Proverbs 17:3 — Word Study
WLCמַצְרֵ֣ף לַ֭כֶּסֶף וְכ֣וּר לַזָּהָ֑ב וּבֹחֵ֖ן לִבּ֣וֹת יְהוָֽה׃
BSAA cruciblemitsrêph [refining pot, for purification] for silverkeçeph [money, wealth] and a furnacekûwr [oven-fire, for smelting] for goldzâhâb [something yellow, brilliant] but the LORDYᵉhôvâh [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] is the testerbâchan [examiner, trier] of heartslibbâh [the center of emotions and thoughts]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| מַצְרֵ֣ף | a crucible | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לַ֭כֶּסֶף | [is] for silver | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וְכ֣וּר | and a smelting furnace | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לַזָּהָ֑ב | [is] for gold | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| וּבֹחֵ֖ן | and [is] testing | Conjunction, verb qal participle (active) masculine singular |
| לִבּ֣וֹת | hearts | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| יְהוָֽה׃ | Yahweh | Noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts. |
| KJV | The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. |
| ASV | The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts. |
| YLT | A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts [is] Jehovah. |
| WEB | The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts. |
| BBE | The heating-pot is for silver and the oven-fire for gold, but the Lord is the tester of hearts. |
Where they part company is in the rendering of בֹחֵ֖ן — see How Translations Differ.
The verse consists of a main clause presenting the metaphor followed by a contrasting clause that highlights God's role.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectמַצְרֵף
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 17:3
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom and Testing in Proverbsgenerated
Proverbs 17:3 presents a metaphor illustrating how just as a crucible refines silver and a furnace purifies gold, the LORD examines the hearts of people. This verse emphasizes the importance of inner purity and the divine scrutiny of our thoughts and emotions, setting a tone for the surrounding verses that discuss wisdom and moral integrity.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 27:21 | A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but a man is tested by the praise accorded him. |
| 2 | Psalm 26:2 | Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind. |
| 3 | Psalm 66:10 | For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver. |
| 4 | Isaiah 48:10 | See, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 17:10 | I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מַצְרֵף, matz.Refgenerated
The word מַצְרֵף (matz.Ref) refers to a crucible, a vessel specifically designed for melting and purifying metals. It is derived from a root that means to refine, emphasizing its role in the process of purification. In this context, it symbolizes the testing and refining of character.
The use of this term in Proverbs suggests that just as metals are tested for purity, so too are human hearts examined by God. This reflects the broader biblical theme of refinement through trials, indicating that God actively engages in the process of evaluating our inner lives.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The verse is rendered in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses tester for בֹחֵ֖ן.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse is governed by the finite verb בֹחֵ֖ן, is testing, which connects the subjects מַצְרֵ֣ף and כּוּר with the object לִבּ֣וֹת. The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the comparison between the crucible and the furnace, leading to the conclusion about God's role.
Each subject is presented with a prepositional phrase indicating its purpose: מַצְרֵ֣ף for silver and כּוּר for gold, culminating in the assertion that the LORD is the tester of hearts.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, the term used for מַצְרֵף is δοκιμάζεται, which suggests a focus on the idea of testing or proving. This choice aligns with the overall theme of refinement and examination present in both the Hebrew and Greek texts.
The translation of בֹחֵ֖ן as ἐκλεκταὶ indicates a similar understanding of God's role as an examiner, reinforcing the concept of divine scrutiny.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 17:3 compares a crucible for silver and a furnace for gold to the LORD, who tests our hearts. This verse highlights the importance of inner purity and how God examines our thoughts and emotions, reminding us that just as metals are refined, our character is also tested.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that God examines our innermost thoughts and intentions, ensuring that we are pure in heart and character.
Just as metals are purified through fire, we may go through trials that refine our character and reveal our true selves.
The heart represents the center of our emotions and thoughts, making it crucial for God to examine our true motivations.
We learn that God is actively involved in our lives, seeking to purify and refine us through His examination of our hearts.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I allow God to refine my character like a crucible refines silver?
- What are some areas of my heart that I need to examine and bring before God?
- How can I respond to God's testing in my life to grow in wisdom and integrity?
- What does it mean for me to trust in God's examination of my heart?
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 17:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe fining pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold,.... Refiners of silver have their fining pots, in which they purify the silver from the dross; and goldsmiths have their crucibles to melt
Read John Gill on Proverbs 17 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. The fining pot (is) for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 17 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe hearts of men cannot be searched and known by any human art, but by God only.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 17 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 17:3 The fining pot [is] for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.Ver. 3. The fining pot is for silver, &c.] God also hath his "fire in Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem"; his conflatories and his crucibles wherein he will refine his, "as silver is refined, and try them as gold is tried." Not as if he knew them not, till he had tried them; for he made them, and therefore cannot but know them; as artificers know the several parts and properties of their works. Sed tentat ut sciat, id est, ut scire nos faciat, saith Augustine. He therefore tries us, that he may make us know what is in us, what dross, what pure metal; and that all may see that we are such…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 17 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(3) The fining pot is for silver.—See above on Proverbs 2:4. The Lord trieth the hearts.—By allowing sorrows and temptations to assail them, in order that they may come out of the trial as pure gold (Revelation 3:18; 1 Peter 1:7; 1 Corinthians 3:13; Malachi 3:3), purged of earthly infirmities.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 17 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 3. The fining pot is for silver] When silver is mixed, or suspected to be mixed, with base metal, it must be subjected to such a test as the cupel to purify it. And gold also must be purified by the action of the fire. So God tries hearts. He sends afflictions which penetrate the soul, and give a man to see his state, so that he may apply to the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning, to destroy what cannot stand the fire, to separate and burn up all the dross.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 17 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges3. trieth the hearts] q.d. man can try the precious metals, but only God the hearts (Jeremiah 17:9-10). The thought that He tries them to refine them, which is suggested here by the parallelism, is elsewhere expressed clearly. (Psalms 66:10-12; Malachi 3:3-4; 1 Peter 1:7. Comp. Sir 2:5.)
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 17 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleWonderful as is the separation of the pure metal from the dross with which it has mingled, there is something yet more wonderful in the divine discipline which purifies the good that lies hid, like a
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 17 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, but Yahweh tests the hearts.
A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.
The crucible is for refining silver and the furnace is for gold, likewise the Lord tests hearts.
Tyndale line
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts.
As is the fining pot for siluer, and the fornace for golde, so the Lord trieth the heartes.
Strictly literal
The fining-pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but Jehovah trieth the hearts.
A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, And the trier of hearts [is] Jehovah.
A refining pot [is] for silver, and a furnace for gold, || And the trier of hearts [is] YHWH.
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace for gold; but the Lord probeth the hearts.
The crucible is for silver and the furnace is for gold, but Yahweh refines hearts.
From the Latin
As silver is tried by fire, and gold in the furnace: so the Lord trieth the hearts.
Simplified
A crucible tests silver, and a furnace tests gold, but the Lord tests the attitude of mind.
The heating-pot is for silver and the oven-fire for gold, but the Lord is the tester of hearts.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text (MT) of Proverbs 17:3 reads: "מַצְרֵ֣ף לַ֭כֶּסֶף וְכ֣וּר לַזָּהָ֑ב וּבֹחֵ֖ן לִבּ֣וֹת יְהוָֽה׃" which translates to "A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts." The Septuagint (LXX) has a word-by-word correspondence with 5 of the 7 words matched to the MT, indicating a general agreement in meaning, though the specific wording and structure differ as the LXX has its own sentence construction. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variations for this verse, thus supporting the MT's reading without notable differences.
מַצְרֵ֣ף לַ֭כֶּסֶף וְכ֣וּר לַזָּהָ֑ב וּבֹחֵ֖ן לִבּ֣וֹת יְהוָֽה׃
5 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 17:3
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מַצְרֵף (mitsreph) refers to a crucible, which is an instrument or place used for refining. The term is derived from a root meaning to refine, and it is associated with the process of purification. The entries consistently emphasize its role in refining metals.
מַצְרֵף n.[m.] crucible (prop. place or instrument of refining)
base
H4715 מַצְרֵף, מִצְרֵף
4715 mitsreph mits-rafe'
from 6884; a crucible:--fining pot.
see HEBREW for 06884
מַצְרֵף (mits.reph) — crucible.
crucible
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
כֶּ֫סֶף (ke.seph) refers to silver and money, derived from a root meaning 'to be pale.' It encompasses various aspects of silver, including its use as a metal, ornament, and a measure of wealth or value. The term appears in contexts related to payment and price, indicating its significance in transactions.
כֶּ֫סֶף 402 n.m. silver, money
= silver ore, raw silver
silver as bright, shining
silver, as wealth
silver as spoil of war
silver as merchandise
silver as costly gift
silver as material
silver as measure of weight and value
among vbs. and phr.
base
H3701 כֶּ֫סֶף silver, money
3701 keceph keh'-sef
from 3700; silver (from its pale color); by implication,
money:--money, price, silver(-ling).
see HEBREW for 03700
כֶּ֫סֶף (ke.seph) — silver: money.
: money/payment/silver
1) silver, money
1a) silver
1a1) as metal
1a2) as ornament
1a3) as colour
1b) money, shekels, talents
כֶּ֫סֶף (ke.seph) — silver: price.
: price
1) silver, money
1a) silver
1a1) as metal
1a2) as ornament
1a3) as colour
1b) money, shekels, talents
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
sil'-ver (keceph; argurion, arguros): Silver was known in the earliest historic times. Specimens of early Egyptian and Babylonian silver work testify to the skill of the ancient silversmiths. In Palestine, silver objects have been found antedating the occupation of the land by the Hebrews. This metal was used for making all kinds of ornamental objects. In the mound of Gezer were found bowls, vases, ladles, hairpins, rings and bracelets of silver. The rings and settings for scarabs or seals were commonly of this metal. The first mention of silver in the Bible is in Ge 13:2, where it says that Abraham was rich in cattle, in silver and gold. At that time it was commonly used in exchange in the form of bars or other shapes. Coins of that metal were of a much later date (Ge 20:16…
Silver
Used for a great variety of purposes, as may be judged from the frequent references to it in Scripture. It first appears in commerce in Gen. 13:2; 23:15, 16. It was largely employed for making vessels for the sanctuary in the wilderness (Ex. 26:19; 27:17; Num. 7:13, 19; 10:2). There is no record of its having been found in Syria or Palestine. It was brought in large quantities by foreign merchants from abroad, from Spain and India and other countries probably.
In very early times silver was used for ornaments, (Genesis 24:53) and for vessels of various kinds. Images for idolatrous worship were made of silver or overlaid with it, (Exodus 20:23; Hosea 13:2); Habb 2:19 Bar. 6:39, and the manufacture of silver shrines for Diana was a trade in Ephesus. (Acts 19:24) But its chief use was as a medium of exchange, and throughout the Old Testament we find "silver" used for money, like the French argent . Silver was brought to Solomon from Arabia, (2 Chronicles 9:14) and from Tarshish, (2 Chronicles 9:21) which supplied the markets…
One of the precious metals and the one most commonly used as coin among all nations. It is first mentioned in Scripture in the history of Abraham, Ge 13:2 20:16 23:16, and was used in constricting the tabernacle, Ex 26:19,32, and afterwards the temple, 1Ch 29:4. In employing it as a medium of trade, the ancient Hebrews weighed it out, instead of having coins. In the times of the New Testament there were coins. See SHEKEL, and MONEY.
כוּר (kuwr) refers to a furnace or smelting pot, suggesting a place for heating or refining materials. It is derived from a root meaning to dig through, indicating a connection to excavation. The term appears in contexts related to metalworking, and its usage spans various forms, including a verb meaning to bore or pierce.
כּוּר n.[m.] smelting-pot or furnace
base
H3564 כּוּר smelting-pot or furnace
3564 kuwr koor
from an unused root meaning properly, to dig through; a pot
or furnace (as if excavated):--furnace. Compare 3600.
see HEBREW for 03600
כּוּר (kur) — furnace.
1) furnace, forge, smelting furnace or pot
v
2) (Qal) to bore, pierce, dig, hew
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
fur'-nas: The word is used in the Old Testament English Versions of the Bible to translate several Hebrew words:
Kibhshan, in Ge 19:28, where the smoke of the destruction of the cities of the plain is said to have ascended "as the smoke of a furnace"; in Ex 9:8, where Yahweh commands to take "handfuls of ashes of the furnace and .... sprinkle it toward heaven," etc.
Furnace
(1.) Chald. attun, a large furnace with a wide open mouth, at the top of which materials were cast in (Dan. 3:22, 23; comp. Jer. 29:22). This furnace would be in constant requisition, for the Babylonians disposed of their dead by cremation, as did also the Accadians who invaded Mesopotamia.
(2.) Heb. kibshan, a smelting furnace (Gen. 19:28), also a lime-kiln (Isa. 33:12; Amos 2:1).
(3.) Heb. kur, a refining furnace (Prov. 17:3; 27:21; Ezek. 22:18).
Various kinds of furnaces are noticed in the Bible, such as a smelting or calcining furnace, (Genesis 19:28; Exodus 9:8,10; 19:18) especially a lime-kiln, (Isaiah 33:12; Amos 2:1) a refining furnace, (Proverbs 17:3) Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace, a large furnace built like a brick-kiln, (Daniel 3:22,23) with two openings one at the top for putting in the materials, and another below for removing them; the potter’s furnace, Ecclus. 27:5; The blacksmith’s furnace. Ecclus. 38:28. The Persians were in the habit of using the furnace as a means of inflicting punishment. (Daniel…
זָהָב (zahab) means gold and is derived from an unused root that conveys the idea of shimmering. It encompasses various aspects of gold, including its value as a precious metal, its use as a measure of weight, and its figurative brilliance. The term appears in contexts related to wealth, merchandise, and gifts.
זָהָב 385 n.m. gold
= gold-ore, gold in raw state
gold as wealth
gold as spoil of war
gold as merchandise
gold as costly gift
gold as material
gold described by its source
gold defined by var. adj. and pts.
as measure of weight and value
= golden oil, from colour
often named with
the chief vbs. used
base
H2091 זָהָב gold
2091 zahab zaw-hawb'
from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively,
something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky:--
gold(-en), fair weather.
זָהָב (za.hav) — gold.
1) gold
1a) as precious metal
1b) as a measure of weight
1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.)
Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
gold (zahabh; chrusos):
1. Terms:
No metal has been more frequently mentioned in Old Testament writings than gold, and none has had more terms applied to it. Among these terms the one most used is zahabh. The Arabic equivalent, dhahab, is still the common name for gold throughout Palestine, Syria and Egypt. With zahabh frequently occur other words which, translated, mean "pure" (Ex 25:11), "refined" (1Ch 28:18), "finest" (1Ki 10:18), "beaten" (1Ki 10:17), "Ophir" (Ps 45:9).
Other terms occurring are: paz, "fine gold" (Job 28:17;
Gold
(1.) Heb. zahab, so called from its yellow colour (Ex. 25:11; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:5).
(2.) Heb. segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed or treasured up; thus precious or “fine gold” (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49).
Gold was known from the very earliest times. (Genesis 2:11) It was at first used chiefly for ornaments, etc. (Genesis 24:22) Coined money was not known to the ancients till a comparatively late period; and on the Egyptian tombs gold is represented as being weighed in rings for commercial purposes. Comp. (Genesis 43:21) Gold was extremely abundant in ancient times, (1 Chronicles 22:14; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:9; Daniel 3:1; Nahum 2:9) but this did not depreciate its value, because of the enormous quantities consumed by…
A well-known valuable metal, found in many parts of the world, and obtained anciently in Ophir, Job 28:16; Parvaim, 2Ch 3:6; Sheba, and Raamah, Eze 27:22. Job alludes to gold in various forms, Job 22:24 28:15-19. Abraham was rich in it, and female ornaments were early made of it, Ge 13:2 24:22,35. It is spoken of throughout Scripture; and the use of it among and ancient Hebrews, in its native and mixed state, and for the same purposes as at present, was very common. The Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with pure gold; the mercy seat, the vessels and utensils belonging to the tabernacle, and those also of the house of…
בָּחַן (bachan) is a Hebrew verb meaning to examine or test. It encompasses a range of actions, including scrutinizing, proving, and trying, particularly in relation to metals, individuals, or the heart. The verb appears in various forms, such as Qal (to examine) and Niphal (to be tried).
[בָּחַן] vb. examine, try
Qal
examine, scrutinize, try
prove, test, try
Niph. to be tried, proved
Pu. the trial has been made
base
H974 [בָּחַן] examine, try
974 bachan baw-khan'
a primitive root; to test (especially metals); generally and
figuratively, to investigate:--examine, prove, tempt, try
(trial).
בָּחַן (ba.chan) — to test.
1) to examine, try, prove
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to examine, scrutinise
1a2) to test, prove, try (of gold, persons, the heart, man of God)
1b) (Niphal) to be tried, proved
1c) (Pual) to make a trial
Conj | V-Qal — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine singularHC/Vqrmsa
לִבָּה (libbah) is a feminine noun meaning 'heart.' It is derived from the root word לֵב (lev), which also means 'heart.' The entries indicate that this term is used in contexts related to the heart, as seen in Ezekiel 16:30, where a correction is suggested.
[לִבָּה] Ez 16:30 should be corrected
base
H3826 לִבָּה
3826 libbah lib-baw'
feminine of 3820; the heart:--heart.
see HEBREW for 03820
לִבָּה (lib.bah) — heart.
heart
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) is the proper name of the God of Israel, often rendered as Jehovah or the Lord. It signifies the self-existent or eternal nature of God. The name is closely associated with the revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:12-15 and is used in conjunction with other terms to denote sacred places. Some scholars suggest it derives from a root meaning 'to bring into being.'
יהוה c. 6823 i.e. יַהְוֶה n.pr.dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel—(1. MT יְהֹוָה 6518 (Qr אֲדֹנָי), or יֱהֹוִה 305 (Qr אֱלֹהִים) 2. Many recent scholars explain יַהְוֶה as Hiph. of הוה (= היה) the one bringing into being, life-giver)
יהוה is not used by E in Gn, but is given Ex 3:12-15 as the name of the God who revealed Himself to Moses at Horeb
יהוה is used with אלהים and suffixes, especially in D
the phrase † אֲנִי יהוה is noteworthy
יהוה is also used with several predicates, to form sacred names of holy places of Yahweh
base
H3068 יהוה i.e. יַהְוֶה n. pr. dei Yahweh, the proper name of the God of Israel
3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw'
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish
national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.
see HEBREW for 01961
see HEBREW for 03050
see HEBREW for 03069
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — LORD.
Jehovah = "the existing One"
1) the proper name of the one true God
1a) unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of a.do.na (אֲדֹנָי "Lord" H0136)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — The Lord.
Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
יְהֹוָה (ye.ho.vah) — (Jerusalem of) the Lord.
Combined with ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
N-proper — Noun properHNpt