Jehovah: Definition, Etymology, and Significance in Islam and Judaism
Etymology and Names
Jehovah (Hebrew: יְהֹוָה) is a representation of the Tetragrammaton, the four-letter name of God as revealed in the Hebrew Bible. It is traditionally vocalized as “YHWH” and has been historically pronounced in various ways, including “Yahweh.”
Arabic Transliteration: The term can be associated with “الله” (Allah) in Arabic, specifically referring to God in Islam.
Turkish Transliteration: In Turkish, God is referred to as “Tanrı” or “Allah,” aligning closely with the Arabic term.
Historical and Scriptural Context
In the Old Testament, Jehovah is typically written with the vowel points of אֲדֹנָי (“Adonai,” meaning “Lord”), reflecting the deep reverence for this sacred name. When appearing together with “Adonai,” Jehovah is pointed as יֱהֹוִה, incorporating the vowels of אֱלֹהִים (“Elohim”), another term for God.
The Septuagint (LXX), an ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, often renders it as Κύριος (Kyrios), translating to “Lord.” Similarly, the Latin Vulgate uses Dominus. The Authorized King James Version (A.V.) follows these traditions, rendering Jehovah as “The Lord.”
Mythical and Theological Considerations
The true pronunciation of Jehovah has been lost over time, partly due to Jewish tradition that avoids vocalizing the name directly, substituted by terms like “Adonai” or “Elohim” in liturgical readings. This practice is predicated on a strict interpretation of Leviticus 24:16, which led to the belief that merely uttering the divine name could be blasphemous, resulting in severe consequences.
In Rabbinical literature, various euphemisms are used to reference this sacred name, such as “the name,” “the name of four letters” (Tetragrammaton), “the great and terrible name,” and “the peculiar name,” emphasizing its otherworldly significance.
Islamic Perspective
Muhammad is believed to have referenced a concept similar to the “Most Exalted Name” (Ismu ʾl-ʿAz̤am) of God, equating it with particular verses in the Qur’an. Notably, these include:
- Surah Al-Baqarah (2:256): “God! (Allah) there is no God but He (Hū) the Living One (al-Ḥaiy), the Self-Subsisting One (al-Qaiyūm)”
- Surah Al-Imran (3:1): Contains identical phrasing.
- Surah Ta-Ha (20:110): “Faces shall be humbled before the Living One (al-Ḥaiy), the Self-Subsistent One (al-Qaiyūm).”
Connections and Speculations
Some European scholars suggest that the Hebrew Yahweh (יהוה) could relate to the Arabic Yā Hū (يا هو), a common Sufi invocation meaning “O He!”, calling upon God.
Al-Bayḍāwī, an Islamic scholar, supports the possible identification of the term Hū (He) with the Ismu ʾl-‘Az̤am (Most Exalted Name), signifying its occurrence in the mentioned Qur’anic verses.
Recommended Books for Further Study
- “The Name of God in Jewish and Christian Religion” by Gerard Gertoux
- “Tetragrammaton: Western Christianity and the Hebrew Name of God” by Robert J. Wilkinson
- “The Divine Names and the Holy Trinity: Distinguishing the Voices” by Cornelius CJ Claassens
- “Names of God in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam: A Basis for Interfaith Dialogue” by Maureen A. Tilley
- “Moses and the Name of God” by Christopher R. Seitz
Key Takeaways
- Jehovah is an anglicized rendering of the sacred Tetragrammaton, which is integral to Jewish theology.
- The pronunciation of this name has been largely lost due to ancient traditions prohibiting its utterance.
- Significant Islamic parallels include references in the Qur’an that align with the revered concept of the Tetragrammaton.
- Scholarly debates continue regarding the philological and theological intersections between Jewish and Islamic invocations of the divine.
Conclusion
The term “Jehovah” encapsulates deep-seated theological reverence and historical complexity within both Judaism and Islam. Its study offers rich insights into the worship practices, scriptural meanings, and interfaith dialogues that have shaped the Abrahamic traditions over millennia.
