This is a term applied to the four Hebrew letters that make up the name of God. In English the letters are basically equivalent to YHWH. It is from these four letters that the name of God is derived and has been rendered as Yahweh and Jehovah. The true pronunciation of God’s name has been lost through lack of use, because the Jews, who were first given the name of God, would not pronounce it out of their awe and respect for God.

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