יְהוָה
Yahweh
The LORD, I AM
Yahweh (יְהוָה) is a Hebrew word meaning “the lord, i am,” pronounced “yah-WEH.” Derived from the root ה-י-ה, yahweh appears 6,828 times in the Hebrew Bible (Strong's H3068).
| Hebrew | יְהוָה |
|---|---|
| Transliteration | Yahweh |
| Pronunciation | yah-WEH |
| Meaning | The LORD, I AM |
| Root Letters | ה-י-ה |
| Occurrences in Hebrew Bible | 6,828× |
| Key Verse | Exodus 3:14 |
| Strong's Number | H3068 |
| Category | Names of God |
There is a name so sacred that for over 2,000 years, Jewish tradition has refused to pronounce it. That name is YHWH (יְהוָה) — the Tetragrammaton — God's personal, covenant name, appearing 6,828 times in the Hebrew Bible. When Moses asked God His name at the burning bush, God answered with the most mysterious statement in all of Scripture: 'Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh' — I AM WHO I AM (Exodus 3:14). From that moment, YHWH became the most sacred word in the Hebrew language. Every time your English Bible prints 'LORD' in all capitals, it's translating YHWH. Understanding this name is understanding the heartbeat of the entire Bible.
Key Bible Verse: Exodus 3:14
“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.'”
What Is the Root of Yahweh in Hebrew?
YHWH (the Tetragrammaton) comes from the root ה-י-ה (he-yod-he), meaning 'to be, to exist.' God's name literally means 'I AM' or 'I Will Be' — He is the self-existent, eternal One.
What Does Yahweh Mean in the Bible?
YHWH appears 6,828 times in the Hebrew Bible — more than any other name for God. It's God's personal, covenant name, first revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). English Bibles render it as 'LORD' (all capitals).
How Is Yahweh Used in Modern Hebrew?
Out of reverence, Jewish tradition does not pronounce YHWH, substituting 'Adonai' (Lord) or 'HaShem' (The Name). The vowels of 'Adonai' were added to YHWH by scribes, which led to the hybrid 'Jehovah' in English.
How to Use Yahweh in Prayer & Worship
When you pray to Yahweh, you're using God's personal name — the name He chose to reveal to His covenant people. It reminds you that God is not distant; He is personally present and eternally faithful.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yahweh
How do you say “The LORD” in Hebrew?
“The LORD” in Hebrew is Yahweh (יְהוָה), pronounced “yah-WEH.” YHWH (the Tetragrammaton) comes from the root ה-י-ה (he-yod-he), meaning 'to be, to exist.' God's name literally means 'I AM' or 'I Will Be' — He is the self-existent, eternal One.
What does Yahweh mean in the Bible?
Yahweh (יְהוָה) means “The LORD, I AM” in Biblical Hebrew. YHWH appears 6,828 times in the Hebrew Bible — more than any other name for God. It's God's personal, covenant name, first revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). English Bibles render it as 'LORD' (all capitals).
How do you pronounce Yahweh?
Yahweh is pronounced “yah-WEH.” The word comes from the Hebrew root ה-י-ה.
Why don't Jewish people say God's name YHWH?
Out of deep reverence for the third commandment ('You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain'), Jewish tradition substitutes 'Adonai' (Lord) or 'HaShem' (The Name) when reading YHWH aloud. This practice began during the Second Temple period. The original pronunciation was likely 'Yahweh,' but since it was never spoken, the exact pronunciation became uncertain.
Where does the name 'Jehovah' come from?
Medieval Christian scholars saw the Hebrew consonants YHWH with the vowel marks of 'Adonai' (which scribes added as a pronunciation reminder) and combined them into 'YeHoVaH' — later anglicized to 'Jehovah.' It's a hybrid that doesn't reflect the original pronunciation. Most scholars believe the original was 'Yahweh,' based on ancient Greek transcriptions and the shortened form 'Yah' found in 'Hallelujah.'
Sources & Further Study
- Blue Letter Bible — H3068: Yahweh
- Bible Gateway — Exodus 3:14 (ESV)
- Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (BDB) — entry for ה-י-ה
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