Hallelujah
What comes to your mind when you hear the term "Hallelujah"? Perhaps it reminds you of Handel's "Messiah," a musical masterpiece from the 1700's that features the dramatic Hallelujah chorus. Or you may think of the famous American patriotic song "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," also known as "Glory, Hallelujah." Surely, from one source or another, you have heard the word "Hallelujah." Perhaps you even use it from time to time. But do you know what it means?
Hallelujah—The English transliteration of the Hebrew expression ha•lelu-Yah´, meaning "praise Jah," or "praise Jah, you people."
Jah—A poetic shortened form of the name of God, Jehovah. It appears in the Bible more than 50 times, often as part of the expression "Hallelujah."

God's Name in Your Name?
Many Bible names are still popular today. In some cases the original Hebrew meaning of these names actually included the personal name of God. Here are a few examples of such names and their meaning. Perhaps your name is one of them.
• Joanna—"Jehovah Has Been Gracious"
• Joel—"Jehovah Is God"
• John—"Jehovah Has Shown Favor"
• Jonathan—"Jehovah Has Given"
• Joseph—"May Jah Add"#
• Joshua—"Jehovah Is Salvation"
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# "Jah" is an abbreviated form of "Jehovah."

God Knows You by Name
God said to Moses: "I do know you by name." (Exodus 33:12) The well-known account of the burning bush verifies this. The Bible says that God "called to him out of the midst of the thornbush and said: 'Moses! Moses!'" (Exodus 3:4) This is just one example of the numerous occasions when God addressed people by their personal name. Clearly, the Creator of the universe is interested in us as individuals.
The Bible says that God knows each one of the many billions of stars by name. (Isaiah 40:26) How much more so must he care about humans who worship him! The apostle Paul wrote that "Jehovah knows those who belong to him." (2 Timothy 2:19) This implies more than simply memorizing names. God has intimate knowledge of his worshipers. We, in turn, should know God by name and acquire intimate knowledge of his qualities.
The last book of the Bible describes a figurative book in which God writes the names of all who have worshiped him throughout history. This book is called "the scroll of life" because Jehovah God will grant everlasting life to those whose names are written in it. (Revelation 17:8) This is a bright prospect for those who know God by name.
Bible Terms for God
The Hebrew text of the Holy Scriptures uses numerous terms for God, such as Almighty, Creator, Father, and Lord. Yet, the instances in which he is referred to by his personal name far outnumber all of the other terms combined. Clearly, it is God's will that we use his name. Consider the following list of terms as they appear in the Hebrew Scriptures.#
• Jehovah—6,973 times
• God—2,605 times
• Almighty—48 times
• Lord—40 times
• Maker—25 times
• Creator—7 times
• Father—7 times
• Ancient of Days—3 times
• Grand Instructor—2 times