Jehovah

Authorized King James Version

Sør-Fron church, IEHOVA

Sefer Yezira 1552 IEHOUAH

Tetragrammaton-related-Masoretic-vowel-points

Hutchinson, Roger 1550 JEHOVAH

King James Bible-Isaiah 12 2 Jehovah

Jehovah is a Latinization of the Hebrew יְהֹוָה, one vocalization of the Tetragrammaton (יהוה, YHWH), the proper name of the God in the Hebrew Bible. The name is considered by Jews to be too sacred to be spoken aloud. Instead, when reading, Jews typically substitute it with אֲדֹנָי (Adonai, "My Lord") or הַשֵּׁם (HaShem, "The Name").

Etymology and Pronunciation

The name Jehovah is a hybrid form derived from a combination of the Latin letters JHVH and the vowels of Adonai. This form was unknown in ancient Jewish tradition and is a later European Christian invention. The most accepted Hebrew pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton is "Yahweh," although the exact original pronunciation has been lost over time due to the Jewish practice of not pronouncing or writing it fully.

Historical Use

The use of the name Jehovah in English translations of the Bible stems from the Renaissance period, with the first known instance appearing in William Tyndale's translation of the Pentateuch in the 16th century. It gained further prominence in the King James Version of the Bible, where it appears in several places. However, modern translations have largely replaced it with "LORD" or "GOD," capitalized to indicate it stands for the Tetragrammaton.

Religious Significance

1. 1. 1. Judaism###

In Judaism, the name is considered incredibly sacred, and its pronunciation is avoided. The Tetragrammaton is often replaced with written forms like Adonai or HaShem during prayer or reading from the Torah.

1. 1. 1. Christianity###

Among Christians, the use of Jehovah has varied over time. Some Protestant denominations, particularly those influenced by the King James Version of the Bible, may use Jehovah to refer to God. The Jehovah's Witnesses, a Christian denomination founded in the late 19th century, prominently use the name Jehovah to emphasize their belief in a personal God.

Controversies and Criticisms

The use of the name Jehovah has been subject to criticism and controversy, primarily due to its anachronistic nature and lack of historical basis in ancient Hebrew texts. Scholars and theologians often prefer Yahweh or simply use LORD/GOD when translating the Tetragrammaton.

In Popular Culture

The name Jehovah has appeared in various aspects of popular culture, often in contexts related to biblical history or themes. Its use varies from respectful to casual, reflecting the wide range of cultural attitudes towards sacred names.