Work dossier · summary and historical context
The Image of Phanuel is an anonymous Geʿez malkǝʿ (image) poem, a genre of encomiastic verse that praises an angel or saint through stanzas beginning with “malkǝʿa” (image of). The sole known witness is the manuscript underlying the betmas edition; no other copies or recensions are recorded. No colophon or internal date survives, and the malkǝʿ genre flourished from the 15th century onward, but this text cannot be more precisely dated without external evidence. Phanuel is a prominent angel in Ethiopic tradition, appearing in the Book of Enoch and in liturgical prayers. The poem likely served a devotional or liturgical function, but its specific use is unattested. The edition provides no translation or commentary; the Geʿez text alone is given.
The Image of Phanuel is significant as a rare witness to the malkǝʿ genre focused on an angel, highlighting the devotional and liturgical role of angels in Ethiopic Christianity. Its mention of Phanuel, an angel from the Book of Enoch, and the unusual title 'Chief of priests' offer insights into angelological and liturgical traditions. The poem's survival in a single manuscript underscores the fragility of such texts.
The work is a malkǝʿ poem, a genre of Geʿez encomiastic verse that praises an angel or saint through a series of stanzas each beginning with “malkǝʿa” (image of). The sole known witness is the manuscript underlying the betmas edition; no other copies or recensions are recorded in standard catalogues. No colophon or internal date survives. The malkǝʿ genre flourished from the 15th century onward, but this text cannot be more precisely dated without external evidence. Phanuel is a prominent angel in Ethiopic tradition, appearing in the Book of Enoch and in liturgical prayers. This poem likely served a devotional or liturgical function, but its specific use is unattested. The edition provides no translation or commentary; the Geʿez text alone is given. Readers without Geʿez must rely on the malkǝʿ structure for interpretation. The poem's reference to the Trinity and the title 'Chief of priests' for Phanuel reflect Trinitarian theology and a possible liturgical or visionary role equating angelic intercession with priestly mediation.
Apparatus · what the pipeline recorded
| Coptic | Rendering | Count | First |
|---|---|---|---|
| no glossary terms recorded | |||