Yahweh is God’s name, not an attribute of God. But in OT times, a name wasn’t just a way to provide identification of someone, it could also describe their character and personality. God has many names in the bible. He reveals Himself to us through His names. Yahweh is a divine and sacred name. It is a name only used for the one true God, the self-existent, living God. "Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent." [Ps 148:13a]. God stands behind His name with full force and truth and is zealous of His name.
Yahweh or Jehovah is the name God uses of Himself. It is a covenant keeping name between God and man. It means Lord, Master. And even more personally, a name God uses to communicate with His own people and a name used when in relationship with the people He loves. He defined His name for us so that we could better understand who God really is and all of His attributes. It is a holy, eternal name that holds great might and power.
This section references the Blue Bible Book website. Don Stewart: Why Is God Called Yahweh? (Jehovah). In [Ex 3:14] 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.” God’s name here encapsulates the full depth of who He is. The One and Only True and Living God of all gods. It describes the eternal supremacy of all He is over all others in the universe. No one else holds a name greater than His name.
Yahweh and Jehovah is used in combination with other names for God. These compound names include Jehovah Jireh: The Lord Will Provide; Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord is Peace; Jehovah Sabaoth: The Lord of hosts, The Lord of Powers; Jehovah Shammah: The Lord is There; Jehovah Tsidkenu: The Lord Our Righteousness; Jehovah-Raah: The Lord My Shepherd; Jehovah-Rapha: The Lord that Heals, The Lord Your Healer; Jehovah Nissi: The Lord My Banner; and Jehovah Mekoddishkem: The Lord Who Sanctifies You.
Jehovah is translated as "The Existing One." Many scholars believe the most proper meaning is “He Brings into Existence Whatever Exists” (Yahweh-Asher-Yahweh). [Jer 33:2] He who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it -the LORD is his name. Yahweh-Elohim. This title is used of God’s relationship to humanity as Creator. First used in Gen 1:1. [Ps 95:6] Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.
Jesus’ name was given by God to Joseph in a dream, [Matt 1:21[ “you are to give him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Jesus means Savior, appropriately named for what he would do and how His life would be represented and remembered. In Acts 4:12, it says that “there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be save.” This indicates the eternal significance for us of the power of the name of Jesus. In Phil 2:10 is says that, “God gave Him the name that is above every name and that at that name every knee will bow in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.”
We should never take His name lightly. [Lev 22:32] says, “Do not profane my holy name.” We are to treat His name with reverence and grave significance in our minds and hearts. Do not use it casually, flippantly, or in vain. When you honor His name, you are showing Him devotion, respect, and admiration. You are showing that God's name is of the utmost importance to you. People will notice when you do this. If you take His name seriously, people will see that your heart is fully committed and they will more likely believe your witness about God and Jesus His Son.
“Who is God to you?” When you pray, are you praying to an “it” or to a “thing?” I hope not, because God is a person with a name who created you and loves you. What does His name mean to you? Ask yourself, is He your Most High God, All sufficient One, Master and Lord? Is He your Provider, Shepherd, and Friend? God knows us by our name, shouldn't we know Him by His name?
