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Yahweh

World Religion
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

The personal name of the God of Israel, revealed to Moses, often translated as "I Am Who I Am."

Detailed Definition
Yahweh is the covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing his dynamic, personal, and faithful presence with his people. Its sacredness led to the tradition of not pronouncing it. In poetry, the name Yahweh carries the weight of history, covenant, and revelation. It evokes the God who acts in history, who delivers from bondage, and whose essence is pure being. Using this name connects a poem to the specific, powerful narrative of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Hebrew poetry, Yahweh is covenant name: “I AM—Yahweh, who hears slaves’ cries”; In Psalm 68, Yahweh leads: “Rider of clouds—Yahweh, father of orphans”; In contemporary verse, Yahweh is reclaimed: “Queer believer—Yahweh who loves my whole self”; Poets treat Yahweh with reverence: “Not spoken aloud—Yahweh, breath held in awe.”
Additional Notes
Yahweh, revealed to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14), is the covenantal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing presence, faithfulness, and self-existence; unlike generic titles like “Elohim,” Yahweh conveys intimacy and relational commitment; in poetry, the name evokes both awe and tenderness, often handled with reverence through allusion rather than direct invocation.
Also Known As
Jehovah YHVH Adonai (substitution) Hashem Divine Name
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