ܐܠܗܐ ܛܒܐ
Alaha taba
In Aramaic, "God is good" is said as ܐܠܗܐ ܛܒܐ (Alaha taba).
This phrase is a statement of faith used to express that God is benevolent and kind.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of ܐܠܗܐ (Alaha), which means 'God' and ܛܒܐ (taba), which means 'good'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the copula 'is' is implied and does not need to be explicitly stated.
How do you pronounce it?
Alaha taba
Did you know?
- The word ܐܠܗܐ is a direct linguistic relative of the Arabic 'Allah' and the Hebrew 'Elohim', reflecting their shared Semitic roots.
- The root of ܛܒܐ is used throughout Aramaic to describe not just moral goodness, but also physical sweetness and pleasure.
- Because Aramaic was the lingua franca of the Near East for centuries, phrases like ܐܠܗܐ ܛܒܐ were understood by diverse populations across the Persian and Roman empires.
Examples in context
- ܐܠܗܐ ܛܒܐ ܠܥܠܡ.Alaha taba l'alam.God is good forever.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their gratitude for life.
- ܝܘܚܢܢ Yohananܡܪܝܡ, ܚܙܝ ܟܡܐ ܛܒܐ ܗܝ ܗܢܐ ܝܘܡܐ.Maryam, hzi kema taba hay hana yawma.Maryam, look how good this day is.
- ܡܪܝܡ Mariamܢܘܗܪܐ ܝܠܗܝ, ܐܠܗܐ ܛܒܐ ܝܠܗܝ.Nuhra ilhay, Alaha taba ilhay.It is bright, God is good.
- ܝܘܚܢܢ Yohananܐܝܢ, ܢܗܘܐ ܫܘܒܚܐ ܠܗ.Ain, nahwe shubha lah.Yes, glory be to Him.
- ܡܪܝܡ Mariamܐܡܝܢ, ܝܘܚܢܢ.Amin, Yohanan.Amen, Yohanan.
