Background to Key Biblical Words and Concepts Underlying the Christian Worldview (in a linear rather than alphabetical order): (Yahweh, Hesed)

Yahweh: The primary personal name of the Almighty revealed in Scripture. It is first used in Genesis 2:4, in Moses' call to lead Yahweh's slave people out of Egypt (Exodus 3:14), and 6,821 other times in the Old Testament. Yahweh's personal name has two primary meanings:

a) I AM, the active, self-existent One (linguistically connected with the verb "to be"), and

b) Redeemer (even kinsman-redeemer in Exodus 6:6), the active, powerful One who delivers from bondage.

The name Yahweh is always associated with God's holiness (Lev.11:44-45), His hatred of sin (Genesis 6:3-7), and His gracious provision of redemption from sin (Isaiah 53).

Hesed: a Hebrew term for Yahweh's faithful, covenant-keeping love. Translated "deal kindly" (Ruth 1:8), "loving-kindness" in many other settings, such as Hosea 2:19. Covenant hesed is central to Christian marriage, as outlined in part in the wedding message shared during our daughter's marriage to Ryan, here.