Meaning of God’s Name
When Moses encountered God in the burning bush, he asked for a name to reveal to the enslaved people whom God had sent to rescue them. In response, God declared, “I AM has sent me to you,” and identified Himself as “the LORD, the God of your fathers.” This presentation of His name, rendered in Hebrew as yhwh, was intended to ensure that His character and essence would be remembered for all time.
The biblical account in Exodus raises intriguing questions about the nature of God’s name. However, the main purpose behind this revelation was not to puzzle scholars but to make God known. Throughout the Scriptures, God makes Himself known by name and through acts of salvation and justice so that every nation may recognize that none is other than Him.
Names often carry meaning through their linguistic roots. For instance, the Hebrew origin of the name Jonathan suggests “The LORD has given.” In a similar way, scholars have endeavored to uncover the significance of God’s name by examining its etymological basis.
Interestingly, God provides Moses with two related designations: “I AM” and “LORD.” The former is derived from the Hebrew verb meaning “to be,” while the latter (yhwh) appears to be connected to that same root. If this connection holds, yhwh could be understood as “he is” or, more fully, as a declaration of His existence. Some theologians see this as a statement of God’s self-sufficiency and complete independence, a truth expressed by the term aseity. Yet in the context of Exodus, the emphasis is on expressing His ongoing presence with His people as they are led from Egypt.
Pronouncing God’s Name
The original pronunciation of yhwh is lost to history because ancient Hebrew was written only with consonants. Centuries later, Jewish scholars introduced vowel markings, but they deliberately avoided adding vowels directly to yhwh out of reverence. Instead, they inserted the vowel pattern from the word for “Lord,” so that readers would say “Lord” rather than attempt to vocalize the divine name. Consequently, what is pronounced today reflects a tradition of substituting yhwh with a different term.
In the 19th century, a German scholar proposed the vocalization “Yahweh” based on Greek transliterations, and this form has since become typical among many scholars, although it cannot be conclusively established. In many English translations of Scripture, the words corresponding to yhwh and another divine term are rendered simply as “Lord” or “GOD” in small capital letters to preserve the distinction and maintain the long-held tradition of not speaking the original name aloud.
Where Did the Word ‘Jehovah’ Come From?
The term “Jehovah” is the result of a later misunderstanding. By combining the vowels from the word for “Lord” with the consonants of yhwh, a new word was unintentionally formed. This mix-up is similar to taking the vowels from one word and attaching them to the consonants of another, thereby creating a term that does not accurately reflect the original name or its intended meaning.
Know the Lord
Ultimately, the details of God’s name—its origin, precise meaning, and pronunciation—are less important than the revelation of who God is. Pharaoh’s encounter, which led to a series of divine acts, was designed to demonstrate that there is no deity like yhwh. The salvation of Israel from Egypt and the awe it inspired in surrounding nations affirm that the purpose of naming was to invite people into a relationship with God. While the exact phonetics remain a mystery, the essential truth is that God has made Himself known so that we may know Him personally.
Rockin’ the faith, one verse at a time!
Growing up, the Bible’s stories deeply impacted me. Now, with over 15 years of preaching experience, I blend timeless teachings with modern technology, making them relevant for today’s world.
Bible Hub Verse is my platform to share historical insights and thought-provoking articles, exploring both familiar and uncommon Christian topics. My passion is building a welcoming online space for everyone to learn, grow in their faith, and discover the Bible’s enduring message.
Join the journey!
God bless you.
By
