saecula saeculorum (Ages of Ages)
Ages of Ages
The same noun twice, the second in the genitive, usually plural: the greatest or the endless.
How It Works
| Latin | Word for word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| saecula saeculorum | ages of ages | for ever and ever |
| saeculum saeculi | age of the age | for ever and ever |
| rex regum | king of kings | the greatest king |
| canticum canticorum | song of songs | the best song |
| vanitas vanitatum | vanity of vanities | complete emptiness |
In Church Latin saeculorum sounds like seh-koo-LOH-room. In classical Latin it sounds like sye-koo-LOH-room, because ae sounds like eh in one and eye in the other.
The second noun is the same word as the first, in the genitive. It is usually plural, but the singular comes too: the Vulgate also says in saeculum saeculi, as in Psalm 9:6. Say it as one phrase: in saecula saeculorum ends the Gloria Patri and many prayers of the Mass.
Examples (4)
- In saecula saeculorum.
For ever and ever.
The end of the Gloria Patri. Saeculorum is the genitive plural of saeculum.
- Rex regum et Dominus dominantium.
King of kings and Lord of lords.
Apocalypse 19:16. Regum is the genitive plural of rex, and dominantium is a genitive plural participle.
- Canticum canticorum.
The Song of Songs.
The Latin title of the book of the Bible. Canticorum is the genitive plural of canticum.
- Vanitas vanitatum, dixit Ecclesiastes, vanitas vanitatum, et omnia vanitas.
Vanity of vanities, said Ecclesiastes, vanity of vanities, and all is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 1:2. Vanitatum is the genitive plural of vanitas.
Common Mistakes
Repeating the noun in the wrong case.
Rex reges.Rex regum.The second noun must be in the genitive: regum. Reges is the nominative or accusative plural.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Saecula saeculorum and Rex regum repeat a genitive plural, so the genitive plurals come first.
Related Patterns
- Gloria PatriGlory Be
The prayer that ends with in saecula saeculorum.
Level 1 - The Genitive Case
The case of the second word.
Level 2 - Genitive Plural: -arum and -orum
The ending of saeculorum.
Level 2 - Hebrew Names: Abraham, Isaac, Iacob, DavidAbraham, Isaac, Iacob, David
Another sign of Hebrew behind the Latin.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice saecula saeculorum (Ages of Ages) in Bubblegum
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