Abstract
This study examines the origin, meaning, and theological significance of the Divine Name in Hebrew Scripture. From the earliest self-disclosure of God in the Old Testament, the Name YHWH (יהוה) stands as the most sacred expression of divine identity. Through linguistic, textual, and historical analysis, this paper explores how the Name functions not merely as a title but as revelation: the self-declaration of God’s eternal being, faithfulness, and moral constancy. It also considers the related titles Elohim, Adonai, El Shaddai, and YHWH Sabaoth, situating them within the broader context of Israel’s covenantal worship and later translation traditions. The conclusion affirms that the Divine Name expresses both God’s transcendence and His immanence—His unchanging nature revealed personally in human history.
1. Introduction
Throughout the Hebrew Bible, the “Name” (šēm) of God functions as more than a linguistic label; it embodies divine reality and authority. In the ancient Near East, names signified character, essence, and destiny (Albright, 1968). For Israel, the revelation of God’s Name was a central theological event. When Moses encountered the burning bush, he did not merely learn what to call God—he received insight into who God eternally is (Exod. 3:14–15).
The Name YHWH—often called the Tetragrammaton (four letters)—became the covenantal identifier of Israel’s God, distinguishing Him from all other deities. Its use and interpretation shaped Israel’s faith, worship, and understanding of divine holiness.
2. The Semantics of “Name” in Hebrew Thought
In Hebrew, the word šēm carries rich connotations. It represents reputation, authority, and nature rather than merely sound (Brown, Driver & Briggs, 1979). To “call upon the Name of the LORD” (Gen. 4:26) was an act of worship and allegiance, not simply verbal reference. Similarly, to “profane” or “take in vain” the Name (Exod. 20:7) meant to misuse God’s revealed character through falsehood or hypocrisy.
Hence, the commandment concerning the Name is ethical as much as linguistic: it safeguards God’s holiness against human distortion. In Scripture, God’s Name and God’s presence are often interchangeable realities (Deut. 12:5; Ps. 20:1).
3. The Revelation of YHWH: “I AM WHO I AM”
3.1 The Burning Bush Narrative
The pivotal revelation occurs in Exodus 3:14–15. When Moses asks God for His Name, God replies, “Ehyeh asher ehyeh”—commonly translated “I AM WHO I AM.” He then declares, “Say to the Israelites, ‘Ehyeh has sent me to you.’” The following verse reveals the covenantal form: “YHWH, the God of your fathers… this is My Name for ever.”
3.2 Theological Implications
The phrase ehyeh asher ehyeh conveys being, faithfulness, and active presence (Durham, 1987). It is not static existence but living constancy—“I will be who I will be.” God’s Name therefore signifies His unchanging commitment to His people and His self-determining freedom beyond human control.
3.3 The Tetragrammaton in Usage
The four Hebrew consonants (YHWH) likely derive from the verb hāyâ (“to be”), expressing continual being. Because Hebrew originally lacked vowels, the precise pronunciation was later uncertain. The likely ancient vocalisation may have been Yahweh, though Jewish tradition avoided uttering it altogether out of reverence.
4. Reverence and Substitution: Adonai and Ha-Shem
By the post-exilic period, Jewish piety regarded the Name YHWH as too sacred for common speech. When reading Scripture aloud, scribes substituted Adonai (“Lord”), and later simply referred to Ha-Shem (“The Name”). This tradition preserved reverence while preventing misuse (Exod. 20:7; Lev. 24:16).
When the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek (the Septuagint, c. 3rd century BC), translators rendered YHWH as Kyrios (“Lord”). This choice profoundly influenced New Testament language, where Kyrios becomes the standard title for God and for Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:9; Phil. 2:11).
5. Related Titles of God in Hebrew Scripture
| Title | Hebrew Form | Meaning | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elohim | אֱלֹהִים | “Mighty One,” plural of majesty | Emphasises divine power and sovereignty (Gen. 1:1). |
| El Shaddai | אֵל שַׁדַּי | “God Almighty” | Expresses sufficiency and life-giving strength (Gen. 17:1). |
| El Elyon | אֵל עֶלְיוֹן | “God Most High” | Denotes exaltation and kingship (Gen. 14:18). |
| YHWH Sabaoth | יהוה צְבָאוֹת | “LORD of Hosts” | Asserts rule over heavenly armies and cosmic order (1 Sam. 1:3). |
These titles expand the understanding of the Divine Name rather than replacing it. Each reveals a facet of God’s relation to creation and covenant.
6. The Name and the Covenant Relationship
The revelation of YHWH coincides with the establishment of God’s covenant with Israel. In Exodus 6:2–3, God declares, “I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El Shaddai, but by My Name YHWH I was not known to them.” This indicates a deepening of relationship: God moves from universal creator (Elohim) to personal redeemer (YHWH).
Through covenant, the Name becomes the sign of divine fidelity. The repeated refrain “I am YHWH your God” (Lev. 19) underlines both authority and intimacy.
7. The Name in Worship and Ethical Life
The Psalms are saturated with devotion to the Name:
“Ascribe to YHWH the glory due His Name” (Ps. 29:2);
“Blessed be the Name of YHWH from this time forth and for evermore” (Ps. 113:2).
The Name functions as a liturgical centre of worship and as a moral compass. To act “for the sake of His Name” (Ps. 23:3) is to align one’s life with divine holiness. Israel’s prophets repeatedly warn that profaning the Name through injustice dishonours God (Ezek. 36:22–23).
8. Prophetic Expectation of Universal Praise
The prophets foresee a day when the reverence of God’s Name will extend beyond Israel.
- Zephaniah 3:9: “I will purify the lips of the peoples, that all of them may call on the Name of YHWH.”
- Malachi 1:11: “From the rising of the sun to its setting My Name will be great among the nations.”
This expectation anticipates the New Testament moment when all nations hear the Word in their own tongues (Acts 2). Thus, universality was embedded in the revelation of the Name from the beginning.
9. The Transmission of the Name in Later Judaism
By the Second Temple period, reverence for the Name shaped synagogue liturgy and manuscript tradition. The Dead Sea Scrolls preserve YHWH in ancient script even when other words are written in Aramaic, indicating special sanctity (Tov, 2012). Rabbinic Judaism continued the use of Adonai and the avoidance of vocalising YHWH, which remains customary in many Jewish communities today.
This careful preservation ensured continuity of divine identity, preparing the way for its recognition in multiple languages during the Christian era.
10. Conclusion
The revelation of the Divine Name in Hebrew Scripture marks one of the most profound theological moments in human history. YHWH signifies God’s eternal being, self-existence, and covenantal faithfulness. Surrounding titles such as Elohim, Adonai, and El Shaddai amplify aspects of this central truth without diluting it. The sanctity attached to the Name reflects Israel’s awareness that God’s identity cannot be contained by speech yet graciously allows Himself to be known.
From the burning bush to the prophetic vision of worldwide praise, the Divine Name unfolds as both mystery and invitation: God’s transcendence revealed personally in history, calling every generation to reverence, worship, and faithful obedience.
References
Albright, W.F. (1968) Yahweh and the Gods of Canaan. Garden City, NY: Doubleday.
Brown, F., Driver, S.R. & Briggs, C.A. (1979) Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament. Oxford: Clarendon Press.
Durham, J.I. (1987) Exodus. Word Biblical Commentary, Vol. 3. Waco, TX: Word Books.
Tov, E. (2012) Textual Criticism of the Hebrew Bible, 3rd ed. Minneapolis: Fortress Press.
Von Rad, G. (1962) Old Testament Theology: Volume 1. London: SCM Press.