Below is a compilation of some thoughts on what YAHWEH (God) is, and what He is not.
You'll notice there is an obvious imbalance in favor of what He is.
That's because it's far more important to know what He is than what He is not.
These thoughts are presented as quotations from His Word.
This is done so there's little argument about what He says about Himself.
Thus, it's not "the word of man",
but is instead "The Word of YAHWEH" that instructs us.
The verses quoted reveal various aspects of His nature, His character,
and His desires for those who believe in Him.
It's presented so you might reflect on some of His attributes,
and realize a bit more of the Truth concerning Him.
Perhaps this will help increase your desire to know Him better, more personally,
or to begin a new relationship with Him.
The list is far from complete,
but hopefully it gives you enough of a sample to comprehend His desires for your life.
Please remember that one of the most important aspects of Bible study is the context.
Whenever you take something out of the context in which it normally occurs
you run the risk of misunderstanding it, or misinterpreting it.
While these verses are significant,
it's worth your time to look up the surrounding verses and read them as well.
What YAHWEH is:
YAHWEH is ONE (a unity):
Deuteronomy 6:4: Listen attentively, Yisra’el!
YAHWEH, our Elohim, YAHWEH is one!
Note: This implies a unity and a uniqueness.
It implies that YAHWEH (The Elohim of Yisra’el (Israel))
is THE ONLY GOD that really exists.
The rest are not really gods at all.
Interestingly, The Jewish Publication Society (JPS)
translates this as “YAHWEH alone”,
meaning He is the ONLY Elohim.
This does indeed agree with what Scripture teaches us.
YAHWEH is The Elohim Of elohim (gods) And Sovereign of sovereigns:
Deuteronomy 10:17: because YAHWEH, your Elohim,
is The Elohim of elohim,
and The Sovereign of sovereigns,
The Great El,
The Powerful One,
and The One to be fearing,
who shows no partiality and He does not accept a bribe.
Note: There is no other god (elohim) or sovereign (lord)
that can ever compare to The Elohim of Yisra’el.
He is above all things.
Psalms 47:7: Indeed King
of all the earth is The Elohim!
Sing
praises!
(A
meditation.)
YAHWEH is One who speaks PURE WORDS:
Proverbs 30:5-6: Every Word of The Elohim is refined.
He is a shield to those taking
refuge in Him.
Prov. 30:6 You are not to cause a thing
to be added above His Words,
lest He argue with you,
and you are found to have lied.
YAHWEH is ETERNAL:
Deuteronomy 33:27: The eternal YAHWEH is your refuge….
Note: Eternal means never ending. YAHWEH is always! YAHWEH is forever!
Psalms 48:14: For this YAHWEH is our Elohim forever and ever:
He will be our guide even unto death.
YAHWEH is LIGHT:
1 John 1:5-10: And
this is the announcement that we have heard from Him
and
announce to you, that YAHWEH is light
and
in Him is no obscurity at all.
If we say that we have a partnership with Him,
yet
walk in obscurity we are uttering an untruth
and
are not doing the truth.
But if we walk in the light
in
the manner in which He is in the light
we
have a partnership with each other,
and
the blood of YAHUSHUA, The Messiah, His Son,
cleanses
us from every offense.
If we say that we have no offenses
we
are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
When we acknowledge our offenses
He
is trustworthy and just
in
order that He might
forgive us our offenses
and
might cleanse us from all injustice.
When
we say that we have not offended
we
make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
Note: This is an essential understanding for any person.
If you understand this passage
you will truly understand the nature of YAHWEH,
The Elohim of The Bible.
(The Elohim of the Christian,
The Elohim of the Hebrew,
and The Elohim of Yisra’el
- yet He is not the "god" of other nations, or of non-believers.)
YAHWEH is YOUR REFUGE:
Deuteronomy 33:27: The Elohim of old is a refuge,
and underneath, everlasting arms.
And He drives out the adversary from before your face.
And He says, ‘Destroy!’
Psalms 46:1: The Elohim
is our refuge and strength,
a help in
distress, quickly found.
YAHWEH is LOVE:
1 John 4:16: And
we have known and have trusted
in
the love that YAHWEH possesses for us.
YAHWEH exists as love.
And
he who abides in love abides in YAHWEH,
and
YAHWEH in him.
1 John 4:8: He who does not love does not know YAHWEH,
because YAHWEH is love.
Love in the Hebrew mind means loyalty, faithfulness,
not some “gushy” emotional feeling.
YAHWEH is Divine Nature:
John 4:24: YAHWEH is Divine Nature.
And
it is necessary that those who worship Him
worship in Divine Nature and truth!”
Note: This is a particularly important verse.
There's an astounding misconception concerning one's “soul” or one’s “spirit”.
Both of these are Greek creations.
They do not exist in Hebrew language or thought.
In the new version, The Aleph-Tav Bible,
there is a full explanation of what “spirit” and “soul” really represent.
Both in the Introduction and in the individual books of The New Covenant
here are details presented to help you understand these concepts from a Hebrew perspective.
This perspective is necessary if one wants to truly understand what Scripture says.
It was written by and for Hebrews.
YAHWEH is TRUSTWORTHY:
1 Corinthians 1:9: YAHWEH is trustworthy,
through whom you were called
into the partnership of His Son,
YAHUSHUA, The Messiah, our Master.
1 Corinthians 10:13: No
temptation has overtaken you
except
that which is common to human beings.
Indeed, YAHWEH is trustworthy
Who
will not allow you to be tested
beyond
that which you are able to endure,
but
on the contrary will also make with the testing,
even
the way out from it
so that you may be
able to endure it.
YAHWEH is COMPASSIONATE:
Deuteronomy 4:31: Indeed, an El of compassion is YAHWEH, your Elohim!
He will not abandon you.
And He will not destroy you.
And He will not forget the covenant itself ta with your forefathers
which He swore to them.
Note: This also implies that YAHWEH is not forgetful.
YAHWEH is DELIVERANCE:
Psalms 62:7-8: Truly He Himself is my Rock and my
deliverance,
my
stronghold!
I will not be
greatly shaken!
62:7 (H
62.8) My deliverance and my honor
depend upon
The Elohim, The Rock of my strength!
Psalms 68:20: The El is
our El
for the
sake of deliverance!
And to
YAHWEH, My Sovereign,
belongs the
issues of death.
Isaiah 12:2: Behold! The El is my deliverance!
I will trust and not be afraid
because YAH, YAHWEH is my strength and my song!
And He is my deliverance.”
Jeremiah 3:23: Truly, deceit comes from the hills,
the tumult of the mountains!
Truly, in YAHWEH, our Elohim,
is the deliverance of Yisra'el!
Note: Yisra’el will be delivered by YAHWEH
in the final measure of things because
they are still His Chosen people.
Acts 28:28: Therefore, let it be known to you
that the deliverance of YAHWEH
has been sent to the Gentiles,
and they will hear it!”
Note: This is a very important verse.
It marks a transformation in YAHWEH's dealing with Yisra’el.
They have now rejected The Messiah whom YAHWEH had promised to them.
First, they rejected YAHWEH Himself,
which lead to the destruction of Yisra’el and the captivity of it's people.
Then He sent The Messiah, YAHUSHUA (Jesus) to them, and they rejected Him.
They crucified, Him mocked Him, and refused to believe Him.
In the book of Acts He is offered to them one last time
- at Pentecost (Shavuot) when the set apart Divine Nature of YAHWEH
was bestowed upon the disciples (students) of YAHUSHUA.
The Yisra’elites still refused to recognize and accept YAHUSHUA as their promised Messiah.
Now, because of their rejection,
YAHWEH has sent His salvation to the Gentiles (non-Hebrews).
Many of these non-Hebrews will listen and will accept YAHUSHUA as their Redeemer.
They will receive His message of deliverance and forgiveness,
which the Jews have now rejected for centuries.
Please note also that “salvation” means rescue; deliverance; to be safe.
The Book of Acts marks the beginning of the revelation
of "The Mystery" that YAHWEH kept secret for generations.
That mystery is The Assembly - the body of believers.
This is not the organized “church" you think of,
with all its many denominations, however.
(Incidentally, "church" is a misnomer.
It's a much later word that did not exist in the days of The Messiah.)
YAHWEH always referred to his people as an assembly
throughout The Old Covenant.
The assembly consists of only those who believe
in the redeeming atonement of YAHUSHUA,
who then commit themselves to following His teachings
- and those of His Heavenly Father, YAHWEH.
YAHWEH is THE GIVER OF ETERNAL LIFE:
Romans 6:23: Indeed, the wages of the offense is death,
but the gift of YAHWEH is Eternal Life
through The Messiah, YAHUSHUA, our Master.
Note: This is where YAHWEH is different from the so-called gods
of every other religion that exists or ever existed on planet earth.
Only in The Messiah (there's really only one), YAHUSHUA, is the gift of YAHWEH
(Eternal Life in His presence) made available to us.
No other "religion" (indeed no other god) offers anything
that even remotely approaches this concept.
YAHWEH is MIGHTY:
Deuteronomy 7:21: Do not fear them because YAHWEH, your Elohim,
is in your midst! El, great and fearsome!
Note: This is written to the faithful in Yisra’el,
but applies to all believers in YAHWEH -
He is among you, in your midst.
His power is demonstrated over and over in His Word.
He is able to defeat any enemy!
Job 36:5-6: Behold! The El is mighty
but He despises no one;
mighty, powerful of heart.
Job 36:6 He will not keep alive the morally wrong.
And He will grant judgment to the afflicted.
YAHWEH is WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO:
Joshua 1:9: Have I (YAHWEH) not urged you to be strong and courageous?
You are not to be afraid.
And you are not to be
discouraged
because YAHWEH, your Elohim, is with you wherever you go!”
Note: This promise is ONLY for those who trust in YAHWEH (believe, truly, in Him).
It is not true for those who do not believe in Him,
or who reject His rightful place in their lives.
YAHWEH is KIND:
2 Chronicles 30:9: For IF you turn again to YAHWEH,
your brothers and your children will find compassion
before those that lead them captive,
so that they will come again into this land:
for YAHWEH, your Elohim, is kind and compassionate,
and will not turn away His face from IF YOU RETURN TO HIM.
(Emphasis added. The concept is repentance for rebellion against YAHWEH,
and a humble seeking for His forgiveness as you recognize your rebellion.)
2 Corinthians 9:8: Moreover, YAHWEH is able
to make every favor abound toward you, in order that you,
always having every contentment in everything,
abound in every good work.
YAHWEH is PROTECTIVE and PROVIDING:
Ezra 8:22: .... The hand of our Elohim is upon all of them for good that seek Him,
but His power and His wrath is against all them that abandon Him.
Note: Please be certain to note that while YAHWEH does good to them that seek Him,
He is also a wrathful Elohim
against those who refuse to seek Him, or who leave Him.
This is a part of His just and impartial nature.
YAHWEH is WELL PLEASED WITH GOOD WORKS:
Hebrews 13:16: Now do not forget doing that which is good,
and do not forget to share,
because with such sacrifices YAHWEH is entirely gratified!
YAHWEH is GREATER THAN ANY HUMAN:
Job 33:12: Behold!
In this you have not been just!
I will answer you.
Indeed, The El is greater than a mortal!
YAHWEH is THE GOD (Elohim) OF THE LIVING:
Matthew 22:31-32: Now
concerning the resurrection of the dead,
have
you not read what was spoken to you
by YAHWEH saying,
“I am The
Elohim of Abraham,
The Elohim of Yitzhak,
and The Elohim of Ya'akob.’?
(Ex. 3.6)
YAHWEH is not The Elohim of the dead
but
rather, of the living.”
YAHWEH is GOOD TO ISRAEL:
Psalms 73:1: The Elohim
is truly good to Yisra’el,
to the pure of heart.
YAHWEH is ANGRY WITH THE MORALLY WRONG:
Psalms 7:11: The Elohim is judging with justice.
And The El is enraged on every day.
YAHWEH is JUDGE:
Psalms 50:6: Even the skies
declare His justice.
Indeed, The
Elohim is Judge, He Himself!
Selah.
Note: There is no judge except YAHWEH alone.
And one day the very heavens will declare His justice
as the Judge of all creation.
YAHWEH is A CONSUMING FIRE:
Deuteronomy 4:24: ...because YAHWEH, your Elohim,
is a consuming fire, a zealous El.
(This is stated in the context of making and worshipping false gods.)
YAHWEH is RIGHTEOUS:
Daniel 9:14: ...for YAHWEH, our Elohim, is just in all His works which He does...
YAHWEH is ZEALOUS:
Nahum 1:2: A zealous and revenging El is YAHWEH!
YAHWEH is revenging,
even as a husband of wrath!
YAHWEH is taking revenge on His foes!
And He maintains anger for the sake of His adversaries!
YAHWEH is zealous, and YAHWEH revenges;
YAHWEH revenges and is furious;
YAHWEH will take vengeance on His adversaries,
and He reserves wrath for His enemies.
Note: YAHWEH is zealous for His Name
lest it is profaned and treated lightly by anyone.
A judgment of wrath is reserved
for those who do such in the final analysis.
What YAHWEH is Not:
YAHWEH is NOT the author of disorder:
1 Corinthians 14:33: Indeed, YAHWEH is not the source of disorder,
but is the source of peace,
as in all the assemblies of the set apart ones.
YAHWEH is NOT to be ridiculed:
Galatians 6:7: Do not be deceived. YAHWEH is not to be ridiculed.
Indeed, whatever a man sows, that he will also harvest...
Note: What this really means is twofold.
First, you cannot make fun of YAHWEH or belittle Him, or deny Him,
and get away with it!
Second, whatever you do,
whatever kind of activity you in essence "plant" in your lifetime
will result in a certain kind of harvest
- like things produce like things.
What you plant is what you harvest.
You don't get corn from turnip seeds, etc.
If you do what is hurtful, you will receive what is hurtful in return!
If you do what is good, you will receive what is good in return!
This is a primary principle of YAHWEH's creation.
YAHWEH is NOT a human being:
Numbers 23:19: The Elohim is not a man, that He might lie.
Nor is He a child of human being that he might be sorry.
Will He Himself speak but not do, or speak but not establish it?
YAHWEH is NOT unjust:
Hebrews 6:10: Indeed, YAHWEH is not unjust,
forgetting your work and labor of love
which you have demonstrated toward His name,
having ministered to the set apart ones, and are ministering.
This is but a brief sampling of what could be placed here.
Hopefully it will trigger in you the desire to learn more.
One thing is clear.
We can depend on YAHWEH. His word never fails.
NOTE: These pages are a "work in progress". They're updated fairly often as new information or insights are provided that require a change in what's presented. Please check back regularly to see what may have changed since your last visit. Scripture verses used on the site are from The Aleph-Tav Bible. They're not always presented on these pages in exactly the same format as they occur in the text due to space considerations but the text is the same. Download or print your own copy today.
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