Understanding the Tetragrammaton, Part II: How Important is It?

In a previous article we examined the way of pronouncing the Tetragrammaton, the four-consonant name of God as expressed in the Old Testament, YHWH. We determined from all available evidence that the name was most probably pronounced Yahweh, and also examined the origins of "Jehovah" and that it is not the way the name was pronounced. Having thus examined how the name is pronounced, let us now examine its importance, for there are many in the denominational world, particularly in the sect known as the "Jehovah's Witnesses," that places great emphasis and importance on the name of God. Let us reason from the Scriptures to see how

Its Importance: The Unique Name of God

The student of the Bible will understand that YHWH as the name of God is important because it is the unique, personal name of God. The Lord said as much to Moses in Exodus 3:15, and demonstrated to Moses that He did not reveal Himself before as YHWH in Exodus 6:2-3:

And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, YHWH, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name forever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

And God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, I am YHWH: and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God Almighty; but by my name YHWH I was not known to them."