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#4. THE HEBREW COMPOUND NAMES OF GOD USING YAHWEH

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This bible study explains the meaning of each Old Testament Hebrew name of God using Yahweh, and how each of them apply to the Lord Jesus Christ. It uses a Greek Unicode font and a Hebrew Unicode font and is printable.

Introduction 4

God's divine name יִַהְוֶה (Hebrew) or Yahweh (Modern English equivalent), has been the subject of much discussion and debate throughout the centuries. Most Hebrew scholars prefer Yahweh (ancient pronunciation) rather than Yahveh (modern pronunciation), but it is never translated this way in most bibles. In the King James Version the most common translation is LORD (6510x), but in other places it is translated GOD (304x), and in others it is translated Jehovah (4x). In three other places it is translated Jehovah in compound names (Genesis 22:14 KJV; Exodus 17:15 KJV; Judges 6:24 KJV). Everywhere in the Jehovah's Witnesses bible it is translated Jehovah. So what is his real name? It is important that we find out, because God is seeking for people to worship him "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23), and we cannot do that if we call him by the wrong name. In order to investigate this we have examined the history of how these different translations came about, and concluded that God's name is not Jehovah. That study did not proved what the correct pronunciation of God's Old Testament name should be. LORD was a substitute, Jehovah is definitely wrong, and the alternatives left were Yahweh, Yahveh, Yāhūh, Yāhôh, or perhaps even something else. Now we prove any of these with any certainty, it is safe simply leave God's name as the tetragammaton Yahweh (or YHWH). Christians should have no problems with this, because in the New Testament we are not told to use God's Old Testament covenant name when we pray or worship. Jesus told us to pray to "the Father" (Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2; John 16:23), and worship "the Father" (John 4:23). Jesus always called God his Father, and with his spirit in every born again Christian, we ought to do the same (Galatians 4:6).
Yahweh is usually translated "the LORD", and is said to mean "Self-existing one" or "the Eternal one". While these attributes do apply to God the word Yahweh ia a third person imperfect Hiphil in hebrew and really means 'he causes to become'. This name is fulfilled by Jesus in all of the following compound names.

#4.02 Hb. יַהְוֶה אֱלֹהִים Htr. Yahweh ’elōhîm Eng. Yahweh Elohim

This literally means "Yahweh God" and is translated "the LORD God" Genesis 2:4) in many bibles. In context, this reads "in the day that Yahweh God made the earth and the heavens", and as it is the first occurrence of the word in the bible some scholars count this as God's name to do with creation, "God the creator". The name "Yahweh" means "He causes to become" or "He will cause to become", and therefore fits this description very well. This name was fulfilled by Jesus Christ, who is the Father's word, in the following scriptures:

PSALMS 33:6
6 By the word of Yahweh were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

JOHN 1:1-3
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him, and without him was not anything made that was made.

COLOSSIANS 1:15-16 (Paul)
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature;
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they are thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him.

HEBREWS 11:3
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

Note: Now when we consider that it is the Father's Word, Jesus Christ, that the Father uses to "cause things to be", then the name Yahweh, "he causes to be", applies to Jesus also just as it applies to the Father.

#4.04 Hb. אֲדֹנָי יִַהְוֶה Htr. ’adōnāy Yahweh Eng. Adonai Yahweh

This is literally "Lord Yahweh" or "master Yahweh" but translated "Lord GOD" (Genesis 15:2). The title "Lord" was given to Jesus in many places in the Old and New Testaments, for example:

PSALM 110:1 (David)
1 Yahweh said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.

2 THESSALONIANS 1:1 (Paul)
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

1 TIMOTHY 1:1 (Paul)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Savior, and Lord Jesus Christ, who is our hope;

REVELATION 19:15-16
15 And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness of Almighty God.
16 And he has on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

#4.06 Hb. יַהְוֶה יִרְאֶה Htr. Yahweh Yireh Eng. Yahweh Jireh

This is literally "Yahweh will see", but in context it means "Yahweh will see to it" or "Yahweh will provide", and is translated "the LORD will provide" (Genesis 22:13-14 KJV). This name was fulfilled by Jesus in the following scriptures: (John 2:1-11) he provided wine for the wedding, (Matthew 14:15-21; 15:32-39) he provided food for the hungry, (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; Acts 10:38) he provided healing for the sick, (Matthew 9:25; Luke 7:14-15; John 11:43-44) he provided life for the dead, and (Isaiah 53:5;  1 Peter 2:24) he provided forgiveness for the sinner. In context this is provision of a lamb for sacrifice to himself, and Jesus was that lamb: (John 1:29; 1:36). Not only was he the lamb, but also the provider in that he made a voluntary sacrifice of himself: (John 10:17-18; Hebrews 9:14; 9:26).

JOHN 1:29, 36 (John the Baptist)
29 The next day John sees Jesus coming to him, and says, Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he says, Behold the Lamb of God!

JOHN 10:17-18
17 Therefore my Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18 No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

#4.08 Hb. יִַהְוֶה רֹפְאֶךָ Htr. Yahweh Rōph’ekā Eng. Yahweh Ropheka

This is literally "Yahweh your healer" but translated "the LORD who heals you" (Exodus 15:26 KJV). This name was fulfilled by Jesus in the following scriptures: (Isaiah 53:4-5; Matthew 4:23; 8:16-17; 9:35; Acts 10:38;  1 Peter 2:24).

ISAIAH 53:4-5
4 Surely he has borne our sicknesses, and carried our pains: yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

MATTHEW 4:23
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.

MATTHEW 8:16-17
16 When the even was come, they brought to him many that were possessed with demons: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:
17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses.

MATTHEW 9:35
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

1 PETER 2:24
24 Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live for righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.

#4.10 Hb. יַהְוֶה נִסִּי Htr. Yahweh Nissī Eng. Yahweh Nissi

The word nissi is the word nēs with a suffix, and refers to something lifted up, such as "a pole" (Numbers 21:8-9), "a standard" (Isaiah 49:22) , "a sail" (Isaiah 33:23; Ezekiel 27:7), or "a banner" (Psalm 60:4 KJV; Isaiah 5:26; 11:10; 11:12; 13:2; 62:19). This is considered to mean "Yahweh my banner", and is translated Jehovah-nissi (Exodus 17:15 KJV). In context, it was when Moses lifted up his hands, exalting Yahweh, as Joshua fought with Amalek. While his hands were raised Joshua was victorious, but when his hands were lowered Joshua was defeated. The word nēs was used of the pole upon which the brasen serpent was lifted up in the wilderness, for people to look at for healing (Numbers 21:8-9), and so could be considered to be a type of the cross (John 3:14). We could also take Yahweh Nissi to mean "Yaweh, my lifted up one", in which case this name was fulfilled by Jesus in the following scriptures: (John 3:14; 8:28; 12:32).

JOHN 3:14-15 (Jesus)
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

JOHN 8:28 (Jesus)
28 Then Jesus said to them, When you have lifted up the Son of man, then shall you know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father has taught me, I speak these things.

JOHN 12:32-33 (Jesus)
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

JOHN 19:16-18 (Jesus)
16 Then he delivered him therefore to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
17 And bearing his cross he went out into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
18 Where they crucified him, and two others with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

#4.12 Hb. יַהְוֶה מְקַדִּשְׁכֶם Htr. Yahweh Meqaddishkem Eng. Yahweh Meqaddishkem

This is literally "Yahweh your sanctifier" translated "the LORD that does sanctify you." (Exodus 31:13 KJV). This name was fulfilled by Jesus in the following scriptures:

1 CORINTHIANS 1:30 (Paul)
30 But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made for us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

HEBREWS 10:10-14
10 By which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
11 And every priest stands daily ministering and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:
12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.
14 For by one offering he has perfected for ever those who are sanctified.

#4.14 Hb. יַהְוֶה שָׁלוֹם Htr. Yahweh Shālôm Eng. Yahweh Shalom

This is literally "Yahweh is peace". The word "shālôm" can mean "completeness, soundness" in the sense of being healthy, or "peace", and is translated "Jehovah shalom" (Judges 6:24 KJV).
This name was fulfilled by Jesus in the following scriptures: (Romans 5:1; Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 2:13-14).

ROMANS 5:1 (Paul)
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

GALATIANS 5:22 (Paul)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

EPHESIANS 2:13-14 (Paul)
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

#4.16 Hb. יַהְוֶה שָׁפַט Htr. Yahweh Shāphat Eng. Yahweh Shaphat

This is literally "Yahweh is judge", or "Yahweh the judge", and with the definite article it is translated "the LORD the Judge" (Judges 11:27 KJV). This name was fulfilled by Jesus in the following scriptures:

JOHN 5:22 (Jesus)
22 For the Father judges no man, but has committed all judgment to the Son:

ROMANS 14:10 (Paul)
10 But why do you judge your brother? or why do you set at nought your brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:10 (Paul)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he has done, whether it is good or bad.

REVELATION 19:11 (John)
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he who sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and make war.

#4.18 Hb. יַהְוֶה צְבָאוֹת Htr. Yahweh Tsebāôth Eng. Yahweh Sabaoth

This is literally "Yahweh of Hosts", and is translated "the LORD of Hosts" (1 Samuel 1:3 KJV). This name was fulfilled by Jesus in the following scriptures: (Matthew 26:53; 28:18; Revelation 19:11).

MATTHEW 26:53 (Jesus)
53 Do you think that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

MATTHEW 28:18 (Jesus)
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.

REVELATION 19:11-16 (John)
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and make war.
12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he has on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

#4.20 Hb. יַהְוֶה עֶלְיוֹן Htr. Yahweh ’ēlyôn Eng. Yahweh Elyon

This is literally "Yahweh most high", and is translated "the LORD most high." (Psalm 7:17 KJV). This name was fulfilled by Jesus in the following scriptures:

EPHESIANS 1:20-22 (Paul)
20 Which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

HEBREWS 7:26
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;

#4.22 Hb. יַהְוֶה רֹעִי Htr. Yahweh Rō’î Eng. Yahweh Rohi

This is literally "Yahweh my shepherd", and is translated "the LORD is my shepherd" (Psalm 23:1KJV). This name was fulfilled by Jesus in the following scriptures:

JOHN 10:11, 14 (Jesus)
11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

HEBREWS 13:20
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Note: Another of God's names is "Yahweh Rō’î", translated "The LORD is my shepherd;" (Psalm 23:1), which reveals God's character as a shepherd-like leader of his people. When God sought a new king for Israel after Saul's disobedience (1 Samuel 15:1-23), he chose David the shepherd boy (1 Samuel 16:1-13), who was described as "a man after his own heart," (1 Samuel 13:14), again revealing his shepherd like character. This aspect of God was also revealed through Jesus during his earthly ministry, when he looked on the people and saw them as "sheep not having a shepherd:" (Mark 6:34). He went on to describe himself, saying, "I am the good shepherd:" (John 10:11; 10:14), and "the good shepherd gives his life for the sheep." (John 10:11), so when he gave his life for us, he fulfilled this attribute of God's character. The writer of Hebrews went on to describe Jesus as, "that great shepherd of the sheep" (Hebrews 13:20).

#4.24 Hb. יַהְוֶה צִדְקֵנוּ Htr. Yahweh Tsidkēnu Eng. Yahweh Tsidkenu

This is literally "Yahweh our righteousness" and is translated "THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jeremiah 23:6). This name was fulfilled by Jesus in the following scriptures:

1 CORINTHIANS 1:30 (Paul)
30 But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made for us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

#4.26 Hb. יַהְוֶה שָׁמָּה Htr. Yahweh Shāmmâ Eng. Yahweh Shammah

From the word "shām" which means "there", "shāmmāh" literally means "to or towards a place", and Yahweh Shammah is translated "the LORD is there." (Ezekiel 48:35 KJV). In context this refers to God going towards or being at Jerusalem, and was fulfilled by Jesus in the following scriptures:

LUKE 9:51
51 And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

MATTHEW 21:6-12
6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,
7 And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him upon it.
8 And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and laid them in the way.
9 And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.
10 And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?
11 And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.
12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of those who sold doves,

MARK 11:7-11
7 And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him.
8 And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and laid them in the way.
9 And those who went before, and those who followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord:
10 Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that comes in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

#4.28 Hb. יַהְוֶה אֱלֹהֵינוּ Htr. Yahweh Elōhēnu Eng. Yahweh Elohenu

This is literally "Yahweh our God", and is translated "the LORD our God," (Psalm 99:5 KJV), and "O LORD our God:" (Psalm 99:8 KJV) in most bibles. This name was fulfilled by Jesus in the following scriptures:

JOHN 20:28
28 And Thomas answered and said to him, My Lord and my God.

The following four scriptures are to be taken together.

ZECHARIAH 14:5
5 And you shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal: yes, you shall flee, like as you fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and Yahweh my God shall come, and all the saints with you.

1 THESSALONIANS 3:13
13 To the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

REVELATION 19:13
13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

REVELATION 22:20
20 He which testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Note: Thomas was the disciple who doubted the resurrection of Jesus more than the others (John 20:25), but when he saw him, he recognized who Jesus was. His statement, "My Lord and my God", could easily be translated, "My Yahweh and my God." The Greek word κύριος (Gtr. kurios) which is translated "Lord" (John 20:28), is the same word that is used in the Septuagint to translate "Yahweh". The other three scriptures together show that "Yahweh my God" (Zechariah 14:5), who shall come, is really the "Lord Jesus" (Revelation 19:13; 22:20).

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