Collective Church Kinston: Yahweh

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The name Yahweh is considered the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, signifying a deeply relational and covenantal aspect of God. Revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14), Yahweh is rooted in the Hebrew verb hayah, meaning "to be," reflecting God's eternal, self-existent nature: “I AM WHO I AM.” This moment marked a turning point, as Moses became the first to know and proclaim this name, symbolizing a new, intimate phase in God’s relationship with Israel.

In Jewish tradition, the name Yahweh is viewed with profound reverence. To honor its sanctity, Jews refrain from pronouncing it, instead using Adonai ("Lord") or HaShem ("The Name") during prayer and reading. The Tetragrammaton—YHWH—is how the name appears in the Hebrew scriptures, underscoring its sacredness and mystery. Over time, the name became central to Jewish worship, identity, and theology, emphasizing God’s immanence and faithfulness.

Yahweh is not a distant deity but a personal God who knows, sees, and walks with His people, sustaining a covenant of love and justice.