Working for the Word - a Bible translation podcast Part 3 - Pronouncing & Translating the Divine Name - The Use of "Lord" in the New Testament
Jan 27, 2026
A deep dive into why the New Testament consistently uses κύριος (kurios) instead of the divine personal name. Exploration of the Septuagint's influence and how titles can become proper names over time. Discussion of pastoral, linguistic, legal, and social reasons for retaining 'Lord' and how that choice links Jesus to Yahweh in Scripture.
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NT's Omission Of The Divine Name
- The New Testament never uses the divine personal name but consistently uses kurios (Lord) instead.
- The authors give no explicit reason, leaving the motive speculative and seen "through a glass, darkly."
Septuagint Shaped Naming Conventions
- The Septuagint became the standard Greek Bible as Jewish communities forgot Hebrew.
- That entrenched kurios as a name-like designation linking Old Testament Yahweh to later usage.
Name Change That Didn't Stick
- Andrew Case shares a story about a friend trying to switch from 'Mike' to 'Michael' at age 60.
- The change felt unnatural and quickly reverted, illustrating how entrenched names stick.
