What Does the Name Jehovah Signify in Abraham's Story?

Direct Answer

Jehovah signifies God the Son—the LORD—who in Abraham's story is also called the everlasting God.

Les Feldick teaches that Jehovah is God the Son, the same divine person who becomes Christ in the New Testament. In the KJV, the capitalized 'LORD' consistently points to Jehovah, and Abraham calls on Him at Beersheba as 'the everlasting God' (Genesis 21:33).

Key Scriptures

Genesis 21:33 — This is the verse where Abraham calls on the name of the LORD as the everlasting God at Beersheba—the exact context in which the question is set.

What Does the Bible Say About the Name of the LORD in Abraham's Story?

In the King James Version, the covenant name of God is represented by the word 'LORD' in capital letters. Abraham uses it when he plants a grove at Beersheba and 'called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God' (Genesis 21:33). Earlier, after meeting Melchizedek, Abram lifts his hand 'unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth' (Genesis 14:22). When the ram is provided in place of Isaac, Abraham names the place 'Jehovahjireh,' saying, 'In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen' (Genesis 22:14). These passages record the specific titles—everlasting, most high, provider—that Abraham attached to the LORD's name.

What Does Les Feldick Teach About Jehovah in Abraham's Story?

Les Feldick identifies Jehovah as God the Son, the same divine Person who appears as the angel of the Lord and who later becomes Christ. He stresses that 'Lord' and 'Jehovah' are always synonymous (Clip 1) and that from Genesis 12 onward Jehovah becomes the God of Abraham—the Person of the Godhead dealing with the nation of Israel (Clip 2). At Beersheba, Les highlights Abraham calling on 'the everlasting God,' which in Hebrew is El Olam, a name that points to God's sovereign ability to hide things (Clip 3, Clip 6). He also contrasts Abraham's small provision of a bottle of water with God's provision of a well, showing that God's supply is far greater than human resources (Clip 0). Finally, Les points out that names like Jehovah-Jireh are used to address a specific need, such as the ram provided at the sacrifice of Isaac (Clip 7).

Why Is 'LORD' Written in All Capitals in the KJV?

Les Feldick explains that when you see 'LORD' in all capitals, that is the way the text points to Jehovah. He says, 'Now that's all capitals, so who's that? Jehovah' (Clip 4). He also teaches that Lord and Jehovah are always synonymous in Scripture (Clip 1).

What Does El Olam—'the Everlasting God'—Mean?

Abraham calls on 'the name of the Lord the everlasting God' at Beersheba (Clip 3). Les identifies this Hebrew name as El Olam, noting that the word 'Olam' in common usage refers to things hidden and to God's sovereign ability to hide things. This makes 'everlasting God' another distinct name of deity, used to reveal God in the particular situation at Beersheba (Clip 6).

Why Does Les Contrast Abraham's Bottle of Water With God's Well?

Les points to Genesis 21:19 and says that Abraham's provision for Hagar was only 'a bottle' of water, but God opened her eyes and showed her a well of water. The difference shows how human dependence is limited while God's supply is abundant—a fitting backdrop for Abraham's declaration that the LORD is the everlasting God (Clip 0).

Who Is the Angel of the Lord in Abraham's Story?

Les teaches that the angel of the Lord, or angel of God, is always Jehovah—God the Son—appearing in human form in the Old Testament. This is the same divine Person who called out to Hagar from heaven in Abraham's household story (Clip 0).

How Does Jesus Claim to Be Jehovah?

Les points to Jesus' words in John 8:58, 'Before Abraham was, I am,' and says He is claiming to be the Jehovah of the Old Testament, the One who has existed from time immemorial (Clip 5).

From the Teaching

Angel of the Lord and God's Well

Les shows that the angel of God who speaks to Hagar is always Jehovah, God the Son, and contrasts Abraham's one bottle of water with the well God revealed.

Lord and Jehovah Synonymous

Les teaches that God the Son's name becomes Jehovah as He fulfills redemption, and 'Lord' and 'Jehovah' are always synonymous.

Jehovah, the God of Abraham

Les explains that from Genesis 12 onward, Jehovah becomes intrinsically the God of Abraham and the Person of the Godhead dealing with Israel.

The Everlasting God at Beersheba

Les walks through Genesis 21:33 and shows Abraham calling on the name of the Lord as the everlasting God at Beersheba.

The Capitalized LORD

Les points out that in Genesis 14 'Lord' is in all capitals, which means it refers to Jehovah, the Most High God.

Before Abraham Was, I Am

Les uses Jesus' 'I am' statement to show that Jesus is claiming to be the Jehovah who existed from eternity.

El Olam: The Everlasting God

Les identifies 'the everlasting God' as El Olam in Hebrew and explains that Olam refers to things hidden and God's sovereign ability to hide things.

Jehovah-Jireh and Other Names

Les uses Genesis 22 to show that names like Jehovah-Jireh arose from a particular need—God providing the ram for Abraham's sacrifice.

Bible Verses

Genesis 21:33: And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.

Abraham invokes the everlasting God in direct response to God's dealing with him at Beersheba.

Genesis 21:19: And God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went, and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.

This verse shows the contrast between Abraham's single bottle and God's well, which Les uses in his teaching.

Genesis 14:22: And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,

Abram names the LORD as the Most High God, possessor of heaven and earth, using the covenant name.

Genesis 22:14: And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

Abraham names the place Jehovahjireh because the LORD provided the ram—an example of a situational name for Jehovah.

John 8:58: Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Jesus' self-identification as the 'I am' is used by Les to show He is the Jehovah of the Old Testament.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Les Feldick teach that Jehovah is God the Son?

Yes. Les says the angel of God, or angel of the Lord, is always Jehovah, or God the Son, in an Old Testament theophany, and that the title 'Lord' is synonymous with Jehovah (Clip 0, Clip 1).

Why did Abraham call God 'the everlasting God'?

At Beersheba, Abraham called on the name of the Lord as the everlasting God (Clip 3). In Hebrew this is El Olam, and Les explains that Olam refers to things hidden and to God's sovereign ability to hide things (Clip 6).

Why is 'LORD' spelled in all capitals in the KJV?

Les points out that the all-capital 'LORD' in the King James Version identifies Jehovah, as when Abram says 'I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD' (Clip 4). He also teaches that Lord and Jehovah are always synonymous (Clip 1).

What does the name Jehovah-Jireh mean in Abraham's story?

Les teaches that Abraham named the place Jehovah-Jireh because Jehovah provided the ram to sacrifice in place of Isaac. The name points to God as the One who provides for the specific need (Clip 7).

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Source Video

Watch the Teaching: Hagar, Ishmael & The Everlasting God: Genesis 21 Bible Study