How do you pronounce YHWH?

The exact pronunciation of YHWH (the Tetragrammaton) is unknown because ancient Hebrew was written without vowels and Jewish tradition held the name too holy to speak aloud. Most modern scholars believe "Yahweh" (YAH-way) is closest to the original.

What is the difference between Yahweh and Jehovah?

"Yahweh" (YAH-way) is the scholarly reconstruction of the original Hebrew pronunciation of YHWH. "Jehovah" (jih-HOH-vuh) is a hybrid form created by medieval Christian scholars who combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai. Most scholars consider Yahweh the more historically accurate form.

How do you pronounce Elohim?

Elohim is pronounced "eh-loh-HEEM" — three syllables with the stress on the final syllable. It is the generic Hebrew word for God, grammatically plural but used with singular verbs.

How do you pronounce Yeshua?

Yeshua is pronounced "yeh-SHOO-ah" — three syllables with stress on the second. It is the Hebrew and Aramaic form of Jesus' name, meaning "salvation" or "God saves."

What does Adonai mean and how is it pronounced?

Adonai is pronounced "ah-doh-NYE" — three syllables with stress on the final syllable. It means "My Lord" in Hebrew and is used as the spoken substitute whenever YHWH appears in the written text.

How to Pronounce God’s Names

Yahweh, Jehovah, Elohim, Adonai, Yeshua, El Shaddai — phonetic guides and biblical context

If you’ve ever wondered how to pronounce God’s name — whether that’s Yahweh, Jehovah, Elohim, or Adonai — you’re not alone. These names appear throughout the Bible but rarely come with pronunciation guides. This page covers every major name and title of God in Scripture, with phonetic spellings and any available audio.

How to Pronounce YHWH — The Unpronounceable Name

The most sacred name in the Bible consists of four Hebrew consonants: Yod, He, Vav, He — written in English as YHWH. This is called the Tetragrammaton (from the Greek for “four letters”). Ancient Hebrew was written without vowels, so the exact original pronunciation is lost. Jewish tradition taught that the name was too holy to speak aloud — when readers encountered YHWH in the text, they substituted Adonai (Lord) instead. This is why most English Bibles print LORD in small capitals wherever YHWH appears: it represents the spoken substitute, not the written name.

How to Pronounce Yahweh vs. Jehovah

To pronounce Yahweh: say YAH-way — two syllables, stress on the first. To pronounce Jehovah: say jih-HOH-vuh— three syllables, stress on the second. The difference matters because they come from completely different historical traditions. In the 6th–10th centuries AD, Jewish scholars called Masoretes added vowel markings (nikud) to the Hebrew text to preserve pronunciation. When they reached YHWH, they wrote the vowels of Adonai as a reading cue — a reminder to say Adonai instead. Medieval Christian scholars, unfamiliar with this convention, read the vowels as part of the name itself, producing the hybrid form “Jehovah” (YHWH’s consonants + Adonai’s vowels). Most modern scholars believe Yahweh is closer to the original pronunciation. Jehovah remains in wide use in traditional Christian contexts and hymns.

How to Pronounce Every Name of God in the Bible

Hebrew Scripture uses multiple names and titles for God, each carrying distinct meaning and each with its own pronunciation:

Elohim — the generic word for God, used in Genesis 1; plural in form, suggesting divine majesty
Adonai— “My Lord,” used as the spoken substitute for YHWH
El Shaddai— “God Almighty,” prominent in the Patriarchal narratives
El Elyon— “God Most High,” used by Melchizedek in Genesis 14:18
Yeshua— the Hebrew/Aramaic form of Jesus’ name, meaning “salvation” or “God saves”
Immanuel— “God with us,” from Isaiah 7:14, applied to Jesus in Matthew 1:23

YHWH / Yahweh

YAH-way

The personal name of God in the Old Testament, used over 6,800 times in the Hebrew Bible. Translated as LORD (in small capitals) in most English Bibles. Original vowels are uncertain due to the Jewish tradition of not speaking the name aloud.

Jehovah

jih-HOH-vuh

A hybrid form combining the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai, created by medieval Christian scholars. Still widely used in traditional hymns and some denominations.

Elohim

eh-loh-HEEM

The generic Hebrew word for God. Grammatically plural but used with singular verbs — understood as a "plural of majesty." The primary name used in Genesis 1.

Adonai

ah-doh-NYE

Hebrew for "My Lord." Used in Jewish reading tradition as the spoken substitute whenever YHWH appears in the written text. Also used independently as a divine title.

El Shaddai

el sha-DYE

Usually translated "God Almighty." Used especially in the Patriarchal narratives (Genesis, Exodus). The exact meaning of Shaddai is debated — possibilities include "mountain," "breast," or "sufficient one."

El Elyon

el el-YOHN

"God Most High." First used by Melchizedek in Genesis 14:18-20. Appears frequently in the Psalms to emphasize God's sovereignty over all other powers.

Yeshua

yeh-SHOO-ah

The Hebrew and Aramaic form of the name Jesus. Derived from the Hebrew root y-sh-a meaning "to save." Jesus was called Yeshua by his contemporaries; the Greek form Iesous became Jesus in English.

Immanuel

ih-MAN-yoo-el

Hebrew for "God with us." From Isaiah 7:14, applied to Jesus in Matthew 1:23. Three syllables with stress on the second: ih-MAN-yoo-el.

Messiah / Christ

meh-SY-uh / KRYST

Hebrew (Mashiach) and Greek (Christos) words both meaning "anointed one." Christ is not Jesus's last name but his title — the promised one who would deliver God's people.