Does Anyone Know The Origin Of The Word 'Daven'?

Yiddish.

There is a folk story that it comes from “De-Rabanan”.

I believe more likely it is related to the the English word “devine”, meaning it is of Latin/Old French origin (remember that Asheknazim arrived in German-speaking areas where we invented Yiddish after moving through areas that spoke Latin or other Romance languages, which is where Yiddish picked up some words of Latin origin). Note that “Bentsch” (related to English “benediction”) is also a Yiddish word for a religious term derived from a Latin route.

Look at the 3rd Rashi on Shemos 14:10, “vayitzaku”. The B’nei Yisroel employed the occupation of their ‘avos’, i.e., they prayed. The Aramaic word for ‘avos’ is ‘a-vahan’, hence “D’avahan”, or as we (mis)pronounce it, Daven, means, “of the Fathers”.

Comes from the Hebrew “LeDavein” which means to Daven*.

*Note: This was a joke**

**Note: A lazy one***

***Note: But it’s getting better and better

WIY, that doesn;t mean anything. It is conventional Yiddish spelling.

We had in Shabbos 35, “???? ????? ???? ??? ???? ?????”.

Davi means to look. When Daniel Davened in Bavel he opened a window towards Yerushalayim. When we Daven, we look toward Hashem. This may be the origin of the word.

Bentch however, might simply come from the German Vintsch, which is used in Yiddish often by Bentching someone. Literally, it means to wish. It is mostly used as in, to wish someone well.

I once heard it came from D’Avinan – like our fathers. When we call out to Hashem, we behave like our fathers.