Yaveh/Yehovah/LORD
In the Old Testament, in most translations you will notice that the word Lord will appear in all capitals, LORD or with the first letter capitalized and the following letters in lower case, Lord. The translators have done this to delineate between the two Hebrew words translated as, Lord. The later is a general title and the other is the personal name of God revealed by God Himself to man.
Yahveh/Yehovah Strong's # H- 3068
The Hebrew word for LORD first appears in Genesis, Chapter 2 just before the creation of man. Prior to that time the name Elohim was used. In Genesis, Chapter 2 the writer uses the name LORD God or Yahveh Elohim. Some Christian writers will attribute this change in name to the creation account being pieced together from many sources. The more traditional Christian and Jewish view is that Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible or Torah and there is a reason for this change in name. I share the later point of view and believe that there are reasons for everything that is written in scripture. In Chapter 2 we are given the account of the creation of man, God’s prize creation, the image of Himself. The name used in this account is not just the “Strong Creator, Elohim” but now includes the personal, intimate, holy name of God, Yahveh.
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7
The LORD God created man in His own image and breathed His own life into him. There is nothing more intimate than that. He also knew the chance He was taking by giving this being his own free will, leaving Himself vulnerable for this creation of His to love Him or not love Him. The first appearance and subsequent appearances of LORD are connected with events that have to do with God’s relationship with man. It is a name that is connected with life giving, life changing events and covenant making with man.
In Exodus, Chapter 3 God reveals to Moses the meaning of His name. Moses has just encountered God in the burning bush in the wilderness. God commanded Moses to remove his sandals for He was standing on holy ground.
And God said to Moses,
“ I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “ Thus
you shall say to the children of
The name Yahveh
comes from the verb hayah, which
means, “to be.” This verse also could
read, “I will be, what I will be.” It is
also closely related to the verb hava,
which means, “to breathe and to be.” It
is also almost the same as the word chavah,
which means, “to live.” The name of Yahveh
means, the One who has always been and will always be, continuous, eternal and
absolute/self existent.
Elohim in
scripture is often used in a general sense and in general relationship with man
and creation. Yahveh is used in connection with
The Jewish people revered this name above all names to the extent that it was eventually not spoken except on specific feasts, by the high priest for fear of blaspheming the name, Yahweh. As a result, over the centuries the pronunciation of Yahveh was lost. You will see this name transliterated as Yahveh, Javeh, Yahweh, Jehovah and Yehovah. Some have said this name was pronounced almost as a breath, breathing in and out. I really like that thought but honestly, we do not know how to pronounce it. The Jewish people when reading scripture and addressing Yahveh will substitute, HaShem (the Name) or Adonai (Lord). It was regarded as so holy that when a scribe would write the scriptures he would pick up a new writing implement, write Yod Hey Vav Hey and break the pen and pick up another to continue writing. (Towns, pg. 22-230) To sum this entire up, His name is Holy!
In the regards to worship, just meditating on this name can be worship. Many years ago when I was studying the names of God, I had a cut out the Hebrew letters Yod Hey Vav Hey and put them on my refrigerator. I walked in the kitchen late one evening and they caught my eye. I went over to the letters and laid my hand upon them. I was filled with awe. My heart felt as if it were going to burst as I began to weep and tremble. I was overwhelmed and my heart was filled with worship. It was not the worship one would expect but it was worship that burst from the very depths of my being. Later, as I recalled that precious moment, I wrote these words about that experience. Writing for me is often an act of worship. It is like writing a love letter, intimate and hidden. It belongs only to the LORD unless He desires for it to be shared. I pray that the transparency of these words will stir your heart to worship and kindle a desire to know Him more.
Excerpt Words of Love: The Language of Worship , June Schuldt"The music starts as a distant high pitched arpeggio (C#m7 Chord) as the reader marvels at the name of the Lord. The pitch of the arpeggio lowers and feels closer as the reader meditates on the name of the Lord. A simple musical melody develops as the reader has the revelation of the prophetic "Song of the Lord" and oneness to speak Your name."
Len
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