An Encyclopedia of Claims, Frauds, and Hoaxes of the Occult and Supernatural

Introduction | "R" Reading | Curse of the Pharaoh | End-of-the-World Prophecies

Index | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z

Tetragrammaton In the kabala, this is the term for the four-letter name of God. If effect, it is the name of a name.
      It varies from text to text. Some versions are JHVH, IHVH, JHWH, YHVH, and YHWH. Since these are too sacred to be spoken aloud, the word “Adoni” is used when the name is spoken. This has led to a serious misunderstanding, since in Hebrew texts only the consonants of Adoni (or of “Elohim”——this makes it more confusing) are printed. Thus are produced the reconstructions such as Yahweh or Jehovah.

Click here to order a copy of the original hardcover edition of this Encyclopedia. Copyright (C) 1995-2007 James Randi. Created and maintained with the dictionary compilation software TshwaneLex.