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Saying or writing Jehovah, isn't wrong...

Desert Snake

Veteran Member
So often, people say that Jehovah, written or presumably even said, is wrong...no, actually they are wrong.

First off, in a fundamental way, of transliteration, it isn't 'wrong'.

The reason it isn't 'wrong', in this manner, the most basic of manners, of why it isn't wrong, is because letter transliteration itself, isn't wrong. We do this all the time. And I will give an example of how common this is , this occurs all the time with names, and words. So, in one language, a word or name might start with a a letter, however in some languages, this is pronounced, differently. Now, a person whose native or original language pronounces this in a different manner, however maintains the spelling correlation, we don't say the word, or name, is 'wrong', contextually. Since it is the same word, or name, and that word or name is what is being referred to.

Now, concerning JeHoVaH. Or, JHVH. The vowels that aren't present not represented, here, the 'j', in some languages, is the same as a 'y'. Hence Yehovah, is fine to write as well, as are other variations that maintain the language concept, here.

In this very basic sense, Jehovah and some other variations, are not 'wrong'.

There is more, though. Because we can note that not only is Jehovah, 'not wrong', as a name version, it is wonderfully correct, in that it maintains this name of God, in such an exquisite way. It is truly, majestically guided, in the way this name version does this. Because, in a basic manner, you can't be wrong, with this. The transliteration is literal, however works whether you are pronouncing this name with a 'j', or a 'y', for example.

Especially amazing is when those who are familiar with Hebrew, or should have been told otherwise, say that this version of the name is wrong. This version of the name is the same as written by the Jewish scribes, the different language or letters being used, thusly, when we write it in English, for example.
 
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metis

aged ecumenical anthropologist
Especially amazing is when those who are familiar with Hebrew, or should have been told otherwise, say that this version of the name is wrong.
The pronunciation of the Name is wrong as there's no "J" sound in Hebrew, plus we're not sure exactly which vowels should be pronounced. Also, if my memory is correct, there are 17 different names for God found in the Tanakh (OT).

Also, in Judaism, the custom was and is that the Name was so holy that it should only be said at the Temple and only on Yom Kippur. Since the Temple at this time doesn't exist, saying or writing the name for an observant Jew is a no-no. Many will use "haShem" ["the Name"] as a substitute.
 

A Vestigial Mote

Well-Known Member
I always thought that the big complaint wasn't with the letters or pronunciation used at all, but instead with the very fact that you were trying to pin-down God's name and write it or pronounce it in the first place. I always thought that the tetragrammaton (YHVH/JHVH) was created as a reference to God specifically because it had no correct pronunciation, or was unpronounceable, or that that was, at least, the intent.

Meaning... it isn't that your pronunciation is "wrong"... it's that many felt it wrong to even be trying to pronounce (or even utter) God's name in the first place.
 

74x12

Well-Known Member
The pronunciation of the Name is wrong as there's no "J" sound in Hebrew, plus we're not sure exactly which vowels should be pronounced. Also, if my memory is correct, there are 17 different names for God found in the Tanakh (OT).

Also, in Judaism, the custom was and is that the Name was so holy that it should only be said at the Temple and only on Yom Kippur. Since the Temple at this time doesn't exist, saying or writing the name for an observant Jew is a no-no. Many will use "haShem" ["the Name"] as a substitute.
Well of course there is no J sound. But we still say Jesus. So I think the name Jehovah does get the tetragrammaton right. YHVH. So it's acceptable for English speakers to use.
 

metis

aged ecumenical anthropologist
Well of course there is no J sound. But we still say Jesus. So I think the name Jehovah does get the tetragrammaton right. YHVH. So it's acceptable for English speakers to use.
That really doesn't work out logically in conjunction with the OP. If having the One Name in Hebrew being exact is supposedly so very important, then one cannot come back and logically say that using the "J" that's absent in Hebrew and unknown vowels is all fine & dandy.

IOW, it's just a JW farce that basically says "We got it right and all other denominations that don't do what we do are basically 'apostates'".
 

Hockeycowboy

Witness for Jehovah
Premium Member
The pronunciation of the Name is wrong as there's no "J" sound in Hebrew, plus we're not sure exactly which vowels should be pronounced. Also, if my memory is correct, there are 17 different names for God found in the Tanakh (OT).

Well then, Jehoshaphat is wrong, Jeremiah is wrong, Jonathan is wrong....

Also, in Judaism, the custom was and is that the Name was so holy that it should only be said at the Temple and only on Yom Kippur. Since the Temple at this time doesn't exist, saying or writing the name for an observant Jew is a no-no. Many will use "haShem" ["the Name"] as a substitute.

That’s superstition. King David thought differently. — Psalms 145:1...
א

I will extol thee, my God, O King; And I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

ב

2Every day will I bless thee; And I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

ג

3Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised; And his greatness is unsearchable.

—ASV
 

Hockeycowboy

Witness for Jehovah
Premium Member
IOW, it's just a JW farce that basically says "We got it right and all other denominations that don't do what we do are basically 'apostates'".

Say “Yahweh”, then....that’s fine.
Proverbs 18:10

(BTW, I’ve never heard that. Maybe the issue is with you? I mean, the KJV had it first.)
 

metis

aged ecumenical anthropologist
Well then, Jehoshaphat is wrong, Jeremiah is wrong, Jonathan is wrong....



That’s superstition. King David thought differently. — Psalms 145:1...
א

I will extol thee, my God, O King; And I will bless thy name for ever and ever.

ב

2Every day will I bless thee; And I will praise thy name for ever and ever.

ג

3Great is Jehovah, and greatly to be praised; And his greatness is unsearchable.

—ASV
Somehow you've managed to miss the entire point.
 

metis

aged ecumenical anthropologist
Say “Yahweh”, then....that’s fine.
Proverbs 18:10

(BTW, I’ve never heard that. Maybe the issue is with you? I mean, the KJV had it first.)
Again, you have managed to miss the entire point, and what does the KJV have to do with this? Are you under the delusion that somehow it's an original manuscript? And do you even have the slightest clue on the difficulties when it comes to interpreting biblical Hebrew?
.
 

Orbit

I'm a planet
Does it matter? I mean seriously, who cares what the vowels for JHVH are when you're not supposed to be saying the name anyway?
 

Hockeycowboy

Witness for Jehovah
Premium Member
Does it matter? I mean seriously, who cares what the vowels for JHVH are when you're not supposed to be saying the name anyway?
according to whom? Did David or Moses feel that way?
Really, how does God feel about it? (Malachi 3:16)
“Then they that feared Jehovah spake one with another; and Jehovah hearkened, and heard, and a book of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared Jehovah, and that thought upon his name.“

I don’t remember God chastising Moses, David, etc., for using it, do you?

But I do know He chastised those who forgot it! Jeremiah 23:17.

Who ‘thinks upon his name’, today? Most everyone reads, “Lord” in the Bible.... and they’re taught, Jesus is Lord. So they reason, “Oh, that’s Jesus!”

See the problem? They’re not worshipping Who Jesus worshipped....who Jesus’ God was / is. John 20:17
 

The Anointed

Well-Known Member
So often, people say that Jehovah, written or presumably even said, is wrong...no, actually they are wrong.

First off, in a fundamental way, of transliteration, it isn't 'wrong'.

The reason it isn't 'wrong', in this manner, the most basic of manners, of why it isn't wrong, is because letter transliteration itself, isn't wrong. We do this all the time. And I will give an example of how common this is , this occurs all the time with names, and words. So, in one language, a word or name might start with a a letter, however in some languages, this is pronounced, differently. Now, a person whose native or original language pronounces this in a different manner, however maintains the spelling correlation, we don't say the word, or name, is 'wrong', contextually. Since it is the same word, or name, and that word or name is what is being referred to.

Now, concerning JeHoVaH. Or, JHVH. The vowels that aren't present not represented, here, the 'j', in some languages, is the same as a 'y'. Hence Yehovah, is fine to write as well, as are other variations that maintain the language concept, here.

In this very basic sense, Jehovah and some other variations, are not 'wrong'.

There is more, though. Because we can note that not only is Jehovah, 'not wrong', as a name version, it is wonderfully correct, in that it maintains this name of God, in such an exquisite way. It is truly, majestically guided, in the way this name version does this. Because, in a basic manner, you can't be wrong, with this. The transliteration is literal, however works whether you are pronouncing this name with a 'j', or a 'y', for example.

Especially amazing is when those who are familiar with Hebrew, or should have been told otherwise, say that this version of the name is wrong. This version of the name is the same as written by the Jewish scribes, the different language or letters being used, thusly, when we write it in English, for example.

The Hebrew meaning of the word 'Jehovah,' is "WHO I AM." For the Hebrew to say ; "I am true to Jehovah," they are in fact saying; "I am true to 'Who I Am.' for this reason they use the word 'LORD' in place of Jehovah.

If those who belong to the JW cult, who use the Hebrew Bible translated into English, were to be fair dinkum, they would also translate the Hebrew word 'Jehovah' into English and say to the world; "I am true to my God, to My God "Who I Am."
 

Hockeycowboy

Witness for Jehovah
Premium Member
BTW, the name “Jehovah” means, “He Causes to Become”.... He can make Himself anything He wants — a Father, a Sustainer, a judge, etc. — or He can make others become whatever He or they need!
 
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The Anointed

Well-Known Member
BTW, the name “Jehovah” means, “He Causes to Become”.... He can make Himself anything He wants — a Father, a Sustainer, a judge, etc. — or He can make others become whatever He or they need!

Some of the best translators of the GNB, the New American Bible, The new Spiritual filled life Bible, The RSV bible and others, all translate Jehovah, as I Am "Who I Am." And I will accept their authority in that.

The JW's New World Translation, states that the Hebrew "JHWH' means, "I will prove to be who I prove to be. But I have never heard a JW, who have translated the Hebrew to English, say, 'I am true to my God, "Who I Will Prove to be."'
 

The Anointed

Well-Known Member
There may be some here who will find this interesting:

Jehovah — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

The New World Translation. When Moses asked the Lord what name should he say to the Israelites, was the name of the God who sent him, the Lord answered in Exodus 3:14; "This is what you are to say to the sons of Israel; I shall prove to be, has sent me too you."

The Jw's, like the Hebrews do not use what they believe to be the sacred name of their God. Have you ever heard a JW say; I am true to my God who "I shall prove to be."
 

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
Some of the best translators of the GNB, the New American Bible, The new Spiritual filled life Bible, The RSV bible and others, all translate Jehovah, as I Am "Who I Am." And I will accept their authority in that.

The JW's New World Translation, states that the Hebrew "JHWH' means, "I will prove to be who I prove to be. But I have never heard a JW, who have translated the Hebrew to English, say, 'I am true to my God, "Who I Will Prove to be."'

According to the Jewish Tanach Exodus 3:14-15 says...."God said to Moses, "Ehyeh asher ehyeh (I will be what I will be)," and He said, "So shall you say to the children of Israel, 'Ehyeh (I will be) has sent me to you.'"

And God said further to Moses, "So shall you say to the children of Israel, 'The Lord God of your forefathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is My name forever, and this is how I should be mentioned in every generation."

טווַיֹּ֩אמֶר֩ ע֨וֹד אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶל־משֶׁ֗ה כֹּ֣ה תֹאמַר֘ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ יְהֹוָ֞ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י אֲבֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם אֱלֹהֵ֨י אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִצְחָ֛ק וֵֽאלֹהֵ֥י יַֽעֲקֹ֖ב שְׁלָחַ֣נִי אֲלֵיכֶ֑ם זֶה־שְּׁמִ֣י לְעֹלָ֔ם וְזֶ֥ה זִכְרִ֖י לְדֹ֥ר דֹּֽר:

Shemot - Exodus - Chapter 3 (Parshah Shemot)

If we are in any doubt, this is how the Jews interpret their own scripture.

"The Lord God" in English is יְהֹוָ֞ה YHWH is Yahweh (Jehovah)

This is not a statement about his identity, but a declaration of his intentions, yet future. He "Will BE" or "Become" whatever he needs to be to fulfill his purpose as @Hockeycowboy has said....
 
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