>>753094
In that case, like I said, the name is an abbreviated form of his words to Moses (I AM THAT I AM). YHWH comes from a root verb "hava" which basically means "to be".
And even before Christian times (dig up the Targum thread I posted here if you're interested), the concept of the "Word" of YHWH existed as well. The burning bush is the Word, appearing as "the Angel of the Lord" in the bush.. and this Word speaks as God in the first person. Because he is God. He is the preexisting Logos. Which is why Jesus finally said in his human life: "Before Abraham was, I AM."