📖 Biblical Definition
The Tetragrammaton, the four-letter personal covenant name of God revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Ex 3:14-15). Likely vocalized Yahweh (or Jehovah in older transliterations). The name is connected to the verb to be — I AM THAT I AM — and signifies God's self-existence, eternal being, and covenant faithfulness. Out of reverence, observant Jews substitute Adonai when reading aloud; the actual pronunciation has been preserved imperfectly. English Bibles render YHWH as LORD in small caps to distinguish it from Adonai (Lord, normal case).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
YHWH, n.
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A scriptural divine name; the personal covenant name of God.
📖 Key Scripture
Exodus 3:14 — "And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you."
Exodus 6:3 — "I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them."
Psalm 83:18 — "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth."
Isaiah 42:8 — "I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often glosses past the divine Name; the Name is the gospel's anchor.
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YHWH is the personal name of the God of Israel, given to Moses at the burning bush. Modern English Bibles render it LORD (small caps) as a translational courtesy; the underlying name is the Tetragrammaton. Christ's claim before Abraham was, I am (John 8:58) reaches back into Exodus 3 and identifies Himself with the Name.
Modern Christianity often glosses past the divine Name. God is generic; YHWH is personal. The Lord did not introduce Himself as a deity; He introduced Himself as the I AM, the covenant Lord of Israel. Worship the Lord by His Name. The Name is the gospel's anchor; the Name has not been retired.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew/Greek roots below.
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H3068 — YHWH — the LORD; Yahweh
H1961 — hayah — to be
Usage
"Modern Christianity glosses past the divine Name; the Name is the gospel's anchor."
"The Lord introduced Himself as I AM, not as generic deity."
"Worship the Lord by His Name; the Name has not been retired."