Tetragrammaton

The Tetragrammaton is the four-letter Hebrew name of God, written with the consonants Yod-Heh-Vav-Heh (יהוה) and traditionally transliterated YHWH. The term is Greek in origin, meaning “four letters.” In Judaism, the name is regarded as ineffable and never spoken aloud; when encountered in scripture or liturgy, it is read as Adonai or Hashem, or simply left in written form and implied to be read.

Form and pronunciation: The Hebrew Bible presents the four consonants without vowels. The Masoretes later supplied vocalization from Adonai or Elohim to guide reading, but the original pronunciation remains uncertain. Consequently, reconstructing the exact sound is speculative. The scholarly reconstruction most commonly used today is Yahweh; Jehovah is a later form formed by combining YHWH with the vowels of Adonai.

In Christian usage, the tetragram is traditionally rendered as “the LORD” in many English translations (often in small capitals) or as “Jehovah” in some older versions. Modern translations generally avoid pronouncing the name.

Theological and mystical associations: The name is linked to the Hebrew verb for “to be” and to God’s self-identification in Exodus 3:14, “Ehyeh asher ehyeh” (I am who I am). In rabbinic and mystical literature, the tetragram is treated as a central symbol of divine presence, and in Kabbalah it is sometimes connected to concepts such as the four worlds and the Sephirot.

Usage and study: The tetragram appears in the Masoretic Text and in other ancient manuscripts, including the Dead Sea Scrolls. Scholarly discussion covers its etymology, pronunciation, and theological significance.