Jah
Also spelled: jah jah
Meaning
God, in Rastafari belief — the living, present divine, often identified with Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. Unlike a distant deity, Jah is understood to dwell within and among people, which is why the name is spoken so freely in everyday reasoning and in song.
Examples
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“Give thanks an praises to Jah.”
Give thanks and praise to God.
A standard expression of gratitude among Rastafari.
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“Jah guide an protect.”
God guides and protects.
Used as a blessing or a parting wish.
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“Only Jah know di future.”
Only God knows the future.
Origin
A shortened form of Jehovah / Yahweh, the God of the Hebrew scriptures. The form 'Jah' appears in the King James Bible (Psalm 68:4) and was taken up by Rastafari, sometimes doubled as 'Jah Jah' for emphasis.
How it's used
A sacred word — used with reverence, not casually or as an oath. Widely spread through reggae, where it can lose its devotional weight in non-Rastafari mouths.