Ancient history

What is the origin of JEHOVAH?

The name "Jehovah" is derived from the Hebrew tetragrammaton יהוה (YHWH), which is the name of the God of Israel. The tetragrammaton is first found in the Hebrew Bible in the book of Exodus, where it is revealed to Moses as the name of God (Exodus 3:14).

The origin of the tetragrammaton is uncertain. Some scholars believe that it is derived from the Hebrew verb היה (hayah), which means "to be." Others believe that it is derived from the Hebrew verb הוה (havah), which means "to become." Still others believe that it is a combination of both verbs.

The tetragrammaton is considered to be the most sacred name of God in Judaism. It is not pronounced in Jewish worship, and is instead replaced with the word Adonai (Lord). The tradition of not pronouncing the tetragrammaton is believed to have originated in the 3rd century BCE, during the time of the Second Temple.

The name "Jehovah" is a relatively recent invention. It was first used in English in the 16th century, and is derived from a combination of the Hebrew tetragrammaton and the Latin word Iehovah. The name "Jehovah" is not used by Jews, and is considered to be a mistranslation of the tetragrammaton.