The Tetragrammaton[note 1] is the four-letter Hebrew-language theonym יהוה (transliterated as YHWH[note 2]), the name of God in the Hebrew Bible.
Yahweh, name for the God of the Israelites, representing the biblical pronunciation of “YHWH,” the Hebrew name revealed to Moses in the book of Exodus. The name YHWH, consisting of the sequence of consonants Yod, Heh, Waw, and Heh, is known as the tetragrammaton.
“Yahweh” (transliterated from the Hebrew יְהוָה, often represented by the letters YHWH) is widely recognized as the primary covenant name for God in the Hebrew Scriptures. It carries the connotation “I AM,” encompassing God’s eternal existence, sovereignty, and self-sufficiency.
In the original Hebrew, God’s name transliterates to YHWH (sometimes written in the older style as YHVH). This is known as the tetragrammaton (meaning “four letters”). Because of the lack of vowels, Bible scholars debate how the tetragrammaton YHWH was pronounced.
God reveals his name to Moses as "I am," from the Hebrew root ה.ו.י, “being." The name YHWH, however, originates in Midian, and derives from the Arabic term for "love, desire, or passion." | Prof. Israel Knohl
Discover the meaning of Yahweh/YHWH (יהוה) — 'I AM.' Learn about God's most sacred name, its revelation to Moses, and why it remains the holiest word in Judaism.
YHWH or YHVH is the Hebrew name with which God identified Himself to Moses on Mount Horeb (Exodus 3:14). The sacred tetragrammaton, pronounced as Yahweh, consists of 4 consonants and means: " I AM WHO I AM " or " I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE ".
Explore the timeless enigma of YHWH, or Yahweh's, name: its Hebrew origins, pronunciation debates, historical roots, and cultural significance across millennia, revealing profound insights into theological discourse and divine reverence.