Yahweh Savior

Isaiah uses the root yasha’ (save) nearly thirty times in his prophecy. After chapter 43, the participle form is used seven times as a substantive, a title for Yahweh, in statements like: “I am Yahweh your God, your Savior” (43:3, 11; 45:15, 21; 49:26; 60:16; 63:8). Along with the simple verbal uses of yasha’ , the hope for salvation rustles throughout the book. Isaiah own name ( yesha’yahu ) echoes the theme.

And in that rustling is a whisper of something else. The substantive form Savior is moshiya’ , which echoes mosheh , the exodus savior of Israel. “I am Yahweh, your Moses,” Yahweh says, the one who will bring you out again in a second exodus.

Almost silently the word whispers another name: Lord Jesus ( kurios iesous ) is very nearly a Greek translation/transliteration of “Yahweh Savior.”

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