“And Elohim said further to Moses, “Thus you are to say to the children of Israel, ‘יהוה Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Aḇraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is MY NAME FOREVER, and this is My remembrance to all generations.’– Exodus 3:15
Did you know that His name is not ‘God.’ Likewise, it is not ‘the Lord.’ Although I wonder how often we refer to Him by those titles, instead of the name that He gave us. His name is found in all the oldest manuscripts. Yet, translators took it out at least 6,823 times, often replacing it with the phrase, ‘Adonai,’ ‘Dominus,’ or ‘Lord,’ in ancient as well as modern translations. Take a minute and look at the preface of your Scriptures, and it probably tells you this fact.
“…his name is the Lord;” – the ESV translation of Psalm 68:4. Really? Um, no.
It all began with a tradition called the ‘ineffable name’ doctrine. For various reasons when the Hebrews came out of Babylon, the religious leaders started to substitute the Father’s name with the Hebrew title ‘Adonai.’ Yet the Scriptures tell us “…not to pay attention to Jewish fables and commands of men who turn from the truth,” Titus 1:14. This was one such fable, replacing His set-apart name with a device. In the English, this has been translated into ‘the Lord.’ But is that scriptural?
I believe that the third commandment tells us it is not.
“You do not bring the Name of יהוה your Elohim to naught, for יהוה does not leave the one unpunished who brings His Name to naught.” – Exodus 20:7
In the Hebrew, His name consists of four letters, יהוה, which are referred to as the ‘tetragrammaton.’ These four Hebrew letters are ‘Yod – Hey – Uau – Hey’. These four Hebrew letters make up His name, and they should not be brought to naught (taken in vain, or ‘shav’ in the Hebrew). In Strongs H7723, that word/phrase means to be made worthless or empty. So we do not make His name worthless or empty. His name is important because it has both meaning and authority.
“Therefore My people shall know MY NAME, in that day, for I am the One who is speaking. See, it is I.” – Isaiah 52:6
There is another word that is translated as ‘lord,’ and that is the word ba’al (Strong’s H1167). Ironically, we have taken his set-apart name, and brought it to naught, substituting it with a generalized title also used to describe a foreign deity. For far too long we have despised His name and substituted it with a device that He did not desire.
But what other Scriptures speak of the importance of His name? Several, to be honest. But here are just a few…
“Remember this: the enemy has reproached יהוה, And a foolish people has despised YOUR NAME.” – Psalm 74:18
“Give thanks to יהוה! Call upon HIS NAME, Make known His deeds among the peoples.” – Psalm 105:1
Then shall those who fear יהוה speak to one another, and יהוה listens and hears, and a book of remembrance be written before Him, of those who fear יהוה, and those who think upon HIS NAME.” – Malachi 3:16
“I know your works – see, I have set before you an open door, and no one is able to shut it – that you have little power, yet have guarded My Word, and have not denied MY NAME.” – Revelation 3:8
“Let them praise THE NAME OF יהוה, For HIS NAME ALONE is exalted, His splendor is above the earth and heavens.” – Psalm 148:13
His name is important to Him, so it should be to us as well. As a coach, I try my hardest to spell and say my athletes’ names correctly. It is a sign of respect. And although I sometimes mess up, I always try to do my best. So how do we say the Father’s name? That’s a good question, and one that you will need to search out for yourself. From my research, I have come to the current understanding that it is most likely Yahuah (Yah-HOO-ah). Others believe it is Yahweh or Yehovah, or even a multitude of other pronunciations. We are all trying to do our best with four Hebrew letters that we have misunderstood for so long. But in these last days, “…many shall diligently search and knowledge shall increase.” – Daniel 12:4. I think we are reaching that time when He is revealing truth to us, including HIS NAME..! I hear quite a few more references to His name from the pulpits than I used to!
“And it shall be, in that day,” declares יהוה, “that you call Me ‘My Husband,’ and no longer call Me ‘My Ba‛al.’ – Hosea 2:16
The Creator’s name has importance, authority, and is set-apart. And it is the name that has been given to His people as well. In the Hebrew, you can find His name on many of His chosen ones. However, we just don’t recognize it because we have transliterated the original names into our language. But when you look at the Hebrew, you see His name attached to many of the prophets and places in Scripture. Here are but a few examples…
Jeremiah – YirmeYAHU
Isaiah – YeshaYAHU
Nehemiah – NehemYAH
Zechariah – ZekarYAH
Zephaniah – TesphanYAH
Obadiah – ObadYAH
Joshua – YAHusha
Israel – YAshar’el
His name should matter to us, but mostly because it matters to Him. People pronounce or spell it different in our English language, and I don’t think we should get caught up with those differences. As I said, we are doing the best we can. But we do know that His actual name is not ‘the Lord,’ nor is it ‘God.’ But one day we will all know it perfectly and declare it in all it’s glory! And in that day, we will call out to the Most High יהוה (Yahuah).
HalleluYAH (Praise Yah)!!!
FAITH IN MOTION 