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God's Name as Opposed to his Titles

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
Titles and Descriptive Terms Applying to "Jehovah" (יהוה YHWH)

There still seems to be a lot of controversy and misunderstanding over the use of the divine name.... יהוה (YHWH) in Hebrew. It is contained in the Hebrew scriptures (OT) almost 7,000 times with these four Hebrew consonants.

This is the name that God gave to mankind to identify himself; names in the Bible had deep meanings so it was important that God's name revealed more about his purpose than just his personality. As the inventor of language, he has no difficulty with translation. He knows his name in all languages.

The meaning of God's name is "He Causes to Be" or "to Become" and it is giving mankind a clear indication that whatever his will and purpose is, Jehovah will choose to "become" whatever is necessary to carry it out. (Isaiah 55:11)

It is clear from the scriptures that the Almighty God has one "name", but many titles.

In Genesis 2:4 it says...
"These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, on the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven."
דאֵ֣לֶּה תֽוֹלְד֧וֹת הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם וְהָאָ֖רֶץ בְּהִ֣בָּֽרְאָ֑ם בְּי֗וֹם עֲשׂ֛וֹת יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶ֥רֶץ וְשָׁמָֽיִם: (The Complete Jewish Bible)

You can see the Tetragrammaton clearly in the Hebrew text, but rendered by the title "the Lord God" in the English text. So right from the beginning of recorded scripture, God's name is there. There is no attempt to hide it or to substitute titles for it. This was God's only personal name.

In Exodus 6:3 God said to Moses...."I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob with [the name] Almighty God, but [with] My name YHWH, I did not become known to them." (CJB)

Up until the flood of Noah's day, there was no reason for Jehovah to make his name known to man for the simple reason, there were no false gods from which to differentiate himself. He was rightly called "God Almighty.... the only God in existence....but he would "become" what was needed to keep his purpose on track when his adversary began to cultivate false worship. He started with Nimrod.
 

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
Here is a list of some of the titles by which God is identified in the scriptures....

ALMIGHTY. Heb., Shad·daiʹ, plural to denote excellence, occurs 41 times and is translated “Almighty” or “Almighty One.” (Ge 49:25; Ps 68:14) The corresponding word in the Christian Greek Scriptures is Pan·to·kraʹtor and means “Almighty,” or, “Ruler Over All; One Who Has All Power.” (2Co 6:18; Re 15:3) The expression ʼEl Shad·daiʹ, “God Almighty,” occurs seven times in M and indicates that Jehovah has irresistible power.—Ge 17:1; Ex 6:3.

ANCIENT OF DAYS. Aram., ʽAt·tiqʹ Yoh·minʹ, meaning “One Advanced [or, Aged] in Days.”—Da 7:9, 13, 22.

CREATOR. Heb., Boh·reʼʹ. (Isa 40:28; 42:5) GRAND CREATOR.—Ec 12:1.

FATHER. Heb., ʼAv; Gr., Pa·terʹ; Lat., Paʹter; as Creator (Isa 64:8); as giver of everlasting life to all those who exercise faith. (Joh 5:21) The expression “Holy Father” is used exclusively with reference to Jehovah.—Joh 17:11. Compare Mt 23:9.

GOD. Heb., ʼEl, without the definite article, probably meaning “Mighty One; Strong One.”—Ge 14:18.

GOD. Heb., ʼElohʹah, singular of ʼElo·himʹ, without the definite article. It occurs 41 times in Job and 16 times in other books.—Job 3:4.

GOD. Heb., ʼElo·himʹ, without the definite article. In The American Journal of Semitic Languages and Literatures, Vol. XXI, Chicago and New York, 1905, p. 208, Aaron Ember wrote: “That the language of the O[ld] T[estament] has entirely given up the idea of plurality in אלהים [ʼElo·himʹ] (as applied to the God of Israel) is especially shown by the fact that it is almost invariably construed with a singular verbal predicate, and takes a singular adjectival attribute. . . . אלהים [ʼElo·himʹ] must rather be explained as an intensive plural, denoting greatness and majesty, being equal to The Great God. It ranks with the plurals אדנים [ʼadho·nimʹ, “master”] and בעלים [beʽa·limʹ, “owner; lord”], employed with reference to human beings.” ʼElo·himʹ draws attention to Jehovah’s strength as the Creator and occurs 35 times in the creation account.—Ge 1:1-2:4.

GOD OF GODS (LORD OF LORDS).—De 10:17; Da 2:47.

GOD OF TRUTH. Heb., ʼEl ʼemethʹ, indicating that Jehovah is true and faithful in all his dealings.—Ps 31:5.

GRAND GOD. Aram., ʼElahʹ rav.—Da 2:45.

HOLY GOD. Heb., ʼElo·himʹ qedho·shimʹ.—Jos 24:19.

INDEFINITELY LASTING GOD. Heb., ʼEl ʽoh·lamʹ.—Ge 21:33.

INSTRUCTOR. Heb., Moh·rehʹ. (Job 36:22) GRAND INSTRUCTOR.—Isa 30:20.

I WILL BECOME WHAT I CHOOSE TO BECOME.—See Ex 3:14 ftn.

JEALOUS. Heb., Qan·naʼʹ, meaning “Insisting on Exclusive Devotion.”—Ex 34:14; see also Eze 5:13.

JEHOVAH OF ARMIES. This expression with minor variations occurs 283 times in M. It also occurs twice in the Christian Greek Scriptures where Paul and James quoted or alluded to prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures. (See Ro 9:29; Jas 5:4.) The expression “Jehovah of armies” indicates the power held by the Ruler of the universe, who has at his command vast forces of spirit creatures.—Ps 103:20, 21; 148:2; Isa 1:24; Jer 32:17, 18. See App 1E.

KING OF ETERNITY. Gr., Ba·si·leusʹ ton ai·oʹnon.—Compare 1Ti 1:17.

KING OF THE NATIONS. Heb., Meʹlekh hag·goh·yimʹ.—Jer 10:7.

LIVING GOD. Heb., ʼElo·himʹ, with the plural adjective chai·yimʹ (De 5:26); or with the singular adjective chai (Isa 37:4, 17); Gr., The·osʹ zon.—Compare Heb 3:12.

MAJESTY. Gr., Me·ga·lo·syʹne, denoting his lofty, superior position. (Compare Heb 1:3; 8:1.) MAJESTIC ONE. Heb., ʼAd·dirʹ.—Isa 33:21.

MAKER. Heb., ʽO·sehʹ. (Ps 115:15; Jer 10:12) GRAND MAKER.—Isa 54:5.

MOST HIGH. Heb., ʽEl·yohnʹ.—De 32:8; Ps 9:2; 83:18.

MOST HOLY ONE. Heb., Qedho·shimʹ, plural to denote excellence and majesty.—Pr 30:3.

THE ROCK. Heb., hats·Tsurʹ. (De 32:4) Figuratively used to describe Jehovah’s qualities as perfect, just, faithful, righteous and upright; as father (De 32:18); as a stronghold (2Sa 22:32; Isa 17:10); as a secure height and refuge (Ps 62:7; 94:22); as a source of salvation.—De 32:15; Ps 95:1.

SAVIOR. Heb., Moh·shiʹaʽ (Isa 43:11; 45:21); Gr., So·terʹ.—Compare Lu 1:47.

SHEPHERD.Ps 23:1; 1Pe 2:25.

SOVEREIGN LORD.—Ge 15:2; Lu 2:29.

SUPREME ONE. Aram., ʽEl·yoh·ninʹ.—Da 7:18, 22, 27.

THE [TRUE] GOD. Heb., ha·ʼElo·himʹ

Exerpts from 1J Titles and Descriptive Terms Applying to Jehovah — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY
 
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Grandliseur

Well-Known Member
Titles and Descriptive Terms Applying to "Jehovah" (יהוה YHWH)

There still seems to be a lot of controversy and misunderstanding over the use of the divine name.... יהוה (YHWH) in Hebrew. It is contained in the Hebrew scriptures (OT) almost 7,000 times with these four Hebrew consonants.

This is the name that God gave to mankind to identify himself; names in the Bible had deep meanings so it was important that God's name revealed more about his purpose than just his personality. As the inventor of language, he has no difficulty with translation. He knows his name in all languages.

The meaning of God's name is "He Causes to Be" or "to Become" and it is giving mankind a clear indication that whatever his will and purpose is, Jehovah will choose to "become" whatever is necessary to carry it out. (Isaiah 55:11)

It is clear from the scriptures that the Almighty God has one "name", but many titles.

In Genesis 2:4 it says...
"These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, on the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven."
דאֵ֣לֶּה תֽוֹלְד֧וֹת הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם וְהָאָ֖רֶץ בְּהִ֣בָּֽרְאָ֑ם בְּי֗וֹם עֲשׂ֛וֹת יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶ֥רֶץ וְשָׁמָֽיִם: (The Complete Jewish Bible)

You can see the Tetragrammaton clearly in the Hebrew text, but rendered by the title "the Lord God" in the English text. So right from the beginning of recorded scripture, God's name is there. There is no attempt to hide it or to substitute titles for it. This was God's only personal name.

In Exodus 6:3 God said to Moses...."I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob with [the name] Almighty God, but [with] My name YHWH, I did not become known to them." (CJB)

Up until the flood of Noah's day, there was no reason for Jehovah to make his name known to man for the simple reason, there were no false gods from which to differentiate himself. He was rightly called "God Almighty.... the only God in existence....but he would "become" what was needed to keep his purpose on track when his adversary began to cultivate false worship. He started with Nimrod.
Gen 4:26 . . .Then began men to call upon the name of Jehovah. ASV
NWT: . . .At that time a start was made of calling on the name of Jehovah.​
So, the name was known, but... something, some quality is missing.

 

wizanda

One Accepts All Religious Texts
Premium Member
The meaning of God's name is "He Causes to Be" or "to Become"
As in most religions it is a descriptor, not a name... Yah (H3050) means Lord and is used as the 'flame of the Lord' in Song of Solomon 8:6.

Thus Yah-Havah is Lord to Be, Yehoshua is Lord that Saves...

Thus El becomes a physical representation in the form of YHVH Elohim, who later becomes Yeshua Elohim (Isaiah 12:2).
MOST HIGH. Heb., ʽEl·yohnʹ.—De 32:8; Ps 9:2; 83:18.
The God Most High is the ultimate source of reality, and has no form unlike Elohim.

In Deuteronomy 32:8-9 it gives YHVH Elohim Israel as an inheritance, and other Elohim their own nation.

In 2 Samuel 22:14 & Psalms 18:13 it has YHVH 'and' the Most High, thus the text in Hebrew defines them as separate.

Which is why in Luke 1:32 Yeshua is a Son of the Most High, in Revelation it is God Almighty (El Shaddai) who sits on the Throne, and the 24 Elders are Elohim each on their own throne surrounding the God Most High.

In my opinion. :innocent:
 
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Tumah

Veteran Member
"Jehovah"

with these four Hebrew consonants.

It's always so weird to me, that for an organization that places so much emphasis on the Name of G-d, that you guys don't actually correct the "J" to a "Y", you use the modern Hebrew pronunciation for the letter vav instead of the old way and you chose random vowels for the four Hebrew consonants.

Imagine your name is John, but I keep calling you Jeekhun. You tell me 7,000 times that your name is John, but that's not important because some guys who spoke my language decided to pronounce it Jeekhun.

Traditions of men, amirite?
 

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
It's always so weird to me, that for an organization that places so much emphasis on the Name of G-d, that you guys don't actually correct the "J" to a "Y", you use the modern Hebrew pronunciation for the letter vav instead of the old way and you chose random vowels for the four Hebrew consonants.

We would have to alter the whole Bible just to take out all the names that begin with "J". :eek:

I am sure that if the Jewish leaders who first decided to stop pronouncing the divine name for whatever reason (they certainly had no precedence from the Bible writers or any command from God to do so) then maybe that name would still be there in scripture and everyone would know how to say it ? :shrug:

Imagine your name is John, but I keep calling you Jeekhun. You tell me 7,000 times that your name is John, but that's not important because some guys who spoke my language decided to pronounce it Jeekhun.

Imagine your name is Peter and a French person calls you Pierre....or if you are called Joseph and someone from Italy calls you Giuseppe? Would you be offended?
Would you not recognize that they are just saying your name in their own language? As the inventor of language, doesn't God hear prayers in all languages? Wouldn't he therefore know his own name in any language as well?

Traditions of men, amirite?

No...its just translation verses transliteration IMO.
 
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Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
Gen 4:26 . . .Then began men to call upon the name of Jehovah. ASV
NWT: . . .At that time a start was made of calling on the name of Jehovah.​
So, the name was known, but... something, some quality is missing.

Yes, perhaps there was a fuller aspect of the name only revealed later....that is a possibility.
 

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
As in most religions it is a descriptor, not a name... Yah (H3050) means Lord and is used as the 'flame of the Lord' in Song of Solomon 8:6.

"Yah" or "Jah" is the shortened form of the divine name. It refers to Jehovah, and is present in the word hallelujah. (Meaning "praise Jehovah")

The God Most High is the ultimate source of reality, and has no form unlike Elohim.

In Deuteronomy 32:8-9 it gives YHVH Elohim Israel as an inheritance, and other Elohim their own nation.
According to the Jewish Bible...."When the Most High gave nations their lot, when He separated the sons of man, He set up the boundaries of peoples according to the number of the children of Israel.
חבְּהַנְחֵ֤ל עֶלְיוֹן֙ גּוֹיִ֔ם בְּהַפְרִיד֖וֹ בְּנֵ֣י אָדָ֑ם יַצֵּב֙ גְּבֻלֹ֣ת עַמִּ֔ים לְמִסְפַּ֖ר בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:

Because the Lord's portion is His people Jacob, the lot of His inheritance.
טכִּ֛י חֵ֥לֶק יְהֹוָ֖ה עַמּ֑וֹ יַֽעֲקֹ֖ב חֶ֥בֶל נַֽחֲלָתֽוֹ:"


The "Lord" in verse 9 is Jehovah. As seen clearly in the Hebrew text.

In 2 Samuel 22:14 & Psalms 18:13 it has YHVH 'and' the Most High, thus the text in Hebrew defines them as separate.

I believe that you are reading more into those verses in English than what is stated in the Hebrew.

"The Lord thundered from heaven; and the Most High gave forth His voice.
ידיַרְעֵ֥ם מִן־שָׁמַ֖יִם יְהֹוָ֑ה וְעֶלְי֖וֹן יִתֵּ֥ן קוֹלֽוֹ:


"The Lord" and "the Most High" are both referring to Jehovah. (Psalm 83:18 ASV)

Which is why in Luke 1:32 Yeshua is a Son of the Most High, in Revelation it is God Almighty (El Shaddai) who sits of the Throne, and the 24 Elders are Elohim each on their own throne surrounding the God Most High.

The throne is occupied by Jehovah who has delegated rulership to his trusted son. The 24 elders who also share in ruling mankind are given the role of priests, rulers and judges. There are others called "gods" in scripture but it simply denotes having authority from God to perform their duties. Jesus said that Jehovah called judges in Israel "gods" denoting their authority to represent God in their role. (John 10:33-36)
 

Tumah

Veteran Member
We would have to alter the whole Bible just to take out all the names that begin with "J". :eek:
Well, I don't see you arguing about Jesus "real" name. So it seems like the only one that's important to you is G-d.

I am sure that if the Jewish leaders who first decided to stop pronouncing the divine name for whatever reason (they certainly had no precedence from the Bible writer or any command from God to do so)
"Do not take G-d's Name in vain."
"If you do not watch to...fear this honored and awesome Name of YH_H your G-d."

then maybe that name would still be there is scripture and everyone would know how to say it ? :shrug:

You are the people that have the problem. We are not looking to encourage people to say it.

Imagine your name is Peter and a French person calls you Pierre....or if you are called Joseph and someone from Italy calls you Giuseppe? Would you be offended?
Would you not recognize that they are just saying your name in their own language? As the inventor of language, doesn't God hear prayers in all languages? Wouldn't he therefore know his own name in any language as well?

True, all too true. But then, wouldn't he also know His other titles? No reason to stress one Name over any other.

No...its just translation verses transliteration IMO.
This is the name that God gave to mankind to identify himself; names in the Bible had deep meanings so it was important...

English names have no deep meanings. In fact they mean nothing. They're just a placeholder for a name that has a meaning.
 

Grandliseur

Well-Known Member
Yes, perhaps there was a fuller aspect of the name only revealed later....that is a possibility.
Using a bad example, if you met Hitler when he was 20, and he introduced himself then and met him in 1942, the name would have a totally different impact.

Similarly, knowing God's name early on did not mean they knew what God wanted or stood for. Only when God later revealed his power, his wishes, etc. would his name have great impact.
 
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Kemosloby

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
I'm thinking since he never gives his name, name means reputation. His "holy name' means his holy reputation.
 

wizanda

One Accepts All Religious Texts
Premium Member
"Yah" or "Jah" is the shortened form of the divine name.
That isn't true, and aware most scholarly sources try to claim that, due to the Jews not understanding their own text...

Which is why i gave the example found in Song of Solomon 8:6, as the word Yah is not used as a name there, it is used as a description...

It states the 'flame of the Lord', now there isn't such a thing as a 'flame of YHVH'; thus it makes more sense that the word means Lord, and not a name.
It refers to Jehovah, and is present in the word hallelujah. (Meaning "praise Jehovah")
Hallelujah means 'praise the Lord'.
The "Lord" in verse 9 is Jehovah.
It says El Elyon who is the father of YHVH Elohim gave him the nation.

Elyon - Wikipedia
I believe that you are reading more into those verses in English than what is stated in the Hebrew.
Was dealing with the Hebrew not the English, as the Hebrew has 'and Elyon' (ועליון), in other words the language defines two beings; Jews since the Babylonian Exile have tried to make it fit into a stricter form of monotheism, that doesn't exist in the text.
Psalms 83:18
That could says YHVH is a part of Elyon in Hebrew.
The throne is occupied by Jehovah who has delegated rulership to his trusted son.
Yeshua is YHVH; thus like the Jews, people don't even recognize the Most High exists.
Jesus said that Jehovah called judges in Israel "gods"
Psalms 82:6 said we're all Elohim and Children of the Most High... YHVH is an Elohim, Yeshua is an Elohim.

In my opinion. :innocent:
 
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Kenny

Face to face with my Father
Premium Member
My children heard other people call me by my first name and started calling me by my first name. I was insulted (figuratively speaking) and certainly if they called me by my last name it would be even more insulting.

I would tell them "Son (daughter), ANYONE can call me by my first name but only YOU have the special priviledge of calling me Dad or Daddy because of our relationship" :D

I call YHWH, "Father and Dad" and even send Him kisses and hugs.

Also, in the Tannakh, names were given to mean something (not so much now) so every name or Title gave meaning to who God was.

YHWH SHALOM (I AM PEACE) -- which incidentally Jesus gave or;
YHWH TSIDKENU (I AM RIGHTEOUSNESS) -- which incidentally Jesus is for us, or;
YHWH ROHI (I AM SHEPHERD/PASTOR) -- which incidentaly Jesus is to us.
 

socharlie

Active Member
Titles and Descriptive Terms Applying to "Jehovah" (יהוה YHWH)

There still seems to be a lot of controversy and misunderstanding over the use of the divine name.... יהוה (YHWH) in Hebrew. It is contained in the Hebrew scriptures (OT) almost 7,000 times with these four Hebrew consonants.

This is the name that God gave to mankind to identify himself; names in the Bible had deep meanings so it was important that God's name revealed more about his purpose than just his personality. As the inventor of language, he has no difficulty with translation. He knows his name in all languages.

The meaning of God's name is "He Causes to Be" or "to Become" and it is giving mankind a clear indication that whatever his will and purpose is, Jehovah will choose to "become" whatever is necessary to carry it out. (Isaiah 55:11)

It is clear from the scriptures that the Almighty God has one "name", but many titles.

In Genesis 2:4 it says...
"These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, on the day that the Lord God made earth and heaven."
דאֵ֣לֶּה תֽוֹלְד֧וֹת הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם וְהָאָ֖רֶץ בְּהִ֣בָּֽרְאָ֑ם בְּי֗וֹם עֲשׂ֛וֹת יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶ֥רֶץ וְשָׁמָֽיִם: (The Complete Jewish Bible)

You can see the Tetragrammaton clearly in the Hebrew text, but rendered by the title "the Lord God" in the English text. So right from the beginning of recorded scripture, God's name is there. There is no attempt to hide it or to substitute titles for it. This was God's only personal name.

In Exodus 6:3 God said to Moses...."I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob with [the name] Almighty God, but [with] My name YHWH, I did not become known to them." (CJB)

Up until the flood of Noah's day, there was no reason for Jehovah to make his name known to man for the simple reason, there were no false gods from which to differentiate himself. He was rightly called "God Almighty.... the only God in existence....but he would "become" what was needed to keep his purpose on track when his adversary began to cultivate false worship. He started with Nimrod.
. 3This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
Jn 17
 

wizanda

One Accepts All Religious Texts
Premium Member
This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
Matthew 11:27 All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.

Luke 1:32-33 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom."

So Yeshua Elohim's father is the God Most High (El Elyon), and not YHVH Elohim, else the first statement that the Jews he was speaking to didn't know the father, wouldn't make sense.

In my opinion. :innocent:
 

shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
I consider Jehovah (YHWH) an interpretive descriptive term for God like other descriptive terms previously mentioned. God does not have a name nor a title.
 

socharlie

Active Member
Matthew 11:27 All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.

Luke 1:32-33 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father, David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom."

So Yeshua Elohim's father is the God Most High (El Elyon), and not YHVH Elohim, else the first statement that the Jews he was speaking to didn't know the father, wouldn't make sense.

In my opinion. :innocent:
YHVH is an emanation of The True God to deal with specific task of elevating lower levels of consciousness. When Jesus spoke of One True God He spoke from point of High Consciousness.
 

Brickjectivity

Turned to Stone. Now I stretch daily.
Staff member
Premium Member
YHVH is an emanation of The True God to deal with specific task of elevating lower levels of consciousness. When Jesus spoke of One True God He spoke from point of High Consciousness.
I am curious about this comment. Is there a book that explains it? I am also curious to know what elevating means in this system of understanding. What is such elevation like?
 
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