Hebrew
יְהוָה
Yahweh / YHWH
The LORD — the covenant name of God
The personal covenant name of the God of Israel — revealed to Moses at the burning bush as 'I AM THAT I AM' (Exodus 3:14) — usually rendered 'the LORD' in English Bibles.
YHWH (יהוה) is the four-letter Hebrew name of God (the Tetragrammaton), traditionally pronounced 'Yahweh.' Out of reverence, ancient Jews stopped pronouncing it and substituted 'Adonai' (Lord) when reading. Medieval scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to produce the artificial form 'Jehovah,' which entered English Bibles. Most modern scholars hold the original pronunciation was 'Yahweh.' YHWH derives from the Hebrew verb hayah (to be), connecting to God's self-revelation: 'I AM THAT I AM' (Exodus 3:14). The name expresses God's self-existence, eternity, and covenant fidelity.
YHWH appears about 6,800 times in the Hebrew Bible — making it the most-used divine name. Most English Bibles translate it 'the LORD' (small caps to distinguish from Adonai = 'Lord'). Key passages. (1) Exodus 3:14-15 — Moses asks God's name at the burning bush. God reveals himself as YHWH — 'this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.' (2) Exodus 6:3 — 'I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.' YHWH is the covenant name particularly tied to the Exodus deliverance. (3) Compound names. The Bible combines YHWH with various titles: YHWH-Jireh (the LORD will provide, Genesis 22:14), YHWH-Rophe (the LORD heals, Exodus 15:26), YHWH-Nissi (the LORD my banner, Exodus 17:15), YHWH-Shalom (the LORD is peace, Judges 6:24), YHWH-Tsidkenu (the LORD our righteousness, Jeremiah 23:6), YHWH-Shammah (the LORD is there, Ezekiel 48:35), YHWH-Roi (the LORD my shepherd, Psalm 23:1). (4) Quoted by Jesus. In John's seven 'I AM' statements (egō eimi), Jesus claims YHWH's self-designation. John 8:58 — 'Before Abraham was, I AM.' Hearing him claim YHWH's name, the Jews took up stones to kill him for blasphemy.
“I AM THAT I AM... this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.”
“I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.”
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another.”
“Before Abraham was, I am.”
“And this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.”
Reverence the name of God. When you read 'the LORD' in your Bible, remember it is YHWH — the personal covenant name. Pray YHWH-Jireh when in need; YHWH-Rophe in sickness; YHWH-Shalom in turmoil. Jesus claimed this name — he is God among us.
YHWH (יהוה) is the personal covenant name of the God of Israel. It derives from the Hebrew verb 'to be' and connects to God's self-revelation: 'I AM THAT I AM' (Exodus 3:14). It expresses his self-existence, eternity, and faithfulness. Most English Bibles translate it 'the LORD' (small caps).
The original Hebrew has only consonants (YHWH). Ancient Jews stopped pronouncing the name out of reverence, substituting 'Adonai' (Lord). Medieval scholars combined YHWH's consonants with Adonai's vowels to create 'Jehovah,' which entered English Bibles. Modern scholarship generally holds 'Yahweh' is closer to the original pronunciation.
Because of the ancient Jewish practice of substituting 'Adonai' for YHWH out of reverence. English Bibles preserve this by using 'LORD' in small caps when translating YHWH. Where the text actually uses 'Adonai' (Lord), it appears in normal case. This convention allows readers to see when the divine name is being used.
The Bible combines YHWH with attributes: YHWH-Jireh (the LORD will provide), YHWH-Rophe (the LORD heals), YHWH-Nissi (the LORD my banner), YHWH-Shalom (the LORD is peace), YHWH-Tsidkenu (the LORD our righteousness), YHWH-Shammah (the LORD is there), YHWH-Roi (the LORD my shepherd). Each names God in a specific way.