Etymology

From Middle English, from "God speed you." (May God help you prosper.)

The Term "God Speed" originated in the Old Testament part of the Bible, in the book of Genesis 24:12 in the King James Version, when Abraham's servant, Eliezer, prayed for success when he was sent to find a wife for Abraham's son Isaac. The original Hebrew word for "speed" in this verse is הַקְרֵה, pronounced "Haq-rei" and it means "to encounter" or "to meet" in the causative form: "And he said O LORD God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham." (Genesis 24:12 KJV).

Interjection

2. Evangelist, after he had kissed him, gave him one smile, and bid him God-speed. (John Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress)

   "I'm wishing you God-speed, Hattersley," cried Arthur, "and aiding you with my prayers." (Anne Brontë, Tenant of Wildfell Hall)

   Rowland at the garden gate was giving his hostess Godspeed on her way to church. (Henry James, Roderick Hudson)

   Eight years before he had seen his friend off at the North Wall and wished him God-speed. (James Joyce, Dubliners)

   Godspeed, John Glenn. (Scott Carpenter)