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Writer's pictureHumble Servant

YHWH: Old Testament Names of God

Updated: Sep 19, 2022



Peace & Blessings Beloved,

TGBTG for allowing us to see another day. I pray all is well with you and yours, and that your week has been fruitful & blessed thus far.


Today we are going to take a deep dive into our fifth Old Testament name of God, YHWH, as found in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible.


יְהֹוָה

(yah-weh) Lord, Jehovah

Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament Yahweh occurs 6,519 times. This name is used more than any other name of God. Yahweh is first used in Gen 2:4.

Variant spellings: YHWH, Jehovah

TWOT Reference: 484a

Strong's Reference: H3068

Yahweh in the Septuagint: kurios - Lord, Master

יְהֹוָה

Transliteration: Yᵊhōvâ

Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'

Part of Speech: proper noun with reference to deity

Root Word (Etymology): From הָיָה (H1961)

KJV Translation Count — Total: 6,519x

The KJV translates Strong's H3068 in the following manner: LORD (6,510x), GOD (4x), JEHOVAH (4x), variant (1x).

Outline of Biblical Usage

  1. Jehovah = "the existing One"

    1. the proper name of the one true God

      1. unpronounced except with the vowel pointings of H136

Strong’s Definitions: יְהֹוָה Yᵉhôvâh, yeh-ho-vaw'; from H1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God:—Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050, H3069.

Despotês - Lord, Master, denoting the omnipotence of God (TDNT), despot, absolute ruler

Meaning and Derivation: Yahweh is the promised name of God. This name of God which (by Jewish tradition) is too holy to voice, is actually spelled YHWH without vowels. YHWH is referred to as the Tetragrammaton (which simply means the four letters). YHWH comes from the Hebrew letters: Yud, Hay, Vav, Hay. While YHWH is first used in Genesis 2, God did not reveal Himself as YHWH until Exodus 3. The modern spelling as Yahweh includes vowels to assist in pronunciation. Many pronounce YHWH as Yahweh or Jehovah. We no longer know for certain the exact pronunciation. During the third century A.D., the Jewish people stopped saying this name in fear of contravening the commandment "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain" (Exodus 20:7). As a result of this, Adonai is occasionally a substitute for YHWH.


May we establish, nurture, and grow a sincere love for the word of God, and study it lovingly & faithfully.

I pray you receive this with the love intended, and apply it to wisdom.


Love you much.


Stay Safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Blessed!


-Humble Servant


P.S- If you have not given your life to Jesus Christ, I implore you to take the time to do so right now. Use John 3:16 & Romans 10:9-10 as a foundation for making your confession of faith. And use Ephesians 2:1-10 to provide proper context for your salvation.


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