What Is God's True Name? Yahweh, Jehovah & Elohim

Have we been calling God by His title rather than His name? And if God revealed His name to humanity, why do we use so many different names for Him today?

When we open the Bible, we encounter many names and descriptions of God. We call Him God, Lord, Almighty, Jehovah, Yahweh, Elohim and El Shaddai. We sing of Yahweh Jireh, pray to Adonai and speak of the Lord of Hosts.

But what do these names actually mean? Are they all names for the same God? Where did they originate, and which name did God Himself reveal?

To understand the answers, we need to go back to the Hebrew Scriptures, examine the words used in their original languages, and follow the story through to Jesus Christ.

This is not simply a question of pronunciation. It is an opportunity to understand how God chose to reveal Himself to His people.

1. Is “God” actually His name?

One of the first things to understand is that the English word God functions primarily as a title, rather than being the distinctive personal name revealed in the Old Testament.

Think about the difference between calling somebody “father” and calling them by their personal name. Father describes a relationship; a personal name identifies the individual.

In the Hebrew Bible, the word Elohim is commonly translated as “God”. It describes deity, much as the English word does. The Bible also uses a distinctive four-letter Hebrew name for the God of Israel.

Those four letters are:

יהוה — YHWH

This is known as the Tetragrammaton, a term derived from Greek meaning “four letters”. It appears thousands of times throughout the Hebrew Scriptures.

Yet many English Bibles do not print this name directly. Instead, they use the word LORD, usually written in capital letters.

That means a reader can read through much of the Old Testament without realising that the original Hebrew text repeatedly uses a distinctive personal name.

The substitution of LORD has a long history in Jewish and Christian Bible-reading traditions. It is not evidence that the original text lacked a name. Bible Project: God Has a Name

So, if YHWH is the name written in the Hebrew text, how should we pronounce it?

2. Yahweh or Jehovah: which is God's true name?

The two forms most often discussed are Yahweh and Jehovah.

Both are associated with the same four Hebrew consonants, YHWH. They are not originally two separate names belonging to two different gods.

Yahweh

Yahweh is the pronunciation commonly preferred by biblical scholars when reconstructing the ancient pronunciation of YHWH.

It is generally understood to be connected with the Hebrew verb associated with being or existence. This is why it is often linked with the idea of God as the One who is, or the One who brings things into being.

However, we should be careful not to claim that every detail of the name's original meaning is settled. Its precise etymology remains debated.

Jehovah

Jehovah is a historically established form of the divine name in English and other European languages.

Its development is connected with Jewish reading traditions. As reverence for the divine name grew, Jewish readers increasingly substituted Adonai, meaning “Lord”, when reading YHWH aloud. The vowel markings associated with this substitute were later combined with the consonants of the divine name by Christian scholars, contributing to the form that became Jehovah.

The form Jehovah appeared in William Tyndale's English biblical work in 1530 and subsequently became familiar in English-speaking Christianity.

Jehovah is therefore not simply a completely different name from Yahweh. Both forms refer to YHWH, although Yahweh is generally considered closer to its ancient pronunciation.

So which one is correct? If we are asking which pronunciation most closely reflects the ancient Hebrew, Yahweh is the usual scholarly preference. If we are asking whether Jehovah has a genuine historical place in Christian language and worship, it certainly does.

The important distinction is between the ancient Hebrew name and the later forms through which it has been represented in different languages. Encyclopaedia Britannica's historical discussion of Jehovah

3. When did God reveal His name to His people?

One of the most significant moments in the Bible occurs in Exodus 3.

Moses is tending sheep when he encounters a bush that burns without being consumed. God calls to him from the bush and commissions him to lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.

Moses asks a question that many people might ask if they were being sent to deliver a message on behalf of the Creator:

“Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”

God responds in Exodus 3:14:

“I AM WHO I AM.”

He then instructs Moses to tell the Israelites that “I AM” has sent him. In the following verse, Exodus 3:15, God identifies Himself as the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and declares that this is His name for the generations to come.

In Hebrew, the expression translated “I AM WHO I AM” is Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh. It is closely associated with the divine name YHWH, although the two expressions are not identical.

This is a remarkable moment in the biblical story. God is not merely giving Moses a label to repeat. He is identifying Himself as the God of the patriarchs and commissioning Moses to act on His authority.

The name is connected with God's self-revelation, His faithfulness and His presence with His people.

But was this the first time anyone knew God's name?

This is where the story becomes particularly interesting.

Genesis 4:26 refers to people beginning to call upon the name of the LORD. Genesis also uses YHWH in several passages long before Moses encounters the burning bush.

Exodus 6:2–3 adds another layer of complexity. God tells Moses that He appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as El Shaddai, but says that He was not known to them by His name YHWH in the same way.

Biblical scholars and interpreters have understood this passage in different ways. Some see it as a distinction between knowing the name and experiencing its full significance. Others understand it as reflecting different stages in the biblical presentation of God's revelation.

What we can say confidently is that Exodus 3 gives us the clearest and most explicit account of God revealing His name to Moses as he is commissioned to lead Israel out of Egypt.

God did not reveal Himself to Moses as an unknown deity with no connection to the past. He identified Himself as the God who had made promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and who was now acting to deliver their descendants.

Read Exodus 3:13–15 and Exodus 6:2–8 together. The relationship between God's name, His promises and His deliverance becomes much clearer.

4. Elohim: what does it actually mean?

Elohim is one of the most frequently encountered Hebrew words for God.

It is related to El, a Semitic word for a god or deity, and is commonly translated as “God” when referring to the God of Israel.

One detail often causes confusion: Elohim has a plural grammatical form, yet it regularly refers to the one God of Israel. When it is used in this way, the surrounding grammar generally treats God as singular.

For example, Genesis 1:1 begins:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

The Hebrew word translated “God” in this verse is Elohim.

The plural form of the word does not, by itself, prove that the verse is referring to multiple divine persons. Christians may explore the doctrine of the Trinity through the wider biblical narrative, but this particular word alone does not establish that doctrine.

Elohim emphasises God as deity and Creator. It can also be used in other biblical contexts for gods or other divine beings, depending on the passage.

This is an important reminder that translating a word requires us to consider how it is used, rather than assuming that every occurrence has precisely the same meaning.

5. The other names and titles of God explained

As we explore the Hebrew Scriptures, we encounter a rich vocabulary of names and descriptions. These are not simply alternative ways of spelling Yahweh. Some are titles, some describe God's character, and others combine the divine name with a particular attribute or action.

Here are some of the most significant examples.

El

Meaning: God, or deity.

El is a basic Semitic word for God. It can appear independently or as part of a longer expression, such as El Elyon and El Shaddai.

Eloah

Meaning: God.

Eloah is a singular form related to Elohim and is particularly prominent in the book of Job. It is another Hebrew word used to refer to God.

El Elyon

Meaning: God Most High.

This title appears in Genesis 14:18–22, where Melchizedek is described as priest of God Most High.

The expression emphasises God's supreme position and authority. It presents Him as higher than all earthly rulers and powers.

El Shaddai

Meaning: Traditionally rendered “God Almighty”.

In Genesis 17:1, God appears to Abram and identifies Himself as El Shaddai. This occurs when God renews His covenant promises and tells Abram that he will become the father of many nations.

The traditional translation “God Almighty” is widely used, although the precise origin and meaning of Shaddai remain debated.

The name is associated in the biblical narrative with God's power, His covenant and His ability to fulfil promises that appear humanly impossible.

El Olam

Meaning: Everlasting God, or God of eternity.

In Genesis 21:33, Abraham calls upon the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.

The expression highlights God's enduring nature in contrast to the temporary lives and circumstances of humanity.

El Roi

Meaning: Commonly translated “the God who sees me”.

In Genesis 16:13, Hagar encounters God in the wilderness and responds to the One who has seen her distress.

This is a deeply personal moment. Hagar is vulnerable, displaced and in need of help, yet she discovers that she has not been overlooked.

The name reminds readers that God's concern extends beyond the people who might ordinarily be considered central to the story.

Adonai

Meaning: Lord, or Master.

Adonai is a Hebrew title expressing authority and lordship. It is also important in Jewish reading traditions, where it is spoken aloud in place of YHWH when reading the Hebrew Scriptures.

This helps explain why English Bibles frequently use “Lord” where the Hebrew text contains the divine name.

However, the two are not identical words in the original language. YHWH is the distinctive divine name, while Adonai is a title.

Yahweh Sabaoth — the LORD of Hosts

Meaning: The LORD of Hosts, often understood as the LORD of heavenly armies or powers.

This expression appears throughout the Old Testament, particularly in prophetic literature.

It conveys God's sovereignty and authority over the heavenly host and, in some contexts, the forces through which He accomplishes His purposes.

Yah

Meaning: A shortened form of the divine name.

Yah appears in biblical praise and worship. One familiar example is “Hallelujah”, traditionally understood as “Praise Yah” or “Praise the LORD”.

It is a reminder that forms of the divine name have remained present in religious language, music and worship across generations.

Jehovah Jireh

Meaning: Commonly translated “The LORD will provide”.

In Genesis 22:14, Abraham uses this expression after God provides a ram in place of Isaac.

The story is one of testing, trust and provision. Abraham's words become associated with the conviction that God sees the need and provides.

Jehovah Nissi

Meaning: “The LORD is my banner”.

In Exodus 17:15, Moses builds an altar and gives it this name after Israel's battle with Amalek.

A banner can represent identity, unity and the gathering of people under a shared cause. The expression points to the LORD as the source of Israel's victory.

Jehovah Shalom

Meaning: “The LORD is peace”.

In Judges 6:24, Gideon builds an altar and calls it by this name after his encounter with the angel of the LORD.

The context matters. Gideon is afraid and uncertain, yet he receives reassurance from God. Peace here is not simply the absence of trouble; it is connected with God's reassurance and presence.

Jehovah Tsidkenu

Meaning: “The LORD is our righteousness”.

This expression appears in Jeremiah 23:6, in a prophecy concerning a righteous Branch from David's line.

It connects God's righteousness with the hope of just leadership and restoration for His people.

Jehovah Rapha

Meaning: Commonly translated “The LORD who heals you”.

The expression is associated with Exodus 15:26, where God speaks to Israel after bringing them out of Egypt and promises protection as they learn to walk in His ways.

It points to God as healer and restorer. It should not be reduced to a guarantee that every illness will be immediately cured; the wider biblical witness includes suffering, prayer, healing and the mystery of unanswered requests.

Jehovah Shammah

Meaning: “The LORD is there”.

This expression appears in Ezekiel 48:35, at the conclusion of Ezekiel's vision of restoration.

After the devastating loss of Jerusalem and the temple, the vision ends with a name that speaks of God's presence among His restored people.

The common thread running through these expressions is that they tell us something about how God is understood to act: providing, healing, bringing peace, establishing righteousness and remaining present.

One linguistic detail is worth remembering: many of these familiar expressions use the form “Jehovah” in English, while the Hebrew text contains YHWH alongside another word. They are best understood as compound expressions associated with the divine name, rather than a list of entirely unrelated personal names.

Abba, Father and the Other Names That Reveal God's Character

Not every name or expression used for God is a personal name in the strict sense. Some reveal His authority, others describe His character, and some express the closeness of the relationship He invites us to have with Him.

When we explore these expressions, we begin to see that the Bible does not describe God in only one way. It reveals different aspects of His identity and how He relates to His creation.

Abba — Father

Meaning: Father, expressed in a personal and intimate way.

The word Abba comes from Aramaic, the language commonly spoken in the region during the time of Jesus. It is often described as a term of closeness and trust, although it should not simply be reduced to the English word “Daddy”.

Jesus uses this word when praying in the Garden of Gethsemane:

“Abba, Father,” He says in Mark 14:36, as He submits Himself to the Father's will before His crucifixion.

The expression also appears in Romans 8:15 and Galatians 4:6, where Paul explains that believers receive the Spirit of adoption and are able to cry, “Abba, Father.”

This is a remarkable change in perspective. God is not presented merely as a distant ruler to be feared, but as the Father with whom His children can have a relationship.

For Christians, this does not mean losing sight of God's holiness or authority. Rather, it brings together two truths: God is worthy of reverence, and through Christ, believers are invited into a relationship of trust, belonging and love.

Father

Meaning: The One who creates, loves, guides, disciplines and cares for His people.

Father is one of the most important ways Jesus teaches His followers to speak about God. The Lord's Prayer begins, “Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9).

The word expresses relationship, care and authority. It also carries the idea of belonging to a family rather than merely following a set of religious rules.

Throughout Scripture, however, God is also described as the Father of Israel and the Father of those who come to Him. In Christian theology, the Father is also distinguished from the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, while remaining the one God confessed in the doctrine of the Trinity.

Ancient of Days

Meaning: The eternal One, whose wisdom and authority precede all earthly kingdoms.

This title appears in Daniel 7:9–14, where Daniel sees a vision of heavenly judgement. The Ancient of Days is portrayed with white clothing and hair like pure wool, seated upon a throne as the books are opened.

The imagery communicates purity, wisdom, majesty and the authority to judge the nations.

Unlike earthly rulers whose power eventually fades, God is portrayed as the eternal judge before whom every kingdom must ultimately answer. The passage also introduces “one like a son of man”, who receives dominion, glory and a kingdom that will not pass away.

Christians have often connected this vision with Jesus and His everlasting kingdom, although the interpretation of the details of Daniel's vision has been discussed in different ways across Jewish and Christian traditions.

The Most High

Meaning: The Supreme One, exalted above all other powers.

The Hebrew expression El Elyon is often translated “God Most High”. It appears in Genesis 14, when Melchizedek blesses Abram in the name of God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.

The title emphasises that God is not simply one spiritual power among many. He is presented as supreme over creation, rulers and nations.

Psalm 91 also repeatedly speaks of the Most High as the refuge of those who dwell in His shelter.

The title therefore combines God's supremacy with the assurance that He can be trusted as a place of refuge.

Lord

Meaning: Master, ruler or one who possesses authority.

The word “Lord” can translate several different words in Scripture, including Hebrew Adonai and Greek Kyrios.

It is important to recognise that “Lord” is not always a direct translation of the divine name YHWH. In many English Old Testaments, LORD in capital letters represents YHWH, whereas Lord with ordinary capitalisation may represent a title such as Adonai. Translation conventions differ.

In the New Testament, the title Lord is also central to the Christian confession of Jesus. Thomas addresses the risen Jesus as “My Lord and my God” in John 20:28.

For Christians, calling Jesus Lord is more than using a respectful title. It expresses faith in His authority and a willingness to follow Him.

King of Kings and Lord of Lords

Meaning: The supreme ruler above all kings and authorities.

This expression appears in Revelation 19:16, where the returning Christ is portrayed as the victorious ruler whose authority surpasses every earthly power.

A related description of God appears in 1 Timothy 6:15, which speaks of the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

The title communicates that no political leader, empire or human institution has ultimate authority over God.

It is a declaration of sovereignty and a reminder that earthly power is temporary.

The Alpha and the Omega

Meaning: The beginning and the end.

Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Revelation uses them as a symbolic expression of completeness and ultimate sovereignty.

In Revelation 1:8, the Lord God describes Himself as the Alpha and the Omega, the One who is, who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

In Revelation 22:13, the title appears again in a passage concerning the coming of Christ. The surrounding context and the identity of the speaker have been interpreted carefully by Christian readers.

The imagery points towards God's authority over the whole course of history. He is not simply present at the beginning and absent at the end; His purposes encompass the whole story.

The Good Shepherd

Meaning: The One who guides, protects and cares for His people.

Psalm 23 begins with the words, “The LORD is my shepherd.” The psalm describes God as the One who leads the writer beside still waters, restores his soul and remains with him through the darkest valley.

Jesus later identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd in John 10:11, saying that the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

This is a powerful connection between the Old Testament's description of the LORD and Jesus' own teaching about Himself.

The image of a shepherd is personal and practical. A shepherd does not simply command the flock from a distance; he guides it, watches over it and accepts responsibility for its welfare.

For Christians, the image finds its fullest expression in Jesus, who gives His life for those He came to save.

The Rock

Meaning: Strength, stability, protection and faithfulness.

God is repeatedly described as a rock in the Psalms and elsewhere in Scripture. Deuteronomy 32:4 calls Him the Rock, whose work is perfect and whose ways are just.

The imagery communicates reliability. In a world where circumstances change and people fail, a rock represents something secure upon which a person can stand.

In Matthew 7:24–27, Jesus compares the person who hears His words and puts them into practice to someone who builds a house upon rock.

The wider biblical picture is that genuine security comes not simply from knowing religious language, but from trusting God and responding faithfully to His word.

Redeemer

Meaning: One who rescues, restores or buys back what has been lost.

The title Redeemer appears throughout the Old Testament, particularly in passages concerning Israel's deliverance and restoration. Isaiah 44:6, for example, identifies the LORD as Israel's King and Redeemer.

In the ancient world, a redeemer could be a relative who acted to protect a family member, restore property or secure freedom in particular circumstances.

The biblical use of the title draws on this picture of rescue and restoration. God is presented as the One who does not simply observe His people's suffering but acts to deliver them.

For Christians, the theme reaches its central expression in Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection are understood as the means through which humanity can be reconciled to God.

Immanuel — God With Us

Meaning: God is with us.

The name Immanuel appears in Isaiah 7:14 and is applied to Jesus in Matthew 1:22–23.

Matthew connects the prophecy with the birth of Jesus, presenting Him as the fulfilment of the promise expressed by the words “God with us”.

The significance is not merely that Jesus carries an unusual name. It is that His coming reveals God's presence among humanity.

Christian belief holds that God did not remain distant from human suffering. In Jesus, the Son entered human history, lived among people and ultimately suffered death on the cross.

Immanuel therefore expresses one of the central themes of the Christian faith: God's desire to bring people into relationship with Him.

Saviour

Meaning: One who rescues or delivers.

The Bible describes God as Saviour in both the Old and New Testaments. In Luke 2:11, the angel announces the birth of Jesus with the words that a Saviour has been born, who is Christ the Lord.

The title points towards the heart of the Christian message: humanity needs rescue from sin and reconciliation with God.

The name Jesus is itself connected with the meaning “Yahweh saves”, making the announcement of His birth especially significant.

For Christians, Jesus is not simply a teacher offering advice on how to live better. He is the Saviour through whom God offers forgiveness and new life.

The Holy One of Israel

Meaning: The One who is utterly holy and set apart, and who stands in covenant relationship with Israel.

This expression appears frequently in Isaiah. It combines God's holiness with His particular relationship to His people.

Holiness means more than moral goodness. It communicates God's uniqueness, purity and separation from evil.

Yet the title is not merely a reminder of distance. In Isaiah, the Holy One of Israel also speaks of redemption, mercy and restoration.

The same God who is utterly holy is the One who calls His people back to Himself.

The Lord of Hosts

Meaning: The LORD of the heavenly host or armies.

This title is often associated with God's supreme power and authority. It appears throughout the Old Testament, including in Isaiah 6:3, where heavenly beings proclaim that the whole earth is full of His glory.

The word “hosts” does not simply mean human soldiers. Depending on context, it can refer to heavenly beings or armies.

The title reminds the reader that God's authority extends beyond what human beings can see or control.

The God Who Sees

Meaning: God sees the suffering and circumstances of His people.

This expression is closely associated with El Roi, the name used by Hagar in Genesis 16:13.

Hagar's experience is important because she is not one of the powerful figures in the biblical story. She is a vulnerable woman who finds herself in distress, yet God sees her and addresses her situation.

The account reminds us that God's attention is not limited to the prominent, wealthy or religiously respected.

For anyone who feels overlooked or forgotten, Hagar's story offers a powerful reminder that the Bible repeatedly presents God as attentive to human suffering.

What do all these names tell us?

Taken together, these names and titles reveal a remarkably rich picture of God.

He is described as Creator and King, yet also as Father and Shepherd. He is the eternal judge, yet also the Redeemer who rescues the vulnerable. He is holy and sovereign, yet Christians believe that through Jesus Christ He has drawn near to humanity.

We should not confuse every title with a separate personal name, nor assume that every expression has exactly the same meaning. Their significance comes from the biblical passages in which they appear.

Perhaps that is the most valuable reason to study them: each expression invites us to look more closely at the passage, understand the original context and discover what Scripture is communicating about God's character.

The names of God are not simply words to memorise. They open windows into the biblical story of who God is, what He has done and how He invites people to respond to Him.

6. What about Jesus? Is Yeshua God's real name?

The question of God's name naturally leads to another question: what about Jesus?

Jesus is the English form of the name transmitted through Greek Iēsous. His name is related to the Hebrew and Aramaic name Yeshua, a shortened form of Yehoshua.

The name is commonly understood to mean “Yahweh saves” or “the LORD saves”.

This meaning is particularly significant in Matthew 1:21, where Joseph is told to name the child Jesus because He will save His people from their sins.

The name itself therefore carries a message about salvation.

But is Jesus God's “true Christian name”?

Not quite. Within Christian belief, Jesus is the Son of God, the Christ, and the one through whom God brings salvation. His human name is Jesus, while Christ is a title meaning “Anointed One”, corresponding to the Hebrew Messiah.

Christians understand Jesus' identity through passages such as John 1:1–14, John 10:30 and Colossians 1:15–20. These passages are central to Christian understanding of His relationship with the Father and His divine identity.

In John 17:6, Jesus says that He has made the Father's name known to those given to Him. This invites us to consider not merely the pronunciation of a name, but the revelation of God's character and purposes through Jesus.

There is also a fascinating connection in the name Jesus itself: the Hebrew name associated with “Yahweh saves” points directly towards the salvation that Christians believe Jesus came to accomplish.

7. Why do so many Bibles say LORD instead of Yahweh?

If YHWH appears so frequently in the Hebrew Scriptures, why do many modern English translations use LORD?

The practice developed from a longstanding Jewish tradition of treating the divine name with special reverence. Rather than pronouncing YHWH aloud, readers commonly substituted Adonai, meaning “Lord”.

This custom influenced the transmission and translation of Scripture. In many later Greek manuscripts of the Old Testament, the title Kyrios, meaning “Lord”, appears in place of the divine name. English translations inherited this convention.

When you see LORD in capital letters in many English Bibles, it usually indicates that the underlying Hebrew text contains YHWH. The typography helps distinguish it from the ordinary title “Lord”, although individual translations have their own conventions.

This does not mean that translators are necessarily trying to hide God's name. The choice often reflects a translation tradition rooted in reverence, worship and the history of biblical interpretation.

Other translations choose to print Yahweh or Jehovah more frequently. Different Christian communities also have different convictions about whether the divine name should be spoken in worship.

The important thing is to recognise the distinction between what the Hebrew text says and the English wording chosen by a particular translation.

8. Does God care what we call Him?

This is where the subject moves beyond language and into faith.

The Bible places considerable importance on God's name. In Exodus 20:7, the commandment concerning the misuse of God's name warns against treating it carelessly. In Isaiah 42:8, God declares that He will not give His glory to another.

Psalm 83:18, depending on the translation, speaks of the LORD's name being known as the Most High over all the earth.

Yet the Bible also consistently directs our attention towards the way we live, the sincerity of our worship and the nature of our relationship with God.

Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9). The prayer begins by honouring the Father and His holiness.

That is a significant balance. The biblical text gives us a real reason to take God's name seriously, but it would be a mistake to assume that a particular English pronunciation, by itself, determines whether somebody has a genuine relationship with Him.

Some Christians prefer Yahweh. Some use Jehovah. Others follow the traditional wording of their Bible and pray to the Lord or Father. Christians differ on the subject, and those differences should be discussed honestly rather than used as a reason to dismiss one another's faith.

If we are seeking truth, we should be willing to examine the original text, the history of translation and the beliefs of different Christian traditions.

We should also remember that knowing a name and knowing the person are not quite the same thing.

9. So, what is the name God Himself revealed?

When we return to Exodus 3:13–15, we find the clearest answer to the central question.

The Hebrew Scriptures record the divine name as YHWH. The pronunciation commonly reconstructed by scholars is Yahweh, while Jehovah is a historically established form that became familiar in English Christian usage.

Elohim means God or deity in its relevant contexts. Adonai means Lord or Master. El Shaddai is traditionally translated God Almighty. El Elyon means God Most High. Other expressions describe God's provision, peace, righteousness, healing and presence.

These words do not all perform the same function. Understanding their differences helps us read the Bible more carefully.

The story of God's name also unfolds through the story of His relationship with humanity: His promises to Abraham, His commission to Moses, His deliverance of Israel and, for Christians, His revelation through Jesus Christ.

We do not need to pretend that every linguistic question has a simple answer. The ancient pronunciation of YHWH cannot be established with absolute certainty, and scholars continue to debate some aspects of its origin and meaning.

But we can be confident about the central distinction: God is not referred to only by the generic title “God” in the Hebrew Scriptures. The text contains a distinctive divine name, alongside many titles and descriptions that reveal different aspects of His character.

Final thoughts: a name is more than a word

Perhaps the most important lesson is not simply learning how to pronounce Yahweh, Jehovah or Elohim. It is discovering why these words mattered to the people who used them.

When God revealed Himself to Moses, He did so in the middle of a story of suffering, oppression and a promise of freedom. His name was connected with the God who remembered His covenant and acted on behalf of His people.

For Christians, that story ultimately leads to Jesus Christ, whose name points towards salvation and whose life, death and resurrection stand at the centre of the Christian faith.

So the next time you read your Bible and encounter the words LORD, God Almighty, Most High or Lord of Hosts, pause for a moment. Look at the passage. Consider the original wording, its context and what it reveals about the God being described.

The Bible's many names and titles are not merely a collection of religious expressions. They form part of a much larger story about the God who reveals Himself, makes promises and calls people into relationship with Him.

The question is not only whether we know the name God revealed to Moses. It is whether we are willing to discover the God who revealed it.

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