An interesting look at what YHWH means is making its rounds across social media and the explanation of God’s name is truly powerful!
God has many different names — Abba, El Shaddai, Elohim, just to name a few. But Yahweh is the name God specifically spoke to Moses when He manifested Himself in the burning bush (Exodus 3). The Lord said to Moses in Exodus 3:14, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.'”
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Today, we write and pronounce the name as Yahweh. But in the consonant-only language of ancient Hebrew, the name was the combination of four Hebrew letters to form YHWH and is known as the Tetragrammaton.
A post circulating over multiple social media platforms takes a closer look at what YHWH means. And the significance of these 4 Hebrew letters is pretty incredible!
What YHWH Means
A woman named Sandra Thurman Caporale from the Memorial Church of Christ in Houston is credited with this particular exploration into the name God revealed for Himself. She talks about how the pronunciation of the name without the modern-day vowels sounds like breathing:
“YH (inhale): WH (exhale).”
So, if YHWH is equivalent to breathing, the author continues with a beautiful explanation of what that means.
“So a baby's first cry, his first breath, speaks the name of God. A deep sigh calls His name – or a groan or gasp that is too heavy for mere words. Even an atheist would speak His name, unaware that their very breath is giving constant acknowledgment to God. Likewise, a person leaves this earth with their last breath, when God's name is no longer filling their lungs.
So when I can't utter anything else, is my cry calling out His name? Being alive means I speak His name constantly. So, is it heard the loudest when I'm the quietest?
In sadness, we breathe heavy sighs — in joy, our lungs feel almost like they will burst. In fear we hold our breath and have to be told to breathe slowly to help us calm down. When we're about to do something hard, we take a deep breath to find our courage.
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When I think about it, breathing is giving him praise. Even in the hardest moments!
This is so beautiful and fills me with emotion every time I grasp the thought. God chose to give himself a name that we can't help but speak every moment we're alive. All of us, always, everywhere. Waking, sleeping, breathing, with the name of God on our lips.”
WATCH: A Powerful Look At What YHWH Means
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What a beautiful reminder that God is always with us! Please be sure to share this story to let others know they are honoring the Lord with each and every breath!
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Featured Image Credit: Facebook/Diocese of Reno