THE NAME UNKNOWN: Yahweh, El Shaddai & the Forgotten Transition
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PROMPT
Later, when the Hebrews are established in Canaan and contact an even greater diversity of services and gods, Yahweh’s name begins to stand out, but not as an immediate imposition.
Yahweh had to compete.
He had to dispute spiritual territory with:
- Baal
- El
- Asherah
and so many other entities already deeply rooted in the culture of the region.
A powerful detail appears in the biblical text itself.
In Exodus 6:3, Yahweh tells Moses,
“To the patriarchs I revealed myself as El Shaddai, but by my name Yahweh I was not known to them.”
This passage reveals that the name Yahweh is a new identity.
That is,
- Abraham
- Isaac
- Jacob
did not know that name, but only the name El, which is the same name as the supreme deity Canaanite.
This raises an inevitable question.
Was Yahweh incorporated later into the patriarchal tradition?
“From El to Yahweh: The Divine Shift Hidden in Exodus 6:3”
“Before the Burning Bush: The God Abraham Didn’t Know by Name”
“How the Name of God Changed—and What That Means for Theology”
When the God of the Patriarchs Was Not Yet Called Yahweh
📖 FULL REPORT
“THE NAME UNKNOWN: Was Yahweh Introduced After the Patriarchs?”
The Hidden Shift from El Shaddai to Yahweh in Israel’s Faith
“And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty [El Shaddai], but by my name JEHOVAH [Yahweh] was I not known to them.”
— Exodus 6:3, KJV
🕯️ I. THE DIVINE NAME SHIFT
This verse in Exodus is not small.
It’s a declaration of revelation timing.
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Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — the founding patriarchs — knew God as El Shaddai
-
But they did not know Him as Yahweh
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Yahweh is introduced as a new identity — revealed only to Moses and the Exodus generation
This signals a transition in God’s relationship, but also opens historical and theological questions.
🏺 II. EL SHADDAI: NAME OF THE ANCIENTS
“El” is:
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The name of the chief god in the Canaanite pantheon
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A word that simply means “God” in ancient Semitic languages
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Found in Ugaritic texts, Phoenician religion, and Amorite traditions
The patriarchs lived in regions steeped in Canaanite and Mesopotamian religion.
So it makes historical sense that they referred to God as El, or more specifically, El Shaddai — often translated as:
-
“God Almighty”
-
Or possibly: “God of the mountain” (rooted in “shad” = mountain)
This matches their nomadic mountain-based journeys.
🧩 III. YAHWEH: A NEW NAME WITH OLD ROOTS?
When Yahweh tells Moses His name, He’s not creating a new being — but revealing a new level of His identity.
Still, the name Yahweh (YHWH) is mysterious:
-
It’s rooted in the verb “to be” — hayah
-
“I AM THAT I AM” – Exodus 3:14
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It implies self-existence, eternality, and unchanging nature
Yet why had it never been used before with the patriarchs?
This has led many scholars to ask:
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Was Yahweh an independent deity, later merged into Israelite theology?
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Did Moses’ encounter at the burning bush mark a spiritual fusion or transition?
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Was the God of Abraham (El) adopted under a new name as the nation matured?
The Bible affirms continuity — but the shift in divine naming is undeniable.
🗿 IV. CONFLICTING NAMES = COMPETING GODS?
The surrounding peoples had many gods:
-
El — Supreme deity of the Canaanites
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Baal — Storm and fertility god
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Asherah — Goddess of life, sometimes seen as El’s consort
-
Molech — Fire god of sacrifice
Israel enters Canaan, not as a monotheistic people, but a monolatrous tribe — worshipping one god, while recognizing others exist.
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” — Exodus 20:3
This implies other gods were known, but not to be worshipped.
And the emergence of Yahweh as supreme would require a spiritual conquest, not just political.
🔥 V. THE WAR OF THE NAMES
The fact that God’s name changed from El Shaddai to Yahweh suggests:
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A progressive revelation
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A break from older systems
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Or perhaps, a refinement and consolidation of divine identity
Yahweh, then, is not simply a continuation — but a redefinition of how God wishes to be known.
He is not merely the high god of the mountains, but the I AM, who is:
-
Eternal
-
Holy
-
Covenant-keeping
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Deliverer of nations
✝️ VI. FULFILLED IN JESUS CHRIST
This shift finds its final meaning in Christ:
“Before Abraham was, I AM.” — John 8:58
Jesus directly claims the divine name Yahweh — the I AM revealed to Moses.
He doesn’t abandon El Shaddai.
He fulfills both names — power and presence, ancient and eternal.
📜 CONCLUSION: WAS YAHWEH A LATER INSERT?
Historically, perhaps.
Spiritually, no.
The Scriptures show:
-
Yahweh revealed in stages
-
Names unfolded with the needs of the people
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From El Shaddai (God Almighty)
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To Yahweh (I AM)
-
To Jesus (Yahweh saves)
Each name deepens the truth—but the Lord is One.
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” — Deuteronomy 6:4
“THE NAME REVEALED: Yahweh’s Late Arrival in Israel’s Memory”
“EL SHADDAI vs YAHWEH: Two Names, One War for the Truth of God”
“THE GOD THEY DIDN’T KNOW: How Moses Met Yahweh by Name”
“IN THE NAME OF GOD: The Forgotten Identity Shift in the Bible”
“I appeared unto Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.” — Exodus 6:3
THE NAME UNKNOWN: Yahweh, El Shaddai & the Forgotten Transition
The Divine War: How Yahweh Defeated the Gods & Claimed Dominion Forever – Library of Rickandria