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Summary
- Loretta is not in the Bible. It is most likely an altered form of Lauretta, the Italian diminutive of Laura, from the laurel wreath given to victors.
- A second influence is Loreto, the Italian shrine of the Holy House. Historians generally attribute the transfer to a family named Angeli; the legend is treated here as a legend.
- Paul’s crown in 1 Corinthians 9:25 is literally that wreath — a circle of leaves that browned within days, which was the whole force of his comparison.
- 2 Timothy 4:7-8 adds “not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing,” so the sentence cannot be read as a boast.
- James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4 and Revelation 4:10 continue it; the elders keep laying their crowns down. Matthew 27:29 is the crown the others stand in the shadow of.
Bibliography (Click to show)
Sources: Behind the Name entries for Loretta, Lauretta and Laura; Scripture quotations from the NIV via BibleGateway (1 Corinthians 9:25; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:4; Revelation 4:10; Matthew 27:29). The Angeli explanation for the Holy House of Loreto is the common historical account and is presented here as such.
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