Nov 129 min read

Jehovah, the Tetragrammaton, Is the Father’s Personal Name Important?

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The Bible frequently mentions God's personal name, revealing its significance and its relationship to His identity. The name Jehovah, represented in the Hebrew text as הוהי (JHVH or YHWH), appears 6,828 times, starting in Genesis 2:4, where it is first introduced in the phrase, "These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that Jehovah God made the earth and the heavens." (UASV). The frequency of this name's usage alone underscores the importance that God Himself places on being known by His personal name. The removal of Jehovah’s name from modern translations has serious theological implications that affect our understanding of who God is and how we are to relate to Him.

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What Is the Significance of God's Name?

God’s personal name is a reflection of His nature and His relationship with His people. The name Jehovah is often connected with His covenantal relationship with Israel. For instance, in Exodus 6:3, God declares, "And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name Jehovah I was not known to them." This verse reveals that while the patriarchs knew God, they had not yet experienced the full significance of His name Jehovah. This would unfold as God redeemed Israel from Egypt and fulfilled His covenant promises to them.

Moreover, Jehovah is not merely a title or a designation; it is a name filled with meaning. It comes from the Hebrew root word meaning “to be” or “to become.” This relates directly to God’s statement to Moses at the burning bush: “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). Jehovah, therefore, signifies the one who causes to become, the one who brings things into existence according to His will. He is the one who fulfills His promises, and His name is a constant reminder of His sovereign power and faithfulness. The Bible highlights the protective and salvific power of Jehovah's name, as we see in Proverbs 18:10: “The name of Jehovah is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe."

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The Deletion of Jehovah’s Name from Modern Translations

One of the most troubling developments in biblical translation history is the removal of God’s personal name in favor of titles such as "Lord" or "God." This practice can be traced back to the Jewish tradition of avoiding the pronunciation of the divine name out of reverence. However, this tradition did not originate with God's command but arose from human custom. Over time, this led to the replacement of Jehovah’s name with titles like Adonai (Lord) in Jewish and Christian texts, particularly in translations like the Septuagint and the Latin Vulgate. In these texts, the Tetragrammaton (JHVH) was substituted, contributing to the gradual erasure of Jehovah’s name from common usage.

Most modern translations have followed this pattern. The English Standard Version (ESV), for example, renders God’s personal name as “Lord” in most instances. This practice obscures the personal aspect of God’s name, reducing it to a mere title and weakening the sense of intimacy that comes with knowing God's name. The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) and the Lexham English Bible (LEB) do use Yahweh in some places, but even they fail to fully restore God’s name throughout the Old Testament, opting instead to follow the tradition of substituting "LORD" or "GOD" in most occurrences of the Tetragrammaton.

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Scriptural Commands to Honor God's Name

Scripture is clear that God’s name is to be revered and proclaimed. Jehovah Himself emphasizes the importance of His name in passages such as Isaiah 42:8: “I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise unto graven images.” The name Jehovah signifies God’s unique identity as the only true God, distinct from the idols and false gods worshiped by the surrounding nations.

The Psalms are replete with calls to praise Jehovah’s name: “Let them praise the name of Jehovah, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven” (Psalm 148:13). The command to honor and proclaim God’s name is not just a suggestion; it is a crucial aspect of biblical worship. As Christians, we are called to “walk in the name of Jehovah our God forever and ever” (Micah 4:5). The removal of Jehovah’s name from modern translations undermines this fundamental biblical principle and hinders believers from fully understanding the richness of God’s self-revelation.

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The Restoration of Jehovah’s Name in Modern Translations

Despite the widespread removal of Jehovah’s name from many Bible translations, efforts have been made to restore it. One notable example is William Tyndale, who included Jehovah's name in his English translation of the Pentateuch in 1530. Tyndale understood the importance of retaining God’s personal name and even explained to his readers that whenever they saw “LORD” in all capital letters, it represented the divine name Jehovah.

The 1901 American Standard Version (ASV) also restored Jehovah’s name in over 6,000 instances, recognizing that it was inappropriate to replace the divine name with mere titles. The translators of the ASV declared: “A Jewish superstition, which regarded the Divine Name as too sacred to be uttered, ought no longer to dominate in the English or any other version of the Old Testament.” This stance highlights the necessity of preserving the name that God has revealed to us in Scripture.

The UASV continues this tradition of faithfully restoring Jehovah’s name, recognizing that the name is not a human invention but a divine self-revelation. God wants His people to know His name, to call upon Him in prayer, and to trust in the meaning and power that His name embodies.

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The Theological and Relational Implications of Using God’s Name

Using God's personal name, Jehovah, has profound theological and relational implications. First, it reminds us of the personal relationship that God desires to have with His people. In Exodus 34:5-6, Jehovah descends in a cloud and proclaims His name to Moses, emphasizing His character: “Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving-kindness and truth.” The repetition of the name highlights its importance and its connection to God’s covenantal faithfulness.

Knowing God by His personal name also enhances our understanding of His promises. In the case of Moses and the Israelites, Jehovah promised to become whatever was needed to bring them out of slavery and into the Promised Land. This is a powerful expression of God’s role as a deliverer and protector. God’s name is tied to His actions in history, and to erase that name from the Bible is to diminish the full scope of His saving work.

Moreover, using Jehovah’s name in prayer and worship acknowledges God's sovereignty and distinctiveness. The Bible is filled with warnings against the worship of false gods and idols. As Psalm 115:4-6 points out, idols have “mouths, but cannot speak; eyes, but cannot see; ears, but cannot hear.” In contrast, Jehovah is the living God who interacts with His people, answers prayers, and fulfills His promises. To remove His name from the Bible is to reduce the personal connection that believers can have with their Creator.

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Why Is the Removal of Jehovah’s Name a Problem?

The removal of Jehovah’s name from most Bible translations is more than a simple issue of pronunciation or translation choices. It reflects a broader trend of diminishing the personal and relational aspect of God’s revelation. The Bible is not merely a collection of theological concepts; it is a revelation of a personal God who desires a relationship with His creation. The name Jehovah is integral to understanding that relationship.

When modern translators choose to replace Jehovah’s name with titles like “LORD” or “God,” they make a theological decision that affects how readers perceive God. Titles can convey authority and power, but they do not carry the same personal intimacy that comes with a name. Imagine addressing a close friend or family member by their title rather than their name. It would create a sense of distance and formality, rather than closeness and familiarity.

Furthermore, the removal of Jehovah’s name can lead to confusion about who God is. In a world filled with false gods and competing religious systems, the Bible clearly distinguishes Jehovah as the only true God. In passages like 1 Kings 18, where Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal, the distinction between Jehovah and Baal is made clear through the use of God’s personal name. Elijah’s prayer to Jehovah results in fire coming down from heaven, proving that Jehovah is the one true God (1 Kings 18:38-39). If Elijah had prayed to a generic "Lord," the distinction between the true God and the false gods would have been obscured.

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The Example of Jesus and the Apostles

Jesus and the apostles also recognized the importance of God's name. Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9). This statement emphasizes the sanctity of God’s name and the need to honor it in prayer. Jesus’ use of the word “Father” in this context highlights the personal relationship that believers are called to have with God, but it does not negate the importance of knowing and using God’s personal name, Jehovah.

In fact, the apostles quoted Old Testament passages that referenced Jehovah and applied them to their teachings. For example, in Acts 2:21, Peter quotes Joel 2:32, saying, “Everyone who calls upon the name of Jehovah will be saved.” Similarly, in Romans 10:13, Paul cites the same verse from Joel, reinforcing the importance of calling on Jehovah’s name for salvation. These New Testament references to the divine name show that the apostles understood the significance of Jehovah’s name and its role in God’s plan of salvation.

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The Consequences of Ignoring God’s Name

Ignoring or removing Jehovah’s name from the Bible has far-reaching consequences. It not only diminishes the personal nature of God’s revelation but also affects how believers relate to Him in worship and prayer. When we remove God’s name, we risk turning Him into an abstract concept rather than a personal being who desires to be known by His people.

Furthermore, the removal of Jehovah’s name can lead to theological confusion. If God’s name is not used, it becomes easier for people to conflate the God of the Bible with the gods of other religions. This is especially concerning in an age of increasing religious pluralism and interfaith dialogue. The Bible is clear that Jehovah is distinct from all other gods, and His name serves as a marker of that distinction. In Deuteronomy 6:4, we read, “Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God, Jehovah is one.” This verse not only affirms the oneness of God but also emphasizes His unique identity as Jehovah.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).