Timothy Schwab | October 17, 2025

The Mesha Stele, of the ninth century B.C.E. (840), on the 18th line, gives evidence that even pagan nations near Israel knew the name Y-H-W-H. 

Many have long debated how to properly pronounce the Name of the Creator—YHWH (יהוה)—especially its first three letters, YHW (יהו). Dark Age theology popularized the form Yahweh, yet one must wonder how an ancient Semitic name ended up with a rule that the first Hey (ה) supposedly becomes “ah” while the second turns into “eh.” Such conventions come not from ancient Hebrew but from much later linguistic evolution—and more so, from traditions that openly admit they hide the Name.

The Doctrine of Concealment

Rabbinic theology introduced a doctrine that forbade even speaking the divine Name, labeling it Ineffable. Yet imagine: a system that claims to teach the Name while simultaneously prohibiting its pronunciation—under threat of eternal punishment. Such a position collapses under its own contradiction.

This “doctrine of concealment” is rooted in one mistranslated passage, claiming that “Abraham did not know the Name of YHWH.” If that were true, Torah would contradict itself. Abraham invoked the Name repeatedly—teaching it to his household, proclaiming it to kings, and calling upon it in worship. Even from the days of Enos (Genesis 4:26) and in Genesis 2 itself, Scripture records that YHWH was already known and called upon.

There is no biblical support for a hidden or “unspeakable” Name. That doctrine belongs to the Pharisees and their successors, not to Torah.

Learning the Name from the Prophets

We find the true pronunciation of YHW (יהו) in the names of the prophets who bear it. These names explicitly identify YHWH as the Father. The clearest example is EliYAHU—commonly misrendered Elijah.

In ancient Hebrew, there was no letter J. The name EliYahu (אליהו) literally means “YAHU is Elohim.”
This isn’t a coincidence or mere phonetic variant—it is definitive. The prophetic name itself tells us how to pronounce YHW: YAHU.

The Linguistic Proof

Notice that the name is EliYAHU, not EliYAHW. Therefore, the form Yahweh has no prophetic precedent. The “W” sound represents a double-U, taking the vowel form U in this context. Thus, YHW = YAHU.

This pattern continues:

• YeshaYAHU (Isaiah) – “Salvation of YAHU.”

• YirmYAHU (Jeremiah) – “Exaltation of YAHU.”

• ObadYAHU (Obadiah) – “Servant of YAHU.”

• MattitYAHU (Matthew) – “Gift of YAHU.”

• NetanYAHU – “Gift of YAHU,” still used today by Israel’s Prime Minister.

Even Nehemyah (Nehemiah) preserves YAH, never “YEH.”

These names, spanning both Old and New Testaments, confirm the pronunciation consistently as YAHU, not Yahweh, Yehovah, or Yahawah.

Modern Witnesses to Ancient Truth

Ironically, even modern Hebrew sources preserve this sound. Jewish liturgical songs and prayers—such as Eliyahu HaNavi—clearly pronounce “YAHU.” Scholars and rabbis across Orthodox, Reform, and educational platforms all vocalize it this way in practice, though their doctrine claims the Name is “ineffable.”

Consider these sources, all using “Eliyahu”:

• Chabad.org: Listening to a Prophet Like Eliyahu on Mt. Carmel – Rabbi Ari Shishler

• Torah in Motion: Eliyahu: Prophet of Fire (Part 1) – Rabbi Alex Israel

• Torat Har Etzion: The Eliyahu Narratives

And many recordings confirm the pronunciation “Eliyahu”:
Google search examples | Hear It in Hebrew | Jewish Learning & Prayer | Eliyahu Hanavi – Shlomo Katz

Even in song, the same pattern endures across centuries:

• “Eliyahu Hanavi” – Central Synagogue, NYC

• PJ Library Haggadah Music: Eliyahu Hanavi

Restoring the Full Name: YAHUAH

Once we establish YAHU, the final Hey (ה) completes the form YAHUAH—the Name used over 6,800 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. This is not speculation but direct linguistic evidence rooted in Scripture itself and reinforced by prophetic names across millennia.

The question then becomes: Who replaced it with the title “Lord,” a generic term used for men and deities alike?
And why did they construct an entire doctrine to hide the Name the Creator commanded us to call upon forever (Exodus 3:15)?

Conclusion

The prophets, patriarchs, and apostles all knew and used the Name of YAHUAH. The pattern is consistent, the evidence clear, and the linguistic proof undeniable. The deception lies not in the language but in the man-made doctrines designed to erase the sound of YAHU from the earth.

To restore truth, we must return to the foundation preserved by the prophets themselves. As EliYAHU declared on Mount Carmel:

“YAHU is Elohim!”

Watch Full Teaching Series on YHWH:
🎥 The Name of God Series on YouTube

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Greek Septuagint (Fouad Inv. 266), fragments from the first century B.C.E., show the Holy Name, YHWH, in portions of Deuteronomy. In the days of Messiah, the Greek paradigm maintained the Hebrew letters even in the Greek text not altering the Holy Name. Why would anyone change it? Even when they began expressing Yah in Greek, it was IAH. In Greek, the letter "I" carries an "EY" sound still pronounced as "YAH". Later changes were replacing the Name and changing the Word in one of the most important concepts there. In the above teaching series, we cover translator admissions of replacing YHWH there as well. Again, this is preserved in Matthew's Hebrew name, MattiYAHU as well.