The revelation of God's name is a significant theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His character, authority, and relationship with His people. In the Scriptures, names are not merely labels but convey deep meanings and truths about the nature and essence of the individual. This is especially true for the names of God, which reveal His attributes and His covenantal relationship with humanity.

YHWH (Yahweh or Jehovah)

The most significant and personal name of God revealed in the Old Testament is YHWH, often rendered as Yahweh or Jehovah. This name is first introduced in Exodus 3:14-15, where God reveals Himself to Moses at the burning bush. God declares, "I AM WHO I AM," and instructs Moses to say to the Israelites, "I AM has sent me to you." The name YHWH is derived from the Hebrew verb "to be," signifying God's eternal, self-existent nature. In Exodus 3:15, God further states, "This is My name forever, and this is how I am to be remembered in every generation."

YHWH is used throughout the Old Testament to emphasize God's covenantal faithfulness and His role as the Redeemer of Israel. In Exodus 6:2-3, God reiterates His name to Moses, saying, "I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by My name the LORD I did not make Myself known to them." This revelation underscores the progressive unfolding of God's identity and His intimate involvement in the lives of His people.

Elohim

Another important name for God is Elohim, which appears in the very first verse of the Bible: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). Elohim is a plural form, yet it is used with singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the complexity and unity of the Godhead. This name emphasizes God's power and sovereignty as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

Adonai

Adonai, meaning "Lord" or "Master," is another name used for God, highlighting His authority and lordship over all creation. It is often used in conjunction with YHWH to express reverence and submission to God's will. For example, in Psalm 8:1, David proclaims, "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!"

El Shaddai

El Shaddai, often translated as "God Almighty," is a name that conveys God's ultimate power and sufficiency. It is first revealed to Abraham in Genesis 17:1, where God says, "I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless." This name reassures believers of God's ability to fulfill His promises and provide for His people.

Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah Nissi, and Other Compound Names

Throughout the Old Testament, God reveals Himself through various compound names that describe His character and actions. For instance, Jehovah Jireh, meaning "The LORD Will Provide," is the name Abraham gives to the place where God provides a ram as a substitute for Isaac (Genesis 22:14). Jehovah Rapha, "The LORD Who Heals," is used in Exodus 15:26, where God promises healing to the Israelites. Jehovah Nissi, "The LORD Is My Banner," is the name Moses uses to commemorate God's victory over the Amalekites (Exodus 17:15).

The Name of Jesus

In the New Testament, the revelation of God's name reaches its fullness in the person of Jesus Christ. The name Jesus, derived from the Hebrew Yeshua, means "The LORD saves." In Matthew 1:21, the angel instructs Joseph, "You are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." Jesus embodies the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan and reveals the Father to humanity. In John 17:6, Jesus prays, "I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world."

The Name Above Every Name

Philippians 2:9-11 declares the exaltation of Jesus' name: "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." This passage affirms the supreme authority and honor bestowed upon Jesus, reflecting His divine nature and the ultimate revelation of God's name.

The revelation of God's name throughout Scripture invites believers to know Him more deeply, trust in His promises, and live in obedience to His will. Each name of God provides insight into His character and His desire for a relationship with His creation.