The Tetragrammaton YHWH appears roughly 6,800 times across the Hebrew Bible. Different concordances give slightly different totals — commonly between 6,823 and 6,828 — depending on the manuscript and how certain forms are counted.
Yahweh Count by Book
The Name is concentrated in the Torah, the Psalms, and the Prophets. Here are approximate counts for the books where it appears most:
| Book | Approx. occurrences |
|---|---|
| Psalms | ~695 |
| Jeremiah | ~720 |
| Ezekiel | ~430 |
| Genesis | ~165 |
| Exodus | ~400 |
| Deuteronomy | ~550 |
| Isaiah | ~450 |
| 1 & 2 Samuel | ~570 |
Counts vary slightly between concordances and manuscripts; figures here are rounded approximations.
Why the Numbers Vary
Counts differ slightly for a few reasons:
- Different Hebrew manuscripts have minor variations.
- Some forms (like the short “Yah,” as in “Hallelu‑Yah”) may or may not be included.
- Compound names like “Yahweh Yireh” are counted differently by different scholars.
How Yahweh Compares to Other Names
For perspective, Elohim (God) appears around 2,600 times and Adonai (Lord/Master) several hundred times. Yahweh, at roughly 6,800, is the most frequent of all — a clear sign that God wants to be known personally, by name. Where the Name appears →
First and Last Mentions
The Name first appears in Genesis 2:4 and recurs all the way through the Old Testament. See the timeline of the Name →