יְהֹוָה יִרְאֶה

Jehovah-Jireh, a symbolical name for Mount Moriah

Definition

Jehovah-Jireh is a compound name meaning 'The LORD will provide' or 'The LORD will see (to it).' It originates from the story of Abraham's near-sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22:14, where Abraham names the location on Mount Moriah after God provides a ram as a substitute. The name serves as a profound declaration of God's faithful provision in the moment of greatest need. It is used symbolically in Scripture to point to God's character as the One who foresees and meets the needs of His people, with the location later becoming associated with Jerusalem and the temple mount (2 Chronicles 3:1).

Biblical Usage

This term is used only once in the Old Testament, in Genesis 22:14, as a commemorative name given by Abraham. It functions not as a common noun but as a specific, symbolic place-name marking the site of God's dramatic provision of a sacrificial ram. The usage is foundational, establishing a theological theme of divine provision that echoes throughout the biblical narrative, particularly in contexts of sacrifice and deliverance.

Etymology

Derived from the divine name יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068), 'the LORD,' and the verb רָאָה (rāʼâ, H7200), 'to see.' The construction is a Qal imperfect third person masculine singular form, yielding the sense 'He (the LORD) will see' or, by extension in this context, 'will provide.' The etymology directly links God's attentive vision to His active provision for His people.

Semantic Range

This name is theologically central as a revelation of God's character as Provider (Yahweh Yireh). It prefigures the ultimate provision of a substitute sacrifice in Jesus Christ. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches Bible reading by connecting the Old Testament narrative of Abraham and Isaac directly to the gospel, highlighting God's grace, foresight, and faithfulness in meeting the deepest need for atonement.

In its original setting, naming a location after a divine act was a common practice to memorialize a significant event. The name 'Jehovah-Jireh' transformed a place of testing and potential death into a permanent testimony to God's provision. This differs from a modern understanding that might treat it merely as a historical note; for ancient readers, the name itself was a ongoing proclamation of God's nature and action.

יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — The primary covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent nature. רָאָה (rāʼâ, H7200) — The root verb meaning 'to see,' which here implies seeing with intent to provide.

Word Details