Α

Α, α, τό indecl. (s. ἄλφα) first letter of the Gk. alphabet, alpha (cp. SibOr 5, 15) hence as numeral α´=1 (one εἷς or first πρῶτος e.g. TestSol, PVindobBosw at 18:34; oft. in pap): πρώτη (or πρωτέρα?, in pap freq.=πρότερον, q.v.) in titles of letters ἐπιστολή: 1 Cor; 1 Th; 1 Ti; 1 Pt; 1J; 1 Cl; ἐντολή Hm 1, title. As a symbolic letter Α signifies the beginning, Ω the end (FBoll, Sphaera 1903, 469ff). The two came to designate the universe and every kind of divine and superhuman power. S. Rtzst., Poim. 256ff, Erlösungsmyst. 244; FBoll, Aus d. Offb. Joh. 1914, 26f. The Sator-anagram of Pompeii (JDaniélou, Primitive Christian Symbols, tr. DAttwater ’64, 99–101) offers the earliest Christian usage. In the expr. ἐγώ εἰμι τὸ ἄλφα καὶ τὸ ὦ the letters are explained as beginning and end Rv 1:8 v.l.; 21:6 (s. OWeinreich, ARW 19, 1919, 180f); as first and last 1:11 v.l.; and as both 22:13 (cp. Mel., P. 105, 812 [B]). Is. 44:6 offers precedent for the πρῶτος/ἔσχατος in this and related rabbinic symbolism.—S. on Ω and FCabrol, Dict. d’Arch. I, 1, 1–25; FDornseiff, D. Alphabet in Mystik u. Magie² 1925, 17f; 122ff; RCharles, HDB I 70.—TW.