jah

Jah is a name for God used primarily in Rastafari and related Afro-Caribbean religious movements. It is a shortened form associated with the Hebrew divine name, often linked to Yahweh or Jehovah, and commonly rendered in English as Jah. In Rastafari, Jah denotes the Supreme Being, the Creator of all life, and is understood as personal and immanent, accessible through prayer, song, and the natural world.

Etymology and usage: The form Jah derives from the Hebrew YHWH through the vocalization Yah, with Jehovah appearing in Christian traditions. The shortened form Jah entered Afro-Caribbean religious language in the 20th century and has become a central term in Rastafari speech and practice.

Beliefs and practice: In Rastafari, Jah is the source of life and righteousness, a present and listening God often addressed in prayers and chants. Some Rastafari regard Haile Selassie I, the former Emperor of Ethiopia, as Jah incarnate or as an earthly representative of Jah. Others view Jah as a transcendent deity not limited to any single human manifestation. Worship typically includes prayers, hymns, and praise, with broader ethical and cultural emphasis on liberation, dignity, and repatriation to Africa.

Cultural influence: The concept of Jah spread widely through reggae music and Rastafari culture, shaping religious language and public discourse on spirituality, justice, and identity. Notable artists such as Bob Marley popularized references to Jah globally, contributing to its recognition beyond Jamaica and the Caribbean.

In summary, Jah is the Rastafari and Afro-Caribbean term for God, rooted in Hebrew tradition and expressed through a faith that blends reverence, music, and social consciousness.