Dictionary of Bible Themes: 1235 God, the LORD

1235 God, the LORD

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 1000 God » 1200 God, titles and descriptions of » 1205 God, titles and names of » 1235 God, the LORD

The translation of the Hebrew name “Yahweh” which is the personal name of God whose meaning was revealed to Moses. It emphasises that God is the one who is eternal, unique, unchangeable and always actively present with his people. It expresses God's role as Israel's Redeemer and covenant Lord.

The name of God, the LORD

The LORD is the personal name of God

Isaiah 42:8 “The LORD” is the NIV rendering of the Hebrew “Yahweh”.

The name's meaning

Exodus 3:14-15 This forms part of God's explanation of who he is. “I AM” (in Hebrew closely resembling “Yahweh”) expresses the ever-present, unchanging, totally dependable character of God.

The name is revealed to Moses

Exodus 6:2-3 The name had been used previously (e.g., Ge 4:26) but its meaning was not fully understood until God revealed it to Moses in the context of the exodus from Egypt.

The name is glorious and awesome

Deuteronomy 28:58-59 See also Joshua 7:9; 1 Samuel 12:22

The name is not to be misused

Exodus 20:7 pp Deuteronomy 5:11 The misuse referred to here is swearing falsely by God's name. See also Leviticus 19:12; Leviticus 24:11,15-16 The Jews came to believe that just uttering the name “Yahweh” was an offence and as a result its exact pronunciation has been lost. What merited the death penalty here was using God's name as a curse.

God's character is revealed by his name the LORD

He is unique

Exodus 8:10; Deuteronomy 4:35,39; 1 Kings 8:60; Isaiah 45:5,18; Joel 2:27

He is eternal

Genesis 21:33; Psalm 9:7; Psalm 29:10; Psalm 102:12; Psalm 135:13; Isaiah 26:4

He is holy

Leviticus 11:44; 1 Samuel 2:2; Psalm 30:4; Isaiah 43:15

He is powerful

Exodus 15:6; Joshua 22:22; Psalm 93:4; Jeremiah 10:6

He is majestic

Psalm 83:18; Psalm 93:1; Psalm 97:9; Isaiah 2:10,19,21; Micah 5:4

He is compassionate and gracious

Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 103:8; Psalm 145:8-9

He is faithful and true

Psalm 145:13

He is unchangeable

Psalm 33:11; Psalm 110:4; Malachi 3:6

He is actively present with his people

Deuteronomy 31:6; Joshua 1:9; 1 Kings 8:57; Haggai 1:13

God reveals the relevance of his name the LORD by his actions

In creation

Jeremiah 33:2 See also Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 43:15 “The LORD” is Creator of the universe but also the Creator of the people Israel; Isaiah 45:18 Human beings are the purpose of God's creation; they know God as “the LORD”.

In the deliverance of his people from Egypt

Exodus 6:6 Deliverance is a central concept in the revelation of the divine name. See also Exodus 12:51; Exodus 14:30; Exodus 16:6; Exodus 20:2; Leviticus 26:13; Psalm 81:10

In establishing a covenant with his people

In the judgment of his enemies

Exodus 12:12 See also Exodus 7:5; Exodus 8:22-23; 1 Samuel 17:45-47; 2 Chronicles 14:11-13

In the restoration of his people

Ezekiel 36:36 See also Psalm 102:15-22; Isaiah 60:15-22; Ezekiel 37:6,13-14 The theme “then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD” (with slight variations) runs throughout the book of Ezekiel and is connected to divine acts of judgment and restoration.

God, the LORD denotes God's lordship

He is the Sovereign LORD

Ezekiel 2:4 “Sovereign LORD” is the NIV rendering of “Adonai Yahweh”, the favourite divine title in Ezekiel. See also Genesis 15:2,8; Deuteronomy 3:24; Joshua 7:7; Judges 6:22; 2 Samuel 7:18-29; Psalm 73:28; Isaiah 61:1; Jeremiah 1:6; Amos 1:8

He is the LORD Almighty

1 Samuel 1:3 “The LORD Almighty” is the NIV rendering of “Yahweh Sabaoth” (“the LORD of hosts”) which emphasises the sovereignty of “the LORD”. See also 1 Chronicles 11:9; Psalm 24:10; Psalm 46:7,11; Isaiah 2:12; Jeremiah 39:16; Haggai 2:6-9; Zechariah 1:3-4,6; Malachi 1:14

He is the Lord, the LORD Almighty

Isaiah 1:24 “The Lord, the LORD Almighty” is the NIV rendering of “Adonai Yahweh Sabaoth” which is often associated with the LORD's authority to rule and to judge. See also Psalm 69:6; Isaiah 3:15; Isaiah 19:4; Jeremiah 2:19; Jeremiah 46:10; Jeremiah 49:5; Amos 9:5

As the LORD, God interacts with his people

He enforces the moral code

Leviticus 18:1-5 The phrase “I am the LORD” occurs over 40 times in Leviticus chapters 18-26 and is the authority behind the moral law given to God's people. See also Leviticus 11:44-45; Leviticus 19:2

He makes his people holy

Leviticus 22:32 See also Exodus 31:13; Leviticus 20:8; Leviticus 21:8; Ezekiel 20:12; Ezekiel 37:28

He is the object of his people's worship

Exodus 4:22-23 The purpose of Israel's redemption from Egypt was that they would be free to worship the LORD. See also Exodus 12:31; Exodus 23:25; 1 Chronicles 16:29 pp Psalm 96:9; Psalm 29:2; Psalm 99:5; Psalm 100:2; Jonah 1:9

Jesus Christ takes God's name to himself

John 8:58-59 The form of expression used by Jesus Christ meant that he was clearly identifying himself with the divine name “I AM”. The response of the crowd confirms this.