ABSTRACT

Loki would be to be derived from lukan (claudere) [‘to close’], as Logi from the root liuhan, ON. lok means finis, consummatio [‘conclusion’], loka repagulum [‘bolt’], because the bolt closes. In Beowulf there appears a hostile devilish spirit called Grendel, and his mother (Grendeles modor, Beow. 4232, 4274) as a veritable devil’s mother. Perhaps Thorkelin (p. 261) has this time hit the mark, that Grendel can be compared to Loki, because AS grindel and ON loka both mean a bolt: true, I never find the monster written Grindel, and for grindel (obex) [‘barrier’] Cadm. 24, 27 [i.e Genesis ll.384, 390?] not grendel, however there could be close contact between both forms. Obex is called krintil in OHG; would Krantil, Krentil correspond to the Grendel? However it may be; it is very striking, that we still today employ a third synonymous expression to mean a devilish being, admittedly in reinforcing collocation with hell: höllriegel [‘hell-bolt’], a hell-brand, a devil or to be forfeit to the devil.