Jesus is Yahweh

Throughout the Old Testament, God identified Himself with the name YHWH (probably pronounced Yahweh). The Septuagint (LXX), which is the Greek translation of the Old Testament, translated YHWH with the Greek word kurios (Lord). Most English Bibles follow this practice with the capitalised LORD.

This Jewish background sheds light on the significance of the common New Testament practice of calling Jesus Lord. Now it may be argued that the Greek word can simply mean ‘sir’ or ‘master’. True, but in light of the Jewish background and the context in which this title is often ascribed to Him, Jesus as kurios can mean nothing other than Jesus is YHWH.

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)

Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9-11)

The identification of Jesus with YHWH is also seen in the way the New Testament attributes Old Testament passages about YHWH to Jesus.

Psalm 102 is a prayer to YHWH (see verse 1). The writer to the Hebrews picks out verses 25-27 of this Psalm, and ascribes them explicitly to Jesus.

But of the Son [God] says,… "You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end." (Hebrews 1:8-12)

In Isaiah 6, the prophet Isaiah is privileged to a spectacular vision of YHWH sitting as king upon His heavenly throne. It is no surprise to read in John’s gospel that the one Isaiah saw was none other than Jesus Himself.

Isaiah said these things because he saw [Jesus’] glory and spoke of him. (John 12:41)