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The Divine Name YHWH and Recognition in the Old Testament: Centered on God’s Being-With (Mitsein Gottes)

  • Korean Journal of Old Testament Studies
  • Abbr : KJOTS
  • 2025, 31(4), pp.231~268
  • DOI : 10.24333/jkots.2025.31.4.231
  • Publisher : Korean Society of Old Testament Studies
  • Research Area : Humanities > Christian Theology
  • Received : October 20, 2025
  • Accepted : November 22, 2025

Soon-Beom Lee 1

1하이델베르크 대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the relationship between the divine name ‘YHWH’, the concept of ‘recognizing’ (jāḏa‘), and ‘God’s being-with’ (Mitsein Gottes) in the Old Testament. It demonstrates how these three concepts come together to form a cohesive theological framework by examining the divine name alternation in Genesis and Exodus. The main methodology used in this study is structural-literary analysis. Rather than following the traditional Documentary Hypothesis approach, the study focuses on the literary structure and theological intention of the final form of the text, analyzing key passages such as Jacob’s Experience at Bethel (Gen 28:10-22) Moses’ calling narrative (Exod 3-6), and the theological synthesis of Deuteronomy (Deut 4:32-39). The study uses the ‘being-with’ formula (Beistandsformel) to show how the experience of divine presence is inseparably connected to the recognition of YHWH’s name. The chiastic structure in Genesis 28 and the tripartite revelation structure in Exodus 3 (Elohim → 'Ehyeh 'Asher 'Ehyeh → YHWH) reveal that God’s being-with functions as the crucial mediator in divine name revelation. The grammatical use of the niphal form in Exodus 6:3 emphasizes that YHWH-recognition is granted by God himself. The contrast between Israel's promised recognition (Exod 6:7) and Pharaoh's non-recognition (Exod 5:2) shows that knowing YHWH requires covenantal commitment and relational acknowledgment. From individual (patriarchal) to communal (Exodus), royal, prophetic, and finally universal dimensions, God’s being-with gradually expands until it reaches the monotheistic confession found in Deuteronomy: YHWH, He is the God. This study confirms that the recognition of YHWH is intimately connected with experiencing God’s presence and his being-with. God’s being-with is a dynamic theological concept in the Old Testament that expands individual to universal dimensions. Recognition is achieved through God’s self-revelation in tangible historical experiences rather than human initiative, and it forms a theological theme that progresses steadily throughout the Old Testament and offers fundamental insights into Israel’s monotheistic faith.

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