What Does the Name of God ‘Yahweh Yireh’ Mean?

So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided. – Genesis 22:14

In the Bible, God is identified by many names that describe who he is. One of those is Yahweh Yireh or some people would say Jehovah Jireh. When I was growing up we used to sing this song called Jehovah Jireh, my provider, his strength is sufficient for me. Don’t worry I won’t add a recording of me singing it to this article. I want you to take a moment and think about this question. What does Yahweh Yireh mean for you in your life? I believe if you really latch onto what Yahweh Yireh means it can impact every area of your life. You will discover that Yahweh Yireh is not just a name, it represents who God is. Let’s find out who Yahweh Yireh is and along the way I want to share with you five things Yahweh Yireh means in your life.

What Does Yahweh Yireh Mean?

Yahweh is the name of God. What follows after Yahweh usually highlights a different attribute of who God is. Let me give you some examples.

• Yahweh Yireh – The Lord will provide
• Yahweh Rapha – The God who heals
• Yahweh Nissi – The Lord is my banner
• Yahweh Shalom – The Lord is peace

There are others but I just want you to get an understanding of the use of this word Yahweh. Yahweh Yireh simply means the Lord will provide. Those words should not be taken lightly because there is tremendous breadth to what God has provided for you. Here are five that I want you to consider.

Yahweh Yireh Has Provided a Way of Salvation

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

God’s greatest act of provision came in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I love Romans 8 because Paul reminds us that what the law was unable to do and provide for us, God did. He provided a way of salvation for us because we couldn’t do it on our own. It is so beautiful to know that God decided not to leave you and me in our sinful condition. He provided a way out. God knew we would never live up to the requirements of the law so the plan all along was to provide a sacrifice in Jesus. Yahweh Yireh, the God who has provided a way of salvation for you and me. He deserves all the praise for that alone.

Yahweh Yireh Has Provided an Escape from Temptation

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

If all God ever did in your life was provide salvation that would be enough, but he doesn’t stop there. He simply keeps on providing. By the way, there are way more than five things God has provided but I can’t fit them all in one article. When God saved you, he knew that you would face temptations to sin in this life. So don’t think it’s strange when you face temptation because we still fight with our sinful nature. Knowing this you see Yahweh Yireh showing up to provide a way out when you face temptation. Therefore, whenever you face a temptation look for the exit sign. God has created a way out so you don’t have to fall victim to it.

Yahweh Yireh Has Provided Access to His Presence

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. – Hebrews 4:16

The sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf was God’s way of providing access to his throne and his very presence. I think it’s safe to say that sometimes we forget this. I want to encourage you today to remember you have access to the presence of God. Yahweh Yireh has provided it for you. This is not part-time access or provisional access this is full-time access. The price Jesus paid secured this provision for you. I challenge you to live each day in his presence. Whatever time of day it is spend time in God’s presence. He has provided it for you so take advantage of what he has provided.

Yahweh Yireh Has Provided for Your Physical Needs

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:19

Can I be honest, sometimes I take this verse for granted. Sometimes I forget the promise God has made. There is one word I want you to focus on in this verse. That word is all. What are your needs today? What do you need Yahweh Yireh, the Lord who provides to provide for you today? Whatever that is make it known to him. By the way, he knows what you need already but making it known to him is your acknowledgment that you are trusting him to provide it. God will supply all your needs. This is not the only place in Scripture God promises this so here is what I want you to do. Follow what Jesus said to do. If you are worried about a need, don’t spend time worrying, get into God’s presence and let Yahweh Yireh worry about how he will make the provision.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:33-34

Yahweh Yireh Has Provided Strength for Your Weakness

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9

There is an interesting paradox about God. Your strength does not attract the power of God in your life. Your weakness does. Here is something you will probably not hear anyone in the world say, “I glory or boast about my weaknesses.” It doesn’t really make sense to the world but it does to those who know the Lord. When you recognize that God understands your weakness and you look to him for help, he becomes Yahweh Yireh the God who provides strength in your weakness. The simple caveat is that his strength will not come until you come to the place of acknowledging your weakness. When that happens then Yahweh Yireh comes with his all-sufficient grace and power to make you strong and able to endure any situation. In other words, it’s ok to be weak because that’s when Yahweh Yireh steps in to make you strong.

I could go on and on but like I said earlier this is only one article. Let me sum it up like this. Everything you need, Yahweh Yireh has made provision for. There is nothing in this life you have to do by yourself, in your own strength, or with your own ability. The secret is simply learning to call upon the one who has promised to provide everything you need. When you do you can walk in peace and confidence knowing that Yahweh Yireh has it all under control. This is what Yahweh Yireh means and this is truly who he is.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/yotrak

Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a speaker, Bible teacher, and co-founder of The Bible Study Club.  He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose which will help you understand how God leads you into his will. His most recent book is The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. This book will teach you how to put the pieces together so you can live a victorious Christian life and finally become the man or woman of God that you truly desire to be. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has just released his first Bible study course called Bible Study Basics. To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com. 

This article is part of our Names of God Series featuring the most used names and titles of God found in the Bible. We have compiled these articles to help you study all that God says He is and to help you understand His nature and character. Our hope is that you would focus on these truths and find hope as you rest in the promise of God’s presence, no matter the circumstances.

7 Meanings of Yahweh - God's Name in the Bible
Meaning of Elohim in the Bible
What Does it Mean that Jesus Is the Lamb of God?
What Does Messiah Mean? - Biblical Usage
God Is the Alpha and Omega - Meaning & Understanding

What Is the Meaning of the Name El Shaddai?
Jehovah Jireh: “The Lord Will Provide” Name of God
What Does Yeshua Mean? Biblical Name for Jesus
Jehovah Nissi: "The Lord Is My Banner" Name of God
Son of Man - Jesus’s Favorite Name for Himself