The English language generally refers to the monotheistic God of the Bible as simply "God." However, names like Jehovah, Elohim, Yahweh, and Lord are also used, each carrying specific connotations.
Different Names for God
The term "God" itself is not a proper name but rather a title, similar to "king" or "lord." It's the English word used to describe the supreme being in monotheistic religions. Other names arise from translations and interpretations of the original Hebrew scriptures.
Jehovah and Yahweh
- These names are derived from the Tetragrammaton (YHWH), the four Hebrew letters representing God's personal name in the Hebrew Bible.
- "Yahweh" is the generally accepted scholarly reconstruction of how the name was originally pronounced.
- "Jehovah" is a later, hybrid form that arose from combining the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai (Lord) by early Masoretic scholars.
Elohim
- This is a Hebrew word that is technically plural, but when used with a singular verb, it refers to God.
- It can be translated as "God" or "gods," depending on the context. Its use often signifies God's majestic and powerful nature.
Lord (Adonai)
- "Lord" is frequently used as a substitute for God's personal name (YHWH) out of reverence.
- In the Hebrew Bible, when the Tetragrammaton appeared, it was often read as Adonai, meaning "Lord."
Summary
While "God" is the common English term, it is more of a title. Yahweh (or Jehovah) represents a more precise attempt to pronounce the personal name revealed in the Hebrew scriptures, though the exact pronunciation is debated. Elohim emphasizes God's power, and "Lord" is a respectful substitute for God's personal name. So, depending on the nuance desired, any of these might be considered "God's real name" within specific theological contexts in English.
