jumal

Jumal is the Estonian word for God. In capitalized form Jumal denotes the monotheistic deity in Estonian-language religious discourse, while the lowercase jumal may be used for a deity in a non-specific sense or in poetry and literature. The standard plural is jumalad, meaning gods. The term appears in religious texts, hymns, prayers, and everyday speech when referring to deities within Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and other traditions translated into Estonian.

Etymology and cognates: Jumal is of Finnic origin and is cognate with the Finnish jumala; it belongs to the Finnic branch of the Uralic language family. The form reflects the shared linguistic heritage of Estonian and Finnish and related languages such as Karelian and Votic. In Estonian, distinctions between Jumal and Issand (the Lord) are common in religious language, with Issand often used in reverent address or indirect reference.

In modern Estonian usage, Jumal functions primarily as a theological term within religious writing and speech, while in secular or literary contexts the word may appear in discussions of religion, culture, or philosophy. The term is part of a broader set of religious vocabulary in Estonian, reflecting the country's historical and contemporary religious landscape.