Q&A: The Explicit Divine Name
The Explicit Divine Name
Question
With God’s help,
Hello Rabbi,
- Does the Rabbi know whether the Tetragrammaton was always pronounced as “Adonai”? Or was there a period when it was actually pronounced as written? (Like in the Temple.) Because in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) we sometimes see “Adonai” paired with the Tetragrammaton, as in: “Then King David came and sat before the Lord and said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far?'” So it is a bit strange that he would repeat the same word twice in a row.
- If not, then why specifically does the name “Adonai” replace the Tetragrammaton and not some other name? Say, “Elohim.”
Answer
I don’t know. I would just say that the writing in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) could reflect the author’s choice and not necessarily an authentic quotation.
I didn’t understand the connection between the questions. Even if it has been pronounced that way from time immemorial, the question still stands: why specifically “Adonai”?
Discussion on Answer
I know for certain that it is not pronounced as “Adonai” but rather as “Elohim.”
But obviously that fits very well with what I said, that at first he said the name “Adonai” and then the Tetragrammaton,
like in the portion of Va’etchanan: “And I pleaded…. ‘O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your…”
And because it is strange to say “Adonai” and then the Tetragrammaton, which would also be read as “Adonai” (and think carefully about this, in contrast to the Thirteen Attributes), they changed it to “Elohim”….
In any case, these combinations are really not rare in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh); would you say the same even in the book of Deuteronomy, which Moses wrote and where he quotes his own words?
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By the way, the Rabbi is right in his answer to #2 that there is no connection, because even if it is ancient, one can still explain it, and your second answer can of course explain it. But if it is not ancient, then the question is of course strengthened, because it is not clear whether your answer really explains it or is just an ad hoc explanation…
A point for Mr. Dot.
In the very verse you cited, the Tetragrammaton is not pronounced as “Adonai.” When the name is adjacent to “Adonai,” it is pronounced “Elohim” (and therefore the vav of the Tetragrammaton is vocalized with a hiriq, and this is simple and obvious). In addition, it is unlikely that the biblical author is quoting David’s exact words, so think carefully about that.
Indeed, see above that there are times when it is read as “Elohim.” And the kabbalists, too, have their reasons with them, and one who breaks the fence will be bitten by a snake in the World to Come (following the exalted ruling of our master, may he live long).
With soft salvations,
Shalom Avraham Zucker son of Terach Or Kasdimtzweig.