God the Father, Mentor's Guide, MG06

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G O D T H E F A T H E R

The Names of Almighty God (continued)

3. Adonai can be understood to mean “ Lord of all ” or “ Lord par excellence ” (cf. Deut. 10.17; Josh. 3.11). (Cf. Merrill F. Unger and William White, Jr., eds., Nelson’s Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament [Nashville: Nelson, 1980], pp. 228–29; and Otto Eissfeldt, “ Adhon ,” in Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament , 1:59–72.)

C. Yahweh (Jehovah)

1. The name Yahweh translates the Hebrew tetragrammaton (four lettered expression) YHWH. Since the original name contained no vowels, it is uncertain how it should be pronounced. (For instance, the ASV translates it “Jehovah,” whereas most modern translations simply render it “LORD” [to distinguish it from Adonai , “Lord”]). 2. Jewish scholars generally pronounce it as “ Adonai ” rather than voicing YHWH, out of respect for its sacredness. 3. It is used as a common designation (used 6,828 times in the Old Testament), and some suggest it may be related to the verb “to be.” (Cf. Exod. 3.14–15 the Lord declares, “I AMWHO I AM...The Lord . . . has sent me to you. This is my name forever.) 4. Yahweh as the I AM connects to the “I AM” claims of Messiah Jesus (cf. John 6.35; 8.12; 10.9, 11; 11.25; 14.6; 15.1), who claimed equality with Yahweh.

5. Yahweh , the name of covenant relationship

a. The name of the Abrahamic Covenant (Gen. 12.8)

b. The name of the Exodus (Exod. 6.6; 20.2)

c. A unique relationship : although the terms Elohim and Adonai were terms known to other peoples, Yahweh was unique to Israel.