Jehovah: A Mistake

In recent centuries it was thought the Sacred Name is “Jehovah.”  But as the Encyclopedia Britannica and other reference materials explain, “Jehovah” is an erroneous form of the name.  The true form is “Yahweh.”  Modern dictionaries and the preface to many Bibles reveal the same.  This erroneous form came about in the following way:

In ancient times Hebrew leaders eventually began teaching that the name Yahweh is too sacred to be spoken.  In its place, people were instructed to call on a substitute - Adonai (Lord) - even when reading the Scriptures.  In about the 8th century C.E. vowel marks were added to the Hebrew Scriptures which, until then, had been written with consonants only. Vowel marks for the word adonai were inserted within the consonants of the name YHWH for the purpose of alerting the reader to vocalize the word “Adonai,” instead of “Yahweh, the ineffable Name.”

The result: In recent centuries, not realizing the reason for these vowel markings in the name YHWH, German and English translators mistakenly combined the vowels of the word adonai with the four consonants YHWH.   And so, the hybrid word “Jehovah” was born.

Importance of the Biblical Name

Some may ask, “Suppose Jehovah is not the Creator’s name.  What is the importance of all this?”  But why will anyone ask this?  Every person on earth has a name, even Satan, so why not the Creator?  Scriptures do not leave us in doubt about the importance of the name Yahweh.

When the true name is restored to the Scriptures, the Sacred Writings have more meaning, greater clarity, and seem to bring the Almighty closer to us.  Scriptures tell us every believer should love and call on the name Yahweh (Ps. 5:11; 69:36; 119:132; Isa. 56:6).

Thou shalt not take the name of Yahweh thy Elohim in vain; for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Ex. 20:7, RNKJV).

Yahweh's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it. (Micah 6:9,RNKJV).

So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am Yahweh, the Holy One in Israel. (Ezek. 39:7).

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of Yahweh shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as Yahweh hath said, and in the remnant whom Yahweh shall call. “(Joel 2:32).

Then they that feared Yahweh spake often one to another: and Yahweh hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared Yahweh, and that thought upon his name. (Mal. 3:16).

The one verse in the King James Version which brings this name over into English should be enough proof for the sincere believer. That one verse reads as follows:

Sing unto Elohim, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Yahweh, and rejoice before him. (Ps. 68:4).

“Jah” is pronounced “Yah,” as in Halleluyah. There was, and is, no letter J in the Hebrew language. For example Jacob = Yaacov ,Jeremiah = Yeremiyah