Hebrew · Strong's H3068
יְהוָה
YHWH (Yahweh) (YAH-way (reconstructed))
proper noun
The covenant name of God — 'I AM' — translated 'LORD' in small caps in most English Bibles.
YHWH is the personal, covenant name of the God of Israel, revealed to Moses at the burning bush: 'I AM THAT I AM' (Exodus 3:14). The name appears more than 6,800 times in the Hebrew Bible. Out of reverence, post-exilic Jews stopped pronouncing it aloud, substituting Adonai ('Lord'); the Septuagint followed by translating it Kyrios. Most English Bibles preserve this convention by writing 'LORD' in small capitals.
The name speaks of self-existence, eternity, faithfulness, and covenant presence. Every appearance of 'LORD' in your English Old Testament is a reminder that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has bound himself by name to his people.
Common English renderings
- LORD (small caps)
- GOD (small caps, when paired with Adonai)
- Jehovah (older translations)
Key verses
"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, Jehovah, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations."
Read in context →
"And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am Jehovah: and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name Jehovah I was not known to them."
Read in context →
"Hear, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah:"
Read in context →
"Jehovah is my shepherd; I shall not want."
Read in context →
"I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise unto graven images."
Read in context →