1. Term: Maranatha — מָרָנָתָא
Meaning: “Our Lord, come!” — An expression of longing for the Lord’s return.
2. Historical-Cultural Context:
- Maranatha was a common Aramaic liturgical phrase among early Jewish Christians.
- Expressed hope and urgency for the Messiah’s second coming.
- Used in worship and communal prayers as a confession of faith and anticipation.
- Reflects the eschatological mindset of the early church.
3. Literary Examples:
- 1 Corinthians 16:22 — “If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Maranatha!”
- Early Christian writings outside the New Testament also contain this phrase as a prayerful invocation.
4. Cultural Significance:
- Maranatha embodies the early Christian expectation and hope for Christ’s return.
- Its use in worship highlights the integration of Aramaic language in early Christian identity.
- The phrase continues to inspire eschatological faith in Christian tradition.