Why do people call God yhwh(not sure thats right)?

Question

Abraham didnt and he talked directly to him. Is it just a way to feel superior to others? What verse says that we should call God that and Jesus by another name?

Answer 1

Hi Matt,this is something that has always occured to me too, man cannot know the unpronounable and incomprehensible Name of God, When God said ``I Am Who Am`` this was not His name but a statement, this in Hebrew became YHWH which is the same statement without the vowels as they did not have these at the time,the vowels were added later to give us Yahweh which is still not God`s name.
However God knew well that this would be the result of Him saying this and He does not object to it I suppose, so it is okay to use Yahweh for God.

Answer 2

Each of the many names of God describes a different aspect of His many-faceted character.

YHWH / YAHWEH / JEHOVAH: “LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:4; Daniel 9:14) – Strictly speaking, the only proper name for God. Translated in English Bibles “LORD” (all capitals) to distinguish it from Adonai “Lord.” The revelation of the name is first given to Moses “I Am who I Am” (Exodus 3:14). This name specifies an immediacy, a presence. Yahweh is present, accessible, near to those who call on Him for deliverance (Psalm 107:13), forgiveness (Psalm 25:11) and guidance (Psalm 31:3).

Answer 3

See following HP for a fine discussion on God's name:
http://gertoux.online.fr/divinename/

Even the pre-flood people knew God's name!

Genesis 4:26 26And to Seth, to him also was born a son; and he called his name Enosh. Then people began to call on the name of Jehovah. (Darby)

Abraham also knew God's name!

Gen 12:6-8 And Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. And the Canaanite was then in the land. 7And Jehovah appeared to Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land. And there he built an altar to Jehovah who had appeared to him. 8And he removed thence towards the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel toward the west, and Ai toward the east; and there he built an altar to Jehovah, and called on the name of Jehovah.

Answer 4

ARE you a religious person? Then doubtless, like many others, you believe in a Supreme Being. And likely you have great respect for the well-known prayer to that Being, taught by Jesus to his followers and known as the Lord's Prayer, or the Our Father. The prayer begins like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name."—Matthew 6:9,

Answer 5

YHWH is the English-alphabet representation of the Hebrew characters for God. You might also see it spelt as Yahweh.

Answer 6

God was there before Abraham.

Answer 7

What? the word God is different in every language. The Jewish use several words for God but one is the most holy and it is not to be spoken. That word is Yahweh.

Answer 8

The Divinity of Christ

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...awaiting our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity...
Titus 2:13-14


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For most Catholic Christians, Christ's divinity is taken for granted. Today, however, this belief is being challenged, attacked and denied on several fronts. Jehovah Witnesses claim that Jesus was merely Michael the Archangel in human form, while Mormons reduce His divinity by claiming that everyone can be a god. Most cults also deny that Christ is God. Even some theologians seriously challenge this traditional belief. Others claim that Jesus was unaware of His divinity until after His Resurrection.

Assuming that the Gospels are at least historically reliable, Jesus many times claims to be someone quite special. In Mark 2:28, Jesus claims to be the Lord of the Sabbath (Exodus 20:10). He also claims to be greater than the Prophet Jonah (Matt 12:41), King Solomon (Matt 12:42) and even the Temple (Matt 12:6). According to Mark 2:1-12, Jesus claims authority to forgive sins and performs a miraculous cure to prove it. The scribes are angered because they believe that only God has the authority to forgive sins. These claims are quite extraordinary for someone who is "humble in heart." [Matt 11:29]

Jesus, while arguing with the scribes, makes an interesting statement about Himself and Abraham:

Jesus answered them: "I solemnly declare it: before Abraham came to be, I AM." At that they picked up rocks to throw at Jesus... [John 8:58-59; NAB]

Jesus claims to have existed also before Abraham - something impossible for a mere human. Moreover the statement sounds grammatically awkward due to tense disagreement. It would sound better if He had said "I WAS" instead of "I AM." The present tense implies Christ's eternal existence as God.

Even though Jesus does not explicitly call Himself "God", He does refer to Himself with a form of God's name. The full meaning of His statement in John 8:58 is best understood in connection with Exodus 3:14. In Exodus God reveals His name to Moses:

God replied, "I AM WHO AM." Then He added, "This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you." [Exodus 3:14; NAB]

God's name - YHWH (Yahweh) - translates as "I AM WHO AM" or simply "I AM." In John 8:24 & 58, Jesus is referring to Himself with God's name. The scribes understand Him as such and respond by throwing rocks at Him. They wanted to stone Jesus for blasphemy - referring to Himself as God (John 5:18).

Other people in the Gospels also bear witness to His divinity. Even before His birth, He is referred to as Lord. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Elizabeth greets the pregnant Mary:

"But who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" [Luke 1:43; NAB]

Elizabeth refers to Mary as "the mother of my Lord." Elsewhere in Luke 1, the title "Lord" refers to God, e.g. "an angel of the Lord" [Luke 1:11]. It should be noted that the name YHWH, being too sacred, could not be uttered, so the Hebrews said "Lord" instead. This passage in Luke suggests that Jesus was God while in the womb of Mary. Also when Jesus was an infant, the wise men worshipped Him according to Matthew 2:11. If the Christ Child were not divine, then this Gospel passage would present idolatry in a positive light. Later Jesus even allows people to worship-adore Him, as in John 9: 38. Finally after the Resurrection, Thomas greets Jesus as "My Lord and my God." [John 20:28; cf. Ps 35:23] Jesus confirms this greeting without any hesitation, objection or correction. As a teacher Jesus would be obliged to correct an error, especially a blasphemous error.

According to secular reports, the 2nd-century Christians worshipped Christ as God. Pagans mocked the early Christians for worshipping a crucified God. According to 2nd-century Roman graffiti discovered in 1856 on Palatine, a Christian is caricatured as praying to a crucified figure. Its caption reads, "Alexamenos worships his god." In 111 A.D. Pliny the Younger wrote in a letter to Emperor Trajan about Christians:

...it was their habit on a fixed day to assemble before daylight and recite by turn a form of words to Christ as a god." [Pliny, Epistle 97]

At least to the 2nd-century pagans, it appeared that Christians considered Jesus as their God.

Some may object to Christ's divinity and cite Bible verses pertaining to His humanity, e.g.:

...there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. [1 Tim 2:5]

Now it must be understood that Jesus Christ is also human. This mystery is called the Incarnation - God becoming man (Gal 4:4). As St. Paul writes:

In Christ the fullness of Deity resides in bodily form. [Col 2:9; NAB]

According to the Tome of Leo as proclaimed during the Council of Chalcedon in 451 A.D., Jesus is a divine Person with two natures: a divine nature and a human nature. Christ is both God and man.

Others may object to Christ's divinity and point to Gospel passages that show His lack of knowledge. According to them, the all-knowing God would not need to ask the crowd, "Who touched my garments?" [Mark 5:30] or during the raising of Lazarus, to ask Mary, "Where have you laid him?" [John 11:34] In reply to their objection, it should be noted that these are rhetorical questions and do not prove Christ's ignorance. God the Father does not show ignorance when He asks Adam, "Where are you?" [Gen 3:9] or Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" [Gen 4:9] These questions are meant to draw a response from the people. A teacher may ask his students questions not out of ignorance but in order to test or teach them a lesson.

Now a more troublesome verse concerns Christ's knowledge of Judgement Day:

"But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son but only the Father." [Mark 13:32; RSV]

Bishop Richard Challoner responds to this verse in a footnote in the Douay-Rheims Bible:

Nor the Son. Not that the Son of God is absolutely ignorant of the day of judgement, but that He knoweth it not, as our teacher; that is He knoweth it not so as to teach it to us, as not being expedient.

In other words Christ knew the Day but was not commissioned to tell us. Some early Church fathers responded by claiming that Christ knew the Day but not through His humanity. For those who are interested, this and other difficult verses are discussed in detail in the book, The Consciousness of Christ by Fr. William G. Most (Front Royal, VA; Christendom College Press, 1980).

Still some may object to Christ's divinity claiming that there is only one God - God the Father. Now it is true that there is only one God; however, God is also Holy Trinity: "...in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." [Matt 28:19] The Trinity is three Persons in one God, and not three gods. Jesus Christ is the second Person of the Holy Trinity - God the Son. According to the Bible, "God is love" [1 John 4:16] but for love to be real, it must be between two or more persons. God the Father and God the Son, being two Persons in one divine nature (John 10:30), love each other. This love is so real that it is the third Person - God the Holy Spirit. This is analogous to the love between husband and wife that results in a child (but of course devoid of time and sex). A good discussion on the Trinity can be found in the book, Theology for Beginners by Frank J. Sheed (Ann Arbor, MI; Servant Books, 1981).

In the Gospel Jesus claims to be an extraordinarily great person yet also humble. Jesus also claims the authority to forgive sins -offenses against God. He claims to be "I AM" -a form of God's name (John 8:24 & 58). The scribes are angered by His claims, seeing them as blasphemy (John 5:18; 10:30). According to the Gospel, even the demons (Mark 1:27) and the weather (Mark 4:41) obey Him. The several references in the Gospel to Christ's human weaknesses do not necessarily void His divinity but are a mystery contained in His Incarnation. As St. John writes: "In the beginning was the Word...and the Word was God...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us." [John 1:1,14]

Answer 9

Sura 1

Surah (Sura) 1. The Opening

1:1. In the name of the "I AM", Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
1:2. Praise be to God (Allah), the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds
1:3. Most Gracious, Most Merciful
1:4. Master of the Day of Judgment.
1:5. Thee do we worship, and Thine aid we seek.
1:6. Show us The Straight Way,
1:7. The Way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.

JAH
Sura 3

Surah 3. The Family Of Amram, The House Of Amram

3:1. A. L. M. (Almighty. Loving. Merciful.)
3:2. Allah (God). There is no God but He,- the Living, the Self-Existing (YHWH - "I AM"), Eternal.
3:3. It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step), in truth, the Book, confirming what went before it and He sent down The Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this, as a guide to mankind, and He sent down the Criterion (of Judgment between right and wrong).
3:4. Then those who reject Faith in the Signs of the "I AM" will suffer the severest penalty, and Allah (God) is Almighty, Lord of Retribution.
3:5. From God, verily nothing is hidden on earth or in the heavens.
3:6. He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases. There is no God but He, the Almighty, the Wise.
3:7. He it is Who has sent down to thee the Book: in it are verses basic or fundamental (of established meaning) they are the foundation of the Book: others are allegorical. But those in whose hearts is perversity follow the part thereof that is allegorical, seeking discord, and searching for its hidden meanings, but no one knows its hidden meanings except the "I AM". And those who are firmly grounded in Knowledge say: "We believe in the Book the whole of it is from our Lord:" and none will grasp the Message except men of Understanding (Dan. 12:10).
3:8. "Our Lord!" (they say), "Let not our hearts deviate now after Thou hast guided us, but grant us mercy from Thine Own Presence; for Thou art the Grantor of bounties without measure.
3:9. "Our Lord! Thou art He That will gather mankind together against a Day about which there is no doubt; for Allah (God) never fails in His promise."
3:10. Those who reject Faith,- neither their possessions nor their (numerous) progeny will avail them aught against God: they are themselves just fuel for the Fire.
3:11. (Their plight will be) no better than that of the people of Pharaoh, and their predecessors: they denied Our Signs, and God called them to account for their sins. For God is STRICT in punishment.
3:12. Say to those who reject Faith: "Soon will ye be vanquished and gathered together to Hell-Fire,- an evil bed indeed (to lie on)!


Sura 2

Surah 2. The Cow

2:1. A.L.M. (Almighty. Loving. Merciful.)
2:2. This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear the "I AM";
2:3. Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them;
2:4. And who believe in the revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter.
2:5. They are on (true) Guidance, from their Lord, and it is these who will prosper (survive).
2:6. As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them whether thou warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe.
2:7. The "I AM" hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil; great is the penalty they (incur).
2:8. Of the people there are some who say: "We believe in the "I AM" and the Last Day;" but they do not (really) believe.
2:9. Fain would they deceive God and those who believe, but they only deceive themselves, and realise (it) not!
2:10. In their hearts is a disease; and God has increased their disease: and grievous is the penalty they (incur), because they are false (to themselves).
2:11. When it is said to them: "Make not mischief on the earth," they say: "Why, we only want to make peace!"
2:12. Of a surety, they are the ones who make mischief, but they realise (it) not.
2:13. When it is said to them: "Believe as the others believe:" they say: "Shall we believe as the fools believe?" - Nay, of a surety they are the fools, but they do not know.
2:14. When they meet those who believe, they say: "We believe;" but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say: "We are really with you: we (were) only jesting."
2:15. God will throw back their mockery on them (Gal. 6:7), and give them rope in their trespasses; so they will wander like blind ones (to and fro).
2:16. These are they who have bartered Guidance for error: but their traffic is profitless, and they have lost true direction,
2:17. Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire; when it lighted all around him, God took away their light and left them in utter darkness. So they could not see.
2:18. Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return (to The Way).
2:19. Or (another similitude) is that of a rain-laden cloud from the sky: in it are zones of darkness, and thunder and lightning: they press their fingers in their ears to keep out the stunning thunder-clap, the while they are in terror of death. But the "I AM" is ever round the rejecters of Faith!
2:20. The lightning all but snatches away their sight; every time the light (helps) them, they walk therein, and when the darkness grows on them, they stand still. And if God willed, He could take away their faculty of hearing and seeing; for God hath power over all things.
2:21. O ye people! Adore your Guardian-Lord, Who created you and those who came before you, that ye may have the chance to learn righteousness;
2:22. Who has made the earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from the heavens; and brought forth therewith fruits for your sustenance; then set not up rivals unto the "I AM" when ye know (the Truth).
2:23. And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our servant, then produce a Sura like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers (if there are any) besides God, if your (doubts) are true.
2:24. But if ye cannot- and of a surety ye cannot- then fear the Fire whose fuel is men and stones (Enoch 10:7),- which is prepared for those who reject Faith.
2:25. But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is Gardens, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits therefrom, they say: "Why, this is what we were fed with before," for they are given things in similitude; and they have therein companions pure (and holy); and they abide therein (for ever).
2:26. God disdains not to use the similitude of things, lowest as well as highest. Those who believe know that it is Truth from their Lord but those who reject Faith say: "What means the "I AM" by this similitude? By it He causes many to stray, and many He leads into the right path;" but He causes not to stray, except those who forsake (The Way),-
2:27. Those who break God's Covenant after it is ratified, and who sunder what God has ordered to be joined, and do mischief on earth: these cause loss (only) to themselves.
2:28. How can ye reject the faith in God?- seeing that ye were without life, and He gave you life; then will He cause you to die, and will again bring you to life; and again to Him will ye return.
2:29. It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth; moreover His design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments, and of all things He hath Perfect Knowledge.
2:30. Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." They said: "Wilt Thou place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood? - whilst we do celebrate Thy praises and glorify Thy holy (name)?" He said: "I know what ye know not."
2:31. And He taught Adam the nature of all things; then He placed them before the angels, and said: "Tell me the nature of these if ye are right."
2:32. They said: "Glory to Thee: of Knowledge we have none, save what Thou hast taught us: in truth it is Thou Who art perfect in Knowledge and Wisdom."
2:33. He said: "O Adam! Tell them their natures." When he had told them, God said: "Did I not tell you that I know the secrets of heaven and earth, and I know what ye reveal and what ye conceal?"
2:34. And behold, We said to the (fallen) angels: "Bow down to Adam" and you bowed down (Luke 9:55). Not so Iblis (Lucifer): he refused and was haughty: he was of those who reject Faith.
2:35. We said: "O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden and eat of the bountiful things therein, as (where and when) ye will, but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression."
2:36. Then did Satan make them slip from the (Garden), and get them out of the state (of joy) in which they had been. We said: "Get ye down, all (ye people), with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood - for a time."
2:37. Then learnt Adam from his Lord words of inspiration, and his Lord turned towards him, for He is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.
2:38. We said: "Get ye down all from here; and if, as is sure, there comes to you Guidance from Me, whosoever follows My guidance, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve (John 11:25).
2:39. "But those who reject Faith and belie Our Signs, they shall be Companions of the Fire; they shall abide therein (Matt. 8:22)."
2:40. O Children of Israel! call to mind the (special) favour which I bestowed upon you, and fulfill your Covenant with Me as I fulfill My Covenant with you, and fear none but Me.
2:41. And believe in what I reveal, confirming the revelation which is with you, and be not the first to reject Faith therein, nor sell My Signs for a small price and fear Me, and Me alone.
2:42. And cover not Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth when ye know (what it is).
2:43. And be steadfast in prayer; practise regular charity; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship).
2:44. Do ye enjoin right conduct on the people, and forget (to practise it) yourselves, and yet ye study the Scripture? Will ye not understand?
2:45. Nay, seek (the "I AM"'s) help with patient perseverance and prayer: It is indeed hard, except to those who bring a humble spirit, -
2:46. Who bear in mind the certainty that they are to meet their Lord, and that they are to return to Him.
2:47. Children of Israel! call to mind the (special) favour which I bestowed upon you, and that I preferred you to all others (for My Message).
2:48. Then guard yourselves against a day when one soul shall not avail another nor shall intercession be accepted for it, nor shall compensation be taken from it, nor shall anyone be helped (from outside).
2:49. And remember, We delivered you from the people of Pharaoh: They set you hard tasks and punishments, slaughtered your sons and let your women-folk live; therein was a tremendous trial from your Lord.
2:50. And remember We divided the Sea for you and saved you and drowned Pharaoh's people within your very sight.
2:51. And remember We appointed forty nights for Moses, and in his absence ye took the calf (for worship), and ye did grievous wrong.
2:52. Even then We did forgive you; there was a chance for you to be grateful.
2:53. And remember We gave Moses the Scripture and the Criterion (Between right and wrong [The Torah]): there was a chance for you to be guided aright.
2:54. And remember Moses said to his people: "O my people! Ye have indeed wronged yourselves by your worship of the calf: so turn (in repentance) to your Maker, and slay yourselves (the wrong-doers); that will be better for you in the sight of your Maker." Then He turned towards you (in forgiveness): for He is Oft- Returning, Most Merciful.
2:55. And remember ye said: "O Moses! We shall never believe in thee until we see God manifestly," but ye were dazed with thunder and lighting even as ye looked on.
2:56. Then We raised you up after your death (re-incarnation): ye had the opportunity to be grateful.
2:57. And We gave you the shade of clouds and sent down to you Manna and quails, saying: "Eat of the good things We have provided for you:" (but they rebelled); to Us they did no harm, but they harmed their own souls.
2:58. And remember We said: "Enter this town, and eat of the plenty therein as ye wish; but enter the gate with humility, in posture and in words, and We shall forgive you your faults and increase (the portion of) those who do good."
2:59. But the transgressors changed the word from that which had been given them; so We sent on the transgressors a plague from heaven, for that they infringed (Our command) repeatedly.
2:60. And remember Moses prayed for water for his people; We said: "Strike the rock with thy staff." Then gushed forth therefrom twelve springs. Each group knew its own place for water. So eat and drink of the sustenance provided by God, and do no evil nor mischief on the (face of the) earth.
2:61. And remember ye said: "O Moses! we cannot endure one kind of food (always); so beseech thy Lord for us to produce for us of what the earth groweth, - its pot-herbs, and cucumbers, its garlic, lentils, and onions." He said: "Will ye exchange the better for the worse? Go ye down to any town, and ye shall find what ye want!" They were covered with humiliation and misery; they drew on themselves the wrath of God. This because they went on rejecting the Signs of God and slaying His Messengers without just cause. This because they rebelled and went on transgressing.
2:62. Those who believe (the Koran), and those who follow the Jewish (Scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians, - any who believe God and in the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
2:63. And remember We took your Covenant and We raised above you (the towering height) of Mount (Sinai): (Saying): "Hold firmly to what We have given you and bring (always) to remembrance what is therein: Perhaps ye may fear God (Mal. 4:4-6; Rev. 14:3; 15:3)."