Definition

Proper noun: - The sacred four-letter Hebrew name of God: The Tetragrammaton refers specifically to the four consonants (Yod, He, Waw, He: יהוה) that form the biblical personal name of the God of Israel. This name is considered ineffable (too sacred to be spoken aloud) in Jewish tradition.

Usage

The word "Tetragrammaton" is used exclusively as a proper noun to refer to this specific divine name. It is typically preceded by the definite article "the" and is often capitalized. - Scholars debate the original pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton. - In many English translations of the Bible, the Tetragrammaton is rendered as "LORD" in small capitals.

Advanced Usage

• "The ineffable Tetragrammaton": A common phrase emphasizing the name's unspeakable holiness.
  • The high priest alone would utter the ineffable Tetragrammaton on Yom Kippur.

Variants and Related Words

• Tetragram (noun): A general term for any word or symbol consisting of four letters. (Note: This is a broader term and not a direct variant of "Tetragrammaton," which is specific).
• YHWH / YHVH (proper noun): The standard transliteration of the Hebrew consonants.
• Yahweh (proper noun): A proposed vocalization of the Tetragrammaton used in academic and some religious contexts.
• Jehovah (proper noun): A later Latinized form of the name, combining the consonants YHWH with the vowel points from the Hebrew word for "Lord" ().

Synonyms

• The Divine Name: A descriptive synonym.
• The Sacred Name: Another descriptive synonym emphasizing holiness.
• The Ineffable Name: A synonym highlighting the prohibition against its pronunciation.

Notes on Meaning

The term "Tetragrammaton" itself does not have multiple common meanings. Its sole, specific referent is the four-letter Hebrew theonym. Discussions about its meaning pertain to the name it denotes (e.g., "He who is," "The Eternal One"), not to the word "Tetragrammaton" itself.

Noun

1. four Hebrew letters usually transliterated as YHWH (Yahweh) or JHVH (Jehovah) signifying the Hebrew name for God which the Jews regarded as too holy to pronounce