Does God command us to call Him Jehovah?

You might have had people come to your door and tell you that “Jehovah” is the only appropriate name to call God. Another group claims that it must be Yahweh, which is the sacred name of God.

But I respectfully disagree with the idea that God desires we call Him by one name over another. In reality, God goes by many names in the Bible. Our text in Exodus does say one of these names is Lord, which is YHWH in Hebrew and often interpreted as Jehovah. However, here God simply revealed a new name to them. And you will find that God continues to reveal new names throughout the Bible. He never says we should use just one name when calling on Him or referencing Him.

Those who become preoccupied with the idea that we must only address God by one name are, in a certain way, making their God smaller. Indeed, God’s names tell us about His character. For instance, He also says we should call him Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, and Everlasting Father.

Jesus also has many names: He’s called Alpha and Omega, the Lamb, the Beginning and the End, the Gate, the Door, Son of God, and many more. It would be impractical to list them all here! The real issue is not what name we should use when speaking with God, though it should always be done with reverence, holiness, and a sense of awe.

The true issue is whether or not we honor and exalt His Word. Psalm 138:2 says, “You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” Indeed, each language has different names to refer to God; but the bona fide uniting force is how God’s Word transcends language or simple words and affects all people regardless of the name one chooses to call Him, whether it be Advocate (1 John 2:1), Amen (Revelation 1:8), or Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Key Bible Texts

And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them. (Exodus 6:3 KJV)