GOD KNOWS HIS REAL NAME. . . DO YOU?

Because knowing his correct name matters to him.

“I AM That IS MY NAME”
(Isaiah 42:8a MTFV)

Reading the following verses, one gets an overall idea how importantly GOD views the use of
his name. Unfortunately, the bibles from which these quotations are taken all fall short of getting
it correct.

Malachi 2:2 Listen to me! Pay attention to what I say. Show honor to my name. If you don't respect
my name, bad things will happen to you. You will say blessings, but they will become curses. I will
make bad things happen because you don't show respect for my name." This is what the LORD All-
Powerful said. ERV [The English Revised Standard Bible (ERV) Bible quoted above uses “the LORD” in
place of GOD’s actual name. “The LORD” is not a name but rather a title which can apply to any
number of entities.]

Ezekiel 36:23 I am going to display the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among
the nations, which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am Yahweh --
declares the Lord Yahweh -- when in you I display my holiness before their eyes. NJB [The New
Jerusalem Bible (NJB) uses “the Lord Yahweh” as an English term meant to replace GOD’s
actual name. They get close to getting it right but fail the test of accuracy.]

Isaiah 43:10 You are my witnesses, says the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you
may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there
be any after me. NRS [The New Revised Standard Version (NRS) uses “LORD”. Like the ERV they use a
title or term meant to address a superior in place of YHWH’s actual name.]

Isaiah 45:6 that they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none besides
me: I am Jehovah, and there is none else. ASV [The American Standard Bible uses an anglicized
term (Jehovah) coined during the early middle ages to describe GOD almighty, the
father of Jesus Christ. While this and Yahweh are certainly improvements on ‘Lord” or
God, neither of these are accurately correct. Therefore they fail to do justice to the God
of truth.]

For reasons to be outlined in this essay as it progresses, all these variations fail to display the
honor, respect, holiness or exclusivity which the verses themselves speak so clearly of as being
necessary towards GOD’s name.

Truth is, the name GOD wants us to know him by is different from what most Churches teach.
Scripture clearly reveals he wants us to know and use his correct name. Yet, when we explore
different Bibles, we find differing names given for Almighty God who is an exclusive and
singular entity, the creator of all the Heavens and earth. Any objective Bible reader who
compares Bible versions with one another must confront the following question.

Is his name “the LORD”? as found in the (NIV) New International Version and other bibles
NIV Exodus 6:3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, {3 Hebrew El-
Shaddai} but by my name the LORD {3 See note at Exodus 3:15.} I did not make myself known to
them. {3 Or Almighty, and by my name the LORD did I not let myself be known to them?}
 NIV Isaiah 42:8 "I am the LORD; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to
idols.

NIV Psalm83:16, 18 Cover their faces with shame so that men will seek your name, O LORD.18 Let
them know that you, whose name is the LORD-- that you alone are the Most- High over all the earth.

NIV Exodus 20:7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold
anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

Or Is it “JEHOVAH” as the American Standard Bible ASV and a number of others have it ?
ASV Exodus6:3 and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, as God Almighty; but by
my name Jehovah I was not known to them.

ASV Isaiah 42:8 I am Jehovah, that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, neither my
praise unto graven images.

ASV Psalm 83:16, 18. Fill their faces with confusion, That they may seek thy name, O Jehovah.18. that
they may know that thou alone, whose name is Jehovah, Art the Most High over all the earth

ASV Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain; for Jehovah will not hold
him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Or Is it YAHWEH? And other variations of that, as the New Jerusalem Bible NJB and a few others have it

NJB Exodus6:3 To Abraham, Isaac and Jacob I appeared as El Shaddai, but I did not make my name
Yahweh known to them.

NJB Isaiah 42:8 I am Yahweh, that is my name! I shall not yield my glory to another, nor my honour
to idols.

NJB Psalm83:16, 18. Shame written all over their faces, let them seek your name, Yahweh! 18 Let
them know that you alone bear the name of Yahweh, Most High over all the earth.

NJB Exodus 20:7 'You shall not misuse the name of Yahweh your God, for Yahweh will not leave
unpunished anyone who misuses his name.

Three different Bible versions, three different names for God. How can this be? Aren’t
all Bibles inspired by GOD? If so, why the difference and just what is the correct form
for his name?

The answers to these questions are found with the language original scripture is reputed to
have been written in; Paleo Hebrew.

Following is a chart of the Hebrew alphabet. The first letter is in the upper right- hand corner
as the Hebrew alphabet is read from right to left. Words are formed using letters from right
to left and sentences are read from right to left. You may notice, the direction they are read is
opposite of what we are accustomed to in English.
 Five of the above letters have a different form when they appear at the end of
a word. These letters are called the "final" letters (sophit in Hebrew).

ABOUT THE DIVINE NAME

[Its most accurate rendering]

HEBREW - = Hey-Vav-Hey-Yud – (Without vowels, for vowels are undeterminable

in the written Hebrew language)

The direction Hebrew is read and pronounced is Right to Left. Technically, since the
original Tetragrammaton is no longer pronounceable by virtue of its lack of known
vowel sounds, perhaps it should properly be rendered HVHY in Hebrew. However,
we don’t speak Hebrew, so, let’s consider how English use impacts God’s name.

ENGLISH – by direct translation YHWH = Yud- Hey-Vav-Hey-which is closest to

the original Hebrew, without vowels. Direction read from and pronounced is Left to
Right. This is the form English language speakers are familiar with and have
adopted into their usage.

While not exactingly correct, the Popular ENGLISH alternates in use are;

JeHoVaH – Best known, most widely used, however less accurate translation
inserting speculative but unproven vowels.

YaHWeH – Most accurate English translation, also inserting speculative but

unproven vowels

However, if precise accuracy is the determining factor, one must limit the divine name to
the graphic symbols which are known to have represented GOD’s name since the most
ancient of times; They are from top to bottom; Phoenician from the 12th century BCE, in
use to 150BCE, Paleo Hebraic from the 10th century BCE, in use to the year 135 CE and
Square Hebrew in use from the 3rd century CE till present times.
These forms of the divine name, known as the tetragrammaton, may be seen
as historically accurate.

OTHER NAMES for GOD

The name of God is a topic causing much unnecessary confusion. Sources vary widely
on the number of names they attribute to God in the Bible. One can find confusion
spawned in lists claiming anywhere from 18 to 900+ different names and
titles, all attributed to God Almighty.

. https://christiananswers.net/dictionary/namesofgod.html

While there are a vast number of names translators ascribe to God Almighty in their
Bibles, including ‘GOD’, ‘God’, ‘Lord’ and others, the tetragrammaton is the closest to
what was authentically his personal name. The rest of these names must be considered
titles which in accordance with ancient customs use names to describe his attributes
or his majestic position.

A single exception is ‘ELOHIM’ which has traditionally been interpreted as expressing

majesty when in actuality it indicates plurality.in a personal way which includes YHWH
in unity with a second party or parties other than himself.

Therefore, where (Elohim) originally appeared in the Genesis creation account,

(Gen. 1:1 – 2:4). It should not be rendered GOD, God, or (YHWH). It rightfully
appeared as ‘gods’ in a plural sense.

Only (YHWH) and (Elohim) can be seen as actual names. All the rest must
be considered ‘titles’ or descriptions of YHWH’s specific traits, qualities and character.

While these titles, even the appellation “God” may apply to different entities under
different conditions, the divine name is unique in all the universe, just as its bearer is.

However, as important as it is to know and use the divine name, it is far more important
to know what the name means, and just what it stands for. This takes us way
beyond it being a mere ‘identifier’ for the greatest personage in existence. It digs into
who he is, what he is and why he is what he is.

This takes us to Exodus 3:14, a single statement that summarizes everything YHWH
wants us to know about his name. As such, it is not a name, rather a description of a
quality uniquely his own, that is; Only He has always been(past), Always is (present),
and always will be (future), God Almighty. (Exodus 3:14,15)

With The expression “I Am” in verse 14 GOD sums up all he has ever been, all he is,
and all he ever will be, in a statement indicating his own complete and perfect
consistency. Yet, this is also a description, whereas in verse 15 he gives us what he
recognizes as his actual name; YHWH or the tetragrammaton.
 Exodus 3: 14 And Elohim said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE
WHAT I WILL BE; and He said; you shall say this to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you! 15
Elohim also said, "Tell them, YHWH', the Elohim of your ancestors -- the God of Abraham, the
God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob -- has sent me to you.' This will be my name forever; it has
always been my name, and it will be used throughout all generations. MTFV

InthecaseofYHWH,Godwehaveaversethatexemplifiesthemeaningbehindhisnameinasuperlativeway.
Exodus 3:14 And God said to Moses: . . . ”I AM WHO I AM”.” And He said, "Thus you shall
say to the children of Israel, “I AM” has sent me to you.' " NKJ
While some have construed this as another of God’s names, this is not what it is; It is a
summation of all that his name stands for. With those two simple words; “I AM”, God sums up
all that he has always been, all he is currently and all he will ever be in the future, in eternal
terms.
Certainly, if one wants to use a name for God Almighty, it is not only appropriate but necessary,
according to his will, to be correct and accurate as far as is possible. It is becomes a simple
matter of ‘truth’ or ‘falsehood’ in connection with his name. And we know certainly from
scripture, ‘truth matters with YHWH God.
ERV Zech. 8:16 But you must do this: Tell the truth to your neighbors. When you make decisions in your
cities, be fair and do what is right. Do what brings peace.
NLT John 4:24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

Why any need for the confusion generated by all the variables which have been used
for his name?

In each instance the characters expressed were; Hey - Vav -Hey-Yud.

They were both read and pronounced from right to left. Technically, since this is a graphic
symbol identifying God Almighty, there is no grant of license to reverse or change it as is the
case when phonetic words are transliterated into other languages. Whatever sounds were
attached to the above symbol allowing a correct phonetic pronunciation were lost to
conjecture. Nonetheless, despite not having a valid reason, the letters were transliterated
from HVHY and the closest English form we have today is YHWH. Notice, I did not say
Yahweh. Yahweh is just another form based on speculation as to what vowels might be
introduced when the reality is, they are unknown. Sources claim that the form YaWeH was first
introduced into use by the Masoretes between the 6th and the 10th Centuries CE. They
worked to reproduce the original text of the Hebrew Bible, replacing the vowels in HWHY‘
God’s name with the vowel signs of the Hebrew words Adonai or Elohim.

When his name migrated to other languages the word ‘Ehyeh’, considered by many
rabbinical scholars to be a first-person derivation of the Tetragrammaton, was the first to be
introduced. The oldest complete or nearly complete manuscripts of the Masoretic Text Hebrew
Bible with Tiberian vocalization, such as the Aleppo Codex and the Codex Leningradensis,
both of the 10th or 11th century CE, mostly write ‫( ה יה‬yehvah). Actually, one could make a
strong argument this is fairly close to Jehovah when transliterated into English.

So, the truth of the matter is;

No one today knows for sure how to pronounce the divine name and the graphic form of YHWH is as
accurate as HVHY. yet Yahweh and Yah and Jehovah and Jah have been the most widely accepted
forms of the name English speaking people identify with. These forms for Almighty God (‫) ה יה‬
are what they use when they pray to him or speak about him. Is it technically correct?

Perhaps not. However, we can be sure ‘GOD’ knows, who they are referring to when they use those
appellations. That being said, all the hoopla about exactly how the name should be seen is
exactly that, a bunch of hoopla which distracts people from what is most important about the
name.

Most importantly, is what it stands for and the meaning behind it. People get all bent out of
shape between ADONAI, GOD, LORD, God, Lord, THE WORD, EHYEH, ELOHIM, YAHWEH, YAH,
JAH, JEHOVAH, KURIOUS, and a plethora of accolades which while they are only titles,
applied to ( GOD) as names.

They think the way they pronounce or how they spell GOD’s name has something to do with how
he sees them as his worshippers. If that were so important to him, as God Almighty, he certainly has the
ability to instantaneously remove any question connected to how he wanted his name
pronounced. No , friends there is a greater issue here. That is that ignorance and confusion over
the spelling and pronunciation of God’s name has distracted humans away from what is
isreallythemost important aspect concerning his name.That is:the full and complex meaning behind it.
As a father of Five Children myself, I know full well that if one of them calls me “Dad’ and
another calls me ‘Pop’ and a third calls me ’Father’, as long as it is not intended as an insult, I will
never take offense. What they think of me as a father, knowing what I stand for and knowing
who I am, and their respect for me as the person I am, is far moreimportant to methan what name
they may call meby, providing it is not one which insults me.

Logic tells meour God is even more open minded than I am. What it comes down to as far as scripture
is concerned, it is not one’ s name that is of primary importance, rather, what it stands for and the
meaning behind it.

However, there is no acceptable excuse for not using the most correct form of God’s name.
available. Failing to do so is not only a dishonor to him but a failure to communicate the
fulness of meaning behind a name so exclusive not another entity in the entire universe
shares it. And this is, not to even mention the confusion multiple names for the same
personage causes.

Can you imagine what kind of confusion there would be if someone wanted to send you letters
addressed to 900 different variations of what your name was? This is what we have today. People who
do not know the personal name of God Almighty are not only ignorant of what the actual name
of the highest personage in the universe is, but also ignorant of what it stands for.
This is not to be unreasonable toward those who don’t know who GOD is, because there is a
reason for their ignorance. That reason is that there has been a well-orchestrated plan
implemented centuries ago to keep as much of the truth about God Almighty away from his
human family as possible. This plot to obscure truth about the creator began with an attack on
his name and his integrity thousands of years ago.
In the Garden of Eden an invisible intelligent creature slandered God’sHoly name by suggesting he
was a liar and that the meaning behind him and his name could not be relied upon as being
beneficial to the humanfamily.

This was not the only form of attack on God’s integrity and persona that he would be subjected to.
History shows there has been a relentless effort to de-name and defame God Almighty ever since,
in every way possible. This defamation has even reached to the heights where some people
claim; “There is no God” or “God is Dead”, or in complete contrast, “there are many Gods”,
(some religions number them in the thousands). Even in Christendom people typically confuse
who God really is. Some say “God isGod.” Even though god is only a title and not a name.
Others say he is some sort of three headed entity named “the Holy Trinity’. Still others say he
is Jesus Christ.

How bizarre is this? Can you as a logical person ever imagine that your own father or mother is
actually you?

Ask yourself; How would you or your own father and mother feel if people you knew and
respected used every other name, they could think of other than their real name to address
them? And then on top of that speak endless lies about them and their real nature. The
point is a seemingly endless number of identities has been assigned to the True God
without his consent. This continues to be one more link in an endless chain of distractions
from arriving at the truth YHWH has inspired as Holy Scripture. YHWH GOD certainly had
something to say about this in his own word, the Holy Bible.

While using false or inappropriate forms of God’s name is undoubtedly unacceptable to him,
and we certainly don’t want to offend him, the one major point we may take out of all this
information, is to concentrate on and focus on the meaning behind God’s name rather than the
mechanics we use in expressing it. For the meaning behind his name has far more to do with
our salvation than the way we pronounce it.

Yet in honoring what YHWH stands for and the concept of truth he has instilled in us, we
ought to use his name as accurately and correctly as is possible.

This would lead to the suggestion we get over any hair spitting discussion about how the name is
pronounced and concentrate fully on scriptural truth, and the enlightenment true believers can
benefit by under his name and encourage one another with that. Never losing sight of the fact
that YHWH GOD is the creator and source of all life to ever have existed and as such he certainly
deserves to have his name used correctly in recognition of all it stands for.