Jehovah
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.
In the New Testament, a great light appeared to Paul the Apostle, and a voice said: "I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest". Jesus also said of himself: "before Abraham was, I am."
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 LORD (all capital letters) in the English Old Testament, 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 translated "Lord" in the English New Testament is "Kurius", and its meaning may be in reference to Jehovah or Adonai. Adonai is also translated "Lord" (small capital letters) in the English Old Testament. The word Kurius 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 |
| 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
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