Divergent Interpretations of Yahweh Across Faiths
The opinion that Yahweh is the god exclusively worshipped by Christians and Muslims stems from the fact that during theological interpretations and historical-documentary developments, the meaning of this name began to be understood differently across various religious traditions. In the Jewish tradition, Yahweh is the ancient national god of the people of Israel, a name associated with the covenant, the history of chosenness, and the remembrance of all the divine promises given to Moses. As noted in one source, "The Creator said to Moses: 'I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with the name: 'Almighty God' [...] but with my name 'Lord' I did not reveal myself to them' — it is precisely this name, as revealed in the covenant, that was preserved in the memory of the Jewish people as a reminder of past promises and the mercies of the Covenant God" (source: link txt).In turn, in Christian theology, this name underwent a reinterpretation in light of the New Testament revelation. Here the name Yahweh acquires a "trinitary meaning," becoming not merely a designation of one aspect of God, but expressing a unified essence manifested in three persons — the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. As it is stated, "In the context of the New Testament revelation, the name Yahweh acquires a trinitary meaning, referring to the three persons of the Holy Trinity" (source: link txt). This approach leads to the fact that for Christians, the personal name "Jesus Christ" becomes the primary way of addressing God, since it is through Him that all the divine qualities and aspects are revealed, thereby justifying their special adherence to this understanding.A similar reinterpretation — and sometimes even simplification — of divine attributes is also accepted in the Islamic tradition, where emphasis is placed on the absolute unity and immutability of God, albeit using a different name — Allah. Thus, although historically Yahweh emerged as the god of the people of Israel, later religious developments led to his image being perceived within Christianity and Islam as an expression of the universal, transcendent qualities of God, which gives rise to the opinion that it is in these religions that a new, expanded interpretation of the personality of God has been established.Supporting citation(s):"The Creator said to Moses: 'I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob with the name: 'Almighty God' (El - Shaddai; transliteration), but with my name 'Lord' (Yahweh; transliteration) I did not reveal myself to them. From this we conclude that the name of the Covenant God 'I Am' is explained only to Moses and that the mystery of its meaning is revealed only to the Jewish people, as a reminder of past promises and mercies of the Covenant God" (source: link txt)."In the context of the New Testament revelation, the name Yahweh acquires a trinitary meaning, referring to the three persons of the Holy Trinity. This name, like any other name of God, can be used in reference to all the persons of the Trinity or to one of its persons" (source: link txt).