Lexical Summary
Yhvh: LORD
Original Word:יְהוִֹה
Part of Speech:Proper Name
Transliteration:Yhwh
Pronunciation:yah-veh
Phonetic Spelling:(yah-veh)
Word Origin:[a variation ofH3068 (יְהוֹוָה - LORD) (used afterH136 (אֲדוֹנָי - Lord), and pronounced by Jews asH430 (אֱלוֹהִים - God), in order to prevent the repetition of the same sound, since they elsewhere pronounceH3068 (יְהוֹוָה - LORD) asH136 (אֲדוֹנָי - Lord))]
1. God
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
God
A variation ofYhovah (used after'Adonay, and pronounced by Jews as'elohiym, in order to prevent the repetition of the same sound, since they elsewhere pronounceYhovah as'Adonay) -- God.
see HEBREWYhovah
see HEBREW'Adonay
see HEBREW'elohiym
see HEBREWYhovah
see HEBREW'Adonay
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originthe same as
Yhvh, q.v.
Topical Lexicon
Divine Name and ReverenceThe form יְהוִה appears almost exclusively when the Tetragrammaton is preceded in the consonantal text by אֲדֹנָי (“Lord”). In reading, scribes directed worshipers to pronounce the divine name as “Elohim” rather than attempt both titles together. The result, rendered “Lord GOD” in the Berean Standard Bible, preserves full honor for the covenant name while avoiding redundancy in public reading (for example,Genesis 15:2;Deuteronomy 3:24). By coupling a title of majesty with the personal name, Scripture highlights both the intimacy of covenant and the transcendence of sovereignty.
Frequency and Canonical Distribution
Approximately 608 occurrences span the Old Testament. The distribution is weighted toward the prophetic books, where the combination “Lord GOD” underscores the authority behind the prophetic message:
• Ezekiel – about 217 times, forming the prophet’s standard address (“Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, set your face toward…’ declares the Lord GOD,”Ezekiel 6:1–3).
• Isaiah – around 60 times (notablyIsaiah 25:8; 61:1).
• Amos – about 32 times, often introducing oracles of judgment and hope.
• Remaining occurrences are scattered through Genesis, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Psalms, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Hosea, Joel, Obadiah, Micah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Zechariah.
Key Old Testament Contexts
1. Patriarchal Covenant (Genesis 15:2, 8) – Abram’s use of “Lord GOD” sets a pattern of covenant dialogue, acknowledging divine supremacy while seeking assurance.
2. Mosaic Intercession (Deuteronomy 3:24) – Moses appeals to “Lord GOD” on the basis of unmatched works and mighty hand.
3. Davidic Promise (2 Samuel 7:18–29) – David repeatedly addresses “Lord GOD,” expressing humility and trust in the everlasting covenant.
4. Prophetic Commission (Isaiah 61:1) – “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,” later applied by Jesus to His own ministry (Luke 4:18–19).
5. Restoration Oracle (Ezekiel 36:22–23) – “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake… but for the sake of My holy name.’”
Revelatory Emphases
Sovereignty in Judgment – The title combination fortifies divine authority behind announcements of doom (Amos 3:7–8).
Covenant Faithfulness – “Lord GOD” anchors the unbreakable bond with Israel despite national failure (Ezekiel 20:33–44).
Salvific Purpose – Passages link the name to future redemption: “He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face” (Isaiah 25:8).
Mission to the Nations – The formula often ends with the refrain, “…then they will know that I am the LORD,” stressing universal recognition (Ezekiel 38:23).
Historical Transmission and Reading Tradition
Second-Temple and rabbinic communities preserved the consonants while safeguarding God’s name from casual utterance. Early Christian translators retained the practice, using all-capitals “GOD” or “LORD” to signal the Hebrew original. The consistency of the Masoretic pointing across more than six hundred occurrences testifies to careful scribal stewardship and reinforces the doctrine of verbal plenary inspiration.
Christological Connections
Jesus of Nazareth appliesIsaiah 61:1–2 to Himself, implicitly claiming the authority of “the Lord GOD” behind His messianic mission. The New Testament writers echo Septuagint renderings of the same passages, presenting Christ as the embodiment of the covenant Lord (compareHebrews 10:37 withHabakkuk 2:3–4 LXX where “Lord GOD” is in view). Such usage supports the continuity between Old Testament revelation and New Testament fulfillment.
Liturgical and Pastoral Usage
Because “Lord GOD” combines majesty with personal covenant name, it is suited to prayers of confession, lament, and adoration. The Psalter employs it in climactic declarations of trust: “Our God is a God of deliverance; the Lord GOD is our rescuer from death” (Psalm 68:20). In preaching and teaching, the compound title reminds congregations that the God who judges nations is the same who keeps promises, securing both reverence and assurance.
Doctrinal Significance
In systematic theology the occurrences of יְהוִה bolster doctrines of:
• Divine aseity – the self-existent One speaks with unchallengeable authority.
• Immutability – covenant fidelity underlies every prophetic oracle introduced by the name.
• Soteriology – redemption, whether temporal (Exodus) or eschatological (Isaiah 25), proceeds from the Lord GOD alone.
Practical Implications for Ministry
1. Preaching – Texts featuring “Lord GOD” naturally lend themselves to proclaiming God’s holiness and grace.
2. Counseling – The compound name reassures believers that the One addressed is both sovereign ruler and covenant keeper.
3. Missions – The prophetic refrain “that they may know that I am the LORD” fuels a theology of global evangelism grounded in God’s self-disclosure.
Summary
The 608 appearances of יְהוִה as “Lord GOD” weave a golden thread through the Old Testament, uniting the narratives of patriarchs, lawgivers, kings, and prophets. Each occurrence amplifies the voice of the self-revealing God who judges with righteousness, saves by grace, and secures His glory among all peoples.
Forms and Transliterations
בַּ֭יהוָה ביהוה וְלֵיהוִ֥ה וַֽ֝יהוָ֗ה וַֽיהוָ֗ה וַֽיהוָה֙ ויהוה וליהוה יְ֝הוָ֗ה יְ֝הוָה יְ֠הוִה יְ֠הוָה יְ֭הוָה יְֽהוָ֗ה יְה֘וִ֤ה יְה֫וָ֥ה יְהֹוִ֑ה יְהֹוִ֔ה יְהֹוִ֖ה יְהֹוִ֗ה יְהֹוִ֣ה יְהֹוִֽה׃ יְהֹוִה֙ יְהֹוָ֑ה יְהוִ֑ה יְהוִ֔ה יְהוִ֖ה יְהוִ֗ה יְהוִ֛ה יְהוִ֜ה יְהוִ֡ה יְהוִ֣ה יְהוִ֤ה יְהוִ֧ה יְהוִֽה׃ יְהוִה֒ יְהוִה֙ יְהוִה֮ יְהוָ֑ה יְהוָ֔ה יְהוָ֖ה יְהוָ֗ה יְהוָ֛ה יְהוָ֜ה יְהוָ֡ה יְהוָ֣ה יְהוָ֣ה ׀ יְהוָ֤ה יְהוָ֥ה יְהוָ֧ה יְהוָ֨ה יְהוָ֨ה ׀ יְהוָֽה׃ יְהוָה֙ יְהוָה֩ יְהוָה֮ יֱהוִה֙ יהוה יהוה׃ לַֽיהוָ֔ה לַֽיהוָ֖ה לַֽיהוָ֗ה לַֽיהוָ֜ה לַֽיהוָֽה׃ לַֽיהוָה֙ לַיהוָ֑ה לַיהוָ֔ה לַיהוָ֖ה לַיהוָ֗ה לַיהוָ֣ה לַיהוָ֣ה ׀ לַיהוָ֥ה לַיהוָֽה׃ ליהוה ליהוה׃ מֵֽיהוָ֗ה מֵיְהוָ֑ה מיהוה Yah·weh Yahweh
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