שאלוהים יהיה איתך
she'elohim yihyeh itkha
The Hebrew phrase for "may God be with you" is שאלוהים יהיה איתך (she'elohim yihyeh itkha).
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb יהיה (yihyeh) is in the future tense. In this context, the future tense is used to express a wish or a prayer, known as the jussive mood. The specific form שאלוהים יהיה איתך is the masculine singular form, meaning the suffix איתך (itkha) is used when addressing a male.
How do you pronounce it?
she'elohim yihyeh itkha
Did you know?
- While שאלוהים יהיה איתך is a literal translation, a more common traditional Jewish blessing for protection and presence is בסייעתא דשמיא (bsiyata d'shmaya), which is actually Aramaic, the sister language of Hebrew.
- In modern Israel, people rarely use the word אלוהים (Elohim) in casual conversation to avoid taking the name of God in vain. Instead, they often use the euphemism אל (El) or avoid the phrase entirely in non-religious settings.
- In Hebrew, the concept of God being 'with' someone is often expressed through the word שכינה (Shekhinah), which refers specifically to the divine presence dwelling among humans on earth.
Example conversation
Ido is saying goodbye to Agur before she leaves for a trip.
- עידו Idoאת כבר עוזבת, עגור?At kvar ozevet, Agur?Are you leaving already, Agur?
- עגור Adiכן, אני צריכה ללכת עכשיו.Ken, ani tzricha lalechet achshav.Yes, I need to go now.
- עידו Idoשאלוהים יהיה איתך בנסיעה.She'Elohim yihye itach banesi'a.May God be with you on your journey.
- עגור Adiתודה רבה, עידו.Toda raba, Ido.Thank you very much, Ido.
