Yahweh

By He Reads Truth

Scripture Reading: Exodus 3:7-16, Exodus 34:1-9, Psalm 15:1-5, Isaiah 42:5-9, John 8:58

In this reading plan, we are learning more about God by studying the names given to Him in Scripture. Each day, you’ll come here to read the description of the name we’re studying today and a brief explanation of how God’s character is seen through His name. (Remember that because the Bible was originally written in Hebrew and Greek, some of God’s names are written in the English form of His name from their original language.) You can then head to today’s passages to see how this name functions in Scripture.

YAHWEH: The name God gives Himself, highlighting His covenantal and relational nature

Yahweh is a profoundly holy name, but it is also unmistakably personal. Yahweh is distinct from other names of God because it is self-revealed. It is the intimate, covenantal, relational name of God. Modern English translations of the Bible often use small capital letters (LORD or GOD) for Yahweh.

When Moses asked God for His name in Exodus 3, God revealed Himself as “I Am Who I Am” and then called Himself Yahweh. In Exodus 34, again God proclaimed His name as He described His character to Moses. Scholars are divided on the meaning of Yahweh, but likely options are that it is a reference to God’s eternal nature or to God as the creator of all things. His name is a core part of the covenantal promise He made with Moses—Yahweh will always be who He is.