A Discussion on The Sacred Name of Yahweh

1. There are two reasons for using a person's name:

• Our names identify us as a specific individual or person
• A name serves to classify or specify that which makes up a person, that which describes him/her as a person and  his/her personality.

 2. These same reasons are the basis for recognizing Yahweh's Sacred Name:

• Yahweh's Name allows us to identify Him and, at the same time, distinguish and separate Him from all other objects of worship. 
• Yahweh's Name embodies that which makes up His entire Person, His Nature, His Character, His aAthority, His Power, and His Righteousness.

Our Heavenly Father commanded mankind to call Him by His Sacred Name from the beginning of time.  Throughout the Old Covenant age, Yahweh's command was that Israel must know His Name and call Him by His Name.

In Genesis 12:7-8, Yahweh appeared unto Abram. In Genesis 28:12-13 He said to Jacob, I am Yahweh the El of Abram and Isaac. Yahweh spoke to Isaac in Genesis 26:2.

(We see in John 17:6 and 26 Yahshua was sent to carry the command into the New Covenant age by declaring Yahweh's Name to His disciples).

"In this manner, therefore pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed by Thy Name. (Matthew 6:9)

I am Yahweh, that is My Name: And My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images." (See NKJV of Holy Bible's Preface page XIII; Isaiah 42:8; 52:6; and Jeremiah 33:2--Sacred Name referenced in margin).

"Sing to God, sing praises to His Name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His Name Yah, And rejoice before Him." Psalm 68:4. (This is an actual quote found in the New Kings James Version of the Holy Bible.)

"Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength." Isaiah 26:4.   (This is an actual quote found in the New Kings James Version of the Holy Bible.)

The above Scriptures establish at least three witnesses that Yahweh commands us to call Him by His One and Only Name, Yahweh. Also, it has been established in the following two well-known Bibles that the Sacred Name Yahweh is widely known and accepted in the religious world: (See Rotherham's Foreword, page VI; and Wycliffe's Preface, page v).

3. What is the origin of the name of Yahweh?

The name Yahweh originates from the Hebrew word Hayah. In Exodus 3:14, Moses asked Yahweh who shall I say has sent me. Yahweh told Moses to say, "Ayah Asher Ayah" (which means, I Will Be what I Will Be) has sent me unto you. Hayah is the root of the verb "to be" in Hebrew. (See The Interlineary NIV Hebrew English Old Testament page 151.)

In Hebrew, the name Yahweh is pronounced by using four Phoenician square symbols that are known as the "Tetragrammation", meaning four letters in the Greek language. These symbols are actually four words in the ancient Hebrew language that vocalizes the Sacred Name "Yahweh". To get the same vocalization in English, these symbols are converted to the English letters "YHWH", which is the equivalent of the Tetragrammation ( Yod-Hey--Waw-Hey or the vowels "IAUA"). When the Tetragrammation is written as the six letter word "Yahweh", we have the same vocalization.      

Y  H  W  H       

The above four English letts representing the four Hebrew letters are really vowels, not consolants.  They are "YOD" (equaling I or Y); "HEY (the Hebrew equivalent of the English "A" as in "father"; "WAW"' (the Hebrew equivalent of the English "W" or German "U"); the last letter again "HEY" (which, as we said before is the Hebrew equivalent of the English "A" as in "father".  It is also sounded as "E" as in "Emblem".  Both vocalizations are used in Hebrew." Therefore, when the Hebrew letters are placed together, we have the name IAUA (pronounced Yahweh).

Webster Dictionary refers to "YHWH" (YAHWEH) as the name of Yahweh and references the Tetragrammation.  Webster Dictionary and other sources describe the Tetragrammation as the Hebrew letters transliterated YHWH or JHVH that forms the Biblical proper name of God.  It then refers the reader to the word YAHWEH. The word YAHWEH is defined as "the God of the Hebrews".  This substantiates that our Heavenly Father reavealed Himself to Abraham as YAHWEH.

4. The Old Testament prophets relationship with Yahweh was reflected by their names.  To name a few:

• Elijah means "Yahweh is my El"
• Isaiah means "Savlation of Yahweh"
• Jeremiah means "Yahweh Exalts", and
• Zechariah means "Yahweh has remembered"

5. What does Yahweh say about giving His glory to other deities?

Yahweh's desire is that we give Him the honor, praise, and glory.  As our friends and family honor us by pronouncing our name, it is Yahweh's desire that we honor Him by calling on His One and Only Name. (See Exodus 34:14)

In Exodus 20:1-5, Yahweh's command to the people was they should not bow down to other deities (idols) nor serve them because He is a jealous Elohim.

 In Exodus 23:13, Yahweh instructs us to be circumspect and make no mention of the name of other deities (idols), nor let is be heard from our mouth.

In 1 Corinthians 8:5-6, Saul says that there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords.) He says "for us there is one EL, the Father (Yahweh and Son Yahshua), of whom are all things and through Whom we live.

6. Is the  name of Yahweh spoken unknowingly by  many people today?

When we say HalleluYah as noted in Revelation 19:3, we are giving praise to our One and Only Heavenly Father--the One Who created heaven and earth.  The word HalleluYah means "Praise Ye YAH" The correct rendering of the phrase "praise ye the Lord, in Psalm 113, 115 and 116 is "Praise ye YAH or HalleluYah." Therefore, whenever we say HalleluYah, we are doing just what our Heavenly Father has instructed mankind to do -- call Him by His TRUE NAME YAHWEH.

This article has been written for those who are searching for more truth. It is not intended to cause anyone who has a desire to serve the Savior to turn back to the world, but rather to encourage those who are drawn by the pursuit of truth to enlightenment.

The Name of Yahweh is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. (Prov. 18:10)

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.