What does “enti nie eth o wab intaf” mean in Coptic?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-08

The phrase is a common liturgical expression in the Coptic language. In the standard Bohairic (ⲙⲉⲧⲣⲉⲙⲛⲭⲏⲙⲓ) dialect, it is written:

ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲏⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛⲧⲁϥ

(Ente ni-eth-owab entaf)

Translation:

"Of His saints"

Breakdown:

• ⲛⲧⲉ (ente): This is a preposition meaning "of."
• ⲛⲏ (ni): This is the plural definite article meaning "the."
• ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ (eth-owab): This is a compound word meaning "holy." In this context, ⲛⲏⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ together serves as a noun meaning "the saints" or "the holy ones."
• Note: ⲁⲃ or ⲟⲩⲁⲃ is a native Coptic word for "holy."
• ⲛⲧⲁϥ (entaf): This is a possessive pronoun meaning "of him" or "his."

Liturgical Usage:

This phrase is most frequently heard at the conclusion of many Coptic responses, particularly those involving the Intercessions of the Saints (the ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ or Tenousht). For example, when we pray:

"Through the prayers of the choir of His saints..."

ⲉⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲉⲩⲭⲏ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲭⲟⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉ ⲛⲏⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛⲧⲁϥ...

It refers to the holiness that is derived from God; they are "His" saints because He is the source of their sanctity.