How do you spell Yahweh? (YHWH, Yah, Jehovah)
“How do you spell Yahweh?” sounds like a simple spelling question, but it opens a window into the Bible’s most significant name for God. In Scripture, the divine name appears as four Hebrew consonants—YHWH—often called the Tetragrammaton. Because ancient Hebrew writing did not include vowels, and because Israel later avoided pronouncing the name out of reverence, the original vocalization was not preserved. Over centuries, readers substituted “Adonai” (Lord) when encountering YHWH in the biblical text. This practice shaped later spellings in other languages, including the familiar but historically confused form “Jehovah.” The now standard scholarly reconstruction “Yahweh” attempts to reflect linguistic and historical evidence while honoring how the Bible itself presents God’s covenant name (Exodus 3:14–15; Isaiah 42:8).
1. The short answer and why spelling varies
If you are asking how to spell Yahweh in English, the most common scholarly spelling is “Yahweh.” In Hebrew manuscripts, however, the name is written with four consonants only: YHWH. English Bibles typically render YHWH as LORD (small caps) to signal that the covenant name stands behind the translation (e.g., Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 24:1).
Why the variation?
Different alphabets: Hebrew letters must be transliterated into Latin script.
Vowels were added late: Hebrew vowel signs were standardized by the Masoretes more than a millennium after Moses.
Reverence in reading: Jewish readers traditionally said “Adonai” (“Lord”) or “HaShem” (“the Name”) in place of YHWH (Leviticus 24:16).
Historical carryovers: The hybrid form “Jehovah” arose from combining YHWH’s consonants with the Masoretic vowels for Adonai.
So, “Yahweh” is the most accurate English spelling in current scholarship; “YHWH” is the exact Hebrew consonantal form; and “LORD” in many English translations indicates YHWH is in the underlying Hebrew.
2. The Hebrew form: the Tetragrammaton (YHWH)
In the Bible’s Hebrew text, God’s covenant name appears as four letters: yod–he–vav–he (YHWH). Because ancient Hebrew was written without vowel signs, readers supplied the vowels from context and tradition. Later, Masoretic scribes (before the 10th century AD) preserved traditional reading practices by adding vowel points to biblical manuscripts. For YHWH, they pointed the consonants with the vowels of Adonai to remind readers to say “Adonai” aloud rather than speak the divine name. That reverential substitution explains why English Bibles often use LORD in small caps (e.g., Exodus 20:7; Isaiah 45:5–6).
Helpful distinctions:
Spelling: YHWH (consonantal form in Hebrew).
Reading tradition: Adonai (“Lord”) in synagogue and private reading.
Translation convention: LORD in many English versions.
Scholarly vocalization: Yahweh, used in academic writing and theological discussion.
3. Why pronunciation was avoided and, over time, lost
From the Persian period onward, Jewish practice increasingly avoided pronouncing the divine name publicly. Three factors reinforced this:
Reverence for holiness: The name is unique, attached to God’s covenant identity and presence (Exodus 3:14–15; 34:5–7).
Safeguarding against misuse: The commandment forbids taking the name in vain (Exodus 20:7).
Liturgical habit: Regularly saying “Adonai” trained communities to hear and speak “Lord” in place of YHWH.
Because public pronunciation ceased, the original vocalization fell out of ordinary usage. The practice itself, however, is profoundly theological: Scripture reveals God’s name, yet guards against casual speech. Paradoxically, the reverence that veiled the sound preserved the meaning—God’s covenant closeness and faithfulness—proclaimed in his mighty acts (Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalm 103:8–13).
4. Where “Jehovah” came from (and why “Yahweh” is preferred)
The form “Jehovah” entered Western usage during the Renaissance. Here’s the path:
Masoretic manuscripts place the vowels of Adonai (a–o–a) on YHWH to cue the reader to say “Adonai.”
Medieval and early modern readers sometimes misread this as the real vowels of YHWH, yielding YeHoWaH.
Latinization turned Y into J and W into V in some settings, producing “Jehovah.”
The term spread through early translations and hymns, even though scholars recognized it as a hybrid.
Why scholars prefer “Yahweh”:
Abbreviated forms in personal names (e.g., “Yah” in Hallelujah, “-yahu” and “-yah” endings) point toward “Ya(h)-” as the opening.
Biblical theology ties the name to “I AM/He is” in Exodus 3:14–15, matching a Yahweh-type vocalization. Jesus also claims the title “I AM” demonstrating his personhood as Yahweh incarnate (John 8:58).
Ancient transliterations (in Greek and elsewhere) support a “Yahweh”-like pronunciation.
So when someone asks “How do you spell Yahweh?” the answer “Yahweh” reflects converging linguistic clues, while “Jehovah” reflects a historical reading tradition—not the original pronunciation.
5. What the name means and why that matters for discipleship
The Bible itself interprets the name theologically rather than as a mere dictionary entry:
Presence and faithfulness: “I AM WHO I AM… I AM has sent me to you” (Exodus 3:14–15).
Covenant mercy and justice: “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious…” (Exodus 34:6–7).
Uniqueness and sovereignty: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4).
Lordship over creation and nations: “The earth is the LORD’s” (Psalm 24:1).
Three practical implications:
Worship with reverence: The name calls forth awe and careful speech (Psalm 111:9; Malachi 3:16).
Trust in promise: The One who “is” and “will be” keeps covenant love forever (Deuteronomy 7:9; Lamentations 3:22–23).
Obedience and mission: Bearing the name means reflecting his character in justice, mercy, and humble walking (Micah 6:8; Isaiah 1:16–17).
The New Testament deepens the picture: texts about “the LORD” (YHWH) are applied to Jesus, revealing the divine identity in the Messiah’s person and work (compare Isaiah 40:3 with Matthew 3:3; Joel 2:32 with Romans 10:13; Psalm 110:1 with Acts 2:34–36). The risen Christ pours out the Spirit, so believers live in the presence of the covenant Lord now (Acts 2:33; Ephesians 1:13–14).
6. Practical guidance: how to write and use the name today
When writing or speaking about the divine name, consider purpose, audience, and tradition.
Academic/Theological prose: “Yahweh” is clear and widely understood in scholarship.
General church contexts: “LORD” follows most English translations and respects Jewish reading practice.
Original form: “YHWH” is precise when discussing Hebrew philology or textual issues.
Devotional use: “Yah” appears in Scripture (e.g., Psalm 68:4; “Hallelujah,” “Praise Yah”), reminding us the name is meant for praise.
Checklist for clarity:
When explaining the spelling, mention YHWH, the Tetragrammaton, and the small-caps LORD convention.
Note why “Jehovah” arose and why “Yahweh” is preferred.
Anchor your explanation with Scripture that shows who the LORD is and what he does.
Conclusion
How do you spell Yahweh? In English, “Yahweh” is the best-supported modern spelling; in Hebrew, the name appears as YHWH; and in most English Bibles the small-caps LORD signals that the covenant name stands behind the translation. The path from YHWH to Yahweh and the side-story of “Jehovah” reflect reverence, history, and the challenge of moving between languages. Most importantly, the Bible teaches us the meaning of the name through God’s saving presence: the LORD who is, who was, and who is to come (Revelation 1:8), faithful to his promises, near to the brokenhearted, and sovereign over all. Spelling matters because names matter—but the Scriptures press us beyond spelling to worship, trust, and obedience to the LORD whose name endures forever (Psalm 135:13).
Bible verses related to the divine name
“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ … ‘Say this to the people of Israel: “I AM has sent me to you.” ’ ” (Exodus 3:14–15)
“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)
“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious…” (Exodus 34:6–7)
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)
“Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD.” (Psalm 68:4)
“The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof.” (Psalm 24:1)
“I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other.” (Isaiah 42:8)
“Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Joel 2:32 / Romans 10:13)
“Before Abraham was, I am.” (John 8:58)
“I am the Alpha and the Omega… who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8)
