Pronunciation of YHVH

Sometimes I am asked about the correct pronunciation of YHVH יהוה , the name of God in the Hebrew Scriptures since the time of Moses. But first a “disclaimer”– it is not worth arguing about, because:

1. No one really knows for sure how it was pronounced.

2. There is no demand in the New Covenant for specific pronunciation.

3. The first century apostolic community said the only name we had to deal with is Yeshua (Acts 4:12; Phil 2:9).

4. The name of Yeshua replaced YHVH for Lord, Adonai or “Kyrios” (Philippians 2:9).

5. The name Yeshua (ישוע) is a shortened form of Yehoshua (יהושע), which contains the first part (יהו or Yeho) of the Yehovah pronunciation of YHVH. In other words, YHVH is contained within the name Yeshua.

I am not advocating that believers in Israel start using a specific pronunciation, because:

1. The social and religious reaction against it among the Orthodox community in Israel is not necessarily worth what would be gained by trying to pronounce it.

2. When pronouncing some form of YeHoVaH in He…