Lexical Summary Yah: LORD Original Word: יָהּ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jah, the LordContraction for Yhovah, and meaning the same; Jah, the sacred name -- Jah, the Lord, most vehement. Compare names in "-iah," "- jah." see HEBREW Yhovah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origincontr. from Yhvh Definition the name of the God of Israel NASB Translation GOD (1), LORD (49). Brown-Driver-Briggs יָהּ50 proper name, of deity contracted from יהוה, first appears in early poems; Exodus 15:2 עָזִי וְזִמְרָת יָהּ My strength and song is Yah (cited Isaiah 12:2; Psalm 118:14), compare the poetic extract יָד עַל כֵּס יָהּ = hand to the throne of Yah Exodus 17:16 (E), the song of Hezekiah Isaiah 38:11 (repeated by dittography), (א)שׁ להבת יה (so read in preference to the ᵑ0 שַׁלְהֶבֶתְיָה) = flame of fire from Yah Songs 8:6; ביה יהוה Isaiah 26:4 (והיה sustained by Aq and the rhythmical movement, unless it be a mistake for שׁמו, compare Psalm 68:5), יה אלהים Psalm 68:19. Elsewhere יָהּ is used only in late Psalms, especially in the Hallels, in the phrase הַלֲלוּיָֿהּ praise ye Yah Psalm 104:35; Psalm 105:45; Psalm 106:1; Psalm 106:48; Psalm 111:1; Psalm 112:1; Psalm 113:1; Psalm 113:9; Psalm 115:18; Psalm 116:19; Psalm 117:2; Psalm 135:1; Psalm 135:3; Psalm 135:21; Psalm 146:1; Psalm 146:10; Psalm 147:1; Psalm 147:20; Psalm 148:1; Psalm 148:14; Psalm 149:1; Psalm 149:9; Psalm 150:1; Psalm 150:6, compare also יהלל יה Psalm 102:19 יהללו יה Psalm 115:17 תהלל יה Psalm 150:6 (see הלל); in variant reading other phrases Psalm 77:12; Psalm 89:9; Psalm 94:7; Psalm 94:12; Psalm 115:18; Psalm 118:5 (twice in verse); Psalm 118:17; Psalm 118:18; Psalm 118:19; Psalm 122:4; Psalm 130:3; Psalm 135:4. יָהּ proper name, of deity, see below הוה Topical Lexicon Overview יָהּ (Yah) is the short, poetic form of the divine covenant name. It appears about forty-eight times in the Old Testament, most often in songs, psalms, and prophetic oracles. Its brevity intensifies adoration and underscores the immediacy of God’s presence with His people. Occurrences and Distribution • Pentateuch: Exodus 15:2; 17:16 The Psalter contains over thirty occurrences, highlighting Yah as the God of praise and covenant faithfulness. Liturgical and Devotional Usage Yah is the centerpiece of Israel’s doxology. Psalm 68:4 commands, “Sing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds—His name is the LORD— and rejoice before Him”. Here, “the LORD” renders Yah, linking the cosmic King with congregational song. In Psalm 150 every verse ends with either “praise Him” or “Hallelujah” (hallelu-Yah), turning the divine name into the very breath of worship. Covenantal and Redemptive Significance Exodus 15:2 celebrates deliverance at the sea: “Yah is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.” The redeemed answer bondage with praise to Yah, binding redemption to worship. Isaiah 26:4 exhorts Judah, “Trust in the LORD forever, for Yah, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.” The repetition (Yah Yahweh) welds the shortened form to the full covenant name, assuring that the God of Abraham remains steadfast. Theophoric Names Dozens of Hebrew names embed Yah or Yahu, such as Isaiah (“Yah is salvation”), Jeremiah (“Yah will exalt”), Zechariah (“Yah remembers”), and Hezekiah (“Strength of Yah”). These names made everyday speech a confession of faith, reminding Israel that life, identity, and destiny revolve around Yah. Connection with Hallelujah Hallelujah combines the imperative “praise” (halelû) with Yah. It frames communal praise in Psalms 104, 105, 111–113, 115–117, 135, and 146–150. Psalm 113 opens, “Hallelujah! Give praise, O servants of the LORD; praise the name of the LORD”. The shout calls worshipers to awaken heart and voice because Yah is worthy. Prophetic and Eschatological Foregleams Isaiah’s twin references (12:2; 26:4) place Yah at both the song of salvation and the hope of the future kingdom. In Revelation 19:1–6 the Greek “Alleluia” resurfaces four times as heaven celebrates the consummation of redemption, showing that praise to Yah endures into eternity. Intertestamental and New Testament Echoes The Septuagint leaves Yah untranslated in several places, paving the way for the transliteration Ἁλληλούϊα in the New Testament. Thus the church inherits “Hallelujah” unchanged, uniting saints across covenants in one anthem to Yah. Application for Faith and Ministry 1. Worship: Yah invites intimate, heartfelt praise. Selected Key References Exodus 15:2; 17:16 Psalm 68:4; 77:11; 89:8; 94:7, 12; 104:35; 111:1; 113:1; 115:18; 118:5, 14, 17; 135:1–3; 146:1; 148:1; 149:1; 150:1, 6 Isaiah 12:2; 26:4; 38:11 Forms and Transliterations בְּיָ֣הּ בְּיָ֥הּ ביה יָ֑הּ יָ֔הּ יָ֖הּ יָ֗הּ יָ֡הּ יָ֣הּ יָ֨הּ ׀ יָ֬הּ יָ֭הּ יָּ֑הּ יָֽהּ׃ יָהּ יה יה׃ bə·yāh beYah bəyāh Yah yāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 15:2 HEB: עָזִּ֤י וְזִמְרָת֙ יָ֔הּ וַֽיְהִי־ לִ֖י NAS: The LORD is my strength and song, KJV: The LORD [is] my strength and song, INT: is my strength and song the LORD has become my salvation Exodus 17:16 Psalm 68:4 Psalm 68:18 Psalm 77:11 Psalm 89:8 Psalm 94:7 Psalm 94:12 Psalm 102:18 Psalm 104:35 Psalm 105:45 Psalm 106:48 Psalm 111:1 Psalm 112:1 Psalm 113:1 Psalm 113:9 Psalm 115:17 Psalm 115:18 Psalm 115:18 Psalm 116:19 Psalm 117:2 Psalm 118:5 Psalm 118:5 Psalm 118:14 Psalm 118:17 48 Occurrences |
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