エホバ
Ehoba[e̞ho̞ba̠]
エホバ (Ehoba) is the Japanese transliteration for the English name Jehovah.
エホバ is used as a transliteration of the Masoretic vocalization of the Tetragrammaton. This specific term is the standard way Japanese-speaking Jehovah's Witnesses refer to God.
Meaning: transliteration of the Masoretic vocalization of the Tetragrammaton (name)
How do you pronounce it?
Ehoba
Did you know?
- The pronunciation of エホバ is heavily influenced by the Portuguese word 'Jeová', a remnant of the historical linguistic influence of Portuguese in Japan during the early Christian era.
- Japanese religious texts often replace the name エホバ with 主 meaning 'Lord' to follow the tradition of avoiding the direct pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton.
- Unlike English, where 'Jehovah' can be used generally in some contexts, エホバ in modern Japan is almost exclusively associated with the Jehovah's Witnesses.
Examples in context
- 聖書にはエホバという名前が登場します。Seisho ni wa Ehoba to iu namae ga toujou shimasu.The name Jehovah appears in the Bible.
- 彼はエホバを崇拝しています。Kare wa Ehoba o suuhai shite imasu.He worships Jehovah.
- エホバは慈しみ深い神です。Ehoba wa itsukushimi fukai kami desu.Jehovah is a compassionate God.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are talking about different religions.
- 美咲 Misakiこの本はエホバについて書いてあります。kono hon wa ehoba ni tsuite kaitearimasuThis book is written about Jehovah.
- 陽太 Yotaへえ、それは興味深いですね。hee, sore wa kyōmibukai desu neOh, that is interesting.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんは宗教に興味がありますか。yōta-san wa shūkyō ni kyōmi ga arimasu kaYota, are you interested in religion?
- 陽太 Yotaあまり詳しくないですが、興味はあります。amari kuwashikunai desu ga, kyōmi wa arimasuI don't know much, but I am interested.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jehovah” translations and entries エホバ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries エホバ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
