El Etymology
 
 
Jewish scholars believe that the unique name of God cannot be said ‘aloud’ since the name of God (YHVH) is holy and cannot be taken in vain. God’s unique name is unutterable. Since the LORD is unique, without rival, the Creator and LORD who is answerable to no one, He cannot be named. However God reveals himself as ‘I AM THAT I AM’ (YHWH) and throughout the scripture, we see the attributes or characteristics of God revealed to us. The multiplicity of names refers to different aspects of revelation rather than supposing that there is multiplicity of deities. Studying these attributes or names of God provide us different portraits of God’s revealed character in the bible.
ePjpnkhopfs; 18:10. fu;j;jupd; ehkk; gyj;j JUfk;; ePjpkhd; mjw;Fs; Xbr; RfkhapUg;ghd;.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Vrhah 54:5. cd; rpU\;bfNu cd; ehafu;; Nridfspd; fu;j;ju; vd;gJ mtUila ehkk;; ,];uNtypd; gupRj;ju; cd; kPl;gu;> mtu; ru;tG+kpapd; Njtd; vd;dg;gLthu;.
For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
 
Study Guidelines
 
Estimated Start Time: 8.00 PM
  1. 15 minutes worship,
  2. 25 minutes study and
  3. 15 minutes prayer
Estimated Finish Time: 8.55 PM
Time to Leave home: before 9.30 PM
 
YAHWEH (YHWH) - I AM
(NaNfhth - ,Uf;fpwtuhf ,Uf;fpNwd;)
 
Introduction
This name ‘YHWH’ (Exodus 3:14) containing four letters, is also called the ‘tetragrammaton’. YHWH is the source of all being and has being inherent in Himself (i.e., He is a necessary being). Everything else is dependent on Him. The name YHWH speaks of the transcendence of God. He is the source of everything and everything draws its sustenance from Him.
rq;fPjk; 68:4. Njtidg;ghb> mtUila ehkj;ijf; fPu;j;jdk;gz;Zq;fs;; tdhe;juq;fspy; VwptUfpwtUf;F topia Maj;jg;gLj;Jq;fs;; mtUila ehkk; NaNfhth> mtUf;F Kd;ghff; fsp$Uq;fs;.
Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.
 
YAHWEH the self-existent one (I AM)
 
1. YHWH - the name revealed to Moses
  1. This name is also called YaHoWah (“Jehovah”). The YHWH is derived from a hebrew verb that means “to be”.
    1. 13. mg;nghOJ NkhNr Njtid Nehf;fp: ehd; ,];uNty; Gj;jpuuplj;jpy; Ngha;> cq;fs; gpjhf;fSila Njtd; cq;fsplj;jpy; vd;id mDg;gpdhu; vd;W mtu;fSf;Fr; nrhy;Yk;NghJ> mtUila ehkk; vd;d vd;W mtu;fs; vd;dplj;jpy; Nfl;lhy;> ehd; mtu;fSf;F vd;d nrhy;YNtd; vd;whd;.
      And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them?
    2. 14. mjw;Fj; Njtd;: ,Uf;fpwtuhf ,Uf;fpNwd; vd;W NkhNrAlNd nrhy;yp> ,Uf;fpNwd; vd;gtu; vd;id cq;fsplj;Jf;F mDg;gpdhu; vd;W ,];uNty; Gj;jpuNuhNl nrhy;thahf vd;whu;.
      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.
  2. Jesus also referred to Himself as the I AM. Hence it is clear that not only God the Father, but the Son and the Holy Spirit are self-existent from the beginning. It could also be that the voice that Moses heard is a theophany (manifestation of Jesus in the Old Testament).
    1. Nahthd; 8:52. mg;nghOJ A+ju;fs; mtiu Nehf;fp: eP gprhR gpbj;jtndd;W ,g;nghOJ mwpe;jpUf;fpNwhk;; MgpufhKk; jPu;f;fjuprpfSk; kupj;jhu;fs;. ePNah: xUtd; vd; thu;j;ijiaf; iff;nfhz;lhy; vd;nwd;iwf;Fk; kuzj;ij Urpghu;g;gjpy;iy vd;fpwha;.
      Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death.
    2. 53. vq;fs; gpjhthfpa MgpufhkpYk; eP ngupatNdh? mtu; kupj;jhu;> jPu;f;fjuprpfSk; kupj;jhu;fs;; cd;id eP vg;gbg;gl;ltdhf;Ffpwha; vd;whu;fs;.
      Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
    3. 54. ,NaR gpujpAj;jukhf: vd;id ehNd kfpikg;gLj;jpdhy; me;j kfpik tPzhapUf;Fk;> vd; gpjh vd;id kfpikg;gLj;Jfpwtu;> mtiu cq;fs; Njtndd;W ePq;fs; nrhy;YfpwPu;fs;.
      Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God:
    4. 55. MapDk; ePq;fs; mtiu mwpatpy;iy> ehd; mtiu mwpe;jpUf;fpNwd;; mtiu mwpNad; vd;W nrhy;Ntdhfpy; cq;fisg;Nghy ehDk; ngha;adhapUg;Ngd;; mtiu ehd; mwpe;J> mtUila thu;j;ijiaf; iff;nfhz;bUf;fpNwd;.
      Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
    5. 56. cq;fs; gpjhthfpa Mgpufhk; vd;Dila ehisf; fhz MirahapUe;jhd;; fz;L fsp$u;e;jhd; vd;whu;.
      Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
    6. 57. mg;nghOJ A+ju;fs; mtiu Nehf;fp: cdf;F ,d;Dk; Ik;gJ tajhftpy;iyNa> eP Mgpufhikf; fz;lhNah vd;whu;fs;.
      Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?
    7. 58. mjw;F ,NaR: Mgpufhk; cz;lhfpwjw;F Kd;dNk ehd; ,Uf;fpNwd; vd;W nka;ahfNt nka;ahfNt cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;YfpNwd; vd;whu;.
      Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.
 
2. YHWH - the God who keeps promises
  1. YHWH also is interpreted as the God who keeps promises. God appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as God Almighty. But to Moses, he appears as YahWeh, as a personal God, who keeps his promises. He asks Moses to go to Egypt and bring back His people, since that was the promise that God made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
    1. ahj;jpuhfkk; 6:3. ru;tty;yikAs;s Njtd; vd;Dk; ehkj;jpdhy; ehd; MgpufhKf;Fk; <rhf;Ff;Fk; ahf;NfhGf;Fk; juprdkhNdd;; MdhYk; NaNfhth vd;Dk; vd; ehkj;jpdhy; ehd; mtu;fSf;F mwpag;gltpy;iy.
      And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
  2. The name YHWH is combined with the, “God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Jacob” as shown in the following scripture. God is a personal God (I AM) who wants to keep the promises that has been given to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
    1. ahj;jpuhfkk; 3:15. NkYk;> Njtd; NkhNria Nehf;fp: Mgpufhkpd; NjtDk; <rhf;fpd; NjtDk; ahf;Nfhgpd; NjtDkhapUf;fpw cq;fs; gpjhf;fSila Njtdhfpa fu;j;ju; vd;id cq;fsplj;Jf;F mDg;gpdhu; vd;W eP ,];uNty; Gj;jpuUf;Fr; nrhy;thahf; vd;iwf;Fk; ,JNt vd; ehkk;> jiyKiw jiyKiwNjhWk; ,JNt vd; Ngu;g;gpu];jhgk;.
      And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD 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.
 
3. YHWH - The God who is self-sufficient
  1. God does not need anyone nor does he anything to survive. For example, God does not need to eat food to exist. God would have existed, even if we have not been created or the earth and the world. He is self-sufficient and self-existent.
    1. nfhNyhnrau; 1:16. Vndd;why; mtUf;Fs; rfyKk; rpU\;bf;fg;gl;lJ; guNyhfj;jpYs;sitfSk; G+Nyhfj;jpYs;sitfSkhfpa fhzg;gLfpwitfSk; fhzg;glhjitfSkhd rfy t];Jf;fSk;> rpq;fhrdq;fshdhYk;> fu;j;jj;Jtq;fshdhYk;> Jiuj;jdq;fshdhYk;> mjpfhuq;fshdhYk;> rfyKk; mtiuf;nfhz;Lk; mtUf;nfd;Wk; rpU\;bf;fg;gl;lJ.
      For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
    2. 17. mtu; vy;yhtw;wpw;Fk; Ke;jpdtu;> vy;yhk; mtUf;Fs; epiyepw;fpwJ.
      And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
 
4. YHWH - The God who always is, is self-existent and everlasting
  1. God’s name ‘I AM’ means that he exists in Himself and He was not created.; He was and He is and He will be. Whatever is past, present and future, is always ‘present’ for God. He does not have a past.
    1. Vrhah 43:10. ehNd mtnud;W ePq;fs; czu;e;J> vd;id mwpe;J tpRthrpf;Fk;gbf;F ePq;fSk; ehd; njupe;Jnfhz;l vd; jhrDk; vdf;Fr; rhl;rpfshapUf;fpwPu;fs; vd;W fu;j;ju; nrhy;Yfpwhu;; vdf;F Kd; Vw;gl;l Njtd; ,y;iy> vdf;Fg;gpd; ,Ug;gJk; ,y;iy.
      Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
    2. 11. ehd;> ehNd fu;j;ju;; vd;iday;yhky; ul;rfu; ,y;iy.
      I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
    3. 12. ehNd mwptpj;J> ,ul;rpj;J> tpsq;fg;gz;zpNdd;; cq;fspy; ,g;gbr; nra;aj;jf;f me;epa Njtd; ,y;iy; ehNd> Njtd; vd;gjw;F ePq;fs; vdf;Fr; rhl;rpfs; vd;W fu;j;ju; nrhy;Yfpwhu;.
      I have declared, and have saved, and I have showed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.
    4. 13. ehs; cz;lfhjjw;F Kd;Dk; ehNd ,Uf;fpNwd;; vd; iff;Fj; jg;Gtpf;fj;jf;ftd; ,y;iy; ehd; nra;fpwijj; jLg;gtd; ahu;?
      Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?
  2. God is everlasting. He will not terminate nor go into abyss. He will be God and always God for eternity. Abraham, after Abimelech visited him and made peace, recognized this and called Him, ‘Everlasting God’
    1. Mjpahfkk; 21:32. mtu;fs; ngnau;nrghtpNy cld;gbf;if gz;zpf;nfhz;lgpd; mgpnkNyf;Fk;> mtd; Nrdhgjpahfpa gpNfhYk; vOe;J ngyp];jUila Njrj;jpw;Fj; jpUk;gpg;Nghdhu;fs;.
      Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba: then Abimelech rose up, and Phichol the chief captain of his host, and they returned into the land of the Philistines.
    2. 33. Mgpufhk; ngnau;nrghtpNy xU Njhg;ig cz;lhf;fp> rjhfhyKKs;s Njtdhfpa fu;j;jUila ehkj;ij mt;tplj;jpy; njhOJnfhz;lhd;.
      And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.
 
5. YHWH - The God who is unchanging
  1. The “I AM”, speaks of the unchanging nature of God. His love, covenant and promises do not change. He is the same from everlasting to everlasting.
    1. rq;fPjk; 90:2. gu;tjq;fs; Njhd;WKd;Dk;> ePu; G+kpiaAk; cyfj;ijAk; cUthf;FKd;Dk;> ePNu mehjpaha; vd;nwd;iwf;Fk; NjtdhapUf;fpwPu;.
      Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
  2. The ‘I AM’ (the LORD) does not change, but it is man that forgets God or frequently goes far from God.
    1. ky;fpah 3:6. ehd; fu;j;ju; ehd; khwhjtu;; Mifahy; ahf;Nfhgpd; Gj;jpuuhfpa ePq;fs; epu;%ykhftpy;iy.
      For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
    2. 7. ePq;fs; cq;fs; gpjhf;fspd; ehl;fs; njhlq;fp vd; fl;lisfisf; iff;nfhs;shky;> mitfistpl;L tpyfpg;NghdPu;fs;; vd;dplj;jpw;Fj; jpUk;Gq;fs;> mg;nghOJ cq;fsplj;jpw;Fj; jpUk;GNtd; vd;W Nridfspd; fu;j;ju; nrhy;Yfpwhu;; ehq;fs; ve;j tp\aj;jpy; jpUk;gNtz;Lk; vd;fpwPu;fs;>
      Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
  3. The books of Hebrews says that God does not change. Jesus Christ remains the same yesterday, today and forever.
    1. vgpnuau; 13:8. ,NaRfpwp];J New;Wk; ,d;Wk; vd;Wk; khwhjtuhapUf;fpwhu;.
      Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
 
6. YHWH - The God who is eternal (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)
  1. The God who is “I AM” is also eternal. He is ever present and hence he defines himself as an eternal being. The Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are eternal.
  2. Father is eternal, present from everlasting to everlasting
    1. ahf;NfhG 1:17. ed;ikahd ve;j Nrhjpfspd; gpjhtpdplj;jpypUe;J ,wq;fptUfpwJ; mtuplj;jpy; ahnjhU khWjYk; ahnjhU Ntw;Wikapd; epoYkpy;iy.
      Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
  3. The Son is eternal. Jesus has been from everlasting and He changes not.
    1. Nahthd; 1:1. MjpapNy thu;j;ij ,Ue;jJ> me;j thu;j;ij Njtdplj;jpypUe;jJ> me;j thu;j;ij NjtdhapUe;jJ.
      In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
    2. 2. mtu; MjpapNy NjtNdhbUe;jhu;.
      The same was in the beginning with God.
  4. The Son of God (ruler to be born in Bethlehem) has been from everlasting
    1. kPfh 5:2. vg;gpuhj;jh vd;dg;gl;l ngj;yNfNk> eP A+NjahtpYs;s Mapuq;fSf;Fs;Ns rpwpajhapUe;Jk;> ,];uNtiy Msg;Nghfpwtu; cd;dplj;jpypUe;J Gwg;gl;L vd;dplj;jpy; tUthu;; mtUila Gwg;gLjy; mehjp ehl;fshfpa G+u;tj;jpDilaJ.
      But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
  5. The Son of God who died and rose again does not change forever.
    1. vgpnuau; 13:8. ,NaRfpwp];J New;Wk; ,d;Wk; vd;Wk; khwhjtuhapUf;fpwhu;.
      Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
  6. The Holy Spirit is an Eternal Spirit.
    1. Mjpahfkk; 1:1. MjpapNy Njtd; thdj;ijAk; G+kpiaAk; rpU\;bj;jhu;.
      In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
    2. 2. G+kpahdJ xOq;fpd;ikAk; ntWikAkha; ,Ue;jJ; Moj;jpd;Nky; ,Us; ,Ue;jJ; Njt Mtpahdtu; [yj;jpd;Nky; mirthbf;nfhz;bUe;jhu;.
      And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  7. Jesus Christ offered Himself through the power of the Eternal Holy Spirit
    1. vgpnuau; 9:14. epj;jpa MtpapdhNy jk;ikj;jhNk gOjw;w gypahf NjtDf;F xg;Gf;nfhLj;j fpwp];JtpDila ,uj;jk; [PtDs;s NjtDf;F CopaQ;nra;tjw;F cq;fs; kdr;rhl;rpiar; nrj;jf;fpupiafswr; Rj;jpfupg;gJ vt;tsT epr;rak;!
      How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
 
7. YHWH - The God who has much revealed and much hidden (Sumrall, 1995)
  1. God reveals that his presence is sufficient. Moses sees only two miracles before he starts his journey. However, the ‘I AM’ will always be there ever revealing Himself to meet us in times of need. We will not be able to reach the end of God.
    1. 4. thdj;Jf;F Vwpapwq;fpdtu; ahu;? fhw;iwj; jkJ ifg;gpbfspy; mlf;fpdtu; ahu;? jz;zPu;fis t];jpuj;jpy; fl;bdtu; ahu;? G+kpapd; vy;iyfisnay;yhk; ];jhgpj;jtu; ahu;? mtUila ehkk; vd;d? mtu; FkhuDila ehkk; vd;d? mij mwpthNah?
      Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?
  2. God does great things that we cannot count or think.
    1. NahG 9:10. Muha;e;J Kbahj ngupa fhupaq;fisAk;> vz;zpKbahj mjpraq;fisAk; mtu; nra;fpwhu;.
      Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.
  3. St. Paul asserts the depth and the riches of God, that we cannot fathom
    1. Nuhku; 11:33. M! NjtDila IRtupak;> Qhdk;> mwpT vd;gitfspd; Mok; vt;tsthapUf;fpwJ! mtUila epahaj;jPu;g;Gfs; mstplg;glhjitfs;> mtUila topfs; Muhag;glhjitfs;!
      O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
  4. We will know more about God, when we see Him face to face
    1. I nfhupe;jpau; 13:12. ,g;nghOJ fz;zhbapNy epoyhl;lkha;g; ghu;f;fpNwhk;> mg;nghOJ KfKfkha;g; ghu;g;Nghk;; ,g;nghOJ ehd; Fiwe;j mwpTs;std;> mg;nghOJ ehd; mwpag;gl;bUf;fpwgbNa> mwpe;Jnfhs;SNtd;.
      For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
 
Conclusion
God is ever present, to answer our call. God is all sufficient to meet our daily needs. He is the “I AM”. He will always be available when we need Him. He is YHWH (Jehovah). Since He is a personal God, who keeps His promises, we are privileged to know Him. And till He comes, we will share about the ‘I AM’ , the name above all names, to everyone in our life.
 
References
Bible.Org. (2014, 01 01). Names of God. Retrieved from www.bible.org:
https://bible.org/article/names-god
Parsons, J. (2014, 01 01). Divine Names. Retrieved from hebrew4christians.com: http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Shemot/HaShem/hashem.html
Sumrall, L. (1995). The Names of GOD. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.