Many have heard the expression "Chaldean face." But few people understand where it came from and how it relates to the history of this mysterious people. This article will discuss the importance of the name of this nationality in the appearance of Russian phraseology.
Bible parable
The name of this nationality has a rather mythical character. Those who are even familiar with the Scriptures have most likely heard of a tribe such as the Chaldeans. Who are they really? According to the Bible, the Chaldeans are a tribe of magicians and kings, originating from eastern countries, who, at the call of a guiding star, reached Bethlehem. He has come a long way for one purpose - to finally see the newborn Messiah and offer him sacrifices.
Historical reference
Science proves that such a nation existed in reality. Researchers have decided to divide the Chaldeans into people and priests. In the concept of historians, the Chaldeans are an armed nomadic people. Initially, he lived in Mesopotamia, where he had previously come from other Asian countries. Due to their aggressive nature, the Chaldeans came to the service of many Assyrian kings. At one time, these people even captured Babylon and founded the Chaldean dynasty there. As a result of this, this country in some sources, in addition to the name Babylonia, wears another - Chaldea. Babylon was considered its capital. Later, representatives of this people settled on the lands of Ancient Rome and Greece, where they were engaged mainly in fortune telling and other rituals.
Chaldeans in Christianity
In addition to world history, this people has left its mark in the religious world. So, according to many European faiths, the Chaldeans are Christians living in the territory of modern Iraq and Iran. The church of these parishioners bears the corresponding name - Chaldean. According to legend, many Chaldean Christians escaped persecution in Babylon, where they founded the eponymous movement in religion. Many researchers believe that the specific cults of the representatives of this people had their influence on the formation of Judaism. So, these believers had their own system of amulets and charms. However, such a course of Christianity completely contradicts the concept of the ancient Chaldeans as magicians who came from Central Asia.
Occupation
Due to the fact that the Chaldeans are, first of all, the concept by which the ancient priests are called, it is necessary to tell in more detail about this estate.
The aforementioned sorcerers came from dynasties with a long history. As a rule, the title of priest was inherited. The Chaldean priests were the most literate representatives of their people. They had knowledge in astronomy, numerology, medicine, mathematics, agriculture and other branches of social sciences. In most cases, the priests entered the service at the monasteries, where they studied the stars, their influence on politics, religion, compiled calendars and horoscopes. Already at that time, the Chaldeans knew that the year consists of 365 days, and also knew how to calculate the time of the eclipse on the starry sky. Moreover, magic knowledge was attributed to the priests. Based on the remaining sources, they could predict the fate of people and entire states, cast spells and engage in healing. According to legend, the priests knew the art of trance, which they used during military operations and natural disasters.
Semantics of the name
However, no matter who the Chaldeans are or whatever they do, from a philological point of view it is interesting what significance the name of this ancient people has in modern Russian.
Most Russian speakers often heard a word like Chaldean. Is it jargon?
According to the explanatory dictionaries published on the territory of the Russian Federation devoted to jargonisms, this concept really refers to specific vocabulary. So, "Chaldean" - jargon, descended from the thieves' vocabulary. In the language of criminals, this concept means a teacher or mentor. In a more negative sense, this word denotes an errand man. However, such a word was entrenched not only in criminal jargon. Currently, it is found in ordinary colloquial speech. Its meaning remains the same: it is both a teacher and a teacher. There is also an interpretation of this word as a designation of a jester, a rogue, impudent, that is, a person who is not shy in expressions and behavior.
Fiction
The concept of "Chaldea" is found not only in scientific or religious literature, but also in fiction. So, in the works of Panteleev, known for his novel “The Republic of SKID”, quite often there is a similar name in the designation of teachers. It was difficult for even the author himself to explain to his readers who to understand by the term “Chaldea”. The writer himself interprets this jargon in the preface of his work as a Soviet disrespectful appeal to a rogue teacher. In other words, the Chaldeans are failed teachers, charlatans. Such is seen by the author of the teachers of the initial Soviet stage, just after the revolution. As a rule, these are immigrants from churches, former military personnel, and servants. Such teachers did not have sufficient knowledge and elementary pedagogical skills to educate children. Basically, most of these crooks came to teach in orphanages, as there was simply no other job. So, for such unimportant teachers the meaning of the word "Chaldean" was fixed.