Jehovah

American  

[ji-hoh-vuh] / dʒɪˈhoʊ və /

noun

1. a name of God in the Old Testament, a rendering of the ineffable name, JHVH, in the Hebrew Scriptures.

2. (in modern Christian use) God.

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Jehovah British  

/ dʒɪˈhəʊvə /

noun

1. Old Testament the personal name of God, revealed to Moses on Mount Horeb (Exodus 3)

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Jehovah Cultural  

1. Another name for God; an approximation of the holiest name of God in Hebrew (the name was held so sacred that it was never written or spoken, and scholars are not sure exactly how it should be pronounced). It means “I am that I am,” or “I am the one who is.” In the incident of the burning bush in the Book of Exodus, God, speaking out of the bush, tells Moses that this is his name.

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Other Word Forms

• Jehovic adjective

Etymology

Origin of Jehovah

C16: from Medieval Latin, from Hebrew YHVH: the original vocalization was considered too sacred to be pronounced and the vowels of Eloah (God) were therefore substituted in the Masoretic text, whence Yetto Vah

Compare meaning

How does jehovah compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• Jehovah vs. Yahweh

Example Sentences

Mr. Lopes asserted that the Russian members were charged “with holding meetings with fellow believers, praying and singing songs to Jehovah God.”

From Washington Times • Sep. 20, 2022

Since 1970, an average of six Jehovah Witnesses have been sent to military prison every year, though none receive permanent criminal records.

From BBC • Oct. 12, 2021

Moulton told detectives that he had since "found Jehovah and couldn't live with the guilt anymore," disclosing details about the case that were never made public.

From Fox News • Sep. 30, 2021

He called it JACKIE, an acronym of Jehovah, Allah, Christ, Krishna, and the Immortal Easwaran—the last of these being a scholar and spiritual teacher from Kerala.

From The New Yorker • Dec. 3, 2016

It's morning now and we have floated safely through the Nicholtown night, our evening prayers Jehovah, please give us another day, now answered.

From "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson