March 6, 2019 by laurelanthenat

God? What’s in a Name

Moses and the Burning Bush

The average reader of the English Bible will come to the false conclusion that God does not have a personal name. It doesn’t help that the popular movie The Ten Commandments states that the Hebrew’s God had no name.

2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. Ex. 20:2 -3

Notice that LORD is in all capital letters. This is there to indicate to the reader that the Lord’s name was there in the original Hebrew. Occasionally this is also done to the word GOD.

But he said, “O Lord GOD, how am I to know that I shall possess it?” Gen. 15:8

This happens when the Hebrew has both the word for “lord” and the personal name of God in the same sentence.

YHVH/Jehovah

God’s name is YHVH/YHWH in Hebrew. However, at some point the keepers of the Text the Jews became superstitious about pronouncing the name of God. So they began a tradition of saying Adona meaning lord and bowing whenever they read the word. Later when they were putting together the Masoretic Text they added vowel pointing to all the words. Because ancient Hebrew has no vowels and they were beginning to forget how to pronounce the words. When they came to YHVH they inserted the vowels for Adona or lord. Now when the first translations were made into European languages they didn’t know the Jews had done this. Latin being the paramount language of Europe for the centuries to come use a J to make a Y sound. This set the precedence for a J. And that is where Jehovah comes from. It is YHVH with the vowels from Adona.

FYI: This is why all the names that in Hebrew start with a Y sound are spelled in English with a J, e.g. Jesus, Jacob, John, Jerusalem, Jezreel, etc. Hebrew has NO hard J sounds.

Pronunciation?

Next question is always, How is it pronounced? Well, to be honest, no one really knows for sure. It is most likely either Yahvah or Yahwah.

February 18, 2019 by laurelanthenat

JEHOVAH-MOGAN

YAHWEH-MAGEN

For an explanation of Jehovah/YHWH see also: God? What’s in a Name.

The Hebrew word for “shield” is” magen.” It is a shield of any size, full size or buckler. In Biblical usage, a shield can be used for defense, decoration, or an indication of wealth.

In the 3rd Psalm David expresses his great distress when fleeing his son Absalom. [c.f. 2 Sam. 15] David had few left who were loyal to him. He complains that his enemies claim that even God will not help him. But David understands there is no help for David except the LORD.

“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” Psalm 3:3

The “LORD our shield” denotes divine protection. It is not the great and powerful that the Lord shields, for David is no longer king. He is running for his life. In worldly ways he is a disgrace, his crown has fallen from his head, his honor among men is gone.

Solomon decorated his palace with 300 shields of gold.

And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three minas of gold went into each shield; and the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. 1Kings 10:17

In this our Kingdom Age or Church Age, in the past, the congregation of the Lord has often faced great persecution. Great wars have been fought to force people to worship different deities in the way Popes and Kings wish people to worship. Many laid down their lives for the freedom to worship what had how they saw fit. The shield of their souls was the LORD himself.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psa. 84:11

The sun is the source of all light on earth. Throughout the Bible, the light of God’s face shines on all that love Him.

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” Gen. 15:1

. . . my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; thou savest me from violence. 2Sam. 22:3

Thou hast given me the shield of thy salvation, and thy help made me great. 2Sam. 22:36

Is our God just an ornament that we display? Or is He our protector in times of stress and danger? Is your shield a useful tool or just decoration?

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March 22, 2016 by laurelanthenat

Translating of Elohim

How God became God

Wycliff who produced the first English translation was worried because the word Elohim is plural, and he felt that translating it straight across into the English Bible might take the English back into their pagan polytheism. As English had no general word for deity he looked around for another word. In the end he chose the personal name of a long forgotten deity God or Gad. The curious thing is that English language has changed because of this. The postmodern English reader only thinks of God as God, as we have no memory of God/Gad the pagan god. God is the equivalent of Elohim, the great creator God, not some long forgotten deity from our pagan roots. For better or worse every English translator of the Bible has followed Wycliff’s solution.

Over the years I have found that many Christians are offended for instance, when they find out that the Arabic Bibles say Allah. (It is how one says God in Arabic.) Actually of all the languages in the world Allah is actually the closest to the Hebrew Elohim as they both root from the Semitic word El or Al.

Most English reader are surprised to find that the word God or Gad is the personal name of ancient Britain’s god of luck or fortune, and is actually in the Hebrew text as a pagan god.

But you who forsake the LORD, who forget my holy mountain, who set a table for Fortune and fill cups of mixed wine for Destiny; Is. 65:11

FYI: Destiny is a translation of the word Meni and is the god that weighed ones soul against a feather to determine ones destiny in the afterlife. [c.f. Dan. 5:25]

Conclusion

Can or should we do anything about this? Probably not! At this point changing back to Elohim would only confuse and/or anger the Christian population, especially the “King Jame’s Only” people. Believers however should to be aware that this change has been made to the English language. We how have a word for deity it is God. There are several other changes to the English language that the translation and general reading of the Bible has made

July 29, 2015 by laurelanthenat

JEHOVAH-JIREH

The LORD will provide. Most theology books prior to the founding of the Jehovah Witnesses used the word Jehovah for the name of God, they now have changed to the more accurate YHWH or Yahweh. (See Also: God? What’s in a Name)

God’s name is YHWH or Yahweh, Just as Yeshu is now Jesus, and Yacov is Jacob.

YHWH, YRAH is used only once in the Bible, at the sacrifice of Isaac. It is as much the sigh of the relief of a stressed man, as it is the promise of the Redeemer. It is God’s way of saying, “not your son Abraham, but Mine, I will provide the Lamb”

So Abraham called the name of that place The LORD will provide; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided.” Gen. 22:14

It is John the Baptist in the office of the prophet announced the Lamb.

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” 32 And John bore witness, “I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. 33 I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” 35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples; 36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” John 1:29-36

Surprisingly we do not read of the “provided” Lamb again until we read of Him in The Revelation.

. . . saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” Rev. 5:12

See Also:

July 29, 2015 by laurelanthenat

JEHOVAH-RAPHA

YHWH RAFA – The LORD your healer

For an explanation of Jehovah/YHWH see also: God? What’s in a Name.

After the children of Israel left Egypt they ran out of water. Finding only a bitter spring at Marah. The LORD instructed Moses to throw a tree into the water, and the water became sweet.

. . . saying, “If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give heed to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I put upon the Egyptians; for I am the LORD, your healer.” Ex. 15:26

And unlike the health and wealth preachers claim it is not a free for all promise. It starts with that great big IF. If the people keep His commandments then He will not bring the diseases that He had brought on the Egyptians to them.

Over and over God brings us back to His commandments

. . . because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” Gen. 26:5

. . . but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. Ex. 20:6

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” John 14:15

For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 1Cor. 7:19

I charge you to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; 1Tim. 6:14

. . . and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 1John 3:22

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. 1John 5:3

Finally, those that are true believers, that fight the principalities and powers, and endure to the end, are those that –

Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and bear testimony to Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea. Rev. 12:17

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. 14:12

They are not the Ten Suggestions.

See Also:

July 29, 2015 by laurelanthenat

JEHOVAH-NISSI

YAHWEH NESSI, The LORD my Banner

For an explanation of Jehovah/YHWH see also: God? What’s in a Name.

And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The LORD is my banner, Ex. 17:15

Nessi roots from the verb nes for conspicuous, as a noun it means standard, ensign signal or sign. The ending “i” is the way the Hebrew deals with the pronoun me or my. (Not the same word an in Song 2:4 His banner of me is love.)

This altar was placed on the hill top that Moses sat on during the fight with Amalek. It was to be a reminder that the Lord is to be our rallying-point. It is to Him and Him alone that we are to raise our eyes before and during the battle.

After this battle the children of Israel were admonished to destroy Amalek, and come to think of it, I bet you’ve never met an Amalekite. They are gone as all the enemies of our Lord will someday be.

We are no longer admonished to destroy people we are to destroy the demonic power behind them.

For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph. 6:12

The enemies of our Lord are doomed, as long as we look to the Lord our Banner.

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From whence does my help come? Psa. 121:1

See Also:

July 29, 2015 by laurelanthenat

JEHOVAH-SHALOM

YAHWEH SHALOM

For an explanation of Jehovah/YHWH see also: God? What’s in a Name.

Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it, The LORD is peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites. Judg. 6:24

This altar was built after Gideon had his famous call to be a judge in Israel. Gideon was not sure of this “call” and told the Angel of the Lord that he was the smallest in his family and was not fit to deliver the people from the Midianite and the Amalekites.[Judg. 6]

After their conversation, Gideon prepares some meat and unleavened bread which he sets on a rock before the Angel of the Lord, who then touches it with His staff and it is consumed in fire. This causes Gideon to be a little fearful for he realizes that he has seen God. The Lord reassured him that there is peace between them.

23 But the LORD said to him, “Peace be to you; do not fear, you shall not die.” 24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it, The LORD is peace. To this day it still stands at Ophrah, which belongs to the Abiezrites.

There are seven nuances of the meaning of the Hebrew word shalom. This one is that of friendship. Gideon built his altar for he is like Abraham, a friend of God.

With the courage that being the friend of God brings Gideon, he attacks the nearby altar of Baal and builds a new altar to the Lord and offers sacrifices to the One True God. His neighbors want to kill him for this offense. Gideon’s father asks these people if they are defending Baal, and suggest that if Baal is such a powerful god he can defend himself.

With the peace/friendship of God, Gideon goes on to be one of the most successful battle judges in the history of Israel. So to we can have this same peace.

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. 5:1

When there is peace with God there is often conflict with man. For the natural man is at peace with Satan whether they know it or not. They love the altars of Baal, and find ways to bring them into the true congregation.

It is only in obedience that we achieve peace with God.

17 I appeal to you, brethren, to take note of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by fair and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. 19 For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I would have you wise as to what is good and guileless as to what is evil; 20 then the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Rom. 16:17-20

Throw the Baals and Asherahs out, it is the price of peace with God.

See Also:

July 29, 2015 by laurelanthenat

JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU

YAHWEH TZEDEQENU

For an explanation of Jehovah/YHWH see also: God? What’s in a Name.

The LORD our Righteousness

“Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 6 In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The LORD is our righteousness.’ Jer. 23:5 -6

The Hebrew verb tzedeq means what is right, just, normal; or rightness, and is used to describe honest weights and measures, and the vindication of the people cause resulting in victory.

The entire passage is about the Lord gathering His people, who have been scattered by false teachers, who did not care for them. He will return them to His sheltered fold where they will be fed and cared for, lacking for nothing.

The only one who can do all this is the Branch. He seeks us until we find Him. Then He imbues His righteousness on us. For there is none righteous. We must stand in His righteousness, for His weights and true and just.

See Also:

July 29, 2015 by laurelanthenat

JEHOVAH-ROHI

YAHWEH RA’I

For an explanation of Jehovah/YHWH see also: God? What’s in a Name.

The LORD is my shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want; Psa. 23:1

The verb form of ra’ah is to pasture, tend, or graze.

There have been mountains of commentaries on the 23rd Psalm, and there is no way I can tell you anything you probably don’t already know.

The only one I ever read that was interesting was one written by a real farmer who raised sheep. The point that was of interest was the rod and staff.

The staff is used to separate the sheep into separate pens when needed. At different times of the year, there are different reasons for this separating. Sometimes it is for the shearing, sometimes it is for breading, sometimes it is medicating or veterinary examination, and sometimes it for slaughter.

The rod is used for discipline. It is important for the safety of the individual sheep that the herd stay together. One sheep wandering off on its own is easy prey for any predator. So when a sheep is lost the shepherd goes out and finds the laggard. He then takes the rod and breaks that sheep’s hind leg. He binds the leg up and carries it back to the fold. Every day he carries it to food and water. When the leg heals that sheep will never leave the side of the shepherd, for it has become emotionally dependent upon the shepherd.

All this gives a whole new insight to –

. . . thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Ps 23:4b

As well as –

. . . and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, even as I myself have received power from my Father; Rev. 2:27

From his mouth issues a sharp sword with which to smite the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron; he will tread the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. Rev. 19:15

I’m not sure how the “Rod of Iron” will be manifested. Not sure how one breaks the leg of a nation? But it doesn’t sound all that pleasant.

See Also:

July 29, 2015 by laurelanthenat

JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH

YAHWEH SHAMMAH

For an explanation of Jehovah/YHWH see also: God? What’s in a Name.

The LORD is there

The circumference of the city shall be eighteen thousand cubits. And the name of the city henceforth shall be, The LORD is there.” Ezek. 48:35

FYI: The Hebrew does not actually state “cubits.” No length of measure is given, only the amount.

When John describes the New Jerusalem, He uses the same idea.

1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband; 3 and I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be with them; 4 he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.” Rev. 21:1-4

In these idealized states, God dwells with His people. There is much discussion among the theologians as to whether or not these two cities are the same city from different perspectives, one being Jewish and the other Christian, or are they different places altogether in time or space.

In both cases, it is a place where it will no longer be questioned if the Lord is truly there. There will be no occasion for any to ask “is the Lord among us?”

And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the faultfinding of the children of Israel, and because they put the LORD to the proof by saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?” Ex. 17:7

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. John 1:14

First He came and dwelt among us, next we will dwell with Him.

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