01-17-2019, 10:38 AM
I think that the name began as the shorter forms Yah (יָהּ) and Yahu or Yaho (יָהוּ or יָהוֹ). There is speculation that just as ה can function as a vowel letter even with o vowels (such as in כֹּה and פֹּה), the name was sometimes written as יהה and still read as Yaho (that is, as יָהֹה). The vav may have then been added to represent the long o (יָהוֹה as a plene spelling of יָהֹה). This is just conjecture, but there may be something to it.
As it is, the pronunciation varied greatly among some groups during the Second Temple period. Most adhered to the proscription on its pronunciation, though.
As to the origins of the name, I've read some theories recently that it originated around Yemen (specifically, Mt. Seir). Don't confuse the forms of Arabic spoken at that time with Qur'anic Arabic, though, and certainly remove all supposition that the pagan Arab tribes were at all anything related to Muslims. The chronology must be maintained.
As it is, the pronunciation varied greatly among some groups during the Second Temple period. Most adhered to the proscription on its pronunciation, though.
As to the origins of the name, I've read some theories recently that it originated around Yemen (specifically, Mt. Seir). Don't confuse the forms of Arabic spoken at that time with Qur'anic Arabic, though, and certainly remove all supposition that the pagan Arab tribes were at all anything related to Muslims. The chronology must be maintained.