# What Is God’s Name? > The King James Version prints God, Almighty, Lord, LORD, and in two places JEHOVAH. Jesus is given the name Philippians says is above every name. The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible prints Jehovah where the King James prints LORD. - Canonical: https://apologetics.wiki/christianity/what-is-gods-name - Religions: Christianity - Denominations: none - Beliefs: none - Tags: god, jehovah, names - Updated: 2026-10-10 - Author: [Paul Ambrose](https://apologetics.wiki/author/hi-its-paul) ([GitHub](https://github.com/hi-its-paul)) The Bible uses more than one name. The King James Version prints God, the Almighty God, Lord, and LORD, and in [Exodus 6:3](/bible/exodus/6/3) and [Psalm 83:18](/bible/psalms/83/18) it prints JEHOVAH. [Philippians 2:9](/bible/philippians/2/9) says God gave Jesus a name which is above every name. Jehovah’s Witnesses use “Jehovah” where this King James text prints LORD. Their Bible is the New World Translation. ## Key points - [Genesis 1:1](/bible/genesis/1/1) says God created. The Hebrew word page is [Elohim (H430)](/bible/hebrew/elohim-h430). - [Genesis 17:1](/bible/genesis/17/1) says “I am the Almighty God.” The word page is [Shaddai (H7706)](/bible/hebrew/shaday-h7706). - [Exodus 3:14](/bible/exodus/3/14) says “I AM THAT I AM.” [Exodus 3:15](/bible/exodus/3/15) says “this is my name for ever,” and the King James prints LORD in that verse. - [Exodus 6:3](/bible/exodus/6/3) says “by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.” [Psalm 83:18](/bible/psalms/83/18) says “whose name alone is JEHOVAH.” The word page is [YHWH (H3068)](/bible/hebrew/yehovah-h3068). - [Isaiah 42:8](/bible/isaiah/42/8) says “I am the LORD: that is my name.” - [Deuteronomy 6:4](/bible/deuteronomy/6/4) says “The LORD our God is one LORD.” The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ New World Translation says “Jehovah our God is one Jehovah.” - [Matthew 1:21](/bible/matthew/1/21) names him JESUS. [John 8:58](/bible/john/8/58) says “Before Abraham was, I am.” ## Names the King James text prints [Genesis 1:1](/bible/genesis/1/1) opens with God. [Elohim (H430)](/bible/hebrew/elohim-h430) is that word’s page. [Genesis 17:1](/bible/genesis/17/1) says the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I am the Almighty God.” [Shaddai (H7706)](/bible/hebrew/shaday-h7706) is the word behind “Almighty.” [Adonai (H136)](/bible/hebrew/adonay-h136) is the word the King James often prints as Lord, distinct from the name printed LORD or JEHOVAH. [Exodus 3:14](/bible/exodus/3/14) says God said to Moses, “I AM THAT I AM,” and “I AM hath sent me unto you.” [Exodus 3:15](/bible/exodus/3/15) says the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob has sent him, and “this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.” In that verse the King James prints LORD, not JEHOVAH. [Exodus 6:3](/bible/exodus/6/3), King James Version: > 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. [Psalm 83:18](/bible/psalms/83/18) says that men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth. [Isaiah 42:8](/bible/isaiah/42/8) says “I am the LORD: that is my name,” and that his glory will not be given to another. [YHWH (H3068)](/bible/hebrew/yehovah-h3068) is the Hebrew word those lines are reading. The page’s short gloss is Jehovah. This site’s King James text is the English beside it. ## Yahweh, Jehovah, and LORD Readers meet three spellings. The King James Version prints JEHOVAH in [Exodus 6:3](/bible/exodus/6/3) and [Psalm 83:18](/bible/psalms/83/18), and LORD in many other verses of the same Hebrew name, including [Exodus 3:15](/bible/exodus/3/15), [Isaiah 42:8](/bible/isaiah/42/8), and [Deuteronomy 6:4](/bible/deuteronomy/6/4). “Yahweh” is a spelling readers meet in other books. This page does not have a fetched account of how the vowels were supplied, so it does not give one. The evidence on this page is the King James printing and the Hebrew word page. Jehovah’s Witnesses treat Jehovah as God’s name and print it where the King James prints LORD. Their Bible is the New World Translation. - King James Version: Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD — [Deuteronomy 6:4](/bible/deuteronomy/6/4) - New World Translation, the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible: Listen, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah — [Deuteronomy 6:4](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/deuteronomy/6/#v5006004) The Hebrew of that verse is on the verse page. [What Do Jews Believe?](/judaism/what-do-jews-believe) reads the same Shema as Israel’s confession. Whether “Jehovah” belongs in the Greek New Testament, where the manuscripts read Lord, is [Does “Jehovah” Belong in the New Testament?](/jehovahs-witnesses/does-jehovah-belong-in-the-new-testament). ## The name given to Jesus [Matthew 1:21](/bible/matthew/1/21) says Mary’s son will be called JESUS, because he will save his people from their sins. [Philippians 2:9–11](/bible/philippians/2) says God highly exalted him and gave him a name which is above every name, and that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. [Revelation 1:8](/bible/revelation/1/8) says “I am Alpha and Omega.” Who speaks that title is [Who is the Alpha and the Omega?](/jehovahs-witnesses/who-is-the-alpha-and-omega). [John 8:58](/bible/john/8/58) is the sentence readers set beside [Exodus 3:14](/bible/exodus/3/14). - King James Version: Before Abraham was, I am — [John 8:58](/bible/john/8/58) - New World Translation, the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible: before Abraham came into existence, I have been — [John 8:58](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/john/8/#v43008058) The Greek under the King James line is on that verse page. Jehovah’s Witnesses read the New World Translation wording as Jesus’ prehuman existence, not as the name in Exodus. [John 1 and the Word](/jehovahs-witnesses/john-1-and-the-word) and [Should Jesus Be Worshipped, or Only Given Obeisance?](/jehovahs-witnesses/should-jesus-be-worshipped) are the next pages. The Christian claim is [Is Jesus God?](/christianity/is-jesus-god) and [the incarnation](/christianity/what-is-the-incarnation): the Son took flesh and remained God. [The Trinity](/christianity/the-trinity) is why this site does not treat the Father’s name as a denial that Jesus is God. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the Hebrew name of God? [YHWH (H3068)](/bible/hebrew/yehovah-h3068) is the word the King James prints as LORD and, in two verses, as JEHOVAH. [Exodus 3:14](/bible/exodus/3/14) gives the sentence “I AM THAT I AM” beside that name. [Elohim (H430)](/bible/hebrew/elohim-h430), [Shaddai (H7706)](/bible/hebrew/shaday-h7706), and [Adonai (H136)](/bible/hebrew/adonay-h136) are the other words this page names. ### What does Yahweh mean? “Yahweh” is a spelling readers meet. This page does not have a fetched history of the vowels. [Exodus 3:14](/bible/exodus/3/14) is the sentence “I AM THAT I AM.” [Exodus 6:3](/bible/exodus/6/3) is where this King James text prints JEHOVAH. ### Is Jehovah God’s real name? The King James Version prints JEHOVAH in [Exodus 6:3](/bible/exodus/6/3) and [Psalm 83:18](/bible/psalms/83/18), and LORD for the same Hebrew word in [Deuteronomy 6:4](/bible/deuteronomy/6/4). The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ New World Translation prints Jehovah in that Shema. Both printings are linked above. [Does “Jehovah” Belong in the New Testament?](/jehovahs-witnesses/does-jehovah-belong-in-the-new-testament) is the Greek manuscript question. ### How many names does God have? This page does not have a fetched total, so it does not give one. The names in the verses above are God, Almighty, LORD, JEHOVAH, and Jesus. [Does the Bible Contradict Itself?](/christianity/does-the-bible-contradict-itself) points here instead of inventing a count. ### Did God rename people in the Bible? [Genesis 17:5](/bible/genesis/17/5) says Abram’s name will be Abraham. [Genesis 32:28](/bible/genesis/32/28) says Jacob’s name will be Israel. [John 1:42](/bible/john/1/42) says Simon will be called Cephas, a stone. Those are new names for people. They are not a second name for God. [Who Was the First Pope?](/christianity/who-was-the-first-pope) is the argument about Peter’s office, and it does not decide it. ## Keep reading - [Does “Jehovah” Belong in the New Testament?](/jehovahs-witnesses/does-jehovah-belong-in-the-new-testament) - [Who is the Alpha and the Omega?](/jehovahs-witnesses/who-is-the-alpha-and-omega) - [John 1 and the Word](/jehovahs-witnesses/john-1-and-the-word) - [The Trinity](/christianity/the-trinity) - [What Is the Incarnation?](/christianity/what-is-the-incarnation) - [What Do Jews Believe?](/judaism/what-do-jews-believe) - [Who Created God?](/god/who-created-god) ## Passages quoted on this page ### Psalms 83:18 King James Version. > That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth. ### Philippians 2:9 King James Version. > Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: ### Genesis 1:1 King James Version. > In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. ### Genesis 17:1 King James Version. > And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. ### Exodus 3:14 King James Version. > And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. ### Exodus 3:15 King James Version. > And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD 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 for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. ### Isaiah 42:8 King James Version. > I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. ### Deuteronomy 6:4 King James Version. > Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: ### Matthew 1:21 King James Version. > And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. ### John 8:58 King James Version. > Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. ### Deuteronomy 6:4 New World Translation · Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible. [Open on jw.org](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/deuteronomy/6/#v5006004) > “Listen, O Israel: Jehovah our God is one Jehovah. ### Philippians 2:9–11 King James Version. > [2:9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: [2:10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [2:11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ### Revelation 1:8 King James Version. > I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. ### John 8:58 New World Translation · Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible. [Open on jw.org](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/john/8/#v43008058) > Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to you, before Abraham came into existence, I have been.” ### Genesis 17:5 King James Version. > Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. ### Genesis 32:28 King James Version. > And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. ### John 1:42 King James Version. > And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. ### Exodus 3:14–15 King James Version. > [3:14] And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. [3:15] And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD 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 for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. ## Sources Numbered to match the HTML References list. Item 1 is `#ref-1` under `#references`. Scripture links to the King James Version on this site. 1. [Book of Exodus, 3:14–15; 6:3](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/exodus/3). King James Version 2. [Book of Psalms, 83:18](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/psalms/83/18). King James Version 3. [Book of Isaiah, 42:8](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/isaiah/42/8). King James Version 4. [Book of Genesis, 17:1](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/genesis/17/1). King James Version 5. [Book of Deuteronomy, 6:4](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/deuteronomy/6/4). King James Version 6. [Gospel of Matthew, 1:21](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/matthew/1/21). King James Version 7. [Gospel of John, 8:58](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/john/8/58). King James Version 8. [Letter to the Philippians, 2:9](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/philippians/2/9). King James Version 9. [Book of Revelation, 1:8](https://apologetics.wiki/bible/revelation/1/8). King James Version 10. [New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, Deuteronomy 6:4 (2013 revision)](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/deuteronomy/6/#v5006004) (The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible.) 11. [New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, John 8:58 (2013 revision)](https://www.jw.org/en/library/bible/study-bible/books/john/8/#v43008058) (The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Bible.) ## See also - [The Trinity](https://apologetics.wiki/christianity/the-trinity) — Christians confess that the one God is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit: not three gods, and not one person taking turns. - [Do Buddhists Believe in God? Is Buddhism a Religion?](https://apologetics.wiki/buddhism/do-buddhists-believe-in-god) — The Buddha’s first sermon, in Thanissaro Bhikkhu’s translation, does not confess a creator. It teaches the end of further becoming. Christians confess the God who made the world. - [Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God?](https://apologetics.wiki/islam/do-muslims-and-christians-worship-the-same-god) — Is Allah the same God? Muslims and Christians both confess one Creator, the God of Abraham. They do not confess the same account of who that God is: Christians say Jesus is God, and the Qur'an denies it. - [Does God Exist?](https://apologetics.wiki/god/does-god-exist) — Christians say everything that exists depends on God, who is not one more object inside the world, and they point to what has been made and to Jesus. - [The Problem of Evil](https://apologetics.wiki/god/problem-of-evil) — Scripture records the protest against suffering. Christians answer from the cross and the resurrection, and they do not itemize a reason for each horror. ## History [View history on GitHub](https://github.com/Apologetics-Wiki/apologetics-wiki/commits/main/src/content/articles/what-is-gods-name.md)