Godspeed is a blessing for a journey or risky endeavor. Its confusion lies in the definition of speed, which originally meant prosperity. It may have evolved from “good speed” and was used in the Bible to mean God-inspired prosperity. It is now considered archaic.
To wish someone Godspeed is to ask God’s blessings for their undertaking, especially a long journey or a risky but potentially rewarding endeavor. Some see Godspeed as a more reverential alternative to “good luck,” likely introducing chance and randomness into the mix, not divine providence. For example, one might wish Godspeed on a relative who goes on an extended business trip overseas.
The confusion about the meaning of Godspeed, which can also be rendered as god-speed or even goodspeed, lies in the definition of speed. The original meaning of the Old English word speed had nothing to do with speed, but rather prosperity and good fortune. God’s addition to the concept of financial generosity may seem jarring at first, but the word Godspeed was an acknowledgment of God’s bounty and blessing. Speed in that sense was the rightful acquisition of wealth and property through hard work and reverent behavior.
Some sources suggest that the word Godspeed may have been a corruption of “good speed”, a desire for fast travel aided by favorable winds and sailing conditions. According to this theory, the expression good speed eventually became divine speed and, finally, divine speed. The application of a Deity’s name was simply a happy accident. In fact, there are some recorded incidents of “good speed” being used as a boon for passengers heading aboard.
Middle English translators of the Holy Bible also used the term Godspeed in several passages, mainly in the Old Testament to mean God-inspired prosperity. This would suggest two distinct evolutions of the expression, based on two different translations of the word speed. Wishing someone good speed would mean wishing them a prosperous journey or a successful venture, while wishing someone good speed would suggest a quick and safe journey.
The expression Godspeed has largely fallen out of popular usage and is generally listed as archaic in many dictionaries. Some still use it as a more theological blessing than just “good luck” or “bon voyage,” though the original meaning has been forgotten in the mists of time.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
