What Does Yahweh Mean?
What Does Yahweh Mean? Yahweh is the closest modern pronunciation of God's personal covenant name (YHWH) — meaning 'I AM' or 'He Who Is.'
Key verse: Exodus 3:14 (KJV)
Yahweh is the closest modern pronunciation of God's personal covenant name (YHWH) — meaning 'I AM' or 'He Who Is.'
Yahweh is the closest modern pronunciation of God's personal covenant name (YHWH) — meaning 'I AM' or 'He Who Is.'
"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 3:14 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Yahweh is the scholarly reconstruction of the divine name YHWH (the Tetragrammaton), which God revealed to Moses at the burning bush. The name is built on the Hebrew verb 'to be' and emphasizes God's eternal, self-existent being. He is the God who simply IS — without origin, without dependence, without change. Israel was forbidden to take this name in vain because it represents the very essence of who God is. While 'Jehovah' has been the more common English form for centuries, 'Yahweh' more accurately reflects the original pronunciation. Either way, this is the personal name of the covenant-keeping God of Israel — the One who is forever faithful to His people and worthy of all reverence and worship.
Key Scripture References
"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."
"I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images."
"For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Does Jehovah Mean?
Jehovah is an English rendering of the Hebrew personal name of God (YHWH) — the self-existent 'I AM' revealed to Moses.
What Are the Names of God in the Bible?
Scripture reveals God through many names — each unveiling a different aspect of His character, power, and relationship with His people.
Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
What Is the Trinity?
The Trinity is the doctrine that God exists as three persons — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — in one divine being.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
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Theology & Doctrine
Cross (σταυρός (Stauros))
The instrument of Christ's death; symbol of atonement and self-denial
Didache (διδαχή (didachē))
Teaching or instruction — the systematic training of believers.
Strong's H7611 — Remnant (Sheerith)
שְׁאֵרִית (sheerith) • The faithful few — those who remain loyal to God when the majority falls away.
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Exodus. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Exodus on day 24 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does Yahweh Mean?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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