The meaning of “יְהֹוָה”
Understanding Yᵉhôvâh reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - § Jehovah = "the existing One" - Jehovah, Jewish national name of God 1) the...
יְהֹוָה
Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - § Jehovah = "the existing One" - Jehovah, Jewish national name of God 1) the proper name of the one true God 1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of אֲדֹנָי
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 18:13 | “And the Lord said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?” Word: יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh) | |
| Ruth 2:12 | “The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.” Word: יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh) | |
| Ezra 6:21 | “And the children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the Lord God of Israel, did eat,” Word: יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh) | |
| Lamentations 3:24 | “The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.” Word: יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh) | |
| Jonah 2:6 | “I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God.” Word: יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Lord
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: The LORD / Lord
When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty.
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Lord, Master
The Greek Kurios (Κύριος) means 'lord' or 'master,' used both for human masters and divinely for God the Father and Jesus Christ. Its application to Jesus affirms His deity, as it translates YHWH in the Septuagint.