Yahweh is the most common name for God in the Old Testament. Initially, the Hebrew language only used consonants and had no vowels. Thus, the name for God was composed of four letters of the alphabet, YHWH. Yahweh is God’s proper name in Hebrew. Exodus 3:14, it is translated, “I AM THAT I AM”, and means that God has always existed or the self-existing One. Yahweh – “The self-existent one” (Exodus 3:13-14). Yahweh needs no introduction. He is gracious and keeps His promises or covenant. It appears close to 7000 times in the Old Testament, almost three times more than any other name of God. This name of Israel’s God was so sacred that the Jews would not speak it; hence no one is sure now how to pronounce YHWH. Almost all Bible scholars agree that the name Yahweh, or Jehovah, as it is sometimes translated, would be the proper name of God.

The Jews considered it so sacred they would not write the name and substituted it with Adonai. It was so sacred that it was only said aloud once a year on the Day of Atonement and that only by the high priest in the most holy place of the Temple. When the scribes would write it, they would take a bath beforehand and then destroy the pen afterwards. In our English Bibles, it is the word “LORD,” with all capital letters. Later, scribes took the vowels of Adonai and added them to YHWH to form the word Jehovah. How tragic to see God’s name taken in vain with such impunity on television and movies. It is very common nowadays to see people taking the name of God flippantly, many using God’s name as a slang or swearing, or even cursing in God’s name. The third commandment forbids us from taking God’s holy name in vain: “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD (Yahweh) thy God in vain; for the LORD (YAHWEH) will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” May we learn like the Jews of old to adore and give reverence to God and this His awesome name.

Yahweh is the personal name that God revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:13-15. Through this revelation of Himself to Moses we understand the meaning and significance of God’s name. When Moses was told to set Israel free, he asked God what name he should call him by, and God replied by saying, “I AM.” God said to Moses, “...I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (Exodus 3:14). God goes on to say to Moses in Exodus 3:15, “...Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” Thus, Yahweh became the memorial name as Moses was to proclaim to the children of Israel that this God who calls Himself “I AM” was Yahweh, the God of their fathers and the God of all coming generations.

In Exodus 6:2-8, we further see the uniqueness of God’s name Yahweh. In this passage, God further assures Moses that Yahweh, His God, will deliver His people from the hands of Pharaoh. Again and again He reminds Moses of His revealed name in Exodus 3:14. Verse 2: I am YAHWEH! Verse 3: I am YAHWEH! Verse 6: I am YAHWEH! Verse 8: I am YAHWEH! In other words, remember that I AM WHO I AM. I do not change. God’s people will be delivered. He also reminds us how unique this name is and its importance in verses 3-4. “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name, JEHOVAH was I not known to them. And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers.” This is a special privilege given to Moses and not to his forefathers. It is a reminder of God’s character and covenant faithfulness.

Yahweh is also a God who is present with us. When Moses felt incapable and unworthy to face Pharoah, God responds in Exodus 3:12: “I will be with thee”. Moses wanted to know God’s name. The Egyptians had numerous gods, all with names, but what does God go by? Exodus 3:14: “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” God did not say I was this and I will be this next time. I Am - Yahweh. The Lord needs no introduction, and He will continue to be GOD. The Lord teaches this truth in Isaiah 43:10-11: “…I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me, there is no saviour.” Yahweh, has always been and will always be because He is Yahweh the great I Am.

Yahweh the I Am that I Am is revealing to us that God does not change. God’s name is “I Am.” It is not “I Was” or “I Will Be” or “I Must Be”. We can put our full trust in God because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He does not change. He is “I Am”. He is an unchangeable, immutable God in whom we can depend. When life takes unexpected turns or suffering grows, be comforted knowing Jehovah knows and doesn’t change. Also, believe in Him more, for Yahweh is a personal God. He is holy, yet He knew the misery of His people in Egypt. He knows our suffering too, and it matters to our Yahweh.

Yahweh is a promise keeping God who makes covenant relationships. Look at Exodus 2:24: “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.” Yahweh keeps His promises because He is a covenant-keeping God. We should also remember what God reminded Moses, that He is powerful to deliver His people out of bondage. It was not Moses’s leadership skills or gifts but God’s power that would bring deliverance. Like Moses, we are just God’s instrument, and God will provide the power to accomplish the task He gives us. Throughout the Bible, we see this repeated “Thus saith the LORD”. He communicates with us and reveals to us through His word.

Yahweh means God has always existed. Jesus used the name to refer to is pre-existence, his eternality. John 8:57-8 says: “Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” Jehovah is the self-existent one, the eternal, the everlasting one. Yahweh is present with us as He was with Israel. Yahweh is the same gracious and compassionate God as He was with Moses. Get a good glimpse of Him, and you will worship Him with more reverence and rejoicing. Let us exalt the name of our God Yahweh, who is eternal, the great I AM.

Rev Mathews Abraham

More Lively Hope

© Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
14 Bedford Square, Colonel Light Gardens, South Australia 5041