Lexical Summary Yhvh Shammah: "The LORD is there" Original Word: יְהוָֹה שָׁמָּה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jehovah-shammah From Yhovah and sham with directive enclitic; Jehovah (is) thither; Jehovah-Shammah, a symbolic title of Jerusalem -- Jehovah-shammah. see HEBREW Yhovah see HEBREW sham NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originsee Yhvh and sham. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Significance of the Nameיְהוָֹה שָׁמָּה, transliterated Yehovah Shammah, expresses the certainty of the divine presence: “The LORD is there.” While the phrase functions only once as an actual city-name in Scripture (Ezekiel 48:35), its theological weight far exceeds its solitary occurrence. It stands as a divine pledge that God will permanently dwell among His people, reversing the judgment of departure (Ezekiel 10:18-19) and bringing to consummation the covenant promise, “I will dwell among them and be their God, and they will be My people” (Exodus 29:45; cf. Revelation 21:3). Biblical Context Ezekiel’s closing vision (chapters 40-48) describes a restored temple, priesthood, land allotment, and ultimately a city bearing a new name: “And the name of the city from that day on will be ‘The LORD Is There’ ” (Ezekiel 48:35). The prophet had earlier witnessed God’s glory departing because of Judah’s sin (Ezekiel 11:22-23). Now, at the conclusion, God’s indwelling presence is the climactic blessing. The name YHWH Shammah thus caps Ezekiel’s message of judgment, hope, and renewal. Theological Themes 1. Divine Immanence and Holiness The name affirms that the transcendent God chooses to be immanent—present in the midst of a purified community. Holiness is not compromised; rather, His presence sanctifies the city (Ezekiel 43:12). 2. Covenant Faithfulness YHWH Shammah echoes covenant language stretching from Genesis to Revelation. God’s commitment to dwell among His people is seen in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8), the temple (1 Kings 8:10-13), and ultimately realised in the New Jerusalem, where “the dwelling place of God is with man” (Revelation 21:3). 3. Reversal of Exile For exiles in Babylon, the departure of the glory was devastating. YHWH Shammah signals complete restoration: the covenant curse is lifted and fellowship is restored (Deuteronomy 30:3-6). Prophetic and Eschatological Dimensions • Millennial and Eternal Outlook Ezekiel’s vision has immediate encouragement for post-exilic Israel yet reaches beyond to an eschatological city where divine presence is unbroken. Revelation 21-22 mirrors Ezekiel’s layout—a city, rivers, trees of life, and the glory of God illuminating all. • Messianic Fulfilment In the incarnation, “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). The Greek verb skēnoō (“tabernacled”) recalls the same motif. Jesus embodies YHWH Shammah in personal form, promising, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Historical Reception Post-exilic Jews read Ezekiel 40-48 as a blueprint for spiritual restoration, and later Jewish tradition linked YHWH Shammah with the awaited Shekinah glory in a future temple. Early Christian writers saw the prophecy fulfilled in Christ and consummated in the heavenly city. Practical Ministry Applications • Assurance of Presence Believers can anchor faith and obedience in the Lord’s abiding nearness (Hebrews 13:5-6). Pastoral care often centres on reminding the suffering that God is not remote. • Worship and Sanctification Worship services model the principle that God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). The church, as “a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit” (Ephesians 2:22), is called to holiness consistent with His presence. • Mission As ambassadors of Christ, Christians extend the reality of YHWH Shammah into the world, embodying His presence by the indwelling Spirit (2 Corinthians 6:16). Related Divine Names • YHWH Jireh—“The LORD Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14): provision Together with YHWH Shammah, these names paint a multifaceted portrait of God’s character and care. Devotional Reflection The city named YHWH Shammah invites believers to anticipate a future where separation, sin, and sorrow are abolished. Until that day, the indwelling Holy Spirit functions as a pledge of that coming reality (Ephesians 1:13-14). Confidence in “The LORD is There” fuels perseverance, purity, and praise. Summary YHWH Shammah compresses the entire account of redemption into a single declaration: God’s unwavering determination to dwell with His covenant people. From Eden lost to Jerusalem restored, Scripture moves toward the moment when no veil, temple curtain, or even sun is needed, “for the glory of God gives it light” (Revelation 21:23). The name therefore shapes biblical hope, governs Christian worship, and energises faithful ministry in every age. Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance wə·lay·yə·hū·ḏîm — 1 Occ.yə·hū·ḏāh — 1 Occ. yə·hū·ḏî — 3 Occ. yə·hū·ḏîm — 3 Occ. yə·hū·ḏî — 4 Occ. yə·hū·ḏîṯ — 6 Occ. yə·hū·ḏîṯ — 1 Occ. hă- — 1 Occ. hō·rîš — 1 Occ. Yah·weh — 6218 Occ. wî·hō·w·zā·ḇāḏ — 2 Occ. yə·hō·w·zā·ḇāḏ — 2 Occ. wə·yō·w·ḥā·nān — 1 Occ. wî·hō·w·ḥā·nān — 2 Occ. yə·hō·w·ḥā·nān — 6 Occ. yə·hō·w·ḥā·nān — 1 Occ. yō·w·ḥā·nān — 1 Occ. lî·hō·w·yā·ḏā‘ — 2 Occ. wî·hō·w·yā·ḏā‘ — 3 Occ. yə·hō·w·yā·ḏā‘ — 46 Occ. |
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