Jah

 

(yä) , generally considered an archaic form of the Hebrew ineffable name of God (Yahweh, Jahweh). It occurs in the Book of Exodus.

Jah (IPA: [dʒa:]) is a name for God, most commonly used in the Rastafari movement. It comes from the Hebrew יָהּ = Yah [ja:].

In the Rastafari movement

Some Rastafarians consider Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia to be God incarnate, whom they call Jah. Referring to him by the title of Jah Rastafari, some consider him to have been the personification of Jah, but this is only one interpretation or metaphor for Rasta belief. (There is no central Rastafarian dogma.) [1]

In addition, Haile Selassie himself denied that he was the returning Messiah to save the people from their wicked ways.^{[citation needed]}

Another way some Rastafarians use to express the idea of Jah is the phrase "I and I" (such as "I And I Survive" the title of a song by hardcore punk and reggae band Bad Brains, usually written "I&I") to represent each and every person who recognizes themselves to be part of a trinitarian unity "Haile Selassie I / Jah / I."

Other uses

Jah (Yah) is often used as a shortened form of the name Jehovah¹ or Yahweh. Thus, the term Hallelujah would mean "Praise Jah." In the West Indies, the recent popularity of Christian reggae has led to the use of the names "Jah" and "I and I" in Christian circles, especially among younger believers. This term is also used in Christian hip hop, typically for no reason but to rhyme, by such artists as KJ-52 and Pigeon John of LA Symphony. P.O.D. has also controversially popularized Rastafarian terms such as "Jah" among young Christians. According to the band, they use such terms to refer to elements of the Bible. Songs such as "The Messenjah" from Satellite and "Strength of My Life" from Testify (featuring Matisyahu) explicitly use common Rastafarian terms to describe elements of Christianity and Judaism. Matisyahu has also used Rastafarian terminology (particularly on his debut album Shake Off the Dust...Arise), but never to the same extent.

In the original text of the Hebrew Bible, "Jah" occurs 26 times alone and 24 times in the term "Hallelujah."

It is transliterated "Jah" in a single instance (Psalm 68:4) in the King James Version of the Bible, and An American Translation has "Yah" at the same place. The Jehovah's Witnesses' New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures contains "Jah" 50 times in the OT and 4 times in the book of Revelation. The complete Tetragrammaton is always rendered as Jehovah. Rotherham's Emphasised Bible includes 49 uses of Jah. Masoretic Tanach: Psalms 68:19, יָהּ אֱלֹהִים - Yah Elohim.

With Egyptian, not Hebrew, origin

Jah is also an alternative spelling of the name of the Egyptian deity Iah. Some believe there could be a connection between this name and the Semitic name Jah.^{[citation needed]}

References to Jah in Music and Literature

Jah is referenced in many reggae songs, including many Bob Marley songs, such as "Jah Is Mighty" and "Forever Loving Jah". The hardcore punk band Bad Brains often use the title 'Jah' in songs.

Indie rap artist, Sage Francis released a song entitled "Jah Didn't Kill Johnny" on his 2005 album A Healthy Distrust.

William David Spencer, in his book Dread Jesus (ISBN 0-281-05101-1), proposes that Archibald Dunkley and Joseph Nathaniel Hibbert were among the preachers that inspired the Rastafari movement, and that both were members of the Ancient Mystic Order of Ethiopia, a Prince Hall Masonic organization. Spencer believes that several features of the Rastafari movement derive from this lodge, including the name "Jah", from the Masonic form "Jah-Bul-On" as revealed in Royal Arch Masonry.

A. J. Hill, in his book The Way home or face The Fire (ISBN 0-9583011-0-7), states to be the reincarnation of the prophet EliJAH and Christ, using the name JAH.

In the opening dream sequence of the movie Ali G in da House, Ali (Sacha Baron Cohen)who commonly uses Jamaican slang in an effort to pass for black. Becomes involved in a gang war with a multitude of cholos. After the initial firefight, Ali discovers a young Latino child caught in the crossfire. Ali uses himself to shield the child, (this scene is a set up for an inappropirate joke) after Ali returns the boy to safety he softly tells the boy that "Life! is the most precious gift Jah has given to us."

In the song at the end of the Futurama episode How Hermes Requisitioned his Groove Back Hermes sings "We didn't choose to be bureaucrats, no that's what our mighty Jah made us..."

The Massive Attack song "A Prayer for England", sung by Sinead O'Connor, from their album 100th Window is a prayer to Jah.

See also

• Leonard Howell

Nu metal band P.O.D. made a song called "Withough Jah (Nothin')" on their album Satellite. Many references are made to Jah on the album.

• Bradley Nowell

Long Beach, Californian band "Sublime" have made many references to Jah, and reggae music in their career and time, as well.

Reading

• Dread Jesus ISBN 0-281-05101-1
• The Way home or face The Fire ISBN 0-9583011-0-7

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