* Definitions of God in Semitic Languages

The main Aramaic words for God are Elah (ܐܠܗ) or Alaha (ܐܲܠܵܗܵܐ), meaning “God,” which are cognates of the Hebrew Eloah/Elohim and the Arabic Allah, all stemming from a common Semitic root for divinity. Aramaic also uses Elahi (אֱלָהִי) for “My God,” famously heard in Jesus’ cry “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” (My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?). 

* KEY TERMS:

• Elah / Alaha (אלה / אלהא): The general term for “God,” used in Biblical Aramaic and Syriac. 
• Elahi (אֱלָהִי): Means “My God,” a possessive form. 
• Eloi: The specific Aramaic/Hebrew form for “My God,” as used by Jesus in the Gospels. 

Connections to Other Languages: 

• These Aramaic terms share a common root with the Hebrew Elohim (God) and the Arabic Allah (God), highlighting linguistic links across Semitic languages.

*USAGE:

Jesus’ use of “Eloi” in Aramaic (Mark 15:34) shows direct usage of these terms. 

In the Bible (Books of Daniel, Ezra), compound forms like Elah Avahati (God of my fathers) and Elah Shemaiya (God of Heaven) are found.

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