Is the LORD – YHVH in the Hebrew scriptures – Jesus in the New Testament

Is the LORD – YHVH in the Hebrew scriptures – Jesus in the New Testament

This is a profound and central question in biblical theology, and the answer depends on how we read the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament together—especially in the original languages.

Short answer:
The New Testament presents Jesus (Yeshua) as the visible, incarnate revelation of YHVH (יהוה), not a separate or different God. But let’s go much deeper through the Scriptures and original language.

  1. The Name YHVH in the Hebrew Scriptures

The divine name יהוה (YHVH) comes from the root היה (hayah, Strong’s H1961) meaning “to be, to exist, to become.”

Exodus 3:14

“I AM THAT I AM” (אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה, Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh)

  • אֶהְיֶה (Ehyeh) = “I AM / I WILL BE” (imperfect verb, ongoing existence)
  • This reveals God as self-existent, eternal, ever-present

👉 YHVH is essentially:
“The One who is, was, and will be”

  1. Jesus (Yeshua) and the “I AM” Identity

In the New Testament, Jesus directly uses this same identity language.

John 8:58

“Before Abraham was, I AM” (Greek: ἐγώ εἰμι — egō eimi)

  • Not “I was,” but “I AM” (present tense, continuous existence)
  • This mirrors Exodus 3:14

👉 The Jewish audience understood this clearly—they attempted to stone Him for blasphemy.

  1. YHVH Appearing in Visible Form in the Old Testament

The Hebrew Bible already shows YHVH appearing in visible, personal form, often called:

  • מַלְאַךְ יְהוָה (Malakh YHVH) = “Angel/Messenger of YHVH”

Key Example: Genesis 18

YHVH appears to Abraham as a man.

Genesis 18:1–2

“YHVH appeared to him… three men stood by him”

Then:

Genesis 18:13

“And YHVH said…”

👉 The text interchanges “the man” and “YHVH”
This suggests:
YHVH can manifest in visible, personal form

  1. The Word (Davar / Logos) as YHVH’s Expression

Hebrew Concept: דָּבָר (Davar, H1697)

  • Means: word, matter, thing, expression
  • Not just speech—active, creative force

Greek Equivalent: λόγος (Logos)

John 1:1

“In the beginning was the Word (Logos)… and the Word was God”

John 1:14

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”

👉 This is crucial:

  • The Logos = God
  • The Logos became flesh = Jesus

So:
Jesus = the embodied “Word” (Davar/Logos) of YHVH

  1. The Name of Jesus (Yeshua)

Hebrew: יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua, H3442)
Meaning:
👉 “YHVH saves” or “YHVH is salvation”

This is not accidental—it directly ties Jesus to YHVH.

  1. New Testament Identifies Jesus with YHVH

Philippians 2:9–11

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…”

This is quoting:

Isaiah 45:23 (YHVH speaking)

“To Me every knee shall bow”

👉 What belongs to YHVH is applied to Jesus.

Romans 10:13

“Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved”

This quotes:

Joel 2:32

“Call on the name of YHVH”

👉 Paul applies YHVH passages directly to Jesus

  1. Jesus as the Visible Image of the Invisible YHVH

Colossians 1:15

“He is the image of the invisible God”

  • Greek: εἰκών (eikōn) = exact visible representation

John 1:18

“No one has seen God at any time… the Son has made Him known”

👉 Jesus is:
the visible revelation of the invisible YHVH

  1. The Unity and Distinction (Father, Son, Spirit)

The Scriptures reveal:

  • YHVH is One (Deuteronomy 6:4 — Shema)
  • Yet God reveals Himself relationally:
    • Father
    • Word/Son
    • Spirit (Ruach)

This is not three gods—but:
👉 One divine being expressed in relational ways

  1. Key Insight from Hebrew Thought

In Hebrew thinking:

  • A “name” (שֵׁם, shem) = nature, character, identity
  • A “word” (davar) = active manifestation

So when Jesus comes:
👉 He is not a separate deity
👉 He is YHVH expressed, revealed, and made tangible

Final Conclusion

Is YHVH in the Hebrew Scriptures Jesus in the New Testament?

✔ Yes—in essence and identity
❗ But with deeper clarity:

  • YHVH = the eternal, invisible God
  • Jesus = YHVH revealed in flesh (the Word made visible)

👉 Not a different God
👉 Not merely a messenger
👉 But God Himself expressed personally and relationally