Yahweh, Yah

Definition

The term “Yahweh” is God’s personal name in the Old Testament. The specific origin of this name is unknown, but it is probably derived from the Hebrew verb meaning, “to be.”

• Following tradition, many Bible versions use the term “LORD” or “the LORD” to represent “Yahweh.” This tradition resulted from the fact that historically, the Jewish people became afraid of mispronouncing Yahweh’s name and started saying “Lord” every time the term “Yahweh” appeared in the text. Modern Bibles write “LORD” with all capital letters to show that this represents God’s personal name and to distinguish it from “Lord” which is a different Hebrew word.
• The ULT and UST texts always translate this term as “Yahweh,” in agreement with the Hebrew text of the Old Testament.
• The term “Yahweh” never occurs in the original text of the New Testament; only the Greek term for “Lord” is used, even when quoting the Old Testament.
• In the Old Testament, when God spoke about himself, he would often use his name instead of a pronoun.
• “Yah” is a shortened form of the name Yahweh that occurs in poetry and praise (e.g. Hallelujah = “Praise Yah”), and in some Hebrew names (e.g. Zechariah = “Yah remembers”).

Translation Suggestions

• “Yahweh” could be translated by a word or phrase that means “I am” or “existing one” or “the one who is” or “he who is present.”
• This name could also be written in a way that is similar to how “Yahweh” is spelled, or how it sounds in your language.
• Some church denominations prefer not to use the term “Yahweh” and instead use the traditional rendering, “LORD.” An important consideration is that this may be confusing when read aloud because it will sound the same as the title “Lord.” Some languages may have an affix or other grammatical marker that could be added to distinguish “LORD” as a name (Yahweh) from “Lord” as a title.
• In most cases it is good to keep the name Yahweh where it occurs in the text, but some translations may decide to use only a pronoun in some places to make the text more natural and clear.
• An introduction of a quote from Yahweh could be something like, “This is what Yahweh says.”

(Translation suggestions: How to Translate Names)

(See also: God, Lord)

Bible References

• 1 Kings 21:20
• 1 Samuel 16:7
• Daniel 9:3
• Ezekiel 17:24
• Genesis 2:4
• Genesis 4:3-5
• Genesis 28:13
• Hosea 11:12
• Isaiah 10:4
• Isaiah 38:8
• Job 12:10
• Joshua 1:9
• Lamentations 1:5
• Leviticus 25:35
• Malachi 3:4
• Micah 2:5
• Micah 6:5
• Numbers 8:11
• Psalm 124:3
• Ruth 1:21
• Zechariah 14:5

Examples from the Bible stories

• __9:14 God said, “I AM WHO I AM. Tell them, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ Also tell them, ‘I am Yahweh__, the God of your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This is my name forever.’”
• __13:4 Then God gave them the covenant and said, “I am Yahweh__, your God, who saved you from slavery in Egypt. Do not worship other gods.”
• __13:5 “Do not make idols or worship them, for I, Yahweh__, am a jealous God.”
• __16:1 The Israelites began to worship the Canaanite gods instead of Yahweh__, the true God.
• __19:10 Then Elijah prayed, “O Yahweh__, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, show us today that you are the God of Israel and that I am your servant.”

Word Data

• Strong’s: H3050, H3068, H3069