“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.’” (Exodus 3:14)

In the Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet, Juliet offers these well-known words, “That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Referring to her last name and the last name of her love Romeo, do these really matter if they love one another? While this phrase has often been used to express the lack of importance in a name, in truth, names do have value and meaning. The History of one’s heritage is found in a last name. The reasons that parents give the names they do to their children is because they search for just the right one. While we may know the joys of these reasons, we also can know the pain of the ridicule of others because of one’s name. Yes, names matter. In reference to God, they help us to know Him.

The personal name that was given to Moses was YHWH. These letters are called the tetragram. It is the name of God. In the days of the Old Testament, it was the name of the God of Israel. The people of Israel would not speak the name. This was to keep them from using it in vain as set forth in the third commandment. “You shall not misuse (take . . . in vain KJV) the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name. (Exodus 20:7 NIV) Thus, the pronunciation of the name of God was lost. When they came to read aloud the name in Scripture they would say “Adonai,” which means Lord. Today in our English translations you will find the word written as LORD, with all caps to set it apart form the actual use of Adonai. When vowel points, special marks, were added to the written Hebrew, they gave the same vowel points as Adonai. This is where we get both words, Jehovah and Yahweh. Two different ways of saying the English version of the tetragram. This name of God is used in the Old Testament 5789 times according the Strong’s Concordance. His name may not have been pronounced, but it was highly valued, esteemed, and honored.

The root of the name comes from the word “hayah,” which means to be, to exist, to remain or to abide. When God speaks to Moses from the burning bush, He says “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14) This was in response to Moses asking who he is to say sent him to the people of Israel.

“Hayah” is used twice in God’s description of Himself. Some have translated the phrase “I AM WHO I AM” to say, “I will be what I will be.” This can be understood as “I will be all that is necessary as the occasion will arise.” This was a Semitic idiom. It speaks to the sovereignty, the eternity, the absolute nature of God. As the “I Am” He is the Uncaused One and is able to meet any need or situation.

While we reflect upon the name of God, YHWH, let us keep in mind these two points. First, He is the One who was here before us and will be after us. This helps us to gain perspective in life, that He knows more about life than we do. He knows what we need to do to live life. We live this life in His presence because through Jesus, “I AM” is with us. Second, He is all we need. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19) Thus, we can face any situation for He will be for us and He is all we need. As you reflect, you will find more of what He and His name mean to you.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block