A name is the most unique identifier that a person possesses. All of an individual’s character and reputation is wrapped up in his/her name. Our God and Father is no different. He has a name that He has given to His children through His eternal Word. The Scriptures teach us to proclaim, make known, worship, glorify, praise, hallow, call upon, and love His name. Our Father has placed His name upon His children.
The sad reality is that most translations of the Bible actually conceal the name of God. In succumbing to religious traditions, the very name of the author of Scripture is sadly left out of the very passages where He makes His name known! It shouldn’t be this way. Let’s look at what our Father Himself has to say about His name.
Question – What is the name of God?
Answer – The name of God is YHVH.
The name of God as revealed in Scripture is YHVH – which may have been pronounced something like Yahweh (Yah-weh). Moses asks God to know His name and God proclaims that His name is Yahweh. Exodus 3 details this encounter:
Exodus 3:13-15
13 Then Moses said to God, “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?” 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.’” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel, ‘YHVH, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.
Yahweh is found in Scripture 6,828 times. It is not the only name that God gives Himself, but it is by far the most common and significant name. By knowing the true name of God we can further relate to Him in the manner which He desires to be known. Also, teaching people the name of God as revealed in the scriptures allows for Yahweh to be distinguished clearly as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Additional Reading
If you would like to learn more about the name of God, I have written extensively in the article titled, Blessed Be the Name of Yahweh. Also in this article, I explore the traditions of men that have caused His name to be replaced with titles like "the LORD". Additionally, The Chief Goal, the Glory of God explains how God's plan to be glorified on the earth revolves around making His name known. Finally, you can explore the nature and character of Yahweh as our Father in Torah, Blessing or Curse?
