The Four Letters

What We Sometimes Miss When We Read God's Word......


The Hebrew tetragrammaton (four lettered expression seen in the ancient Hebrew scriptures) -- YHWH -- is often today translated Yahweh.

Because the name (the four letters YHWH) was originally written without vowels, we do not know exactly how it was pronounced. But we know it was the most sacred, holy Name for God. And it was Israel's special Name for their God.

Most historical scriptural versions followed William Tyndale's example (1530 AD) -- and others before him for several hundred years -- and translated YHWH "Jehovah."

Today most modern English translations record it is "LORD" (all caps, to distinguish it from Adonai, "Lord" or "God") and so it is easy to recognize in our versions today which Name (Adonai or YHWH) appeared in the ancient Hebrew record.

Jewish scholars have usually pronounced the God's Name "Adonai," instead of actually pronouncing YHWH, out of respect for the sacredness of the most holy covenant name.

Great care was always taken to not say His great holy Name, nor to write it carelessly.

We are told that the ancient scribes who were copying the sacred scriptures, when they came to YHWH, put aside their writing tool, took a new one, and wrote the sacred letters, then cast it aside and took up the original pen to continue their writing.


But they would not pronounce this most sacred Name.

There is some discussion today concerning the origin and meaning of the YHWH name. It is a common designation (used 6,828 times in the Old Testament).

It most likely is related to the basic verb, present in all languages, "to be." And refers to eternality. "I am...I was...I will always be..."

So in Exodus 3:14-15 the Lord declares "I AM WHO I AM...the LORD... This is My name forever."

This has particular significance in the New Testament when Christ spoke His seven "I AM" claims:

I AM the bread of life (John 6:35)
I AM the light of the world (John 8:12)
I AM the gate (John 10:9)
I AM the good shepherd (John 10:11)
I AM the resurrection and the life (John 11:25)
I AM the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)
I AM the true vine (John 15:1)

In expressing Himself this way He was claiming equality with Yahweh.

It was when He began using these terms of equality with God that the crowds following Him began angry.

By the name Yahweh, God identified Himself in His person relationship with His people, Israel, and it was to this name that Abram responded in acknowledging the Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:8).

By this name God brought Israel out of Egypt, delivered them from bondage, and redeemed them (Exodus 6:6, 20:2).

Whereas Elohim and Adonai were designations known to other cultures, the revelation Yahweh was unique to Israel.

From there he (Abram) went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent...there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.
Genesis 12:8