How to Read YHWH and Adonai Merged Together

When the Hebrew names for God—YHWH (often rendered as "Yahweh") and Adonai ("Lord")—appear together in the Hebrew Bible, a special reading tradition is followed. This combination typically appears as "Adonai YHWH" (אֲדֹנָי יְהוָה) in the text5.

Traditional Jewish Pronunciation Practice:

• The name YHWH is considered too sacred to pronounce aloud. Instead, Jews traditionally substitute "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") whenever they encounter YHWH in the biblical text14.
• When "Adonai" and YHWH are next to each other (as in "Adonai YHWH"), reading "Adonai Adonai" would be redundant and confusing5.

How Is It Read?

• Adonai YHWH: When these two names are merged in the text, the convention is to pronounce it as "Adonai Elohim" (אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהִים), meaning "the Lord God"5.
• This avoids saying "Adonai Adonai" and maintains reverence for the sacred name.

English Bible Translations

• Most English translations follow this tradition:
  • KJV, NRSV: Render "Adonai YHWH" as "Lord God," with "GOD" often in small caps to indicate the underlying Hebrew is YHWH, not Adonai5.

Summary Table

Key Takeaways

• YHWH alone is substituted vocally with "Adonai."
• Adonai YHWH is always pronounced "Adonai Elohim" to avoid repetition and honor the sanctity of the Divine Name5.

This practice is observed in both synagogue readings and rabbinic tradition15.