The Bible uses many different names for God. Each has its own
significance and is used to convey different concepts. The
following are the most commonly used names with some brief
explanation.| The Tetragrammaton - This is the "personal" name
of God. The only place it may ever be pronounced is in the Holy
Temple in Jerusalem during certain prayers by the Kohanim.
Otherwise we are never permitted to pronounce this name. The
significance of this name is discussed at great length in many
places. The simplest explanation is that the name is a
contraction of the words, "was, is and will be". In general this
name is understood in Biblical contexts to indicate the Divine
attribute of mercy (as opposed to justice). One explanation for
this is because we are taught that mercy is the most fundamental
of God's attributes. Elohim - This name is not to be pronounced
except during prayer or while reading Biblical verses, otherwise
the word "Elokim" is substituted. It literally means "gods" or
"powerful ones". (Many of God'