Why did the Jews use the word 'Lord' instead of the name Jehovah in the Old Testament?
The Jews substituted "Lord" for "Jehovah" because the divine name was held in such awe and high esteem that they did not feel adequate or worthy to repeat or even breathe it. Scripture writers and Jews generally used "Lord" in place of Jehovah, and in the Old Testament capital LORD represents Jehovah.
Les explains that all the way through the Old Testament, the word "Lord" was used by the writers of Scripture and by the Jews in general in place of the name they did not feel adequate to repeat—Jehovah. It was of such awe and such high esteem that the average Jew did not even want to breathe it, so they substituted "Lord." Thus, when the Old Testament shows capital L-O-R-D, it is Jehovah.
And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Who is the 'Lord' in the Old Testament and early New Testament use of that title?
The title 'Lord' in Old Testament and early New Testament usage refers to Jehovah. When Saul asked, 'Who art thou, Lord?' he was confronted by the voice from heaven, and had he not reverenced the name, he would have said, 'Who art thou, Jehovah?' because he knew it came from God's presence.
Why does the Old Testament use the word 'Lord' instead of God's name?
The Old Testament writers and Jews generally used the word Lord in place of God's name, Jehovah. They regarded that name with such awe and high esteem that the average Jew did not even want to breathe it, so they substituted Lord. Thus capital L-O-R-D in the Old Testament text represents Jehovah.
More Questions
To whom does the Bible's title 'Lord' refer in the Old Testament?
In the Old Testament, and carrying into the early New Testament, the title 'Lord' refers to Jehovah.
Who was called 'Lord' in the Old Testament and early New Testament?
In the Old Testament, and into the early part of the New Testament, the title 'Lord' referred to Jehovah.