Who was Jehovah?
Jehovah is the personal name of the one true and living God revealed in the Old Testament, most significantly in His dealings with Moses and the Israelites during the Exodus. The name “Jehovah” is an English rendering of the Tetragrammaton—YHWH (יהוה)—a sacred four-letter name used nearly 7,000 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. While the exact pronunciation is uncertain due to Jewish reverence that prevented them from vocalizing the name, “Jehovah” became widely accepted in early English Bible translations. The name can be translated as “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14), reflecting God‘s self-existence, unchanging nature, and eternal presence.
In Exodus 7, Jehovah makes His identity known not only to Israel but also to Pharaoh and Egypt through mighty acts of judgment and deliverance. This chapter initiates the confrontation between Jehovah, the God of Israel, and the false gods of Egypt. Jehovah declares His sovereignty, purpose, and name through miraculous signs and the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart.
Biblical References
- Exodus 3:14-15 – God reveals His name to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM” and instructs him to say, “The LORD (YHWH)… has sent me to you.”
- Exodus 6:2-3 – God reaffirms His name Jehovah to Moses, distinguishing it from the name El Shaddai, known to the patriarchs.
- Exodus 7:1-5 – Jehovah sends Moses and Aaron to Pharaoh, saying, “I will bring out my people… and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.”
- Psalm 83:18 – “That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.”
- Isaiah 12:2; 26:4 – Jehovah is described as salvation and everlasting strength.
- Jeremiah 16:21 – “They shall know that my name is the LORD.”
Cross-references include Genesis 2:4, Leviticus 19:12, and Deuteronomy 6:4. In the New Testament, while the Greek word “Kyrios” (Lord) is used instead of YHWH, Jesus applies the divine name to Himself in John 8:58: “Before Abraham was born, I AM.”
The Revelation of Jehovah in Exodus 7
In Exodus 7, Jehovah begins to act decisively in history to deliver Israel from bondage in Egypt. He sends Moses and Aaron to confront Pharaoh with His demands and judgments. Jehovah identifies Himself as the LORD of all creation and the covenant-keeping God of Israel. Through the signs and plagues that follow, He shows His superiority over all Egyptian deities and reveals His justice, power, and mercy.
Pharaoh’s hardened heart is used by Jehovah to demonstrate His glory. In verses 3–5, God says He will multiply His signs and wonders, and “the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” This is not just an act of deliverance for Israel, but a revelation of the one true God to the nations.
Jehovah acts in faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He keeps His promises and reveals His character as both Judge and Savior.
Meaning for Today’s Christians
Jehovah is not a distant or abstract deity. He is the eternal, personal, covenant-keeping God who hears, sees, and delivers His people. For Christians today, Jehovah remains the same—unchanging in His justice, mercy, power, and faithfulness.
Knowing God as Jehovah means recognizing His complete self-sufficiency and sovereign authority. In a world filled with uncertainty and idolatry, Christians can rest in the reality that Jehovah is in control and actively works for His glory and His people’s good.
Christians also see the full revelation of Jehovah in the person of Jesus Christ. Just as Jehovah delivered Israel from Egypt, so Jesus delivers sinners from the bondage of sin and death.
Connection to Jesus and the Gospel
Jesus Christ is the fullest revelation of Jehovah. In John 8:58, Jesus declares, “Before Abraham was born, I AM,” directly connecting Himself to the divine name revealed to Moses. The Gospel of John contains multiple “I AM” statements from Jesus, such as “I am the bread of life,” “I am the light of the world,” and “I am the good shepherd.” These are not mere metaphors—they are declarations of divine identity.
Just as Jehovah rescued His people from slavery, Jesus rescues His people from spiritual slavery. Jehovah passed over Israel with the blood of the lamb during the Exodus; Jesus is the Lamb of God whose blood delivers believers from judgment. In Christ, we encounter the grace, truth, and holiness of Jehovah in a personal and saving way.
Broader Biblical Themes
1. God’s Sovereignty
Jehovah’s actions in Exodus reveal that He rules over all nations, kings, and false gods. Nothing can thwart His purposes.
2. Covenant Faithfulness
Jehovah keeps His promises to Abraham’s descendants, showing that He is not only powerful but also faithful and loving.
3. Salvation and Judgment
Jehovah is both Savior and Judge. He saves His people and judges those who oppose Him. His name is known through acts of both mercy and justice.
4. God’s Name and Glory
Throughout Scripture, God acts for the sake of His name—that His people and all nations might know and revere Jehovah.
5. Holiness and Presence
Jehovah is holy and cannot be manipulated or ignored. He is near to His people yet dwells in unapproachable glory.
Reflection Questions
- What does the name “Jehovah” reveal about God’s character and nature?
- How does Jehovah’s confrontation with Pharaoh challenge today’s idols and authorities?
- In what ways does your life reflect trust in the unchanging, faithful nature of Jehovah?
- How does understanding Jehovah’s name deepen your appreciation of Jesus’ identity?
- Are there areas in your life where you need to remember that Jehovah is in control?
Jehovah is not merely a name from the past. He is the ever-living God who reveals Himself, keeps His promises, and saves His people. Knowing Him as Jehovah draws us to worship, trust, and obedience, and ultimately points us to Jesus Christ, in whom the fullness of God dwells.