It's related to Modern Persian |xodâ|, which is
found in Urdu as |xudâ|. I don't think it's cognate with the Germanic word.
(Both Persian |xodâ| and the Arabic loan |?allâh| are used interchangeably, with
the latter being a more "sacred" usage than the former.)
What's the Old Persian/Avestan word, by the
way?
~Danny~
While on the Subject, can someone explain 'Ghuda'
as a Word for God in Punjabi?
Carl