The encounter began with fear and doubt. Moses, a shepherd in Midian, was confronted by a burning bush, an impossible spectacle that drew him closer to the divine. He heard a voice, the voice of God, commissioning him for a daunting task: to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery. Overwhelmed and questioning his own adequacy, Moses responded with a fundamental question, “Who am I, that I should go…?” (Exodus 3:11). God’s initial reply bypassed Moses’ insecurity, focusing instead on divine presence and promise: “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12). This reassurance, however, paved the way for an even more profound inquiry.
Moses, accepting the mission, then considered the people he was sent to. He anticipated their natural question: “If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is God’s name?’ what shall I say to them?” (Exodus 3:13). The crux of the matter shifted from Moses’ identity to the very identity of God. It wasn’t enough to know that God existed; Moses needed to know who this God was, signified by His name. This ancient question, “what is God’s name,” remains deeply relevant even today.
In our contemporary world, many acknowledge a ‘higher power’ or ‘something greater than themselves.’ Yet, this recognition often remains vague, undefined, and ultimately, impersonal. Just as in Moses’ time, understanding what is God’s name is not merely an exercise in semantics; it’s a quest to grasp the very character and essence of the divine. Without knowing God’s name, we risk relating to a distant, undefined force rather than the personal, relational God revealed in Scripture.
The inquiry into what is God’s name is not a new theological pursuit. It echoes through centuries of faith and reflection. Even within religious communities, there can be a hesitancy to fully explore the depth of God’s character. As one psychologist observed, some religious leaders seem to shy away from proclaiming the full character of God as revealed in the Bible, fearing discomfort or rejection from their congregations. This reluctance underscores the importance of Moses’ question and the profound answer it elicited. The journey to understand what is God’s name is a journey into the heart of God’s self-revelation.
Alt text: Moses in awe before the burning bush, symbolizing his encounter with God and the pivotal question about God’s name.
God’s response to Moses’ crucial question is both simple and profoundly revealing. God declared, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). This statement, often referred to as the divine name, is intrinsically linked to God’s personal name, Yahweh. In answering “what is God’s name,” God wasn’t simply providing a label; He was unveiling His very being. “I AM WHO I AM” is not a definition to be confined but a declaration of self-existence, independence, and ultimate reality. It signifies that God is not defined by anything outside of Himself. He is being itself, the source of all existence.
The name “Yahweh,” derived from “I AM WHO I AM,” further personalizes this revelation. While “I AM WHO I AM” speaks to God’s ontological reality, Yahweh is the covenant name, the name by which God desires to be known and related to by His people. It’s a name laden with history, promise, and personal connection. When Moses asked “what is God’s name,” God provided a name that was not just a designation but a revelation of His personal and covenantal nature.
This self-revelation stands in stark contrast to the notion of God as merely an impersonal “higher power.” In contemporary culture, it’s common to hear references to a vague, undefined force, something greater than ourselves. However, this concept often lacks personal attributes and moral character. Such an impersonal force makes no ethical demands and offers no personal relationship. It’s akin to worshiping gravity or thunder – powerful forces, yet devoid of personality, morality, or the capacity for relationship.
The danger of reducing God to an impersonal force is twofold. First, it eliminates the possibility of a personal relationship with the divine. Second, and perhaps more subtly, it removes any sense of moral accountability. An amoral force doesn’t judge or call to account. This stands in direct opposition to the God who revealed Himself to Moses, the God who is not only powerful but also personal and righteous. Understanding what is God’s name, therefore, is crucial to understanding the very nature of our relationship with the divine – a relationship that is personal, ethical, and transformative.
Alt text: Tablets of the Ten Commandments, symbolizing God’s moral law and personal interaction with humanity, revealed through His name.
To illustrate the significance of names and their connection to personal relationship, consider a simple analogy. Imagine a classroom scenario where a professor introduces a student, Mary, who is newly engaged. When asked why she loves her fiancé, John, Mary might initially point to superficial qualities – his good looks, his athleticism, his intelligence. However, when pressed to articulate the essence of her love for John, she ultimately returns to his name itself: “I love him because… he’s John.”
This anecdote highlights that a name is not merely a label; it encapsulates a person’s identity, history, and the unique relationship we have with them. Similarly, when we ask “what is God’s name,” we are not seeking a mere label but an entry point into understanding the fullness of His being and character. The name Yahweh, “I AM WHO I AM,” reveals a God who is personal, relational, and whose character is infinitely rich and worthy of our deepest affection and worship.
In conclusion, the question “what is God’s name” is far more than a simple inquiry. It’s a profound theological question that leads us to the heart of God’s self-revelation. God’s answer to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and His personal name, Yahweh, unveil a God who is not an impersonal force but a personal, relational being with a defined character and a covenant love for His people. Understanding what is God’s name is essential for moving beyond a vague concept of ‘higher power’ to a genuine, transformative relationship with the living God of the Bible. It is in knowing His name that we begin to truly know Him.
