Franz Delitzsch

“ When it is further considered that יַהְוְ (whence יַהוּ) according to analogous contractions has grown out of יַהְוֶה, and not out of יַהְוֶה, and that the Hebrew language exhibits no proof of any transition from –ֶה to –ָה which would not at the same time be a transition from the masculine to the feminine, it must be conceded that the pronunciation Jahve is to be regarded as the original pronunciation. The mode of pronunciation Jehova has only come up within the last three hundred years; our own “Jahava” [in the first edition] was an innovation. ”

“ I am the more encouraged to hope that all those who do not hold scientific love of truth and progress to be the exclusive privilege of their own tendencies, will find in this new thoroughly revised edition of my Commentary much that is instructive, and much that is more correctly apprehended. ”

“ But that I have also laid Jewish investigators under contribution is due to my desire to see the partition wall between Synagogue and Church broken down. The exposition of Scripture has not only to serve the Church of the present, but also to help in building up the Church of the future. ”