Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsExodus 6

My name Adonai.

Here and in many other places of holy Scripture in the Hebrew text is that name of God of four letters, which the Jews say is ineffable. Yet sure it is that Moyses heard it pronounced, and afterwards writ it as he did the rest in Hebrew letters (which are all consonants) without vowels. But the Rabbins that long after put points or vowels to all other words, put none to this. For all then read ^[1] Adonai in place thereof. And so the Latin, and all vulgar Catholic versions, keep the same word untranslated. The Septuagint in Greek translate ΚΥΡΙΟΣ, which in Latin is Dominus, in English Lord. So also all ancient Fathers, and (which is most of all) our Saviour, and his Apostles, alleging sentences of the old Testament ^[2], where this name is contained, still express it by words that signify Lord. Only certain late writers have framed a new word, by putting the points of Adonai, to the proper letters of this unknown name, which are, Iod, He, Vau, He, and so sound it Iehovah ^[3]: which was scarce heard of before an hundred years. As Bishop Genebrard, Cardinal Bellarmin, and F. Pererius prove, for that neither ancient Fathers ^[4], writing whole Treatises de Divinis nominibus, nor the elder Rabbins, nor later most learned Hebricians, as Rabbi Moyses, Aben Ezram, Lira, Paulus Burgensis, and others, never mention Jehovah amongst the Names or title of God.

• 1 In place of the name of God counted ineffable, is commonly read Adonai.
• 2 Mat. 4. v. 7, 10. Rom. 15. v. 11.
• 3 Iehovah is not the right name of God.
• 4 S. Dionyse. S. Hierom. Theodoret. Damascen.