Throughout the Bible, God is described by many titles. He is called God, Lord, Almighty, Creator, King, Father, Shepherd, and many other names and descriptions.
But when we ask, "What is the name of the God of Israel?" the Old Testament gives us a particularly important answer.
The personal covenant name of the God of Israel is represented by four Hebrew letters: YHWH.
In Hebrew these letters are written יהוה. They are often called the Tetragrammaton, a word meaning "four letters."
Most English Bibles traditionally represent this divine name with the word "LORD" written in capital letters. The name is commonly rendered "Yahweh" by modern scholars, while "Jehovah" is a later traditional form familiar to many Christians.
Understanding YHWH helps Bible readers recognize an important truth running throughout Scripture: the God of Israel is not presented merely as an unnamed divine power. He reveals Himself, acts in history, makes covenants, keeps His promises, and calls people to know and worship Him.
God Revealed His Name to Moses
One of the most important passages concerning God's name is found in Exodus 3.
God appeared to Moses from the burning bush and called him to return to Egypt. Moses was to confront Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of slavery.
Moses asked what he should say if the Israelites asked for the name of the God who had sent him.
Exodus 3:14 records God's response:
"I AM THAT I AM."
God then told Moses to say to the children of Israel, "I AM hath sent me unto you."
The following verse connects this revelation with the divine name represented in Hebrew by YHWH.
God identifies Himself as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. He is the God who had entered into covenant relationship with their fathers and had now come to deliver their descendants.
What Does YHWH Mean?
The divine name YHWH is closely associated in Exodus 3 with God's declaration, "I AM THAT I AM."
The passage connects God's name with the Hebrew verb associated with being or existence. Because of this, discussions of the name often emphasize God's independent existence, His continuing presence, and His faithfulness.
However, the precise linguistic relationship and full meaning of the divine name have been discussed extensively by scholars.
We should therefore be careful not to claim more than the biblical text itself clearly establishes.
What Exodus makes unmistakable is that YHWH is the God who reveals Himself to Moses, remembers His covenant, sees the suffering of His people, and acts to deliver them.
YHWH Is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
The God who spoke to Moses was not introducing Himself as a previously unknown deity.
He identified Himself with Israel's history.
He was the God of Abraham.
He was the God of Isaac.
He was the God of Jacob.
God had made promises to the patriarchs, and the events of Exodus demonstrated His faithfulness to those promises.
The divine name therefore appears within the context of covenant.
YHWH is the covenant God of Israel.
Why Do English Bibles Say LORD Instead of YHWH?
A reader of many English Bible translations may wonder why the name YHWH is not visible thousands of times in the Old Testament.
The reason comes from a long Jewish tradition concerning the holiness of God's name.
Over time, Jewish readers generally avoided pronouncing the divine name when reading Scripture aloud. Instead, they would say "Adonai," meaning "Lord."
Many English Bible translations preserve this tradition by translating YHWH as "LORD" using capital letters.
Therefore, when you see "LORD" in capital letters in many Old Testament translations, the underlying Hebrew text often contains the divine name YHWH.
YHWH and Adonai Are Not Exactly the Same
It is helpful to distinguish YHWH from the Hebrew word Adonai.
YHWH is the personal divine name.
Adonai is a title meaning "Lord" or "Master."
Because Jewish tradition substituted Adonai when reading YHWH aloud, the two became closely associated in religious practice.
But they are not originally the same Hebrew word.
This distinction helps readers understand why some English Bibles use different forms such as "LORD" and "Lord."
What About the Name Elohim?
Another important Hebrew term is Elohim.
Elohim is commonly translated "God."
The opening verse of Genesis uses this term when it says, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth."
Elohim is therefore an extremely important biblical designation for God.
However, Elohim and YHWH do not function identically.
Elohim is a designation for God, while YHWH functions as the distinctive covenant name of Israel's God.
The Old Testament frequently uses both together.
YHWH Is the Creator
The God of Israel is not presented merely as a local or tribal deity.
The Old Testament identifies YHWH as the Creator of heaven and earth.
Genesis 2 combines the divine name with the title God, speaking of the LORD God in connection with creation.
The Psalms repeatedly celebrate YHWH as Creator and sovereign King.
Psalm 24 declares that the earth is the LORD'S and everything within it.
The God who entered into covenant with Israel is therefore the same God who created and rules over all creation.
YHWH Alone Is God
Israel lived among nations that worshipped many gods.
The biblical message repeatedly called Israel away from idolatry and toward exclusive worship of YHWH.
Deuteronomy 6:4 contains Israel's famous confession:
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD."
Israel was commanded to love the LORD with all the heart, soul, and might.
The prophets later reinforced this truth strongly.
Isaiah 45:5 records God declaring, "I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me."
Biblical faith therefore does not present YHWH as one legitimate god among many.
He alone is God.
The Name of God and the Exodus
The Exodus became one of the defining events in Israel's understanding of God.
YHWH heard the cries of His people in Egypt.
He confronted Pharaoh.
He sent the plagues.
He delivered Israel from slavery.
He brought them through the sea.
He entered into covenant with them.
Through these acts, Israel learned that God's name was connected with His character and His actions.
He was not merely the God who said who He was. He demonstrated who He was through what He did.
God's Name Reveals His Faithfulness
The divine name became closely associated with God's covenant faithfulness.
Human beings make promises and sometimes fail to keep them. Nations rise and fall. Generations pass away.
But Scripture repeatedly presents YHWH as faithful.
He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
He remained faithful even when Israel repeatedly failed.
This does not mean God ignored sin. The Old Testament contains serious warnings and judgments against rebellion and idolatry.
Yet God's covenant purposes continued despite human failure.
YHWH Is Holy
God's name is also associated with His holiness.
Israel was commanded not to misuse the name of the LORD.
Exodus 20:7 says, "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain."
God's name was not to be treated casually, dishonestly, or disrespectfully.
This command reflects a larger biblical truth: God Himself is holy.
To honor God's name is therefore connected with honoring God.
YHWH Is Merciful and Gracious
One of the most important descriptions of God's character occurs in Exodus 34.
After Israel's serious sin involving the golden calf, Moses encountered God again.
Exodus 34:6 describes the LORD as merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.
This passage became extremely important throughout the rest of the Old Testament.
Later biblical writers repeatedly drew upon this description when speaking about God's character.
The God whose name is YHWH is holy and just, yet He is also compassionate, gracious, patient, and faithful.
YHWH Is Just
God's mercy should not be misunderstood as indifference toward evil.
The God of Israel is also presented as righteous and just.
He judges wickedness.
He condemns oppression.
He calls His people to righteousness.
The prophets repeatedly challenged Israel when religious activity was separated from justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
The biblical revelation of God therefore holds together attributes human beings sometimes try to separate.
God is loving and holy.
God is merciful and just.
God forgives, yet He does not declare evil to be good.
The Psalms Praise the Name of YHWH
The book of Psalms repeatedly calls God's people to praise His name.
Psalm 8 begins, "O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!"
Psalm 113 calls God's servants to praise the name of the LORD from the rising of the sun to its setting.
For Israel, God's name was therefore not merely a theological subject for discussion.
His name belonged to worship.
To know God's name was to be called to trust Him, obey Him, praise Him, and proclaim His greatness.
What Is Yahweh?
Yahweh is the pronunciation commonly used by many modern scholars for YHWH.
The original Hebrew text was written primarily with consonants, and the divine name appears as four consonantal letters.
Because Jewish tradition eventually avoided pronouncing the name aloud, its ancient pronunciation was not preserved with complete certainty.
"Yahweh" is widely regarded as a likely reconstruction, but we should acknowledge that absolute certainty about the original pronunciation is difficult.
This is why many Christians and Bible translations continue simply using "the LORD."
Where Did the Form Jehovah Come From?
The form "Jehovah" has a long history in Christian usage.
It developed through the combination of the consonants associated with YHWH and vowel markings connected with the traditional spoken substitute Adonai, followed by developments in Latin and European languages.
For this reason, most modern Hebrew scholars do not consider "Jehovah" the original ancient Hebrew pronunciation of YHWH.
Nevertheless, the form became deeply established in Christian hymns, writings, and some Bible translations.
Christians encountering the words Yahweh, Jehovah, and LORD should understand the historical relationship among these forms rather than assuming they refer to different gods.
Did Jesus Know the God of Israel?
Yes. Jesus was born into the Jewish people and lived within Israel's biblical faith.
He quoted Israel's Scriptures, worshipped the God of Israel, observed Israel's festivals, taught in synagogues, and spoke continually about the God revealed in the Old Testament.
When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6.
Mark 12 records Him affirming, "Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord."
Christian faith therefore does not begin with a different God who replaces the God of Israel.
The New Testament presents the story of Jesus as the continuation and fulfillment of the biblical story of Israel.
Jesus and the Divine Identity
The New Testament makes remarkable claims about Jesus while continuing to affirm that there is one God.
John begins his Gospel by declaring that the Word was with God and that the Word was God. It then says that the Word became flesh.
Jesus also uses striking language in John 8:58:
"Before Abraham was, I am."
Elsewhere, New Testament writers apply Old Testament passages concerning the Lord to Jesus Christ.
This became foundational to the Christian understanding of Jesus as the divine Son rather than merely a human prophet.
Does Jesus Replace YHWH?
No. Historic Christianity does not teach that Jesus replaced the God of Israel with a new God.
Christian theology understands the New Testament revelation of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit within the identity of the one God.
The Father is God.
The Son is divine.
The Holy Spirit is divine.
Yet Christianity continues to confess one God.
This is why understanding the Old Testament revelation of YHWH is important for understanding the Christian doctrine of the Trinity.
The God of the Old Testament and New Testament Is Not Two Different Gods
Some people imagine that the Old Testament presents an angry God while the New Testament introduces a loving God through Jesus.
That distinction does not accurately represent the Bible.
The Old Testament repeatedly describes YHWH as merciful, gracious, compassionate, patient, and faithful.
The New Testament also speaks seriously about God's holiness, judgment, and righteousness.
Both Testaments reveal the same God acting within the unfolding story of redemption.
God's love does not begin in the New Testament, and God's holiness does not disappear from it.
Why Does God's Name Matter for Christians?
Understanding God's name matters because Christianity is not simply belief in an undefined higher power.
The Bible speaks about a particular God who reveals Himself.
He is the Creator.
He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
He delivered Israel from Egypt.
He spoke through the prophets.
According to the Christian Gospel, He fulfilled His saving purposes through Jesus Christ.
Knowing God's name therefore helps us understand the continuity of the biblical story.
Knowing God's Name Is More Than Knowing a Word
A person can learn the four letters YHWH without truly knowing God.
Biblically, knowing God's name involves far more than learning its spelling or debating its pronunciation.
God reveals His character through His actions.
To know Him means learning who He is, trusting Him, worshipping Him, and responding faithfully to His revelation.
Jeremiah speaks about knowing the LORD in connection with understanding His lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness.
Knowing information about God and knowing God relationally are not identical things.
Should Christians Use the Name Yahweh?
Christians may encounter different practices concerning the divine name.
Some regularly say "Yahweh." Others prefer the traditional English rendering "LORD." Some use "Jehovah" because of its long history in Christian worship and Bible translation.
The most important issue is not winning an argument about English pronunciation.
Christians should understand what the Hebrew name represents and speak about God reverently.
We should also show sensitivity toward Jewish tradition, which has historically treated the divine name with exceptional reverence and generally avoids pronouncing it.
God's Name Should Never Be Used Carelessly
The third commandment warns against taking God's name in vain.
This involves more than avoiding a particular expression.
God's name should never be used to support deception, manipulation, false prophecy, personal ambition, or teaching that God has not actually given.
Claiming "God told me" is a serious statement.
Those who speak in God's name should do so with humility and faithfulness to Scripture.
Honoring God's name means honoring His character in both our speech and our lives.
The Name Above Every Name
The New Testament directs Christian attention toward Jesus Christ and His lordship.
Philippians 2 describes Jesus humbling Himself, becoming obedient unto death, and being highly exalted by God.
It declares that every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
For Christians, this does not move us away from Israel's God. It is part of the New Testament's extraordinary presentation of Jesus within God's saving work and divine identity.
The God who revealed Himself throughout Israel's history has brought His redemptive purposes to their climax in Jesus Christ.
From the Burning Bush to the Gospel
At the burning bush, God revealed Himself to Moses as the God who had seen the suffering of His people and had come to deliver them.
Throughout the Old Testament, YHWH continued revealing His holiness, justice, mercy, faithfulness, and covenant love.
The prophets looked forward to God's future saving work.
The New Testament announces that God's promises find their fulfillment through Jesus Christ.
For Christians, therefore, the Bible tells one unfolding story of the one true God.
Conclusion
What is the name of the God of Israel?
The Hebrew Bible reveals His personal covenant name as YHWH, written with the Hebrew letters יהוה.
Many English Bibles represent this name as "LORD" in capital letters. "Yahweh" is a common modern scholarly reconstruction of its pronunciation, while "Jehovah" is a later traditional form.
But Scripture's purpose goes much deeper than teaching us how to pronounce four Hebrew letters.
The God whose name is YHWH is the Creator of heaven and earth, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the Deliverer of Israel, the holy and righteous Judge, and the merciful and faithful covenant God.
According to the Christian Scriptures, the story of this God reaches its saving climax in Jesus Christ.
Therefore, learning God's name should ultimately lead us not merely to knowledge, but to reverence, faith, obedience, and worship.
"O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!"