Hebrew · Strong's H3069
יְהֹוִה
(Yeh-ho-vih)
proper noun
This is a vocalization of the Tetragrammaton YHWH, specifically used in conjunction with Adonai (“Lord”) to avoid repeating the divine name.
The Hebrew term יְהֹוִה (Yehovih) is a special vocalization of the divine name YHWH, the personal name of God in the Old Testament. It is used exclusively in the Masoretic Text when YHWH immediately follows אֲדֹנָי (Adonai), meaning "Lord." The Masoretes, Jewish scribes who standardized the Hebrew Bible’s text, inserted the vowels of Elohim (God) into YHWH, creating Yehovih. This practice ensured that when a reader encountered the sequence Adonai YHWH, they would pronounce it "Adonai Elohim" (Lord God) instead of "Adonai Adonai" (Lord Lord), safeguarding the reverence due to the divine name.
This specific vocalization serves a crucial liturgical and theological function, emphasizing the sovereignty and authority of God. Unlike other names for God, YHWH communicates His personal, covenantal relationship with Israel. The deliberate change in pronunciation from YHWH to Yehovih in this particular context highlights the reverence and awe with which the Israelites approached the divine name, ensuring it was not uttered lightly or repetitively in a way that might diminish its sanctity.
The frequent use of "Lord GOD" in prophetic books, particularly Ezekiel, underscores the absolute authority of God in His declarations of judgment and salvation. It conveys that these pronouncements come from the ultimate sovereign, who is both intimately involved with His people and supremely powerful. The combination "Lord GOD" emphasizes both His rulership and His unique identity as the covenant-making, covenant-keeping God of Israel.
Common English renderings
- Lord GOD
- Lord God
- GOD
Key verses
"Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Behold, I will bring a sword upon thee, and will cut off from thee man and beast."
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"Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: I do not this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for my holy name, which ye have profaned among the nations, whither ye went."
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"and say unto the children of Ammon, Hear the word of the Lord Jehovah: Thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Because thou saidst, Aha, against my sanctuary, when it was profaned; and against the land of Israel, when it was made desolate; and against the house of Judah, when they went into captivity:"
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"And it came to pass, when I prophesied, that Pelatiah the son of Benaiah died. Then fell I down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah Lord Jehovah! wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel?"
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"Now therefore be ye not scoffers, lest your bonds be made strong; for a decree of destruction have I heard from the Lord, Jehovah of hosts, upon the whole earth."
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Related words