Posted on 08/12/2008 1:40:53 PM PDT by NYer
When the Masorites, the rabbinical editors of the Hebrew Bible during the ninth century A.D, provided vocalization signs to the four consonants of the tetragram, they indicated that Yahweh should always be pronounced Adonai. This led to the longstanding misconception that the divine name was to be pronounced "Jehovah," a misunderstanding produced by the addition of the vowels of 'adonai to the consonants of the tetragram yhwh.From The Westminster Theological Wordbook of the Bible By Donald E. Gowan
Thanks...I’ll bring it up with the pastor. And I will continue to say “MEN” to be rebellious. ;)
THe use of Yahweh, sorry to say, reminds me of the ridiculous, hippy folk mass with the guitars and tamborines I always disliked as a kid in the 1970’s. Let’s get back to Latin.
Jesus says it too.
“Our Father who is in heaven, Holy is your name.”
Excellent! Is there any doubt that we have been blessed with Pope Benedict? :)
“The bornagains”? So Roman Catholics aren’t born again as Christ said we must be in John 3:7? I haven’t seen even the most strident of Protestants on this board make that claim. ;-)
Anyhow, the use of “Jehovah” always irked me, seeing as it’s a false, butchered substitute for God’s name. We’ve replaced it with Yahweh in a couple of songs at my church.
oh please.
“Jesus says it too.”
Well, according the the Book of Hebrews, Jesus supplanted the high priest (my ancestors) by being of the order of Melchizdeck (both king and priest) and, in fact, referred to his body as the Temple.
Given that the only person who could speak this particular familiar name of God was the High Priest in the Temple, if one believes Jesus is the Messiah as claimed, he would have the right to use that name of God.
But for common folk, using that name is getting “above one’s station” so to speak.
Just my opinion.
If what is said is determined by what offends the Jews, then there is much in the Bible that would need to be removed.
(Mat 27:24-25) “When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. {25} Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.”
(1 Th 2:16) “Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.”
Of course, the Bible also teaches that they are covenantally beloved for the father’s sake (Rm. 11). And that the most manifest apostle was so heavily burdened for them they he was willing to be damned if it meant their salvation (Rm. 9:3).
If a change were based upon it’s doubt as a proper translation of the sacred tetragrammaton*, one might be tempted to remove Jehovah as well, seeing as the letter “J” was unknown till the 11th century or so (or so i read).
And then there is the controversy by some (mostly elitists) even over the name Jesus.
But i know God answers prayer in that name above all names, and sanctions translations into other languages, and looks at the heart and who the soul is directing prayer to (which was always to God in Heaven), than whether one uses God, Yaweh, Jehovah, Y’shua or Jesus. To pray in the name of Jesus is not that of appending His name at the end of a prayer, but to pray consistent with His heart and will, in truth. Which i often fail to do as i should
(Isa 66:2b) “but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”
*YHWH. Ancient Hebrew had no written vowels, or superscript/subscript vowel markings.
No spaces either, right?
I find the idea amazing.
The Tetragrammaton should not be pronounced by a commoner like me, but "pseudonyms" like "Lord" and "God" do not represent such an offense.
Is that accurate?
It's OK. Protestants have been twisting other people's words for half a millenia.
Saved paper. We’re an economical people.
millenium.
I’m amazed at first glance that it can all be parsed properly. Of course, with His help, it’s a piece of cake.
LOL! True! I think Hebrew might have invented the acronym -- I guess actually they're abbreviations, but so many have their own pronunciation. There is a whole dictionary of Hebrew abbreviations; I had a course in Hebrew on lexicography, and the professor brought it in to show us.
“The Tetragrammaton should not be pronounced by a commoner like me, but “pseudonyms” like “Lord” and “God” do not represent such an offense. Is that accurate?”
Absolutely correct. Indeed, NO ONE outside the Temple should be saying it.
On a related note, you will see God written “G-d” outside of scripture because it is against the Law (realy more implied, but clear) to destroy the the name of “God” -— the idea being that the casual writing of His name could lead to accidental destruction. Bit of an affectation, IMHO, which I sometimes tend towards.
But if I use the term Lord or God, fully spelled, would this be offensive?
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