If you’ve ever paused while reading the Bible and wondered what’s behind the mysterious four-letter name YHWH (יהוה), you’re not alone. It shows up over 6,000 times in the Old Testament, often replaced in English with “LORD” in all caps, but that doesn’t explain it, does it?

I’ve spent a lot of time sitting with questions like this, across academic lectures and quiet moments with the text. And I’ve learned something important: when something makes you pause, it’s usually because there’s something in it worth lingering over.

If we skip over this name, or treat it like just another divine label, we risk missing one of the most profound revelations in the entire biblical story. YHWH isn’t just a name, it’s a window. Into God's nature, His mystery, and His relationship with humanity.

In this article, we’ll explore the origin of the name, how it’s used in the Bible, the linguistic and theological roots behind it, the cultural reverence that surrounds it, and what it all might mean for our understanding of God today.

You might be surprised at what’s hidden in those four little letters, but that’s for you to find out.