The Significant Name of God (4)

Call on God’s glorious Name יהוה - YaHUaH;
where do I find that in the Bible?

André H. Roosma
7 May 2020 (NL original: 20 Nov. 2014)

People sometimes ask me:

“Is it really true that we may mention, or even that we must call upon the glorious Name of the God of Isra’el, יהוה - YaHUaH?¹ Isn’t that a sacrilege? Is it allowed? Where do I find that in the Bible?”

Yes, you can and you may, according to the Bible. It is a privilege and an assignment. You could speak of a mandate that we should take seriously. It is not without reason that God’s glorious Name occurs almost 7 000 times in the First Testament. That glorious Name YaHUaH is important, also for the meaning this Name signifies.¹ The Bible unequivocally calls us to praise, invoke, ponder and proclaim God’s glorious Name worldwide. For those who are not familiar with this, who have doubts about it or are looking for more insight about it, below I present a first selection of Bible texts (the relevant parts I have set in bold green).
Yes, there are a lot, even a hundred here! And there are still many more . . .

Read them, and then, decide for yourself, if it is good to obey or to disregard an admonishment that the Bible gives more than a hundred times . . .

And also to Shet himself a son was born, and he called his name ’Enosh [= mortal man]. Then people began to call upon the Name YaHUaH.

Genesis 4:26

And he [’Abram] moved from there to the mountains, to the east of Beit-’El, and he pitched his tent, with Beit-’El on the west, and ‘Ai on the east; and he built an altar there for YaHUaH, and called on the Name YaHUaH.

Genesis 12: 8

... unto the place of the altar, which he [’Abram] first made there; and ’Abram called on the Name YaHUaH there.

Genesis 13: 4

And he [’Abraham] planted a tamarisk tree in Be’er-Shebha‘, and called upon the Name YaHUaH, the eternal God.

Genesis 21:33

And he [the servant of ’Abraham] said: Blessed be YaHUaH, the God of my lord ’Abraham, Who has not forsaken His mercy and faithfulness towards my lord; as for me, YaHUaH led me on this way to the family of my lord’s brothers. ...
And I bowed my head, and worshiped YaHUaH; and I praised YaHUaH, the God of my lord ’Abraham, who led me in the right way, to take the daughter of my lord’s brother for his son.

Genesis 24:27, 48

And YaHUaH appeared unto him [Yitschaq] the same night, saying, “I am the God of ’Abraham, your father; do not fear; for I am with you; and I will bless you, and multiply your seed, for the sake of My servant ’Abraham.” And he built an altar there, and called on the Name YaHUaH. And he pitched his tent there; and Yitschaq’s servants dug a well there.

Genesis 26: 24-25

And Mosheh said to God, Behold, when I come to the descendants of Isra’el, and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you; and they say to me, What is His Name? What shall I say to them? And God said to Mosheh: “I WILL BE Who I WILL BE!” He also said: “You will say this to the descendants of Isra’el: “I WILL BE sent me to you!” ”
Then God went on to say to Mosheh: “You will say this to the descendants of Isra’el: “YaHUaH, the God of your fathers, the God of ’Abraham, the God of Yitschaq, and the God of Ya‘aqobh, has sent me to you; that is My Name forever, and that is My memorial from generation to generation.” ”

Exodus 3: 13-15 (compare 4: 5, 31)

Then Mosheh and the descendants of Isra’el sang this song unto YaHUaH, and spoke, saying, “I will sing to YaHUaH for He has triumphed glorious­ly! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea. YaH is my strength and song, and He has become unto salvation [Yeshu‘ah] to me; He is my God; therefore I will make Him a lovely home; He is the God of my fathers, and I will exalt Him! YaHUaH is a warrior; YaHUaH is His Name! ... ”

Exodus 15: 1-3

And all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called after the Name YaHUaH, and they will fear you.

Deut. 28: 10

For I will cry out the Name YaHUaH; give our God greatness!

Deut. 32: 3

And Deborah and Barak, the son of ’Abino‘am, sang on that day, saying, “Now that the leaders in Isra’el have taken the lead, now that the people have volunteered, praise YaHUaH! Listen, kings, hear it, princes! I, I will sing unto YaHUaH, I will sing unto YaHUaH, the God of Israel. YaHUaH, when You came out from Sé‘ir, when You marched out of the field of ’Edom, the earth trembled, the heavens also dropped, the clouds also dropped water. The mountains trembled before YaHUaH; even Sinai from the face of YaHUaH, the God of Isra’el. ... ”

Judges 5: 1-5

Then the women said to Na‘omi, Blessed be YaHUaH, who has not left you without a redeemer this day; and his name be famous in Isra’el!

Ruth 4:14

David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to you in the Name of YaHUaH of the multitudes, the God of the armies of Isra’el, Whom you have defied.

1 Shemu’el 17: 45

And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him, from Ba‘alim-Jehudah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name, the Name of YaHUaH of the multitudes Who dwells there between the cherubs.

2 Shemu’el 6: 2

When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the Name of YaHUaH of the multitudes.

2 Shemu’el 6: 18

And let Your Name be magnified for ever, that it may be said, YaHUaH of the multitudes is God over Isra’el; and the house of Thy servant David shall be established before Thee.

2 Shemu’el 7: 26

Therefore I will give thanks to You, o YaHUaH, among the nations, and I will sing praises to Your Name.

2 Shemu’el 22: 50

And you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the Name YaHUaH; and the God who answers by fire, let Him be God. And all the people answered and said, that word is good.

1 Kings 18: 24

But Na‘aman became angry, and went away, saying: “Behold, I said to myself, He will certainly come out and stand there, and call on the Name YaHUaH, His God, and wipe his hand over the place, and take out the leprosy.” ... And Na‘aman said: “If not; let your servant be given two mules’ burden of earth; for your servant will no longer offer a burnt offering or sacrifice to other gods, but to YaHUaH.”

2 Kings 5: 11, 17; even this foreigner knew The Name!

Give thanks to YaHUaH, call upon His Name, make known His deeds among the nations.
Sing to Him, make music to Him, speak consciously of all His miracles.
Boast about the Name of His holiness; let the heart of those who seek YaHUaH rejoice.

1 Chronicles 16: 8-10

Give to YaHUaH, generations of the nations, give to YaHUaH honor and power.
Give to YaHUaH the honor of His Name, bring an offering, and come before Him; bow to YaHUaH in holy attire.

1 Chronicles 16: 28-29

Yes, it shall become true, and Your Name will be magnified forever, that it may be said, YaHUaH of the multitudes, the God of Isra’el, is Isra’el’s God; and the house of David, Your servant, be steadfast before You.

1 Chronicles 17: 24

Furthermore, Churam said: Blessed be YaHUaH, the God of Isra’el, Who made the heavens and the earth, that He gave King David a wise son, endowed with understanding and insight, who will build a house for YaHUaH and a royal house for himself.

2 Chronicles 2: 12; again the testimony of a foreigner!

And the Levites, Yeshu‘a, and Qadmi’el, Bani, Chashabhne-yah; Sherebh-yah, Hodi-yah, Sebhan-yah, Petach-yah, said, “Arise, bless YaHUaH your God forever and ever; and blessed be the Name of Your glory, Which is exalted above all blessing and praise!”

Nechem-yah 9: 5

I will give thanks YaHUaH for His righteousness,
and I will sing to the Name of YaHUaH, the Most High.

Psalm 7: 17

To the music director, on the Gittit. A Psalm of David.
O YaHUaH, our Lord! how excellent is Your Name in all the earth!
You Who have set Your majesty above the heavens. ...
O YaHUaH, our Lord! how excellent is Your Name in all the earth!

Psalm 8: 1-2, 10

And those who know Your Name will trust in You,
because You, YaHUaH, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Psalm 9: 10

That is why I will give thanks to You, O YaHUaH, among the nations;
and I will sing praises to Your Name;

Psalm 18:49

For the music director; a Psalm of David.
May YaHUaH hear you in the day of trouble;
the Name of the God of Ya‘aqobh put you in a high, safe place.
...
We will rejoice in Your Salvation [Yeshu‘ah], and raise the banners in the Name of our God. YaHUaH fulfill all your desires. ...
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses;
but we will mention the Name of YaHUaH, our God.

Psalm 20: 1, 5, 7

[Lamed] For the sake of Your Name, YaHUaH, forgive my iniquity, for it is great.

Psalm 25: 11

Blessed be YaHUaH, for He has heard the voice of my supplications.
YaHUaH is my Strength and my Shield; my heart has trusted in Him,
and I am helped; therefore my heart leaps with joy,
and I will praise Him with my song.

Psalm 28: 6-7

Give YaHUaH the glory due to His Name,
worship YaHUaH in holy glory.

Psalm 29: 2

Blessed be YaHUaH, for He made His loving kindness wonderful to me, in the anguish of distress.

Psalm 31: 21

[Aleph] I will bless YaHUaH at all times;
His song of praise will be in my mouth continually.
[Bet] In YaHUaH my soul will boast;
the meek will hear and be glad.
[Gimel] O magnify YaHUaH with me,
and let us exalt His Name together.

Psalm 34: 1b-3

I will sacrifice to You voluntarily; I will praise Your Name, O YaHUaH, for He is good.

Psalm 54: 6

In the assemblies, praise God YaHUaH, you who come forth from the source of Isra’el!

Psalm 68: 27

Cover their faces with shame, that they may seek Your Name, YaHUaH. ...
That they may come to insight for Your Name is YaHUaH and You alone are the Most High over all the earth.

Psalm 83: 16, 18

A psalm, a song for the Shabbat day.
It is good to give thanks to YaHUaH, and to sing praises unto Your Name, O Most High!

Psalm 92: 1

Sing to YaHUaH, bless His Name; announce His Salvation [literally: His Yeshu‘ah] day by day.
...
Give YaHUaH the glory of His Name; bring an offering, and come into His courts.

Psalm 96: 2, 8

Mosheh and ’Aharon were among His priests, and Shemu’el among those who called on His Name; they called to YaHUaH, and He answered them.

Psalm 99: 6

Then the nations will fear the Name YaHUaH, and all the kings of the earth Your glory. ...
This shall be written for the next generation; and the people to be created will praise YaH; ...
That the name YaHUaH may be proclaimed in Tsion, and His praise in Yerushalaïm;

Psalm 102: 15, 18, 21

A psalm of David.
Praise YaHUaH, my soul, and all that is within me, His holy Name.
Praise YaHUaH, my soul, and do not forget any of His kind deeds; ...
Praise YaHUaH, all His multitudes, you His servants, who carry out His pleasure!
Praise YaHUaH, all His works, to all places of His dominion.
Praise YaHUaH, O my soul!

Psalm 103: 1-2, 21-22

Praise YaHUaH, O my soul! O YaHUaH, my God! You are very great, You are clothed with majesty and glory!

Psalm 104: 1

Give thanks to YaHUaH, call on His Name, make known His deeds among the nations. ...
Glory in the Name of His holiness; the hearts of those who seek YaHUaH rejoice.

Psalm 105: 1, 3

Deliver us, YaHUaH, our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may praise the Name of Your holiness, boast in Your praise.

Psalm 106: 47

But You, YaHUaH Lord, deal kindly with me for Your Name’s sake; because Your mercy is good, save me.

Psalm 109: 21

Hallelu YaH [that is: Praise YaH] ! Praise, O you servants of YaHUaH, praise the Name of YaHUaH.
The Name of YaHUaH be praised from now on into eternity. From the rising of the sun to its descent, the Name of YaHUaH is to be praised.

Psalm 113: 1-3

Not us, YaHUaH; not us, but honor Your Name,
for the sake of Your loving kindness, of Your truth.

Psalm 115: 1

But I called on the Name of YaHUaH, saying: Please YaHUaH, deliver my soul. ...
I will take up the cup of the Redemptions [plural of Yeshu‘ah] and call upon the Name of YaHUaH. ...
I will offer You an offering of thanksgiving, and call on the Name of YaHUaH.

Psalm 116: 4, 13, 17

All nations had surrounded me;
it is in the Name of YaHUaH that I have cut them down.
They had surrounded me, yes, they had surrounded me;
it is in the Name of YaHUaH that I have cut them down.
They had surrounded me like bees; they are extinguished like a thornfire;
it is in the Name of YaHUaH that I have cut them down. ...
Blessed be he who comes in the Name of YaHUaH!
We bless you from the house of YaHUaH.

Psalm 118: 10-12, 26

At night I have remembered Your Name, YaHUaH, and I have observed Your Torah.

Psalm 119: 55

Hallelu YaH [that is: Praise YaH] ! Praise the Name of YaHUaH, praise Him, you servants of YaHUaH! ...
Hallelu YaH [that is: Praise YaH], because YaHUaH is good; sing praises to His Name, for it is delightful. ...
O YaHUaH, Your Name is forever; YaHUaH, Your memorial is throughout all generations.

Psalm 135: 1, 3, 13

For Your Name’s sake, YaHUaH, quicken me; in Your righteousness, lead my soul out of trouble.

Psalm 143: 11

My mouth will speak the praise of YaHUaH, and let all flesh bless His holy Name forever and ever.

Psalm 145: 21

Let them praise the Name of YaHUaH; for when He commanded it, they were created. ...
Let them praise the Name of YaHUaH; for His Name alone is exalted high; His majesty is over the earth and the heavens.

Psalm 148: 5, 13

And in that day you will say: I praise You, YaHUaH, for You have been angry with me; Your anger is turned away and You comfort me. ...
And in the same day you will say: Thank YaHUaH, call upon His Name, make known His deeds among the nations, mention that His Name is exalted.

Yesha‘-yahu 12: 1, 4

Therefore, in the east, glorify YaHUaH, on the coasts of the sea, honor the Name of YaHUaH, the God of Isra’el.

Yesha‘-yahu 24: 15

YaHUaH! You are my God, I will exalt You, I will praise Your Name, for You have done a miracle; Your counsel from afar is consistency and truth.

Yesha‘-yahu 25: 1

Yea, in the way of Your judgments, we have expected You, O YaHUaH; after Your Name and after Your memorial is the longing of our soul.

Yesha‘-yahu 26: 8

YaHUaH, our God, other lords, besides You, have ruled over us; but through You only we remember Your Name.

Yesha‘-yahu 26: 13

I am YaHUaH, that is My Name; and I will not give My glory to anyone else, nor My praise to carved images.

Yesha‘-yahu 42: 8

One will say: I belong to YaHUaH; another will call himself by the name Ja‘aqobh; and another will write with his hand, I belong to YaHUaH, and add the name Isra’el to his name.

Yesha‘-yahu 44: 5

The Name of our Redeemer is YaHUaH of the multitudes, the Holy One of Israel.

Yesha‘-yahu 47: 4

Who is among you who fears YaHUaH, who obeys the voice of His Servant? If he walks in the darkness, and has no light, let him trust in the Name YaHUaH, and lean on his God.

Yesha‘-yahu 50: 10

For I am YaHUaH, your God, who stirred up the sea, so that its waves roar; YaHUaH of the multitudes is His Name.

Yesha‘-yahu 51: 15 (compare 54: 5)

And the foreigners who join themselves to YaHUaH to serve Him, and to love the Name of YaHUaH, to be His servants; whoever keeps the shabbat, not to profane it, and who keep My covenant;

Yesha‘-yahu 56: 6

For the coastlands will wait for Me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your children from afar, their silver and their gold with them, because of the Name of YaHUaH your God, and because of the Holy One of Isra’el, because He has glorified you.

Yesha‘-yahu 60: 9

After all, You are our Father, for Abraham does not know us, and Isra’el does not recognize us; You, YaHUaH are our Father, our Redeemer, from eternity is Your Name.

Yesha‘-yahu 63: 16

No one is like You, YaHUaH, You are great, and great is Your Name in power.

Yirme-yahu 10: 6

And it will come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of My people, swearing by My Name: As truly as YaHUaH lives, just as they have taught My people to swear by Ba‘al, then they will be build in the midst of My people.

Yirme-yahu 12:16

Why should You be like an astonished man, like a hero who cannot deliver? You are in the midst of us, YaHUaH! And we are called after Your Name, do not leave us.

Yirme-yahu 14: 9

When Your words were found, I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and gladness of my heart; for I am called after Your Name, YaHUaH, God of the multitudes!

Yirme-yahu 15: 16

Therefore, behold, I will make them know; this time I will make known to them My hand and My power; and they will know that My Name is YaHUaH.

Yirme-yahu 16:21

In His days, Yehudah will be saved, and Isra’el will dwell safely; and this will be His Name, by which He shall be called: YaHUaH our Righteousness [YaHUaH Tsidkenu].

Yirme-yahu 23: 6

This says YaHUaH, Who gives the sun as light by day, the orders of the moon and of the stars as light by night, Who stirs up the sea, that its waves roar; YaHUaH of the multitudes is His Name:

Yirme-yahu 31:35

You who do lovingkindness to thousands, and make the iniquity of the fathers whole in the bosom of their children after them; You are the great, mighty God, Whose Name is YaHUaH of the multitudes!

Yirme-yahu 32:18

Thus says YaHUaH, Who does it, YaHUaH, Who forms it, to establish it, YaHUaH is His name; ...
the voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride, the voice of those who say: Praise YaHUaH of the multitudes, for YaHUaH is good, for His mercy is eternal, and the voice of those who offer a sacrifice of praise in the house of YaHUaH. For I will reverse the captivity of the country, so that it will be like before, says YaHUaH.

Yirme-yahu 33: 2, 11

But their Savior is strong, YaHUaH of the multitudes is His Name; He will certainly fight their battle so that He can bring the land to rest, but will disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.

Yirme-yahu 50: 34 (see also 51: 19, 57)

[Qoph] I have called upon Your Name, YaHUaH, from the deepest pit.

Lamentations 3:55

And the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a sound of a great rushing behind me saying: Blessed be the glory of YaHUaH from His place!

Yechezqe’l (Ezekiel) 3: 12

And you will know that I am YaHUaH, when I deal with you for My Name’s sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Isra’el, says the Lord YaHUaH.

Yechezqe’l 20: 44

And when they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy Name, because they said of them, These are the people of YaHUaH, and have gone out of His land. But I spared them because of My holy Name. The house of Isra’el had profaned it among the nations to which they had come. Therefore say to the house of Isra’el: Thus says the Lord YaHUaH: I do not do it for your sake, house of Isra’el, but for My holy Name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. And I will sanctify My great name, which was profaned among the nations, which you have profaned among them; and the nations will know that I am YaHUaH, says the Lord YaHUaH, when I will be sanctified among you before their eyes.

Yechezqe’l 36: 20-23

And I will make My holy name known among My people Isra’el, and will not let My holy name be profaned again; and the nations will know that I am YaHUaH, the Holy One in Israel.

Yechezqe’l 39: 7 (see also: 39: 25)

The circumference will be eighteen thousand; and the name of the city from that day will be: YaHUaH is there.

Yechezqe’l 48: 35

Namely, YaHUaH, the God of the multitudes; YaHUaH is His memorial name.

Hoshé‘a 12: 5

And you will eat abundantly and be satisfied, and praise the Name of YaHUaH your God, who has dealt wonderfully with you; and My people will never again be ashamed.

Jo’el (actually: Yahu-’El - Yahu is God) 2:26

Foto © Hallelu-YaH NL; original: Wanda Simmermans, Soest NL, 2017.

And it will happen, that whoever calls on the Name YaHUaH will be saved; for on Mount Tsion and in Yerushalaïm there will be escape, just as YaHUaH said; and that, among the remaining ones, whom YaHUaH will call.

Jo’el 2: 32
(cited in Acts 2:21; Rom.10:13; so 'the Lord' is YaHUaH there!)

For behold, Who forms the mountains, and creates the wind, and makes known to man what his thought is, Who makes the dawn darkness, and steps upon the heights of the earth, YaHUaH, God of the multitudes, is His Name.

‘Amos 4: 13

Who makes the Pleiades and the Orion, and changes the shadow of death in the morning, and darkens the day as night; Who calls the waters of the sea and pours them out on the face of the earth, YaHUaH is His Name.

‘Amos 5: 8 (see also: 5: 27; 9: 6)

That they may inherit the remnant of ’Edom, and of all the nations over whom My Name has been called out, says YaHUaH, Who does this.

‘Amos 9: 12

For all nations will walk, each in the name of his god; but we will walk in the Name of YaHUaH, our God, for ever and ever.

Mikhah (Micah) 4: 5

And He will stand and feed in the strength of YaHUaH, in the majesty of the Name of YaHUaH, His God, and they will dwell, for now He will be great to the ends of the earth.

Mikhah 5: 4

But then I will give a clean language to the nations; that all may proclaim the Name YaHUaH, that they may serve Him with one unified shoulder.

Tsephan-yah 3: 9

But I will leave in the midst of you a miserable and poor people who find refuge in the Name YaHUaH.

Tsephan-yah 3: 12

And I will strengthen them in YaHUaH, and in His Name they will walk about, says YaHUaH.

Zekhar-yah 10:12

And I will bring the third part into the fire, and I will purify them, as one refines silver, and I will try them, as one tries gold; they will call on My name, and I will answer them; I will say, These are My people; and they will say: YaHUaH is my God.

Zekhar-yah 13: 9

And YaHUaH will be King over all the earth; in that day YaHUaH will be the only One, and His Name the only one.

Zekhar-yah 14: 9

For from the rising of the sun to its setting, My name will be great among the nations; and in every place to My name shall be offered incense, and a pure meat offering; for My Name will be great among the nations, says YaHUaH of the multitudes. ...
You also say: How tiresome it is! And you turn up your nose at it, says YaHUaH of the multitudes; you also bring what has been stolen, and what is lame and sick; thus you bring an offering. Would this please Me out of your hand? says YaHUaH. Yes, cursed be the impostor, who has a male in his flock, and promises it to the Lord, and offers something that is corrupt! For I am a great King, says YaHUaH of the multitudes, and My Name is awesome among the nations.

Mal’akhi 1: 11, 13-14

If you do not listen, and if you do not take it to heart, to glorify My Name, says YaHUaH of the multitudes, then I will release the curse on you, and I will curse everything with which you are blessed; yes, I have already pronounced the curse, because you are not taking it to heart.

Mal’akhi 2: 2

Then those who fear YaHUaH speak, each one to his neighbor. And YaHUaH noticed and heard, and a memorial book was written before Him, for those who fear YaHUaH, and for those who remember His Name.

Mal’akhi 3: 16

Hallelu YaHUaH !

Notes

1

The names in the Bible have meaning. That is why I transliterate them carefully so that they remain recognizable. Especially the glorious Name of God I represent here as accurately as possible from the oldest Hebrew original, instead of replacing this grand personal Name of The Most High by a common word, such as ‘Lord’. For more background information see: André H. Roosma, ‘Life, security and belonging in joyful adoration, from the hand of God’ , brief Hallelu-YaH article about the Biblical Name of God in the earliest Hebrew (old Semitic) script, January 2011. André H. Roosma, ‘The Shema‘ – the First Testament declaration of faith (1)’, Hallelu-YaH! web article, February 2012. André H. Roosma, ‘The wonderful and lovely Name of the God Who was there, Who is there, and Who will be there’ , extensive Accede! / Hallelu-YaH! study, July 2009.

Reactions

home

,  news index

,  articles index