“The LORD”

In English Bible translations, the terms “LORD” and “GOD” are used to translate the personal name of the true God, YHWH. During the biblical period, people freely addressed YHWH by his name, even in secular contexts. However, as early as the second century BCE, Jews began to avoid pronouncing YHWH’s name. Instead of saying “YHWH”, they used the title ʾăḏōnāy (אֲדֹנָי), meaning “Lord”. Many English Bible translations follow this Jewish practice by rendering YHWH as “LORD” or “GOD” rather than as a personal name.