Jehovah

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    The Hebrew word יהוה (English: Jehovah) means "the existing One"[1].

    When Moses asked God his name, God replied: I AM THAT I AM [2]. The Name "I Am" (הוה) is the last three letters of the Hebrew word for "the existing One", and is the present tense of the Hebrew language. The Name "I Am" and "the existing One" are the same identity of God. These Names refer to God's glory before the world began, and to God's continuing glory and supreme dominion.

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    Use of the word יהוה in the Bible

    The Hebrew word יהוה occurs 5,527 times in the Old Testament, and is most often written as capital LORD in English, and as Jehovah and JEHOVAH only 5 times. The first and last occurence of the word LORD in the Old Testament are:

    Genesis 2:4 - These [are] the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
    Malachi 4:5 - Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

    The Greek word "Kurius" is used in the New Testament, and its meaning is in reference to the LORD of the Old Testament. This word occurs 687 times in the New testament, and the first and last occurences of this word are:

    Matthew 1:20 - But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
    Revelation 22:21 - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

    Pronounciation and Transcription

    This Name of God is considered Holy by the Jews, and therefore is never spoken. Instead of adding vowels to the Hebrew consonants yod (י), he (ה), vav (ו), and he (ה) - Hebrew is written from right to left, while English is written from left to right - most Jews will pronounce "adonay" (my Lord) or "hashem" (the Name) when confronted with this word.

    William Tyndale (d.1536) included the vowels for the word "adonay" with the consonants to the word "yhvh" in his English translation of the Old Testament, creating the basis for the English word 'Jehovah'. Tyndale's translation is similar to pronouncing "adonay" or "hashem" as the pronouciation does not mirror the original Hebrew. If vowels were added to the Hebrew name of God, it would probably be pronounced as Yah-veh or Yah-weh. [3]

    Names of Jehovah in the Old Testament

    Scripture Name Meaning
    Exodus 6:3 Jehovah The Existing One
    Genesis 22:14 Jehovah Jireh The LORD sees (provides)
    Exodus 15:26 Jehovah Rapha The LORD your healer
    Exodus 17:15 Jehovah Nissi The LORD is my Banner
    Judges 6:24 Jehovah Shalom The LORD is peace
    Psalms 23:1 Jehovah Raah The LORD my shepherd
    Jeremiah 23:6 Jehovah Tsidkenu The LORD our Righteousness
    Ezekiel 48:35 Jehovah Shammah The LORD is there
    Genesis 2:4 Jehovah Elohim The LORD God
    Psalms 13:3 Jehovah Elohai The LORD my God
    Isaiah 64:8 Jehovah Avinu The LORD our Father
    Genesis 14:22 Jehovah El Elyon The LORD Most High God
    Isaiah 17:6 Jehovah Elohai Israel The LORD God of Israel
    Isaiah 38:5 Jehovah Elohei David The LORD God of David
    Exodus 31:13 Jehovah Mekaddishkem The LORD who sanctifies you
    I Samuel 1:3 Jehovah Tseva’ot The LORD of Hosts
    Leviticus 19:3 Jehovah Eleheikhem The LORD your God
    Psalms 18:2 Jehovah Seh'lah The LORD my rock
    Psalms 19:14 Jehovah tsuri v’goali The LORD my strength and redeemer
    Psalms 95:6 Jehovah 'Asenu The LORD our Maker
    Psalms 27:1 Jehovah 'ori The LORD is my light
    Psalms 68:4 JAH abbreviation of LORD

    References

    1. HEBREW LEXICON -- STRONG'S NUMBER 3068
    2. Exodus 3:14
    3. Biblical Hebrew, An Introductory Grammar, Page H. Kelly, William B Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992, Pg. 32.

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