xlit yireh corrected to yirʼeh; from יְהֹוָה and רָאָה; Jehovah will see (to it); Jehovah-Jireh, a symbolical name for Mount Moriah; Jehovah-jireh.
Transliteration:Yᵉhôvâh yirʼeh
Pronunciation:yeh-ho-vaw' yir-eh'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The name Yᵉhôvâh yirʼeh (`{{H3070}}`) is a compound Hebrew phrase, profoundly rich in theological meaning. It is formed from two distinct elements: יְהֹוָה (YHWH, `{{H3068}}`), the sacred, personal, and covenantal name of God, often rendered as "The LORD" or "Jehovah," and יִרְאֶה, an imperfect form of the verb רָאָה (râʼâh, `{{H7200}}`). While רָאָה primarily means "to see," "to look," or "to perceive," its semantic range extends significantly, especially when God is the subject. In this context, "to see" carries the active and purposeful nuance of "to foresee," "to provide for," or "to make provision." Thus, the phrase Yᵉhôvâh yirʼeh is best understood as "The LORD will see (to it)" or, more commonly and accurately in English, "The LORD will provide." The name itself is a declaration of divine foresight and active intervention, signifying God's ability and commitment to meet the needs of His people. It is specifically identified as a symbolic name for Mount Moriah, the site of a pivotal biblical event.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole explicit occurrence of Yᵉhôvâh yirʼeh in the Hebrew Bible is found in [[Genesis 22:14]]. This naming occurs immediately after the climactic moment of Abraham's test of faith on Mount Moriah. God had commanded Abraham to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering. As Abraham prepared to carry out this command, demonstrating ultimate obedience and trust, the angel of the LORD intervened, stopping him. At that precise moment, a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns, was supernaturally provided by God to be offered as a substitute for Isaac. In response to this miraculous and timely provision, Abraham named the place Yᵉhôvâh yirʼeh, declaring, "The LORD will provide."
The context is crucial:
1. **Divine Command and Obedience:** The narrative begins with a severe test of Abraham's faith, demanding an unthinkable sacrifice. Abraham's willingness to obey, even unto the offering of his beloved son, highlights his profound trust in God's character and promises.
2. **Anticipation of Provision:** Earlier in the narrative, Isaac himself questions, "Where is the lamb for a burnt offering?" to which Abraham prophetically responds, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son" [[Genesis 22:7-8]]. This sets the stage for the name Yᵉhôvâh yirʼeh, confirming Abraham's prophetic utterance.
3. **Timely Intervention:** God's provision of the ram is not only perfect but also perfectly timed. It arrives precisely at the moment of greatest need, preventing the sacrifice of Isaac and demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant and His promise to Abraham.
4. **Symbolic Significance:** The name Yᵉhôvâh yirʼeh becomes a perpetual memorial at that sacred site, signifying that in the place where the greatest demand was made, the greatest provision was also revealed. It encapsulates the truth that God sees the need and provides the solution.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of Yᵉhôvâh yirʼeh is enriched by examining its constituent parts and related theological concepts:
* **יְהֹוָה (YHWH, `{{H3068}}`):** This is the Tetragrammaton, God's personal covenant name, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent, and relational nature. The use of YHWH here underscores that it is the covenant-keeping God who provides.
* **רָאָה (râʼâh, `{{H7200}}`):** The verb "to see" is central. Beyond mere visual perception, it implies divine knowledge, awareness, and active engagement. In its various forms and contexts, רָאָה can mean to discern, to understand, to experience, and, significantly, to provide or to show forth. The Qal imperfect form yirʼeh here carries the sense of ongoing or future provision, a divine promise.
* **Divine Providence:** This name is a cornerstone concept for understanding God's providence. It speaks to God's active governance over creation, His foresight, and His faithful intervention in the affairs of humanity to achieve His purposes and meet the needs of His people.
* **Substitutionary Atonement:** The provision of the ram as a substitute for Isaac is a profound prefigurement of the ultimate substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as God provided a lamb for Abraham, He ultimately provided "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" [[John 1:29]]. The place Yᵉhôvâh yirʼeh thus points forward to Calvary.
* **Other Compound Names of God:** Yᵉhôvâh yirʼeh stands alongside other compound names that reveal aspects of God's character and relationship with humanity, such as Yᵉhôvâh Rapha (The LORD who heals), Yᵉhôvâh Shalom (The LORD is peace), and Yᵉhôvâh Nissi (The LORD is my banner), each arising from specific divine interventions and revealing His multifaceted nature.
### Theological Significance
Yᵉhôvâh yirʼeh holds immense theological significance, revealing profound truths about God's character and His relationship with humanity:
1. **God as the Ultimate Provider:** This name unequivocally declares God as the source of all provision, not merely in terms of material needs but also in the most critical spiritual and existential dilemmas. He "sees" the deepest needs and acts to meet them.
2. **Divine Foresight and Faithfulness:** The name testifies to God's perfect omniscience and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. He knows the future, anticipates needs, and provides accordingly, often in ways that transcend human expectation or capability.
3. **The Nature of True Sacrifice and Redemption:** The narrative of Abraham and Isaac, culminating in the naming of Yᵉhôvâh yirʼeh, is foundational for understanding the concept of substitutionary sacrifice. God Himself provides the means of redemption, foreshadowing the ultimate provision of His Son, Jesus Christ, as the perfect sacrifice for sin. This event underscores that God's ultimate provision is always Himself.
4. **Assurance in Testing:** For believers across generations, Yᵉhôvâh yirʼeh serves as an enduring source of comfort and assurance. It reminds us that even in the most daunting trials, when human resources fail, God is present, He sees, and He will provide. Abraham's experience teaches that God's provision often follows obedience and trust in the face of the impossible.
5. **God's Sovereignty and Grace:** The provision was entirely God's initiative, an act of pure grace. It demonstrates His sovereign control over all circumstances and His benevolent disposition towards those who trust Him.
### Summary
Yᵉhôvâh yirʼeh (`{{H3070}}`) is a powerful and enduring name of God, meaning "The LORD will provide" or "The LORD will see (to it)." It originates from the pivotal account in [[Genesis 22]], where Abraham's ultimate act of obedience in offering Isaac was met with God's miraculous provision of a ram as a substitute. This name encapsulates the profound truth of God's active foresight, His unwavering faithfulness, and His timely intervention to meet the needs of His people, especially in moments of extreme testing. It highlights God as the ultimate Provider, not only of physical sustenance but also of spiritual redemption, powerfully foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God provided by the Father. For believers, Yᵉhôvâh yirʼeh stands as a perpetual reminder of God's sovereign care, His perfect timing, and His boundless grace, instilling confidence that He will always "see to it" according to His perfect will.
TRV