7 Meanings of Yahweh and Why It

7 Meanings of Yahweh and Why It's Such an Important Name for God -
Jenna Martin
https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/why-it-matters-that-god-is-yahweh.html?
utm_source=today%27s+topical+bible+study&utm_campaign=today%27s+topical+bible+study+-
+biblestudytools.com&utm_medium=email&utm_content=2920987&bcid=ce3610f3bf447fdd55830e9b38e031
95&recip=489511177+
Thursday, June 7, 2018
God has no shortage of names--He is called by almost 1000 different ones in the Bible.
But one of these names stands alone, and that name is Yahweh.
Before we get into what the name “Yahweh” actually means, let’s go back to its origin story in Exodus 3. In
this story, God is speaking to Moses through the burning bush and giving him the mission to end all
missions: freeing the Israelite people from Egyptian captivity.
Understandably, Moses has some concerns, the main one being how he will convince his fellow Israelites
that this really is a mission from (and blessed by) God.
Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has
sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” God said to Moses, “I am
who I am.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’” God also said to
Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God
of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be
remembered throughout all generations.” - Exodus 3:13-15
What does Yahweh Mean?

Exodus 3:13-15 is the first Biblical usage of the name “Yahweh,” and we can see at the end of the passage
that it is the name by which God has chosen to be remembered throughout all generations.
The English language doesn’t have an exact translation of the word “Yahweh,” so in our Old Testament we
see it written as “LORD” in all capital letters.
In Jewish tradition, “Yahweh” is too sacred a name to utter out loud. Over time Jews started to substitute in
“Adonai,” or “My Lord,” especially when speaking. Another common replacement is the name “Elohim,”
which simply means “God.” What’s interesting is that these two replacement names are both used for other
things as well, not just God, whereas Yahweh is reserved exclusively as a name for God.
We see in Exodus 3:14 that God uses “I AM” and “Yahweh” interchangeably, which tells us that “I am” is
one way for us to translate the name “Yahweh.”
But why is it so significant that God’s name is “I AM”?
Why it Matters that God Is I AM

In the Old Testament, a person’s name often reflected his character.
Abraham means “Father of a great multitude.”
Eve means “Living,” which is fitting because she was the mother of all living people.
Jesus means “Savior.”
Names were very, very important at that time. It could point to a person’s disposition, mission in life, and
more. And Moses knew that.
When he asks God in Exodus 3:13 what he should tell the Israelites when they ask who sent him, he’s
essentially asking God to provide some credibility to the fantastic story he’s about to tell his people. He’s
asking God about his character and nature.
If we ask God, “Who are you?” and he replies, “I AM WHO I AM,” that is significant and we need to take
time to dwell on his chosen name if we want to know him.
1. Yahweh Is the Self-Existent, Eternal God

God has no need of us.
That simple fact can be a little offensive to our human nature – that part of us that wants to be significant; to
be needed.
But it’s true – God does not need us. He doesn’t need anyone. He is completely whole within himself, and
he is eternal – he has always existed, and he always will. He is the beginning and the end, the Alpha and
the Omega.
And he is the only one in existence who can be described this way. The rest of us need quite a lot to go
right in order to keep existing! The most powerful human on earth is still at the mercy of his health and
fortune.
God stands alone in needing nothing, in being wholly self-sufficient.
2. Yahweh Is a Relational God

Yahweh is only used in the Bible when the author is talking about God’s personal relationship with his
people. A great example of this is Psalm 19. The author talks in the first 6 verses about Elohim (another
name for God) and his relationship with the material world. Then, in verse 7, he shifts and starts to write
about Yahweh and his relationship with those who know him and who are in covenant with him.
The fact that God introduces himself to us as “Yahweh” tells us that his first priority in relating to us is
making sure we know that he is the intensely personal God, seeking to have a relationship with his people.
We talked earlier about how God doesn’t need us...but that makes it all the more wondrous that
he wants us. This is a God who was so love-motivated to know us and to be in relationship with us that he
came to earth as a human and took the punishment we deserved.
This is our relational God.
3. Yahweh Is with Us
God is there, existing, right now.
If you are reading this article, there’s a pretty good chance that you don’t have a problem with this. It is
probably a core part of your belief system.
But those of us who have the least qualms with a God who exists can start to forget the beauty and
significance of the fact that God is here.
Yahweh is here, interacting with our world, among us. And he does that out of love. God is under no
obligation to remain close to us, working in our lives and writing a love story between himself and the world.
And yet, he chooses to do so. In fact, he chooses to build his very kingdom among believers:
"One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, 'When will the Kingdom of God come?' Jesus replied, 'The Kingdom
of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the
Kingdom of God is already among you'" (Luke 17:20-21).
4. Yahweh Is the Unchanging God
Heraclitus said it best: “There is nothing permanent except change.” Our world is constantly shifting;
everything is subjective, and lots of things seem to change day to day.
But our God does not conform to any of this. He remains constant through it all. He doesn’t change his
nature based on what is new and popular at the moment. Yahweh has always been who he is, from the
beginning of time; he has always been the standard for absolute perfection and holiness.
We have the binary choice to either choose Him and conform to him – or not. There is no third option
where we can have a slightly different version of him.
God isn’t changed by new and popular philosophies and theologies, but we can sometimes be. We need to
keep a white-knuckled grip on the truth of the unchanging God.
5. Yahweh Is Wholly Other than Us

When was the last time we took a step back and acknowledged the holiness of God?
The most common theologies are ones that make God into our own personal servant – the ones that will
get us our best life now; perfect peace and no problems.
God is not a servant. He is infinitely and entirely other than you and me.
"These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I
rebuke you and lay the charge before you" (Psalm 50:21).
“You thought I was one like yourself.” He isn’t like us. He relates to us more deeply than we can ever
imagine, but he is not like us. His ways are higher than our own, and he is set apart from everything and
everyone else in existence in holiness, strength, and power.
6. Yahweh Keeps His Covenant with Us

We talked earlier about how God only uses the term “Yahweh” with his friends – the people who know him
and who are in covenant with him. Yahweh is the covenant-keeping name.
God calls himself “Yahweh” when he first enters into the covenant with Abraham, a subtle promise that he
will forever be faithful in keeping his word. When he reveals himself again as “Yahweh” to Moses, it is our
reminder that he is unchanging, and we can trust him not to back out or change his mind.
God will never stop wanting us, and he will never cease in his pursuit of us. He is the ultimate covenant-
keeper, the one who keeps his promises and does what he said he will do.
We can trust God as much as we want and it will never be too much. He will always measure up.
7. Yahweh Is Full of Mystery... but Worth Seeking!

Only a mysterious God would ask us to know him as the God who is who he is. We weren’t meant to
understand everything about him, as evidenced by the fact that we simply can’t!
We worship a God of mystery, yet a God who is closer than our very breath. Yahweh is a paradox, one we
will never reach the end of when it comes to our understanding of him. There is simply too much of him to
know fully in one lifetime!
But we can always seek more.
That should be our daily goal — to move one step closer to knowing the God who is. The richness and
fullness of perfect love await anyone seeking to know the one who would do anything to have us.
And that is worth the pursuit.
Image Credit: ©Unsplash
Jenna Martin is a youth ministry worker and freelance writer who specializes in Bible, health, and tourism
topics. In her free time you’ll probably find her writing, lifting, or doting on her handsome cat. For more info,
you can check out her blog here.
Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor's wife, mom to three amazing kids (and a lot of pets). Join her
each morning on Fresh Day Ahead's Facebook page, for daily encouragement in living strong, free, hope-
filled lives. Find her also on Twitter and at her blog www.debbiemcdaniel.com.
This article is part of our Names of God Series featuring the most used names and titles of God found in
the Bible. We have compiled these articles to help you study all that God says He is and to help you
understand His nature and character. Our hope is that you would focus on these truths and find hope as
you rest in the promise of God’s presence, no matter the circumstances.
7 Meanings of Yahweh - God's Name in the Bible
Son of Man - Jesus’s Favorite Name for Himself
Meaning of Elohim in the Bible
Abba Father - What it Means and Why it’s Important
What Does it Mean that Jesus is the Lamb of God?
God is the Alpha and Omega - Meaning & Understanding
The Meaning of Hosanna - Powerful Name of Jesus from the Bible
Jehovah Jireh: “The Lord Will Provide” Name of God
Jehovah Nissi: "The Lord is My Banner" Name of God
What is the Meaning of the Name El Shaddai?
What Does Yeshua Mean? Biblical Name for Jesus

7 Meanings of Yahweh and Why It

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

7 Meanings of Yahweh and Why It

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

7 Meanings of Yahweh and Why It

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

7 Meanings of Yahweh and Why It's Such an Important Name for God -

What does Yahweh Mean?

Why it Matters that God Is I AM

1. Yahweh Is the Self-Existent, Eternal God

2. Yahweh Is a Relational God

5. Yahweh Is Wholly Other than Us

6. Yahweh Keeps His Covenant with Us

7. Yahweh Is Full of Mystery... but Worth Seeking!

You might also like