Yahweh: The Hebrew Name of God

The holy name of God stands at the center of biblical faith and worship. From the opening pages of Scripture to the proclamation of the Gospel, God reveals Himself not as an abstract deity, but as the living One who makes His name known in order to dwell with His people. When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, He revealed His name as Yahweh, declaring, ＂This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations＂ (Exodus 3:15). In this revelation, the name of God becomes a sign of His eternal being, His covenant faithfulness, and His saving purpose.
＂Yahweh: The Hebrew Name of God＂ is written in the spirit of reverence, humility, and unity, seeking to explore the meaning and significance of God’s holy name as it is revealed in the whole of Scripture. This study does not belong to one tradition, denomination, or theological school, but draws upon the shared biblical heritage of the Church universal. The name Yahweh is the name by which God made Himself known in the history of Israel, yet it was never intended to be confined to one people alone. Scripture proclaims that all nations are called to know, honor, and praise this name: ＂From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of Yahweh is to be praised＂ (Psalm 113:3; cf. Malachi 1:11).
The New Testament does not abandon or replace this holy name; rather, it proclaims its fulfillment and saving power in Jesus Christ. The name Yahshua (Jesus), meaning ＂Yahweh saves＂, is itself a confession of faith. The angel declares, ＂You shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins＂ (Matthew 1:21). In this name, the saving identity of Yahweh is made present and active in human history. The connection is not linguistic alone, but deeply theological: the God who revealed Himself as Savior in the Old Testament now comes to save in the flesh.
The Scriptures bear unified witness to this truth. Yahweh declares, ＂I, even I, am Yahweh, and besides Me there is no savior＂ (Isaiah 43:11), and again, ＂There is no God besides Me, a righteous God and a Savior; there is none besides Me＂ (Isaiah 45:21-22). Yet the apostles boldly proclaim that salvation is found in the name of Jesus: ＂There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved＂ (Acts 4:12). Far from contradiction, this confession reveals continuity: the saving work attributed to Yahweh is now revealed and accomplished in Yahshua.
The Lord Jesus, Yahshua, Himself affirms that He comes bearing the Father’s name and authority: ＂I have come in My Father’s name＂ (John 5:43), and ＂I have manifested Your name to the men whom You gave Me＂ (John 17:6). To know the Son, therefore, is to encounter the Father who sent Him (John 14:9-10). The apostolic witness further proclaims that the honor given to the name of Jesus reflects the divine identity it reveals: ＂At the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord＂ (Philippians 2:9-11), echoing the words spoken by Yahweh Himself in Isaiah 45:23.
This book affirms, with reverence and care, that the name Yahweh is not exclusive to a particular group, nor restricted by cultural or denominational boundaries. It is the holy name of the one true God, given for the life of the world. Likewise, the proclamation of the name Yahshua is not a departure from biblical monotheism, but its fulfillment: the same Yahweh who saves now reveals His salvation in the incarnate Son. As the apostle writes, ＂In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily＂ (Colossians 2:9).