Etymology of Malay berhala

[Richard Parker]

'Bathala' (the supreme god of the Filipino Tagalog) is very close to 'berhala', and may have the same etymological origin. 
 
However, the name of the 'Supreme God' in other Filipino groups is entirely different.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bathala 
 
So this may (just) reflect the influence of quite recent Malay immigration into the Philippines 
 
Reminds me a bit of the progress from YHWH to 'Jehovah'
 
 
best regards
 
Richard Parker
Siargao Island, Philippines
 
http://smallislandnotes.blogspot.com/
www.coconutstudio.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28722516@N02/
 
 
 
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