יהוה
YHWH / Yahweh
“I AM”
Yahweh (יהוה, YHWH) is a Hebrew name meaning “i am,” pronounced “yah-WEH.” From the Hebrew verb הָיָה (hayah, 'to be/exist'). When Moses asked God's name, God replied 'Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh' (I AM WHO I AM) and then said 'Tell them YHWH has sent you' (Exodus 3:14-15). YHWH is the third-person form: 'He Is' or 'He Who Causes to Be.'
| Hebrew | יהוה |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | YHWH |
| English Name | Yahweh |
| Meaning | I AM |
| Pronunciation | yah-WEH |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Category | Names of God |
| Variants | YHWH, Yahweh, Jehovah, HaShem, The LORD |
| Key Scripture | Exodus 3:14-15 |
YHWH is the most sacred, most significant, and most mysterious name in all of Scripture. When Moses asked God's name at the burning bush, the answer was not a title or description but a verb: 'Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh' — 'I AM WHO I AM' — compressed into four Hebrew letters, yod-heh-vav-heh, known as the Tetragrammaton. This name appears over 6,800 times in the Hebrew Bible — more than any other name for God — yet its exact pronunciation was lost centuries ago because Jews stopped speaking it aloud out of reverence. Yahweh is not one name among many: it is THE Name, the personal identity of the God who is self-existent, eternal, and defined by no one but Himself.
Key Scripture: Exodus 3:14-15
“God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' ... 'YHWH, the God of your fathers... has sent me to you.' This is my name forever.”
What Does Yahweh Mean in Hebrew?
The Tetragrammaton יהוה is most likely derived from the root ה-י-ה (heh-yod-heh, 'to be/exist'). 'Ehyeh' (I AM) is the first person; YHWH may be the third-person causative: 'He causes to be' or 'He brings into existence.' The four letters yod-heh-vav-heh contain the Hebrew words for 'was,' 'is,' and 'will be' — suggesting God's eternal, timeless existence.
Yahweh in the Bible
YHWH is God's personal, covenant name, revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14-15) and declared to be His name 'forever' and His 'memorial to all generations.' It appears 6,828 times in the Hebrew Bible — more than all other divine names combined. It is the name of covenant, redemption, and intimate relationship with Israel.
Cultural Context & Modern Usage
In Judaism, the name YHWH is so sacred that it is never spoken aloud. Jews substitute 'Adonai' in prayer and 'HaShem' (The Name) in conversation. The High Priest spoke it only once a year, on Yom Kippur, in the Holy of Holies. The exact ancient pronunciation was lost, though 'Yahweh' is the scholarly reconstruction most widely accepted today.
YHWH/Yahweh is never used as a personal name in Jewish tradition — it is considered far too sacred. The name Yah (a shortened form) appears in compound names (Elijah = Eli-Yahu, Isaiah = Yesha-Yahu) and in the exclamation 'Hallelujah' ('Praise Yah'). Its shortened form thus permeates Hebrew naming.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yahweh
What does Yahweh mean in Hebrew?
Yahweh (יהוה, YHWH) means “I AM” in Hebrew. From the Hebrew verb הָיָה (hayah, 'to be/exist'). When Moses asked God's name, God replied 'Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh' (I AM WHO I AM) and then said 'Tell them YHWH has sent you' (Exodus 3:14-15). YHWH is the third-person form: 'He Is' or 'He Who Causes to Be.'
How do you pronounce Yahweh in Hebrew?
The Hebrew pronunciation of Yahweh is “yah-WEH.” The name is written יהוה in Hebrew script.
What does YHWH mean in Hebrew?
YHWH (יהוה) is derived from the Hebrew verb 'hayah' (to be/exist) and is connected to God's self-revelation 'Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh' — 'I AM WHO I AM' (Exodus 3:14). The name likely means 'He Is,' 'He Who Exists,' or 'He Who Causes to Be.' It expresses God's self-existence, eternity, and sovereignty — He is defined by no one but Himself.
Why don't Jews say the name Yahweh?
Jews refrain from pronouncing YHWH out of profound reverence for the name's sanctity. The third commandment prohibits taking God's name 'in vain,' and the tradition developed that the name was too holy for ordinary speech. The High Priest spoke it only once a year on Yom Kippur. Jews substitute 'Adonai' (My Lord) or 'HaShem' (The Name) instead.
How many times does YHWH appear in the Bible?
YHWH appears 6,828 times in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) — by far the most frequent name for God. It appears in every book except Esther, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. In most English Bibles, it is rendered as 'LORD' in small capitals, distinguishing it from 'Lord' (Adonai) in regular case.
Sources & Further Study
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