3069. Yhvh
Lexical Summary
Yhvh: LORD

Original Word: יְהוִֹה
Part of Speech: Proper Name
Transliteration: Yhwh
Pronunciation: yah-veh
Phonetic Spelling: (yah-veh)
Word Origin: [a variation of H3068 (יְהוֹוָה - LORD) (used after H136 (אֲדוֹנָי - Lord), and pronounced by Jews as H430 (אֱלוֹהִים - God), in order to prevent the repetition of the same sound, since they elsewhere pronounce H3068 (יְהוֹוָה - LORD) as H136 (אֲדוֹנָי - Lord))]

1. God

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
God

A variation of Yhovah (used after 'Adonay, and pronounced by Jews as 'elohiym, in order to prevent the repetition of the same sound, since they elsewhere pronounce Yhovah as 'Adonay) -- God.

see HEBREW Yhovah

see HEBREW 'Adonay

see HEBREW 'elohiym

see HEBREW Yhovah

see HEBREW 'Adonay

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
the same as Yhvh, q.v.

Topical Lexicon
Divine Name and Reverence

The form יְהוִה appears almost exclusively when the Tetragrammaton is preceded in the consonantal text by אֲדֹנָי (“Lord”). In reading, scribes directed worshipers to pronounce the divine name as “Elohim” rather than attempt both titles together. The result, rendered “Lord GOD” in the Berean Standard Bible, preserves full honor for the covenant name while avoiding redundancy in public reading (for example, Genesis 15:2; Deuteronomy 3:24). By coupling a title of majesty with the personal name, Scripture highlights both the intimacy of covenant and the transcendence of sovereignty.

Frequency and Canonical Distribution

Approximately 608 occurrences span the Old Testament. The distribution is weighted toward the prophetic books, where the combination “Lord GOD” underscores the authority behind the prophetic message:
• Ezekiel – about 217 times, forming the prophet’s standard address (“Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, set your face toward…’ declares the Lord GOD,” Ezekiel 6:1–3).
• Isaiah – around 60 times (notably Isaiah 25:8; 61:1).
• Amos – about 32 times, often introducing oracles of judgment and hope.
• Remaining occurrences are scattered through Genesis, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Psalms, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Hosea, Joel, Obadiah, Micah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, and Zechariah.

Key Old Testament Contexts

1. Patriarchal Covenant (Genesis 15:2, 8) – Abram’s use of “Lord GOD” sets a pattern of covenant dialogue, acknowledging divine supremacy while seeking assurance.
2. Mosaic Intercession (Deuteronomy 3:24) – Moses appeals to “Lord GOD” on the basis of unmatched works and mighty hand.
3. Davidic Promise (2 Samuel 7:18–29) – David repeatedly addresses “Lord GOD,” expressing humility and trust in the everlasting covenant.
4. Prophetic Commission (Isaiah 61:1) – “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me,” later applied by Jesus to His own ministry (Luke 4:18–19).
5. Restoration Oracle (Ezekiel 36:22–23) – “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: It is not for your sake… but for the sake of My holy name.’”

Revelatory Emphases

Sovereignty in Judgment – The title combination fortifies divine authority behind announcements of doom (Amos 3:7–8).

Covenant Faithfulness – “Lord GOD” anchors the unbreakable bond with Israel despite national failure (Ezekiel 20:33–44).

Salvific Purpose – Passages link the name to future redemption: “He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face” (Isaiah 25:8).

Mission to the Nations – The formula often ends with the refrain, “…then they will know that I am the LORD,” stressing universal recognition (Ezekiel 38:23).

Historical Transmission and Reading Tradition

Second-Temple and rabbinic communities preserved the consonants while safeguarding God’s name from casual utterance. Early Christian translators retained the practice, using all-capitals “GOD” or “LORD” to signal the Hebrew original. The consistency of the Masoretic pointing across more than six hundred occurrences testifies to careful scribal stewardship and reinforces the doctrine of verbal plenary inspiration.

Christological Connections

Jesus of Nazareth applies Isaiah 61:1–2 to Himself, implicitly claiming the authority of “the Lord GOD” behind His messianic mission. The New Testament writers echo Septuagint renderings of the same passages, presenting Christ as the embodiment of the covenant Lord (compare Hebrews 10:37 with Habakkuk 2:3–4 LXX where “Lord GOD” is in view). Such usage supports the continuity between Old Testament revelation and New Testament fulfillment.

Liturgical and Pastoral Usage

Because “Lord GOD” combines majesty with personal covenant name, it is suited to prayers of confession, lament, and adoration. The Psalter employs it in climactic declarations of trust: “Our God is a God of deliverance; the Lord GOD is our rescuer from death” (Psalm 68:20). In preaching and teaching, the compound title reminds congregations that the God who judges nations is the same who keeps promises, securing both reverence and assurance.

Doctrinal Significance

In systematic theology the occurrences of יְהוִה bolster doctrines of:
• Divine aseity – the self-existent One speaks with unchallengeable authority.
• Immutability – covenant fidelity underlies every prophetic oracle introduced by the name.
• Soteriology – redemption, whether temporal (Exodus) or eschatological (Isaiah 25), proceeds from the Lord GOD alone.

Practical Implications for Ministry

1. Preaching – Texts featuring “Lord GOD” naturally lend themselves to proclaiming God’s holiness and grace.
2. Counseling – The compound name reassures believers that the One addressed is both sovereign ruler and covenant keeper.
3. Missions – The prophetic refrain “that they may know that I am the LORD” fuels a theology of global evangelism grounded in God’s self-disclosure.

Summary

The 608 appearances of יְהוִה as “Lord GOD” weave a golden thread through the Old Testament, uniting the narratives of patriarchs, lawgivers, kings, and prophets. Each occurrence amplifies the voice of the self-revealing God who judges with righteousness, saves by grace, and secures His glory among all peoples.

Forms and Transliterations
בַּ֭יהוָה ביהוה וְלֵיהוִ֥ה וַֽ֝יהוָ֗ה וַֽיהוָ֗ה וַֽיהוָה֙ ויהוה וליהוה יְ֝הוָ֗ה יְ֝הוָה יְ֠הוִה יְ֠הוָה יְ֭הוָה יְֽהוָ֗ה יְה֘וִ֤ה יְה֫וָ֥ה יְהֹוִ֑ה יְהֹוִ֔ה יְהֹוִ֖ה יְהֹוִ֗ה יְהֹוִ֣ה יְהֹוִֽה׃ יְהֹוִה֙ יְהֹוָ֑ה יְהוִ֑ה יְהוִ֔ה יְהוִ֖ה יְהוִ֗ה יְהוִ֛ה יְהוִ֜ה יְהוִ֡ה יְהוִ֣ה יְהוִ֤ה יְהוִ֧ה יְהוִֽה׃ יְהוִה֒ יְהוִה֙ יְהוִה֮ יְהוָ֑ה יְהוָ֔ה יְהוָ֖ה יְהוָ֗ה יְהוָ֛ה יְהוָ֜ה יְהוָ֡ה יְהוָ֣ה יְהוָ֣ה ׀ יְהוָ֤ה יְהוָ֥ה יְהוָ֧ה יְהוָ֨ה יְהוָ֨ה ׀ יְהוָֽה׃ יְהוָה֙ יְהוָה֩ יְהוָה֮ יֱהוִה֙ יהוה יהוה׃ לַֽיהוָ֔ה לַֽיהוָ֖ה לַֽיהוָ֗ה לַֽיהוָ֜ה לַֽיהוָֽה׃ לַֽיהוָה֙ לַיהוָ֑ה לַיהוָ֔ה לַיהוָ֖ה לַיהוָ֗ה לַיהוָ֣ה לַיהוָ֣ה ׀ לַיהוָ֥ה לַיהוָֽה׃ ליהוה ליהוה׃ מֵֽיהוָ֗ה מֵיְהוָ֑ה מיהוה Yah·weh Yahweh
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Englishman's Concordance
Genesis 15:2
HEB: אַבְרָ֗ם אֲדֹנָ֤י יֱהוִה֙ מַה־ תִּתֶּן־
KJV: Lord GOD, what wilt thou give
INT: Abram Lord GOD what give

Leviticus 1:11
HEB: צָפֹ֖נָה לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה וְזָרְק֡וּ בְּנֵי֩
INT: northward before God shall sprinkle sons

Leviticus 2:10
HEB: קָֽדָשִׁ֖ים מֵאִשֵּׁ֥י יְהוָֽה׃
INT: most of the offerings God

Leviticus 3:6
HEB: לְזֶ֥בַח שְׁלָמִ֖ים לַיהוָ֑ה זָכָר֙ א֣וֹ
INT: A sacrifice of peace God male or

Leviticus 5:17
HEB: מִכָּל־ מִצְוֹ֣ת יְהוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֖ר לֹ֣א
INT: all manner has commanded God which not

Leviticus 6:19
HEB: וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־ מֹשֶׁ֥ה
INT: spoke God to Moses

Leviticus 7:22
HEB: וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֶל־ מֹשֶׁ֥ה
INT: spoke God to Moses

Leviticus 8:21
HEB: אִשֶּׁ֥ה הוּא֙ לַיהוָ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה
INT: an offering he God after had commanded

Leviticus 8:21
HEB: כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה אֶת־ מֹשֶֽׁה׃
INT: after had commanded God Moses

Leviticus 9:21
HEB: תְּנוּפָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֑ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר צִוָּ֥ה
INT: A wave before God after had commanded

Leviticus 10:8
HEB: וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה אֶֽל־ אַהֲרֹ֖ן
INT: spoke God to Aaron

Leviticus 12:7
HEB: וְהִקְרִיב֞וֹ לִפְנֵ֤י יְהוָה֙ וְכִפֶּ֣ר עָלֶ֔יהָ
INT: shall offer before God and make and

Leviticus 13:1
HEB: וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה אֶל־ מֹשֶׁ֥ה
INT: spoke God to Moses

Leviticus 14:11
HEB: וְאֹתָ֑ם לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה פֶּ֖תַח אֹ֥הֶל
INT: and the aforesaid before God the doorway of the tent

Leviticus 15:30
HEB: הַכֹּהֵן֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה מִזּ֖וֹב טֻמְאָתָֽהּ׃
INT: the priest before God the issue of her impure

Leviticus 16:18
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֥ר לִפְנֵֽי־ יְהוָ֖ה וְכִפֶּ֣ר עָלָ֑יו
INT: is before God and make and

Leviticus 18:6
HEB: עֶרְוָ֑ה אֲנִ֖י יְהוָֽה׃ ס
INT: nakedness I God

Leviticus 19:10
HEB: אֹתָ֔ם אֲנִ֖י יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃
INT: shall leave I God your God

Leviticus 20:7
HEB: כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃
INT: for I God your God

Leviticus 21:15
HEB: כִּ֛י אֲנִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה מְקַדְּשֽׁוֹ׃ פ
INT: for I God sanctifies

Leviticus 22:21
HEB: זֶֽבַח־ שְׁלָמִים֙ לַיהוָ֔ה לְפַלֵּא־ נֶ֙דֶר֙
INT: A sacrifice of peace God to fulfill vow

Leviticus 23:5
HEB: הָעַרְבָּ֑יִם פֶּ֖סַח לַיהוָֽה׃
INT: twilight Passover God

Leviticus 24:12
HEB: עַל־ פִּ֥י יְהוָֽה׃ פ
INT: that the command God

Leviticus 27:28
HEB: יַחֲרִם֩ אִ֨ישׁ לַֽיהוָ֜ה מִכָּל־ אֲשֶׁר־
INT: sets A man God of all which

Leviticus 27:28
HEB: קָֽדָשִׁ֥ים ה֖וּא לַיהוָֽה׃
INT: holy he God

608 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 3069
608 Occurrences


Yah·weh — 608 Occ.

3068
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