Category:Alpha

Al"pha, n. Etym: [L. alpha, Gr. 'a`lfa, from Heb. aleph, name of the first letter in the alphabet, also meaning ox.]

Defn: The first letter in the Greek alphabet, answering to A, and hence used to denote the beginning. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Revelation 22:13.

Note: Formerly used also denote the chief; as, Plato was the alpha of the wits.

Note: In cataloging stars, the brightest star of a constellation in designated by Alpha (a); as, a Lyræ.

- ---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

A - Alpha, the first letter of the Greek alphabet, as Omega is the last. These letters occur in the text of Revelation 1:8,11; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:13, and are represented by "Alpha" and "Omega" respectively (omitted in R.V., 1:11). They mean "the first and last." (Comp. Hebrews 12:2; Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 44:6; Revelation 1:11,17; Revelation 2:8.) In the symbols of the early Christian Church these two letters are frequently combined with the cross or with Christ's monogram to denote his divinity.

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