Alpha
“First letter, signifying beginning or primacy”
Summary
The first letter of the Greek alphabet, used symbolically with Omega to designate Christ's eternal nature as the beginning and the end of all things.
☩Alphabetical Significance
Alpha (Α) is the first letter in the Greek alphabet, corresponding to the Hebrew letter Aleph (א), which originally signified "ox" from its shape in the ancient Phoenician alphabet resembling the head and horns of that animal. Both Greeks and Hebrews employed their alphabetic letters as numerals, with Alpha denoting the number one, symbolizing primacy and beginning. The Hebrew name passed into Greek as alpha, carrying with it similar symbolic weight.
☩Divine Title
The phrase "Alpha and Omega" appears in Revelation as a solemn designation of divinity. In Revelation 1:8 and 21:6, it is applied to God the Father as "the Almighty," while in Revelation 22:13 it is placed in the mouth of the glorified Christ, declaring Him to be "the first and the last, the beginning and the end." This expression draws upon Old Testament language where God declared Himself the first and the last, with none beside Him. The title conveys the concept of eternity as unlimited duration and guarantees the fulfillment of prophecies.
☩Hebrew Parallels
The phrase corresponds to the Hebrew expression "Aleph to Tav," found in Talmudic and Rabbinical writings to express completeness. Jewish sources describe "the seal of God" as Emet (אמת, meaning "truth"), a word containing the first, middle, and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, signifying that God is the beginning, middle, and end of all things. The Jerusalem Targum on Exodus 3:14 interprets the divine name as "He who was, is, and will be."
☩Christian Symbolism
Although Revelation 1:8 applies this title to God the Father, Patristic commentators invariably referred all these passages to the Son, thereby claiming the divine privilege of eternity for Christ. Clement of Alexandria explained that the Word is called Alpha and Omega because He is "the circle of all powers rolled and united into one unity." These letters became a favorite symbol of Christ's eternal divinity, frequently appearing alongside the cross or the Chi-Rho monogram on catacomb inscriptions, tombstones, and Christian monuments from as early as the second century. Their presence on hundreds of early inscriptions, always referring to Christ alone, provides powerful evidence of the early Church's belief in His true divinity.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Alpha or A," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Alpha and Omega," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Alpha and Omega," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 4.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Alpha and Omega," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. I (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).
- 5.George Morrish, "Alpha," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 6.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Alpha," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).