Bible Encyclopedias
Maranatha

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

mar - a - nath´a , mar - an - a´tha (from Aramaic words, אתה מרנא , mārānā' 'āthāh , "Our Lord cometh, or will come"; according to some, "has come"; to others, "Come!" an invitation for his speedy reappearance (compare Revelation 22:20 ); μαραναθά , maranathá , or μαρὰν ἀθά , marán athá ): Used in connection with ἀνάθεμα , anáthema , "accursed" (1 Corinthians 16:22 ), but has no necessary connection therewith. It was used by early Christians to add solemn emphasis to previous statement, injunction or adjuration, and seems to have become a sort of watchword; possibly forming part of an early liturgy.