God's real Hebrew name revealed

What is God's name? If you survey any gathering of "Bible believing" Christians, you will get many different answers. Most will tell you his name is "the LORD." Others may say, "Jehovah." Still another - "Jesus." And if you ask the Orthodox Rabbis, they will tell you "HaShem" or "Adonai." The studious ones might respond, "God has many different names." Can all of these responses be right?

Why is there so much confusion about the most important name in the cosmos? Can anyone really know what is the name of the Creator of the universe? Yes, we can know the personal name of the Creator Elohim ("God"). In fact, Elohim wants us to know his name, and he has revealed it to us in the Hebrew Scriptures. So why don't the people who claim to know Elohim understand what his name is? Is the Bible so ambiguous about the name of the Creator that those people who read and cherish the Bible don't even know what the Scriptures say about Elohim's name? Not really. The Scriptures are not ambiguous at all. On the contrary, the Bible is crystal clear about identifying the name of the Creator Elohim.

Sadly, "Bible-believing" Christians simply don't know what the Bible says about Elohim's name. Blinders have been placed over our eyes. We have been duped into hiding His name. We have been fooled into diminishing His name by not knowing it and by not pronouncing it We have been tricked by the enemy of our souls into thinking that Elohim does not want to be known by or called by his own name. We have been hoodwinked into believing that it does not matter that Elohim has a personal name - that we can call him by whatever designation we choose.

The Significance of a Name

What difference does it make, anyway? Why should we make a big deal about Elohim's name. Isn't that just a little bit fanatical? After all, only fringe groups, fanatics and cult extremists make an issue of the actual name and pronunciation of the name of Almighty Elohim! Right? Not really. Isn't it true that each one of us does make a fuss and a big deal about our own name? Each of us wants to be called by and known by our own personal names (or nicknames).

One of the first things we tell one another during introductions is my name. In fact, I am mildly put off when someone whom I think ought to know my name either doesn't know or has forgotten my name. It is usually easy to tell if someone doesn't know your name or has forgotten your name. And to forget someone's name or to ignore one's name is tantamount to suggesting that that person is not significant enough to bother to know.

We notice these things instinctively. When someone has forgotten my name or has not made an effort to find out my name, I conclude that the other person does not care to know me. I'm thinking, 'that person probably does not like me and is diminishing my value as a human being.' To forget someone's name is a subtle attack on that person's worth! It is a put down!

Why is my name such a big deal to me? And why is that true for every one of us? Perhaps because my name identifies who I am. It is a word representation of my personhood. My name is a representation of all that is me. Therefore, to know me is, first of all, to know my name. How can anyone know me and not know my name, the designation by which I am called? Obviously, the beginning of getting to know someone is to know what that person's name is.

A person's name has associated with it everything about the person and uniquely identifies that person. To say "Ronald Reagan" is to bring to the reader's (or listener's) mind a specific person with personality, appearance, reputation, accomplishments and more. And to think of any other name is to do the same - to bring to mind all of the characteristics and personality of the person so named.

Since a name is all of this, isn't it plain to see that a personal name is very important? If we claim to know a specific someone, but we don't know that person's name, our claim is ludicrous. For to know someone, is first of all, to know that person's name.

Since this is true of humans and angels, doesn't it seem reasonable and logical that this would apply to Elohim, also? After all, he is the one "from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named" (Ephesians 3:15). Elohim has given each of us a unique name by which were are called. And he commanded Adam in the garden to give unique names to all the animals which were created. Doesn't it make sense that the Creator Himself has a unique personal name by which He is called? Well, he does.

A Personal Name

The word mv, (shem) in the Hebrew language, which is the language of the Old Testament Scriptures, is translated by the English word, name. The word mv, (shem) means "name, fame, renown, reputation, memorial." It is used in the Old Testament to refer to the personal name of individuals. We are told, for example, that Adam gave names to every living creature:

Out of the ground the LORD Elohim formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name (mv, shem). So Adam gave names (mv, shem) to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him (Genesis 2:19,20).

Adam also named his wife:

And Adam called his wife's name (mv, shem) Eve, because she was the mother of all living (Genesis 3:20).

This same word is used to refer to the personal name of many people in the Bible:

Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah (Genesis 4:19).

And as for Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name (mv, shem) 'Enosh.'" Then men began to call on the name (mv, shem) of the LORD (hwhy Yahuwah). Genesis 4:26

And he called his name (mv, shem) Noah, saying, "This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD (hwhy Yahuwah) has cursed" (Genesis 5:29).

To Eber were born two sons: the name (mv, shem) of one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided; and his brother's name (mv, shem) was Joktan (Genesis 10:25).

These are only a few of the texts in the first ten chapters of Genesis in which we find the word "name." Obviously, we could fill many pages with texts like the above in which the Hebrew word (mv, shem) is a reference to the personal name of an individual.

The Name of the God of the Bible

Let's take a look at the Scriptures to find out what name (mv, shem) Elohim calls himself. At that time when Elohim was calling Mosheh to take His message to Pharaoh, king of Egypt, Mosheh was concerned that the Israelites would not believe him if he told the people that the living Elohim had sent him with his message. So Mosheh felt he needed some way of authenticating, for them, Elohim's message to them.

And Elohim said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship Elohim on this mountain." Mosheh said to Elohim, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The Elohim of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his mv, (shem, "name")?' Then what shall I tell them?" Elohim said to Mosheh, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" Elohim also said to Mosheh, "Say to the Israelites, ( hwhy ) The LORD , the Elohim of your fathers-- the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac and the Elohim of Jacob-- has sent me to you.' This is my mv, (shem "name") forever, the mv, (shem, "name") by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation." (Exodus 3:12-15 NIV)

The words in red above, "The LORD" are actually the words used in most English Bible translations to render the Hebrew word hwhy which is transliterated, "YHWH," and is pronounced "Yahuwah" or maybe "Yehovah." This is the personal, unique name of Elohim! This is the name by which Elohim is known.

This is the name which Mosheh was to use to refer to the Elohim in heaven. But not just Mosheh. This is the personal name which all men are to use when calling upon Elohim. It is, as Elohim Himself said, "my mv, (shem, "name") forever, the mv, (shem, "name") by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation." That means that Elohim is to forever be remembered by this name. That means Christian believers of the 21st century are to remember and call upon the Creator by this name!

"The LORD" is not the name of the Creator God. Most English bibles use this substitution for the real name of God. The Almighty has revealed what his name is. This is his name forever. Never, including today, is his name altered. So all who call upon him should be using his personal name. This name YHWH is also his remembrance name. Everyone should remember to call upon him by this name. No substitutions allowed!

Elohim has thus revealed to us his own unique personal mv, (shem, "name")! His mv, (shem, "name") is hwhy.

The Vocalization of the Name hwhy

There are many in the Hebraic Roots world who insist that nobody knows for sure how to pronounce the name of Elohim. Many Jews, both Rabbinic and others, believe the pronunciation of the Name is known, but for other reasons (which we will discuss later), they won't use the Name in speech. There are many reasons why some have decided NOT to attempt to pronounce the Name, but use instead the substitution designations for the Almighty. They address and refer to the Father in heaven by designations such as "the LORD" or "HaShem" (which in Hebrew means "the Name") or "Adonai" (Hebrew for "the Master").

The truth told is that there is a knowledge of the name of Elohim in the Scriptures. He didn't inject his name nearly 7000 times in the TaNaCh (that's how many times hwhy occurs in the Old Testament Hebrew text) to just tease us and not to help us to know how to pronounce and use His name. It's probably quite evident now that I am one who is in favor of calling upon the Father by vocalizing his Name.

Among those who wish to honor the Almighty by vocalizing the Name, there are several different ways that his name has been pronounced. The more common ways his name has been spoken include: "Yahweh," "Yehoveh," "Yehovah," "Yahovah," "Jehovah," "Yahuweh," and finally, "Yahuwah." These are all honest attempts to correctly say the name of Elohim. Perhaps these differences are tantamount to regional variations of accents. I would not get in to fisticuffs with anyone who pronounces the Name differently than I do. I think the important thing is that we call upon him by his name and not resort to using other names or substitutions because of some superstition about the dangers of mispronouncing his name.

The Problem with the MT Vowel Pointing of hwhy

For those who think the Name and its vowel pointing in the Masoretic Hebrew Text (MT) has not been tampered with - there are several different pointings, indicating a high likelihood that the Rabbis DID tamper with the vowel pointing! There are 6 different vowel pointings used for the Name in the MT. They are:

1. The most common occurrence in the Hebrew Bible is the pointing hw"hy> (Yehvah) which occurs 5658 times in the MT. Nearly everyone agrees that this articulation is impossible because of the rules of grammar and common sense.

2. The vowel pointing hA'hy> (Yehovah) occurs 44 times in the MT, i.e. in Bereshith 3:14 and 9:26 and Shemot 3:2 and others, and this vowel configuration is thought by most Jews to be the correct pointing.

3. hwIhy/ (Yehvih) occurs twice at Genesis 15:2,8.

4. hwIhy> (Yehvih) occurs 271 times.

5. But you also find hAihy/ (Yehovih) which occurs once at Judges 16:28, and

6. hAihy> (Yehovih) which occurs 31 times - Ezekiel 8:1; 12:10 and others.

Because of these significant differences, the theory that the Rabbis intentionally altered the vowel pointing on the Name is highly likely. Which of these, if any, is the correct pointing?

A Case For Articulating the Name as "Yehovah"

There are good reasons for vocalizing the Name of Elohim as "Yehovah." This vocalization has long been adopted by Karaite Jews, who have a long history of expertise in the Hebrew Scriptures. Also, many Messianic Jews and Christians who live in Israel and who live in the Exile pronounce the set apart Name as "Yehovah." This vocalization has several things which commend it for strong consideration.

First, the vowel points given the name in the Masoretic Hebrew text centuries ago seems to favor this pronunciation. The pointing which has by far the most occurrences is hw"hy> (Yehvah). This pointing is just one vowel point short of being vocalized "Yehovah." The vowel pointing hA'hy> (Yehovah) also has a significant number of occurrences. And two other vowel pointings, hAihy/ (Yehovih) and hAihy> (Yehovih) have the long "o" vowel sound which is missing in hw"hy> (Yehvah). And all of the pointings of this name in the MT begin with "Yeh."

Second, the rules of Hebrew grammar tend to shorten the first syllable in a longer name ("Yeh" instead of "Yah"). Nearly all Hebrew names which begin with the hy (yohd hey) are pronounced "Yeh...." Some of those include "Yehoshua," "Yehoiada," "Yehudah," "Yehu." And there are many more. By contrast, the vocalization "Yah" as the first part of the Name is not attested to in the Hebrew MT as an option for the full name hwhy.

The articulation Yehovah is consistent with other Hebrew names as pronounced and carried down through the MT Hebrew text. It's hard to argue against the pronunciation accepted almost unanimously by the Hebrew speaking people. However, there are at least two reasons why we may doubt that Yehovah is the correct way to say the Name of the Almighty.

First, as we have already pointed out, the premise of those who pronounce the Name "Yehovah" is that the manuscript evidence has greater weight when deciding which articulation is correct. But I think that premise may be off the mark. Since the writing of some of the earliest writings of Scripture, some 2500 years went by before the Rabbis put vowel points to the Hebrew manuscripts. Thus, we have no way of knowing that the Rabbis actually used the correct vowel points. It is difficult to put any trust in the Pharisees, Scribes and Rabbis throughout the centuries when we consider their blatant attempt to hide the correct pronunciation of the Name of Elohim. In their view, merely vocalizing the Name correctly is worthy of the death penalty! (see more below) So, whether some manuscript has the correct vowel pointing or not cannot be known by us with any certainty.

Second, the third letter in the Name hwhy seems to deliver two distinct sounds. When you strip away the Rabbinic vowel points, you are left with four letters. These four letters are the true Name. Each of these letters should have a single sound. The first letter is pronounced as a "y." The second letter as an "h." Putting those together, you get "yeh" or "yah."

The third letter, vav, is either an "o" sound, a "u" sound or a "v" sound or "w" sound. We know that the vowel less Hebrew language contains letters that are both consonants and vowels. The heh, the vav and the yohd are three such consonant\vowels. So, the vav in hwhy is a consonant/vowel. It contains the sound for proper pronunciation. So, that one letter cannot be both an "o" sound and a "v" sound at the same time as is suggested in the vocalization Yehovah. The "ov" seems to come from this one letter! This cannot be. Without vowel points, the Name pronounced Yehovah should be spelled hwwhy. However, the vocalization Yahuwah does not have this problem. The uw in Yahuwah is a single sound corresponding to the single letter w.

A Case For Articulating the Name as "Yahuwah"

Accordingly, there are also some very good reasons for the vocalization of Yahuwah which many Messianics have been convinced by. Those reasons follow. Since it appears highly likely that the Rabbis tampered with the vowel pointing, we must throw out the pointing as it occurs in the MT and try to reconstruct the vocalization using other evidence. We begin this task by taking note that the name hwhy in the Hebrew is made up of 4 letters - which may be transliterated as yohd, hey, vav, hey. These four letters are consonants but also bring with them vowel sounds. These are pronounced as follows: Yohd = "ee" as in week OR "y" as in yard. Hey = "ah" as in Bach. Vav = "oo" as in food. Hey = "ah" as in bah OR "ay" as in bay.

Thus, if we put together these sounds, we arrive at "ee ah oo ah" or "y ah oo ah." But when we say words, the sound of the word does not equal the sound of each of the letters, one right after the other. If so, my name would sound like "d-ay-v-i-d." When we say words we blend and combine the sounds of the letters and it usually does not sound like we are pronouncing each letter. Taking "ee ah oo ah," this blends into the sounds "yah" "oo-ah." And finally, "Yahuwah."

Taking a different approach to reconstructing the vocalization of the Name, consider the following: In Tehillim (Psalms) 150, the expression, Hallelu Yah is used a number of times. The Hebrew reads, Hy" Wll.h; Note that "hallelu" means "(you) praise." It is an imperative and is a call to praise: "you all, praise...." The "yah" part of the expression is the abbreviated, poetic form of the name hwhy . The vowel sound between the yohd and the hey is the "a" sound, pronounced ah. This expression is never pronounced hallelu-yeh, but all agree that it is vocalized as hallelu-yah.

Also, grammatically speaking, it is significant that the letter hey has a dot in the middle of it. This is called a mappiq. It's purpose is to let the reader know that this letter is not to be cut off or silenced. The letter is to have a full sharp pronunciation. The expression should be pronounced, hallelu Yah with a full "h" sound as in a sharp exhale of air from the mouth.

It would be strange indeed given that the known correct verbalization of the poetic short form of the Name is "Yah" if the full name of Elohim were not pronounced beginning with "Yah." You would expect that since "Yah" is the shortened form that "Yah" would occur somewhere in the full name. Thus, it makes good sense that Yah is the correct pronunciation of the first part of the full name.

This pronunciation "Yahu" is testified to in names that use these first 3 letters of the 4 letter name of Elohim. Jeremiah the prophet's name, in Hebrew, utilizes the first three letters of the name hwhy. Jeremiah's name in Hebrew is Why"ßm.r>yI (pronounced, "Yirmyahu"). Here, "yahu" is the correct vocalization of Jeremiah's name and this suggests that it is also the correct pronunciation of the first three letters of the name of Elohim.

The names of Isaiah and Elijah, in Hebrew, also are pronounced the same way: Why"[.v;y> (pronounced "Yesha’yahu") and WhY"liae "(pronounced "Eliyahu") testify to the vocalization of Yahu. So, all three of these well known names substantiate that Yahu is the correct pronunciation of the first three letters of God's Name.

But there are more names ending with Yahu in the Hebrew text. To name a few: Benayahu (Benaiah, 2 Sam 8:18), Adoniyahu (Adonijah, 1 Kings 1:8), Azaryahu (Azariah, 1 Kings 4:2), Yoshiyahu (Josiah, 1 Kings 13:2), Ovadyahu (Obadiah, 1 Kings 18:3), Tsidkiyahu (Zedekiah, 1 Kings 22:24), Achazyahu (Ahaziah, 1 Kings 22:51). All of these names, and even more not listed, in the Hebrew text have Yahu as the ending of these names. All attest to the correctness of pronouncing the first three letters of God's name as Yahu.

And we might add this question: If Yeho is the correct vocalization of the first part of the Name, then why do so many names have Yahu in them instead. Certainly the names Yah and Yahu testify strongly to the real and proper way to pronounce the Name.

Then, to finish the pronunciation, we merely add the final hey. The letter h prefers the "ah" sound before it and after it. The letter itself is pronounced "h" or "ah." So, Yahu (Yahuw) plus ah equals Yahuwah.

On a personal note, I have been persuaded and have been pronouncing Elohim's name as Yahuwah for about eight years now. On balance, I still prefer Yahuwah as the correct way to say His Name. Yet, I often pronounce the Name as Yehovah wherever it is accepted. I do not want my personal opinion to get in the way of honoring His Name. Though others may have intellectual or textual reasons for pronouncing the name of Elohim differently than I have shown here, let's not quarrel or break fellowship over the exact articulation of the Name. The important point is that we recognize that Elohim has a name and that he wants us to call upon Him by that Name.

The Meaning of the Name hwhy

Now let's take a moment to investigate the actual meaning of the Name hwhy. We know that Hebrew names were often given that pointed to a particular circumstance of the birth, a characteristic of the baby born, or with an expectancy of a particular outcome in the child's life. Avram was renamed Avraham because he was to be the father of many nations. Mosheh was so named because he was "drawn out" of the water. And on and on the list could go.

The Name hwhy also has a significant meaning. From the Hebrew root hyh (haya), the BDB lists these meanings: fall out, come to pass, become, be. It is the to be verb. Though the precise form of the verb making the name is still debated, Exodus 3:14 gives us the sense of the meaning of hwhy.

Elohim said to Mosheh, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'" Elohim also said to Mosheh, "Say to the Israelites, ( hwhy ) The LORD , the Elohim of your fathers-- the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac and the Elohim of Jacob-- has sent me to you.

Elohim uses the first person singular form of the Qal imperfect to express the thought I am. Thus, hwhy seems to correspond to that form, and may best be translated as "Being," or "the One who is."

Others have translated the Name as The Eternal One, or The Living One. In the book of Revelation, John uses the designation, "the one who was, the one who is and the one coming" as an expression of His Name, because this is essentially the meaning of His Name.

The Usage of the Name hwhy by the Writers of Scripture

hwhy is the only personal mv, (shem, "name") of Elohim. All other words used to refer to Him are either titles or descriptions of Him. But hwhy (Yahuwah) is different. hwhy (Yahuwah) is His personal mv, (shem, "name"). This point is emphasized over and over again in the Bible. Elohim says through the prophet Yeshayahu,

I am hwhy (Yahuwah)*, that is My mv, (shem, "name"); And My glory I will not give to another, Nor My praise to carved images (Isaiah 42:8).

I am hwhy (Yahuwah)*, and there is no other; There is no Elohim besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is none besides Me. I am hwhy (Yahuwah)*, and there is no other; I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create calamity; I, hwhy (Yahuwah)*, do all these things' (Isaiah 45:5-7).

Yirmyahu also records his name:

Will a man make gods for himself, Which are not gods? Therefore behold, I will this once cause them to know, I will cause them to know My hand and My might; And they shall know that My mv, (shem, "name") is hwhy (Yahuwah)* (Jeremiah 16:20,21).

Moreover the word of hwhy (Yahuwah)* came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the prison, saying, "Thus says hwhy (Yahuwah)* who made it, hwhy (Yahuwah)* who formed it to establish it. hwhy [Yahuwah]* is His mv, (shem, "name"): 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know' (Jeremiah 33:1-3).

Thus says hwhy (Yahuwah)* of hosts: "The children of Israel were oppressed, Along with the children of Judah; All who took them captive have held them fast; They have refused to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong; hwhy (Yahuwah)* of hosts is His mv, (shem, "name") (Jeremiah 50:33,34).

Others also testify as to Elohim's personal name. Mosheh and the people of Israel sang a song in which they sing:

hwhy (Yahuwah)* is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my Elohim, and I will praise Him; My father's Elohim, and I will exalt Him. hwhy (Yahuwah)* is a man of war; hwhy (Yahuwah)* is His mv, (shem, "name") (Exodus 15:2,3).

David calls him by his personal name:

And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of Elohim, whose mv, (shem, "name") is called by the mv, (shem, "name"), hwhy (Yahuwah)* of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim.

Fill their faces with shame, That they may seek Your mv, (shem, "name"), hwhy (Yahuwah)*. Let them be confounded and dismayed forever; Yes, let them be put to shame and perish, That they may know that You, whose mv, (shem, "name") alone is hwhy (Yahuwah)*, Are the Most High over all the earth (Psalm 83:16-18).

And the prophet Amos emphasizes his personal name:

For behold, He who forms mountains, And creates the wind, Who declares to man what his thought is, And makes the morning darkness, Who treads the high places of the earth -- hwhy (Yahuwah)* Elohim of hosts is His mv, (shem, "name") (Amos 4:13).

He made the Pleiades and Orion; He turns the shadow of death into morning And makes the day dark as night; He calls for the waters of the sea And pours them out on the face of the earth; hwhy (Yahuwah)* is His mv, (shem, "name") (Amos 5:8).

He who builds His layers in the sky, And has founded His strata in the earth; Who calls for the waters of the sea, And pours them out on the face of the earth -- hwhy (Yahuwah)* is His mv, (shem, "name") (Amos 9:6).

Many other texts could have been cited which explicitly denote the Creator's personal name as hwhy (Yahuwah) In fact, the name hwhy (Yahuwah) occurs in the Hebrew Bible 6007 times in 5195 verses (according to the BibleWorks database). And that is just in the Old Testament Scriptures (the Tanach).

Wrap-Up

The Creator has a name by which he wants to be called. He revealed his name to the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And he revealed his set-apart name hwhy to Mosheh and to all the prophets. This name of Elohim has never changed. The Tanach bears record that all who call upon him do so by pronouncing and addressing him by his revealed, sacred name. The Scriptures testify to his sacred name over six thousand times.

In spite of the efforts of self-righteous men to bring his name to worthlessness by banning and eliminating the proper use of that holy name, Messiah Yahusha taught his disciples the proper pronunciation and use of his father's sacred name. The disciples in turn, as evidenced by their writings, used and taught Elohim's sacred name. And the people who are rewarded with the kingdom of heaven at Messiah's coming also use and reverence Elohim by his sacred name. What further evidence do you need to join with all the saints of the Bible and do the same?

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