Jehová

Jehová is a theonym used by some Christian communities to refer to the God of Israel. It is a form that arises from historical and translational practices surrounding the divine name YHWH in the Hebrew Bible, and from later Latin and vernacular traditions that rendered the name in European languages.

Etymology and usage history: The Hebrew name YHWH (often vocalized as Yahweh by scholars) is traditionally treated as sacred in Judaism. In reading the Hebrew Bible aloud, Jews typically substitute Adonai (my Lord) or Hashem (the Name). The form "Jehová" emerged in early modern Europe when the consonants YHWH were combined with the vowels of Adonai, producing a Latinized version that appeared in some English and other translations. In many modern Bible translations, the divine name is not rendered as a proper noun but is shown as "the LORD" (in small caps) or omitted in favor of a title.

Variations and usage in communities: The form Jehová/Jehová is common in Spanish-speaking Christian contexts and in some other languages. Some Christian groups use the name Jehovah as a central identifier for God. The best-known example is the Jehovah’s Witnesses, who emphasize the personal name of God and use a Bible translation that renders the divine name as Jehovah in many Old Testament passages.

Scholarly and interfaith perspectives: In contemporary Hebrew scholarship, Yahweh is often presented as the most likely historical pronunciation, though the exact pronunciation remains uncertain. The use of Jehovah reflects historical transliteration practices rather than a definitive reconstruction of the original vocalization.

See also: Tetragrammaton, YHWH, Yahweh, Adonai, Hashem, Jehovah’s Witnesses.