Names of God

Yahweh יהוה

LORD - The Existing One

I am who I am

I will be what I will be

YHVH is "the One who exists in himself" and "who brings into existence". He is the source of life, the Creator of all that is and He has revealed Himself in His perfection, holiness, justice and love to His children.

As the gracious deliverer and righteous covenant partner of the chosen people Israel, YHWH is at the same time the Creator, Keeper, Judge, and in Jesus Christ the Savior of the whole world!

YHVH (Greek Kyrios) is the incomparably powerful and at the same time most used Hebrew name of God. It is found 6828 times in the Old Testament. It is God’s personal name that He gave to Moses by the burning bush so that His children could call Him by name and would be saved.

Out of fear of misusing the name of God, the Israelites stopped saying it out loud and thus the original vowel pointing cannot clearly be established today: the most common forms used by Christians are "Yahweh" and "Yehova". To this day, Jews out of reference to God do not express this name verbally and instead use the name Adonai, Hashem (the name) and Adoschem (combination of Adonai and HaShem).

Bible translators have generally adopted the Jewish practice of not using God’s name and have even replaced the name in the written word of God with "LORD" or "the LORD". Only few translations such as e.g. the KJV chose to render it as Jehova.

Exodus 3:13-15 (ESV)

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 [hayah] who I am [hayah]." And he said "Say this to the people of Israel: "I am [hayah] has sent me to you."" God also said to Moses, "Say this to the people of Israel: "The Lord [YHVH], 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 6:2+3 (ESV)

God spoke to Moses and said to him, "I am the Lord [YHVH]. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord [YHVH] I did not make myself known to them."

Exodus 9:16 (ESV)

But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.

Exodus 20:2+3 (ESV)

"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me."

Isaiah 41:13+14 (ESV)

For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "Fear not, I am the one who helps you. Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you," declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.

Jeremiah 50:34a (ESV)

Their Redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is his name. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth...

Isaiah 52:6 (ESV)

Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here I am.

Acts 2:21 (ESV)

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [YHVH/Jesus] shall be saved.

John 4:25+26 (ESV)

The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he."

John 6:40 (ESV)

"For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."

John 18:4-8a (ESV)

Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, "Whom do you seek?" They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus said to them, "I am he." Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, "Whom do you seek?" And they said, "Jesus of Nazareth." Jesus answered, "I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go."

Revelation 11:15b-17 (ESV)

"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever." And the twenty-four elders who sit on their thrones before God fell on their faces and worshiped God, saying, "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, for you have taken your great power and begun to reign."