The names of Deity

[Xeno.of.athens]

NAMES OF DEITY: LORD

Hebrew YHWH.

1. The primary meaning of the name "LORD" (perhaps pronounced Yahweh, found as Jehovah in some translations) is the self-existent One; literally (as in Ex. 3:14), He that is who He is, therefore, the eternal I AM. See Gn. 2:4, note.
2. It is significant that the first appearance of the name Jehovah in Scripture follows the creation of man. It was God (Elohim) who said, "Let us make man in our image" (Gn. 1:26); but when man is, in Gn. 2:7, to fill the scene and become dominant over creation, it is the LORD God (Jehovah Elohim) who acts (Gn. 2:4ff.). This clearly indicates a special relation of Deity, in His Jehovah character, to man, and all Scripture emphasises this.
3. Jehovah means the Eternal who enters into covenant with the creature, and then redemption became a necessity, it was Jehovah Elohim who sought the sinning ones (Gn. 3:9-13) and clothed them with garments of skin (Gn. 3:21), a beautiful type of the righteousness provided by the LORD God through sacrifice (Rom. 3:21-25). The first distinct revelation of Himself by His name Jehovah was in connection with the redemption of the covenant people out of Egypt (Ex. 3:13-17).

As Redeemer, emphasis is laid upon those attributes of Jehovah which the sin and salvation of man bring into prominence. These are:

1. His holiness (Lv. 11:44-45; 19:1-2; 20:26; Hab. 1:12-13);
2. His hatred and judgement of sin (Dt. 32:35-42; compare Gn. 6:5-7; Ex. 34:6-7; Ps. 11:4-6; 66:18); and
3. His love for and redemption of sinners, which He always carries out righteously (Gn. 3:21; 8:20-21; Ec. 12:14; Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 4:10). Sin must be judged before there can be reconciliation. The holiness of Jehovah demands the judgement of sin. The love of Jehovah provides the sacrifice (Gn. 22:8; Mt. 26:28; Mk. 10:45; Jn. 1:29).
4. The activities of the divine love of Deity as in covenant with Israel (Ex. 19:1-2; Jer. 31:1-34).
5. The name Jehovah is distinctly redemptive, as the compound names of Jehovah, but are not properly names of Deity. See the notes at Gn. 1:1-2; 6:4; 14:18; 15:2; 17:1-23; 1 Sm. 1:3; Mal. 3:18.

For other names of Deity, see the notes at Gn. 1:1-2; 6:4; 14:18; 15:2; 17:1-23; 1 Sm. 1:3; Mal. 3:18.

 

[Yeshua HaDerekh]

NAMES OF DEITY: LORD

Hebrew YHWH.

1. The primary meaning of the name "LORD" (perhaps pronounced Yahweh, found as Jehovah in some translations) is the self-existent One; literally (as in Ex. 3:14), He that is who He is, therefore, the eternal I AM. See Gn. 2:4, note.
2. It is significant that the first appearance of the name Jehovah in Scripture follows the creation of man. It was God (Elohim) who said, "Let us make man in our image" (Gn. 1:26); but when man is, in Gn. 2:7, to fill the scene and become dominant over creation, it is the LORD God (Jehovah Elohim) who acts (Gn. 2:4ff.). This clearly indicates a special relation of Deity, in His Jehovah character, to man, and all Scripture emphasises this.
3. Jehovah means the Eternal who enters into covenant with the creature, and then redemption became a necessity, it was Jehovah Elohim who sought the sinning ones (Gn. 3:9-13) and clothed them with garments of skin (Gn. 3:21), a beautiful type of the righteousness provided by the LORD God through sacrifice (Rom. 3:21-25). The first distinct revelation of Himself by His name Jehovah was in connection with the redemption of the covenant people out of Egypt (Ex. 3:13-17).

As Redeemer, emphasis is laid upon those attributes of Jehovah which the sin and salvation of man bring into prominence. These are:

1. His holiness (Lv. 11:44-45; 19:1-2; 20:26; Hab. 1:12-13);
2. His hatred and judgement of sin (Dt. 32:35-42; compare Gn. 6:5-7; Ex. 34:6-7; Ps. 11:4-6; 66:18); and
3. His love for and redemption of sinners, which He always carries out righteously (Gn. 3:21; 8:20-21; Ec. 12:14; Jn. 3:16; 1 Jn. 4:10). Sin must be judged before there can be reconciliation. The holiness of Jehovah demands the judgement of sin. The love of Jehovah provides the sacrifice (Gn. 22:8; Mt. 26:28; Mk. 10:45; Jn. 1:29).
4. The activities of the divine love of Deity as in covenant with Israel (Ex. 19:1-2; Jer. 31:1-34).
5. The name Jehovah is distinctly redemptive, as the compound names of Jehovah, but are not properly names of Deity. See the notes at Gn. 1:1-2; 6:4; 14:18; 15:2; 17:1-23; 1 Sm. 1:3; Mal. 3:18.

For other names of Deity, see the notes at Gn. 1:1-2; 6:4; 14:18; 15:2; 17:1-23; 1 Sm. 1:3; Mal. 3:18.

Ein Sof