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Yahweh is considered God's proper name. "I Am Who I Am" is the most specific designation for the God of the Bible (Exodus 3:14-15). Other names are presented to qualify the endless attributes of God, but Yahweh seems to hold a deeper and more enigmatic meaning about the Eternal Lord.
In this study, we will examine this treasure and learn more about Yahweh, the Great "I AM," through the Bible.
Who is YAHWEH?
No character is more central or more important in the biblical narrative than God. Despite the many names by which He is called and the numerous translations in various languages, the one eternal and supreme God is the Creator of the universe. He is exactly who He is.
Yahweh is the God of the Bible, who revealed Himself to humanity through Creation, His miraculous deeds, and the principles described in the Holy Scriptures. He is the Triune God who manifested Himself through the love of the Father, the saving grace of the incarnate Son, Jesus Christ, and the lordship and communion of the Holy Spirit.
In the New Covenant, Jesus identifies Himself with Yahweh, the I AM, with the same power, authority, and glory. In this way, we are also aware of God's real presence with us through the gift of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in our midst.
Tetragrammaton
Or the Sacred Tetragram, is the name formed by four letters, "YHWH," in ancient Hebrew. It is a representation in language to identify the Eternal God. Most biblical translations use "Lord" (Adonai in Hebrew and Kyrios in Greek) as the equivalent of Yahweh.
The Origin
This name originated from the answer given by God to Moses when he was sent to deliver the people of Israel from Egypt. The Lord God revealed Himself through this expression – "YHWH" – which means "I AM WHO I AM":
God said to Moses, “I am who I am.This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”
God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord,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, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.
- Exodus 3:14-15
The Meaning of the Tetragram
On one hand, God's response may seem like an enigma, something like, "Why do you ask My name? I AM who I AM and will be forever."
On the other hand, it seems connected to what was said earlier to Moses – "I will be with you... I AM the one who is sending you" (Exodus 3:11-12). It also connects to what should be said to the Israelites: "I AM the LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." The implicit idea here is: "I am the eternal God who was with your ancestors, I am with you now, and I will be with you from generation to generation."
In these two possibilities, we learn that God is immeasurable and incomprehensible but promises to be present with His people. Through communion with Him, we come to know Him personally.
YAHWEH – The Absolute Being of God
In the biblical context, the name describes something very specific about the person. More than just a simple designation, other important aspects can be foretold through a person's name. Beyond identity, a name also refers to reputation, fame, character, attitude, and honor (reliability) of the person.
Moses understood that this is not something discovered simply by "hearing about" or from just one encounter. It is through the journey that we come to know the character and attitudes of the Lord. It was this way with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - they came to know the "renown" of God. And it is in this way that He wants to be recognized by His people.
The enigmatic meaning of the expression "I AM WHO I AM" reveals the real and concrete existence of God. Unlike deities created in religions, the Sovereign God is not abstract or inactive. He is the Creator, and His power has no limits nor is it confined to specific areas (such as the gods created for the sea, the sun, the storm, fertility, etc.).
He is the Almighty God, with authority over all things and all people. Without beginning or end. He is the Lord of all existence. He is the One who is, who was, and who will be forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Getting to Know Yahweh More
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
- Psalm 9:10
Moses did not yet personally know the God of his ancestors, but he had likely encountered Egyptian deities. Raised by Pharaoh's daughter, Moses would have come into close contact with the various religious cultures of Egypt and other peoples. So, in his first personal encounter with the true God, he wanted to know how to identify the Lord.
But God's mysterious answer, I AM WHO I AM, reveals that He is much more powerful and glorious than anyone could imagine. He is not on the same level as the false gods of the nations, for He is infinitely superior!
The Partial Revelation of Yahweh in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament (OT), God's story with humanity is gradually revealed. His name, as well as His characteristics, qualities, and reputation, are progressively shown in the Scriptures.
In several episodes throughout the Old Testament, God manifested Himself, spoke, defended, protected, intervened, comforted, and warned His people (See many encounters - Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Aaron, Joshua and Gideon, e.g., Gen. 26:3, 31:3; Ex. 3:12, 4:12, 15; Deut. 31:23; Josh. 1:5, 3:7; Judges 6:16). From the Pentateuch, the first five books, to the Prophets (ending with Malachi), God reveals Himself to the nations with love and justice.
The Complete Revelation of "I AM" in the New Testament
Through His intervention in the world and His relationship with His people (and with the Gentiles), God revealed aspects of His authority, power, mercy, justice, sovereignty, and love. God is one in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are revealed in this mysterious way in the Bible.
In the New Testament, with the coming of Jesus Christ, the incarnate God, and the Holy Spirit, we see the complete and personal manifestation of Yahweh to the world. He came to save His lost people, granting forgiveness and new life to all who believe.
As we see in the Scriptures, Yahweh, "I AM," is the one true God, who becomes evident to those who have a relationship with Him, through faith, in the person of the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit:
| YAHWEH | Old Testament | New Testament |
|---|---|---|
| Creator of the Universe | Genesis 1:1; 2:4, Job 9:9, Isaiah 40:28 | John 1:3, Colossians 1:16 |
| God to be worshiped and revered | Genesis 4:26; Jeremiah 10:10, Psalm 89 | John 1:18, John 20:28, Luke 24:52 |
| God who chooses and calls | Genesis 12:1-3, Exodus 3:4, Deuteronomy 7:6 | Mark 3:14, John 15:16, Ephesians 1:4, 1 Thessalonians 1:4 |
| God of Covenant | Genesis 9:16; 17:2; Exodus 6:4-8, Numbers 25:12, Judges 2:1-2, Jeremiah 31:31 | Matthew 26:28, Hebrews 9:20, 12:24 |
| God who performs miracles | Exodus 7:14-14:31; 2 Kings 4 and 5, Job 5:9 | Luke 7:14-15, 19:37, John 11:43-44 |
| God is the truth and the righteous way | Deuteronomy 32:4 | John 14:6, John 16:13 |
| God of Salvation | Isaiah 12:2-3, Psalms 118:14 | 1 Thessalonians 5:9, Jude 1:25 |
| God Present | Deuteronomy 31:8, Isaiah 43:5 | Matthew 28:20, John 14:17-18 |
| God who loves unconditionally | Exodus 34:6, Isaiah 54:10, Psalms 36:7 | John 3:16, John 17:27, 1 John 4:9-10 |
The Essence, Excellence, and Glory of God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) are still a mystery, an enigma that we discover as we walk with Yahweh. By faith, we believe that in a future time, we will understand the mystery of His Name, for we will know Him as we are known:
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
- 1 Corinthians 13:12
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