A God Who Makes Things Happen

Scholars are not in full agreement as to the meaning of God's name, Jehovah. After extensive research on the subject, however, many believe that the name is a form of the Hebrew verb ha·wah´ (become), meaning "He Causes to Become."

Hence, in the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures,* the account at Exodus 3:14, where Moses asked God his name, is translated this way: "At this God said to Moses: 'I shall prove to be what I shall prove to be.' And he added: 'This is what you are to say to the sons of Israel, "I shall prove to be has sent me to you."'"

That rendering is appropriate because God is able to cause himself to become whatever he needs to be. Nothing can stop him from fulfilling whatever role is needed to accomplish his will. His purposes and promises always become reality. Outstandingly, God proved to be the Creator, the one with unlimited ability to make things happen. He caused the physical universe to come into existence. He also created myriads of spirit creatures. Truly, he is a God who makes things happen!

* Published by Jehovah's Witnesses.

The Hebrew text of the Holy Scriptures uses numerous terms for God, such as Almighty, Creator, Father, and Lord. Yet, the instances in which he is referred to by his personal name far outnumber all of the other terms combined. Clearly, it is God's will that we use his name. Consider the following list of terms as they appear in the Hebrew Scriptures.^#

Jehovah—6,973 times
God—2,605 times
Almighty—48 times
Lord—40 times
Maker—25 times
Creator—7 times
Father—7 times
Ancient of Days—3 times
Grand Instructor—2 times

^# Approximate number of occurrences as they appear in the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, published by Jehovah's Witnesses.

Do You
Know God
by Name?