The Euphemism for the Ineffable Name of God and Its Early Evidence in Chronicles

Abstract

When the Tetragrammaton began to be read as Adonai is the subject of significant debate. While κύριoς in the Old Greek may be important evidence for this euphemism, many continue to doubt whether κύριoς is original to the Old Greek. In this article, the unique value of the double title ‭הוהי‬ ‭ינדא‬ is established in tracing the euphemism in question, and the replacement of ‭הוהי‬ ‭ינדא‬ of 2 Samuel with ‭םיהלא‬ ‭הוהי‬ in Chronicles is presented as early evidence of the euphemism. Thus the reading Adonai for the Tetragrammaton appears to have begun considerably earlier than is commonly thought.