In a world filled with titles, interpretations, and shifting language, one truth remains unchanging: the Creator of heaven and earth has a name: Yahuwah, often lovingly shortened to Yah. While many refer to Him as “God” or “Lord,” these are titles not names. And names carry identity, relationship and intention.
Throughout Scripture, Yah makes Himself known not only through His works but by name revealed, declared and intended to be remembered from generation to generation.
Today, as more believers return to biblical truth and spiritual restoration, understanding His name becomes more than a theological curiosity, it becomes a call to reverence, to intimacy and to alignment with His Word.
The name revealed
When Moses encountered the burning bush in the wilderness, he found himself in the presence of the Eternal, called and chosen to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. In that moment, Moses asked a question that resonates through the ages: “What is Your name?” The answer he received was unlike any other:
“I AM WHO I AM.” (Exodus 3:14)
This declaration wasn’t simply a phrase. It was a revelation of Yah’s eternal nature: the One who has no beginning and no end, who is uncreated, constant and sovereign. In the original Hebrew, the name He revealed was YHWH pronounced Yahuwah.
The meaning behind this sacred name is rich and enduring: “The Eternal One,” “The Self-Existent,” “He Who Was, Is, and Is to Come.” It is not a mere title, it is a divine identity, set apart and meant to be known and remembered from generation to generation.
Yah: personal, powerful and worthy of praise
Throughout Scripture, we encounter the shortened and more intimate form of Yahuwah’s name: Yah. It is found most often in the language of worship and praise, pointing us to His nearness and presence.
The Psalmist invites us:
“Sing to God, sing in praise of His name, extol Him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before Him—His name is the Lord.” (Psalm 68:4)
We also see Yah as the source of strength and salvation:
“The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” (Exodus 15:2)
This divine name is not only written in holy texts, it’s also beautifully woven into the names of many key figures in Scripture:
- Eliyahu (Elijah) means My Elohim is Yah
- Yeshayahu (Isaiah) means Yah is Salvation
- Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) means Yah Exalts
And the word many of us know so well, “HalleluYah”, isn’t a poetic phrase, but a literal command: “Praise Yah.”
In every syllable, His name is declared. And in every moment of true worship, it is honored.
Why was Yahuwah’s name replaced?
Despite the profound weight of His name, Yahuwah’s identity has been slowly erased from many translations of Scripture, substituted instead with “LORD” in capital letters. This change took root through a combination of tradition, translation and suppression over the centuries.
By the time English translations were widely available, the original pronunciation had been intentionally obscured. As a result, most people today read “LORD” without ever realizing that Yahuwah was the name originally written.
But Yah never intended for His name to be hidden. His own words are unmistakably clear:
“I am the Lord, that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols.” (Isaiah 42:8)
“This is My name forever, the name you shall call Me from generation to generation.” (Exodus 3:15)
To restore His name is not to adopt a trend, it is to walk in alignment with Scripture, reverence and truth.
There is power in His name
Scripture consistently affirms that there is power, protection and promise in calling on Yahuwah’s name. This is not symbolic, it is sacred. His name is a strong tower, a place of safety, a declaration of covenant and salvation.
“Everyone who calls on the name of Yahuwah will be saved.” (Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13)
“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.” (Psalm 91:14)
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.” (John 17:6)
Even Yahusha (commonly known as Jesus) came not only to redeem but to reveal. He made Yahuwah’s name known to His disciples and declared it faithfully. Honoring the name of Yah is not a theological side note, it is the doorway to deeper reverence, restored intimacy and spiritual clarity.
What about “Jehovah” and “Lord”?
The name “Jehovah,” though familiar to many, is a modern mistranslation. The letter “J” does not exist in Hebrew and didn’t exist in English until the 1500s. The name “Jehovah” is actually a hybrid, formed by mixing the consonants YHWH with the vowels of “Adonai”, an attempt to vocalize a name no longer spoken. It’s not the name given in Scripture.
In the same way, “Lord” is a title, not a name. Though often used respectfully, it lacks the intimacy and truth found in the name Yahuwah. There’s a difference between calling your father “man” versus speaking his name with love and honor.
Yahuwah is not distant. He is near. And He desires to be known by name.
Yah or Yahuwah: which should we use?
The beauty is that both are true.
Yahuwah is the full covenant name, eternal and holy.
Yah is the intimate, personal expression used in praise and worship.
Each carries reverence. Each draws us closer.
Use them both freely and intentionally. Whether in whispered prayer, joyful song or quiet meditation, let the name of Yah be upon your lips and within your heart.
“HalleluYah” — Praise Yah.
“Yahuwah, I trust You.”
“Yah is my strength and my shield.”
This isn’t about legalism. It’s about returning to what Yah Himself revealed, restoring what was never meant to be removed.
Across the pages of Scripture, Yahuwah declared His name several times. It wasn’t hidden. It was revealed. It was declared as a memorial, a blessing and a covenant.
In a world that celebrates personal branding, status and titles, let us be part of those who exalt the only name worthy of all praise.
- Yahuwah is not distant, He is faithful.
- Yah is not just a name, He is our salvation, our strength, our shield.
- To know His name is to know His heart.
Let us return, with reverence and joy, to the name of our Creator.
“Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore.” — Psalm 113:2