The word
Θεός,
“God,” is derived by most authorities from θεᾶσθαι, which
means “to look upon.” Here we have another derivation
suggested, viz., from δέος, “fear,” on this
ground that God inspires fear.—H. Neither derivation is
correct. The best perhaps is given by Herodotus (II. 52), viz.,
from the verb τίθημι, to place, set,
array, the idea being that God is the principal of all order and
law.