopic Enochian "Watchers"?
Just curious, as these references sort of leaped out at me!
The word "Eyr" is first attested in Aramaic documents found at Qumran. The word comes from the Aramaic~Hebrew root "Ayn-Waw-Resh" (Hebrew) and "Ayn-Yodh-Resh" (Aramaic), which means "awake~guard~watch".
(The difference between the Hebrew Waw and Aramaic Yodh is a common observance, many instances exist where the substitution of the 2nd radical of Waw with Yodh, or vice-versa, exists between the two languages.)
"M-L-Kh" is the usual title for angels, but that root in both languages conveys more of a "messenger" meaning, whereas the "Eyr~Ewr" root conveys more of a "guardian" meaning. It becomes the dominant word for angel in later CoE patristic writings and plays a prominent role in our liturgy.
+Shamasha