ܬܫܒܘܚܬܐ ܠܐܠܗܐ
teshbuhto l'Alaha
The English phrase "praise God" is translated into Aramaic as ܬܫܒܘܚܬܐ ܠܐܠܗܐ (teshbuhto l'Alaha).
This expression is used to give glory and thanks to God.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun teshbuhto (praise) and the prepositional construction l'Alaha (to God), where Alaha means God.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase functions as a noun phrase (Praise to God) rather than a verb-driven command (Praise God), which is a common way to express such sentiments in Semitic languages.
How do you pronounce it?
teshbuhto l'Alaha
Did you know?
- The word Alaha for 'God' is a cognate of the Hebrew word Elohim and the Arabic word Allah. All three languages share a common Semitic root for the divine.
- In certain Christian traditions, the sounds of these specific Aramaic words are used in chants that have remained phonetically similar for nearly two millennia.
- Because Aramaic was the lingua franca of the Near East for centuries, phrases like teshbuhto l'Alaha were understood by people of different faiths across multiple empires.
Examples in context
- ܬܫܒܘܚܬܐ ܠܐܠܗܐ ܠܥܠܡ.teshbuḥta l'alāḥā l'ālam.Praise God forever.
- ܒܟܠ ܙܒܢ ܬܫܒܘܚܬܐ ܠܐܠܗܐ.b'khol zeman teshbuḥta l'alāḥā.At all times, praise God.
