Y’SHUA

THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES

“Oh magnify the LORD with me,

And let us exalt His Name together.”

(Psalm 34:3)

 

CONTENTS

PART ONE. The Name Above All Names

   1    The Name I Love  

   2    What is Our Father’s Name?       

   3    The Sacred Name  

   4    YHVH/YHWH    

   5    YAH           

   6    Where Did Jehovah Come From?          

   7    Isn’t “Father” Enough?    

   8    The Pronunciation

   9    Why the Substitution?      

10     The Conspiracy Against the Name         

11     What is His Son’s Name? 

12     Y’shua        

13     What About the Name Immanuel?         

14     And What of the Word, Messiah?          

15     Jesus is a transliteration of Y’shua

16     A Natural Response

17     Why has the Name Changed so Much?  

18     Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Marathi      

19     Why Confuse the People? 

20     Yahweh in the New Testament    

21     Love for the Name

 

PART TWO. The Original Hebrew Names & Titles of God

                     This Study  

   1    El, Elah, Eloah, Elohim, El Elyon,

   2    El Shaddai,

   3    Adonai        

   4    Yahweh      

   5    Yahweh Yireh        

   6    Yahweh Rofekha   

   7    Yahweh Nissi         

   8    Yahweh M’Kadesh           

   9    Yahweh Shalom    

10     Yahweh Tzidkeinu

11     Yahweh Ro-ee       

12     Yahweh Shammah

SUPPLEMENT

           “Yah” and “El” in Hebrew Names       

 

---

 

PART ONE

 

1.  THE NAME I LOVE

By  DON  E  STANTON

There is a Name I love to hear,

I love to speak its worth,

It sounds like music in my ear,

The sweetest Name on earth.

“Therefore (because He stooped so low), God exalted Him to the highest place, and gave Him THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME that at the Name of Y’shua every knee should bow - in heaven and on earth and under the earth - and every tongue confess that Y’shua the Messiah is Lord (the Heavenly Master), to the glory of YHWH, God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11) 

THE NAME I dearly love – the Name I love more than any other name, is not my own name, it is not my wife’s name, nor my son’s name. It’s not the name of a friend, or someone whom I greatly admire. It is the Name of my FATHER - my HEAVENLY FATHER. And my Father’s Name is also included in the Name of His beloved Son - my SAVIOUR - a fact that gives the Son’s Name such a significant meaning, and such sweet fragrance.

Many believers have discovered the real, authentic Name of the Heavenly Father. Of course, it has always been there - but it has been long neglected or covered up.

Personally, in discovering the original, revealed Name, I have come to understand in a new and deeper way, the unity of the Father’s Name and the Son’s Name. With that discovery, there has come also a deep love - a love that makes me want to tell everyone about that wonderful Name. In the words of my Saviour . . .

“I WILL DECLARE YOUR NAME TO MY BRETHREN,

IN THE MIDST OF THE CONGREGATION

I WILL SING YOUR PRAISE.” (Hebrews 2:12)

For years I was content to call my Father and my Saviour by the various accepted English titles and substitutes - God, Jehovah, Jesus, Lord, Christ. Then I discovered that these are not the ORIGINAL NAMES of the Father and the Son. God, Lord and Christ, are, in fact, descriptive TITLES, and they are titles that need to be defined, for in the world there are “gods many,” and “lords many” - and especially these days, there are many “Christs.” (1 Corinthians 8:5. Matthew 24:5)

Christians insist rightly, of course, that there is only one true Lord; there’s only one true God - the Almighty. But other religions also use the terms “Lord”, “God”, and “Almighty” in referring to their gods. Therefore we must define what we mean when using these terms - not for our own sake, merely, but for the Truth’s sake. Indeed, the eternal destiny of many, depends upon it - the Truth!

Normally we describe the attributes of the One we believe to be “The Lord”; and in so doing, we usually fail to mention His Name. Some even feel that the Almighty God is too big to have a Name, and that it is quite sufficient to refer to Him simply as “God,” “Lord,” or “Lord God.”

In the Preface to its 1973 edition, the Revised Standard Version (1946), expresses this idea when it comments on the Name of God: “(1) the word ‘Jehovah’ does not accurately represent any form of the Name ever used in Hebrew; and, (2) the use of any proper name for the one and only God, as though there were other gods from whom He had to be distinguished, was discontinued in Judaism before the Christian era, and it is entirely inappropriate for the universal faith of the Christian Church.”

Point one is true. “Jehovah” is not a correct form of God’s Name. Point two however, is not true!

The ancient Hebrews, several hundred years before Messiah came, began to refrain from speaking the Name out of extreme reverence for the Name. They used the words Adonai (Lord), or Ha Shem (the Name), in its place. But the Name was WRITTEN, and still is, in the Hebrew Bible. And to maintain that it is inappropriate for God to have a Name in the Christian Church, is absurd! There is not one man on earth who does not have a name. And if there is not a single known species of insect that does not have a name, why should God not have a Name? And certainly the true God MUST be distinguished from the multiplicity of so-called gods. They are false, of course, but to the peoples of the nations they are real. Hindi gods are also referred to as God with a capital G.

It is because of the “God-is-too-big-for-a-Name” attitude that many Christians have defaulted, and settled for using the titles “Lord” and “God” as substitutes for His real Name. It’s like saying, about a human father, “Oh, I’m not sure what my father’s name is. I just call him ‘Daddy’.”

Our Heavenly Father DOES have a Name - a Name of which He Himself has declared, “This is My Name forever.” That Name is written in the Hebrew Bible 6,855 times. But the Christian Church has largely been robbed of the Name.

 

2.  WHAT IS OUR FATHER’S NAME?

In the Book of Proverbs we read this provoking question:

“Who has ascended into heaven and descended?

Who has gathered the wind in His fists?

Who has wrapped the waters in His garments?

Who has established all the ends of the earth?

What is His Name, or His Son’s Name?

Surely you know!”  (Proverbs 30:4)

Yes, surely all Christians know their Father’s Name! They pray often enough, “Hallowed be Thy Name.” They sing, “Glorify Thy Name in all the earth,” and often claim they are willing to live or die for His NAME. But what that Name is, they are not quite sure.

I once asked a Pastor, “What is your Heavenly Father’s Name?” He thought for some time, and shook his head . . . and then suddenly he said, “Oh, you mean Jehovah?”  He was not quite sure if that was an appropriate answer.

Some will say, “Well, God and the Son, between them, have more than 300 titles or names. So why should we emphasize one particular name?”

Another pastor I asked, said, “Why break your head about God’s Name? The Bible tells you clearly in Psalm 83:18, ‘That they may know that Thou alone, whose name is the LORD, art the Most High over all the earth.’ And it is also in Isaiah 42:8: ‘I am the LORD, that is My Name’.”

I asked him, “Why is LORD in these verses spelt with CAPITAL letters?” He replied, “It’s because the Name LORD is very important.”

“Well, His Name is indeed very important,” I replied, “but LORD is not His Name. The reason why LORD is spelt with capitals in most English Bibles, is because it is to indicate that ‘LORD’ is a substitution for the actual, original Hebrew Name.” (You can check that out in the Forward of most English Bibles.)

Another verse of the Bible (AV) says, “Holy and Reverend is His Name.” And yet I have never heard anyone addressing the Father as “Reverend.” Have you? Yet another verse says His Name is “Jealous.” (Exodus 34:14).  But these are descriptive titles - not His actual Name.

 

3.  THE SACRED NAME

The Name we are talking about has not been created by people. It has been revealed by the Most High Himself. It is a Name conveyed in Hebrew, but it is a Name above all languages.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are quick to tell you that they are the only people who are called by God’s Name. Mistakenly they have fiercely embraced “Jehovah” - a false rendition of God’s Name.

Yes, it’s true, the King James Bible uses the word Jehovah eight times. And the American Standard Bible of 1901 used Jehovah thousands of times, throughout the Old Testament, as also did the 1890 JN Darby translation. But the New American Standard, the New English Bible, the New King James Bible, and the New International Bible, totally reject the word Jehovah. (I am not inferring that the four NEW translations are necessarily more correct than the earlier versions. But they are correct in rejecting ‘Jehovah’ as a correct form of God’s Name).

Earlier I quoted from the RSV preface, which says Jehovah does not accurately represent the Name used in Hebrew.

A quote, from “A Dispensational Theology”, by Charles F Baker (Grace Bible College Publications, Grand Rapids, USA), p.144: “Most lexicons prefer the English transliteration, Yahweh, as a more accurate rendering than Jehovah.”

From where then did the word Jehovah come?  It is said to be derived from the actual Name which is used in the Hebrew Bible. That is partly true. It’s actually a hybrid (mixed) word. I’ll explain this shortly.  First let us check out ....

 

4.  WHAT IS THE REAL NAME?

The Name is used 6,855 times in the Hebrew Bible, and it is written as:

 

 This word is comprised of four consonants, which transliterate into the Roman/English alphabet as . . .

YHVH.

And because the Hebrew “v” in the middle of a word is pronounced as “w”, the four consonants are usually written

YHWH.

In early Hebrew writing, vowels were not written; and therefore many have believed the word cannot be pronounced. That is not so. The Name could be, and was, pronounced. Moses proclaimed that Name to the people of Israel in Egypt, as commanded by the LORD. And our Saviour proclaimed that Name to His disciples: “I have made Your Name known to them.” (John 17:26)

Let’s turn to Exodus, to the record of Moses and the Burning Bush. You will remember how God spoke to Moses out of the bush, and commissioned him to go to Pharaoh and secure the release of the Hebrew nation:

“Then Moses said to God, “Behold, when I come to the sons of Israel, and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?”

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “This is what you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you’.”

And God also said to Moses, “Thus shall you say to the sons of Israel, ‘The LORD (YHWH), the God of your fathers, 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 MY MEMORIAL NAME TO ALL GENERATIONS (by this Name I am to be remembered from generation to generation)’.” (Exodus 3:13-15)

Verse 14 seems to suggest that God’s Name is ‘I AM.’ And we do right to include ‘I AM’ in the long list of God’s attributes. But ‘I AM’ is not actually His Name. The expression ‘I AM WHO I AM’ (“ehyeh asher ehyeh” in Hebrew), has also been translated “I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE,” and it implies the eternal, independent existence of the Most High.

When God said, “Say I AM sent you,” He was declaring that He is the eternal, self-existent One.” But after these two “I AM” expressions, the actual Name YHWH is revealed. (verse 15).

In most English Bibles the Name is written as LORD. (Remember, LORD is written in capitals to indicate that it is a substitution for YHWH). Verse 15 should actually read;

“You shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘YHWH, the God of your fathers, 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 My Memorial-Name to all generations.”

There are several Hebrew verbs which mean “to be, to become, to exist” - HAWA, HAYAH and HAVAH. Another close word is HAYAH, meaning “to live”. These words also give an indication of the meaning of YHWH - the One who eternally exists. (H is a guttural h sound. It is often written as Ch, or Kh).

A footnote in The Tanakh, an English translation of the Old Testament by the Jewish Publishing House, New York, says YHWH is derived from the word “hayah.” The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament” (Harris, Archer and Waltke, 1980, Moody Press, Chicago) says the Name may be derived from “hawa” an older form and rare synonym of “hayah.”

Notice the endings of these four Hebrew verbs, haYAH, haVAH, haWA and haYAH. YAH and VAH/WAH are believed, by some researchers, to be the syllables that are combined to form the Name, YHWH - YAHWAH or YAHWEH.

There has been much research and debate, by both Jews and Christians, on the Name and its origin. The etymology (root) of the Name, however, has not been conclusively proven. Most modern Bible notes and commentaries refer to YHWH, the sacred Memorial Name, as YAHWEH. They believe this is correct, but most seem reluctant to use the Name extensively, as it was used in the original Hebrew Bible. One reason may be that to do so would mean undoing the mistake of centuries and totally rejecting the word “Jehovah.” And that would offend many who still highly regard the hybrid word. But the time has come for believers who love truth, to prayerfully consider the sacred Name.  Let us do so sincerely and reverently.

This may all seem very complicated, and mysterious. And, of course, there should be something very profound about the Name of the Most High. It certainly is the most HOLY Name in Heaven or on Earth. But actually, the Sacred Name is one of the simplest words to speak. Even a baby would quickly speak the word if it were taught. I  believe  God  has  deliberately  made  His  Name  simple  and  easy  to  pronounce  -  Ya-we.

5.  YAH  

All my readers will recognise, I believe, the first syllable of the holy Name - YAH. This is used in the word hallelujah - which should, of course, be written halleluYah, and pronounced hallelu-Yah. No one pronounces the word with a ‘jah’ on the end. Many people pronounce it as halleluyaa (especially in songs). But it is not a long yaa; it’s a short yah. Test yourself. How do you pronounce hallelujah - in speaking, and in singing?

YAH is the short form of our Father’s Name. It is used 49 times in the Old Testament, but most English Bibles substitute Yah also with LORD. The old King James Bible, in one of the 49 references (yes, only one), uses the Name Yah, but prints it as Jah:

“Sing unto God, sing praises to His Name: extol Him who rides upon the heavens by His Name JAH, and rejoice before Him.” (Psalm 68:4 KJV)

The New King James Bible correctly transliterates the Name as YAH. But neither of the versions are consistent. If Jah is correct once, then why not use it in all 49 places? If Yah is correct, then why not use it consistently in all the places?

The Hebrew word YAH is used, for example, in Exodus 15:2, but both old and new King James versions, and most English translations, simply use the word LORD (capitals indicating the substitution).

“I will sing to the LORD,

For He has triumphed gloriously!

The hose and its rider He has thrown into the sea!”

The correct translation is, “I will sing to Yah . . .”

“YAH” is precious and sacred, being a component of Yahweh. It is the short form of our Father’s Name. HalleluYah, by the way, does not mean “Praise the Lord.” It means “Praise Yah.” So whenever you sing or speak “halleluYah”, remember, you are uttering the short form of the sacred, memorial Name of your Heavenly Father. Use the word, by all means, but use it reverently.  “Hallowed be Your Name.”

Some time ago I was encouraged by a report that said a fellowship in Jerusalem had a powerful visitation of the Holy Spirit recently. The verse that brought a great awareness of God’s Presence was the verse quoted above - Psalms 68:4: Here is a more correct, modern version:

“Sing to God, sing praises to His Name.:

Extol Him who rides upon the heavens - His Name is YAH - 

and rejoice before Him.”

A deep and new awareness of the significance of the Name Yah came upon that fellowship, and thereafter they began emphasising this short form of Yahweh.

The missionaries who gave me the report also mentioned that this short form, Yah, is now being spoken in some Jewish synagogues.

 

6.  WHERE DID “JEHOVAH” COME FROM?

“Jehovah” is supposed to be a transliteration of YHVH. No! Jehovah is not a correct transliteration of the Hebrew word. It is a hybrid, crossed word. The Jews were only partly responsible for its creation. As explained earlier, they ceased speaking the Name, even though YHWH was still used in the text. They spoke the word Adonai (Lord) instead; but they dared not remove the Name YHWH from the Scriptures.

Originally, Hebrew writing did not have vowels indicated.  But the Masorites, about the 9th century A.D., began to use vowel signs. In the Scriptures they marked the word YHVH with the vowels of the word Adonai - not to create a new word, but to indicate that Adonai was to be spoken. They were certainly not seeking to make a vocalised word to use instead of Yahweh. They already had the substitute word  -  Adonai.

The anglicized word ‘Jehovah’ was created in the 16th century, by Christians who read the consonants YHVH which now contained the vowels of Adonai, and mistakenly believed the word was Yehovah. This became Jehovah when J was added to the English alphabet. Thereafter the word gained wide acceptance. It was quite popular in the 19th century, being used widely by Bible scholars including J N Darby. But now the mistake has been recognised, and the word Jehovah is being largely rejected.

The question comes up then; Why did the great Bible scholars of the last century continue to use the hybrid word Jehovah? Surely they could see that it was not correct!

The answer, I believe, is that reformation comes step by step. And when certain truths are being discovered, other important truths are often overlooked. While Luther was discovering Justification by Faith, he could not see the truth of the Rapture, or the fact that Israel would be saved - even though both are quite clear in Scripture.

While John Wesley was powerfully preaching the new birth and sanctification, he could not see any need for believers’ baptism. While Calvin was writing on the Sovereignty of God, he could not see any particular need to emphasize the filling of the Holy Spirit. And while the early Brethren were discovering what the true church was, and the priesthood of all believers, they did not see any need to make a fuss about the accurate, original Name of YHWH.

Today we have the privilege of building on the many doctrines discovered or emphasized by the various reformers and by later scholars of the Word. We are able to prayerfully compare reformed doctrines with the Word, and to cleave to what is good and Scriptural, and abhor what is evil or false. (Romans 12:9). And that is what I ask my readers to do concerning this subject of the revealed, original Names of God.

 

7.  ISN’T “FATHER” ENOUGH?

Some believers have said to me, “But when we address our Father, we don’t call Him by His personal Name. We just call Him, Father.”

Well, I’m glad they admit that the Almighty does have a personal Name. But what they are really meaning, I feel, is, “Let’s not speak His Name - in case we’ve got it wrong.”  (Strange! When ‘Jehovah’ was an accepted Name, there was no problem in using it. But the hesitation arises when we come to the authentic Name).

Yes, we call Him, “Our Father.” Our Saviour taught us to pray, “Our Father, You who are in heaven; hallowed be Your Name.” But we should know His Name, and we should be able to explain to another person, who our Father is; what His Name is; and what it means.  The Messiah Jesus did!

We do need to teach the holy Name - the One used 6,855 times in the Old Testament. And we need to teach deep reverence for that sacred Name.

 

8.  THE PRONUNCIATION

Orthodox Jews believe that only Messiah will be able to accurately pronounce the Name. That may be so. But there is a precious prophecy that says:

“Therefore MY PEOPLE SHALL KNOW MY NAME;

therefore in that day they will know that it is ‘I AM’ who is speaking.

Yes, it is I!”   (Isaiah 52:6)

Here again the Name YHWH is related to the eternal existence of the Great I AM. So the pronunciation should be close to that of the verbs “to be, to become, to live, to exist.”

The New American Standard Bible says in its preface: “It is known that for many years YHWH has been transliterated as Yahweh. No complete certainty attaches to this pronunciation.”

There is no problem for most of us in pronouncing the first syllable, YH. This is spelt and pronounced Yah, as in the word “halleluYah.” So we are accustomed to this usage, at least.  It is the second syllable, WH, that presents some uncertainty. Is the vowel a or e? Is the syllable vah, wah, or weh?

This uncertainty is because the etymology (root) of the word is not absolutely clear. The Name is believed to be derived from the verbs “hawa”, “havah” (to be, become), and “hayah” (to live, to have life). But the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament suggests that YHWH may not actually be derived from “hawa,” but could be from an old word of unknown origin, which sounded something like what the verb “hawa” sounded in Moses’ day.

The pronunciation and even the writing has changed at different periods. At the end of the O.T. period, it was written YHW and read as Yahu or Yaho as in names like Shemayahu or Yahozadek. But these are clearly abbreviated forms.

The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (Moody Press) says, “There  is a problem with the pronunciation “Yahweh.” It is a strange combination of old and late elements . . .  the ‘w’  of Yahweh represents a pre-mosaic pronunciation, but the final ‘eh’ represents probably a post-Davidic form.” (page 210 under “hawa.”)

So there is a little uncertainty with “Yahweh.” Another possible pronunciation is Yahwah. This is very close to the verbs to be, to live, and it is considered by some researchers, to be the closest we might come to the correct pronunciation, at this time. But Yahweh is the most generally-accepted English spelling of the Name.

The second syllable, I believe, is a short, soft, WEH. From my research on the Name, I have come to believe the Name YHWH is pronounced YAH-WEH - not Yahwear, Yahway, or Yahvar, or Yahwaar.

If we are incorrect on the pronunciation, our Father will reveal it in due time. In the meantime, we need not make a big issue of whether the Name is Yahweh or Yahwah. Both are genuine attempts to transcribe the original, sacred Name into Roman/English letters. (It is very much like trying to decide which is more correct - Immanuel or Emmanuel).

From this point on, I will be using the letters YHWH in any Bible quotations where the Name is used (as in the Hebrew Bible). Elsewhere I will be referring to Yahweh (YHWH with the vowels added), to emphasize that the Name can, and may, be pronounced.

 

9.  WHY THE SUBSTITUTION?

The Name Yahweh is used 6,855 times in the Hebrew Bible, and yet in most English Bibles, it is rendered simply as LORD. Why this consistent substitution? Is there something wrong with the original Name?  No!  Is there some command that we must not pronounce the Name?  No!  Is it because the Name only fits into the Hebrew language?  No!

The reason for the virtual elimination of the Father’s authentic Name was, FEAR and TRADITION.

The Jews in late Old Testament times developed an extreme reverential fear of pronouncing the Name, for the Third Commandment forbade the taking of the Name of Yahweh in vain (Exodus 20:7). And in Leviticus we also read:

“And you shall not swear by My Name falsely, so as to profane the Name of your God; I am YHWH .... nor shall you profane the Name of your God; I am YHWH.”  (Leviticus 19:12.  18:21)

There was an automatic death penalty upon anyone profaning the Name of Yahweh. (There is a case mentioned in Leviticus 24:11-23 of a man who was stoned to death for blaspheming the Name). But none of these commands forbade the speaking of the Name. On the contrary, the Jews were to swear by the Name of Yahweh (Deuteronomy. 6:13; 10:20). But to swear (to take an oath) by that Name FALSELY, was the most wicked form of taking His Name in vain.

The Name of Yahweh was not even to be taken lightly, or carelessly. It was to be spoken reverently. But the Jews, after the time of David, fearing that they might inadvertently profane His Name, referred to the Almighty, the God of Israel, by the title Adonai (Lord), or Ha Shem (The Name).

Adonai is used hundreds of times in the Old Testament, and it is translated in the English Bibles as Lord (but not in all capitals).

When the Hebrew Scriptures were read by the Jews, the word YHWH was rendered as ADONAI. Thus the Name Yahweh was eliminated from spoken Hebrew. But in writing it was YHWH.

In the second century B.C., the Old Testament was translated into Greek for the sake of the Jews living in Alexandria (Egypt) and elsewhere in the Greek world. But instead of transliterating YHWH into the Greek alphabet, the translators decided to write the sacred Name in Hebrew letters.

For Greeks, of course, those letters were unpronounceable, and in fact, were a puzzle to them. Not even the Jews would tell them how to pronounce it. And as the Jews were using the substitute, Adonai, it seemed perfectly legitimate to use the Greek word kurios - a translation of Adonai – to replace YHWH. In the same way, the word ‘Lord’, a translation of both kurios and adonai, has long since been adopted in the English world. Thus the “Name” of God became fixed as Adonai, Kurios, Lord, Prabhu, and “Lord” in whatever language was written or spoken.

(We do not object to a translation of TITLES, such as Adonai. But we should object to any change or elimination of the original Name.)

The Jews today still call God by the title of Adonai, as though it were His Name. English-speaking Christians, likewise refer to the Almighty as God or Lord, as though they were His original memorial Names.

The Jews, however, do know that God does have an actual Name. They refer to it as HA SHEM - “The Name” - the Name they do not pronounce. (But they dare not change the letters YHWH in the Hebrew Bible. To do so would be to “take away My Name”; and that would be the equivalent of blasphemy.)

Orthodox Jews today will not even pronounce the word GOD in English. They write it as G-D. This is of course, a mistaken practice.

Many Christians, because of lack of clear teaching on the Name, often respond, “Oh, I thought “God” was His Name.”  No!  God is not our Father’s Name. It is a title for who He is.

There are several words used in Hebrew, which are translated “God,” “god,” or “gods” - el, elah, eloah, and elohim (the last being plural form). Each of these words are used to refer to the God of Israel, the Almighty, but they are also used to refer to the gods of the nations, in the same way as God/god/gods are used in English.

That seems very strange, doesn’t it? But it underscores the fact that “God” is not a Name, even though we may spell it with a capital G. “God” or “god” basically means, “an object of worship.”

In English, since the establishment of Christianity, “God” with a capital G has come to mean the Almighty, our Creator and Redeemer. It has become established in our minds and concepts as such. We use “God” as an equivalent of “El Shaddai” - the Hebrew expression meaning God Almighty.

This title, El Shaddai, is used in Exodus 6:2-3. The New American Standard reads:

“God spoke further to Moses and said to him, ‘I am the LORD; and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known to them.”

That does not make too much sense. It sounds like “Lord” was an unknown, secret Name. The word Adonai is not once used in the verse. Using the original Names, and a more correct translation, we can understand this passage more clearly:

“Elohim spoke further to Moses and said to him, ‘I am YHWH; and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as El Shaddai, and by My Name, YHWH, did I not make Myself known to them’?”

To the Bible believer, “God” means El Shaddai. But to non-believers, and to people of the many religions of the world, “God” can mean anything from “a mouse” to “the Universe.” It depends on one’s concept. It is anything that is worshipped; or alternatively, it can be “The Force,” which does not need to be worshipped. The New Age Movement, for example, says “God is the sum total of all that exists.”  That is not our BIBLE definition!

Eastern religions say, “God is One. Call him/her by any name, and he/she will still be the same.”

That is not my belief! My God, my Father is the Almighty Creator, and the Source of all life and intelligence. And He has a personal Name - a Name which He Himself

has revealed –

  - YHWH/Yahweh, the Great I AM,

the eternally self-existent One, the One who was, and is, and is to come, the Beginning and the Ending. He is the Most High. He is the Light, the Life, the Truth. He is Holiness, He is Love, He is Righteousness. And He has several hundred titles which describe His attributes.

But He is not “X Y Z” (anything you like to imagine, or call Him)! He is what He has revealed - and indeed, much more. He is indeed, far more than we can presently comprehend. But for all that has been revealed, and for the grace and ability to understand that revelation, we can reverently proclaim - HalleluYAH!

 

10.  THE CONSPIRACY AGAINST THE NAME

In Jeremiah 23 we read that Yahweh had a controversy with certain prophets concerning His Name. Through Jeremiah, El Shaddai declared:

“‘Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so that I cannot see him?’ declares YHWH. ‘Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?’ declares YHWH.

‘I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy falsely in My Name, saying, “I had a dream, I had a dream!”

‘How long will this continue in the hearts of the prophets who prophesy falsehood, and who are prophets of deception and of the delusion of their own minds; who TRY TO MAKE MY PEOPLE FORGET MY NAME by their dreams which they relate to one another, just as THEIR FATHERS FORGOT MY NAME BECAUSE OF BAAL?’” (Jeremiah 23:24-27)

The false prophets were subtly and deliberately eliminating the Name of Yahweh and all it stood for. Already the practice of substituting Adonai for YHWH had been established, and now the false prophets were equating Adonai with Baal.

Eliminate the genuine Name and soon anything can be used in its place. This is what is happening in “the church” today, where the Name of Yahweh has been eliminated, and where the very general titles - God and Lord - are used as though they were the Names of the Almighty. Now, tragically, “God” and “Lord” are being equated with “Siva,” “Buddha,” and “Allah.” This is now happening in parts of the church in India.

There is indeed an age-long satanic conspiracy to eliminate the Name of Yahweh, and the Name of His Son, our Saviour. Satan cannot destroy the Name, but he has succeeded in persuading God’s people to forget the Name. By encouraging the use of variants and substitutions, he causes the original Names to be forgotten. And just as the Name of the Father has been forgotten, the original Name of the Son, our Saviour, has been forgotten.

 

11.  WHAT IS HIS SON’S NAME?

I ask different Christians, “What is your Saviour’s Name?” One says ‘Jesus,’ another says ‘Yesu.’ A third says Jisu, while others say Isua, Isa, Yeshu, Yeshua, Yahshua, Yisu, Iesous, Jesu, and even Jeezis.

Strange, isn’t it? Why all the variations? Sounds like the translators were not quite sure what His Name really was, and that they did not have any original manuscript to examine.  What is the correct form?

Somebody says, “It doesn’t matter - they are all translations of the original Name.”

So I ask, “What right do you have to translate the Name?” A name should be the same in ALL languages. Isn’t George Bush, George Bush in all languages? You don’t call him George Bushes in French, Gorj Bushanoffski in Russia, or Georgeous Shrub in Australia!

Some of my readers ask, “Does it really matter?  They are just different spellings in different languages!”

Well, my dear reader, YOUR name is important to YOU, isn’t it? And if I spell your name wrong on your address label, you notice it; and if you are like most everyone else in the world, you don’t like it spelt wrong. Myself included! For one reason, important letters, if mispelt, may go astray. Recently I received two letters, one addressed to Don Estantoni, and the other one to Done Station. The first expression makes me feel like a Spaniard with Italian blood (which I’m not); and the second name makes me feel like a dilapidated railway platform. I laughed. But actually, down inside me, I was not amused!

A name is a NAME. And if our own names are important to each one of us, and if we don’t like our names being changed, why should we say, “it hardly matters” when it comes to the divine Names?

The original form of a name is the most authentic.

You ask, “What then, is the original Name of our Saviour?”

 

                    12.  Y’SHUA

 

The Name of the Saviour is the Name that the Father has given Him; the Name which Joseph was told to call Him.

“And she will give birth to a Son; and you shall call His name Y’shua, for it is He who will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

“Someone will say, “But that’s wrong. The angel told him to call Him Jesus.”

Sorry! Jesus is an “English form.” The angel was not speaking English. He was speaking Hebrew, to Joseph, a Hebrew; and the Hebrew Name of our Saviour is Y’shua. This is the original Name, and it is very precious to those who value genuine and authentic forms, and to those who love to know the meaning of names - particularly  HIS  Name.  In  Exodus 23,  Yahweh said:

“Behold, I am going to send an Angel before you to guard you along the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. Pay attention to Him and obey His voice; do not  rebel against Him, for He will not pardon your transgression, for MY NAME IS IN HIM.”  (Exodus 23:20-21)

There are actually two ‘angels’ (messengers) implied in this promise. The first was the human leader who led the people of Israel into the promised land - Joshua. The second was the spiritual ‘Angel of the Lord,’ Y’shua the Messiah (the Anointed, pre-incarnate Son of Yahweh).

Paul explains that the Messiah was with the people of Israel in the wilderness, and that they all drank from a spiritual rock that followed them - “and that rock was Christ (Messiah).” (1 Corinthians 10:4)

Y’shua, in spirit, led the people of Israel into the promised land, filling Joshua with wisdom and power. (see Deut.34:9; 31:3, 23; 32:3-4).

And the Name of Yahweh is in both Joshua and Y’shua. Let me explain.

Joshua’s original name was Hoshua (also spelt Hoshea, Hoshua, or Oshea) which means salvation, but Moses changed his name. He prefixed Y’ to Hoshua, making the new name, Y’hoshua, and thereby declaring that Yahweh is Salvation (Numbers 13:16). (Remember, in Hebrew,  Y’ = Yah = Yahweh).

As in all the Hebrew names beginning with Y’, this first letter is pronounced quickly, and with it, a very short vowel is produced It is called a “half vowel,” and it sounds almost like a short e. The Theological Word Book of the Old Testament gives the pronunciation of Y’hoshua as y^ehoshua. Usually it is spelt with a full e - Yehoshua.

Y’hoshua has been contracted to Y’shua (the post-exilic form of the name.) And this is the Name given to our Saviour. The meaning of Y’shua then is the same as Y’hoshua - “Yahweh is salvation.” The Y’ in both names stands for Yah. Thus the short form of the Father’s Name, is in both Y’hoshua and Y’shua.

(Y’ prefixes many Hebrew names such as Y’hudah (Judah); and Yah is added to the end of many names such as EliYahu (Elijah) - see supplement at the end of this book. But the full Name of Yahweh is never attached to Bible names.)

There are two Hebrew words that are very close to the Name Y’shua - “yeshuah” and “yesha” - both meaning ‘salvation,’ or ‘save.’ But Y’shua means more than salvation - it means “Yahweh is salvation,” or “Yahweh - the eternally existing One - saves.” Thus Miryam’s (Mary’s) Baby was called Y’shua. The angel said to Joseph, “For it is He who will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) 

The spelling of Y’shua, in early Hebrew, is as it is on the front cover of this book:

 

 

(Those four odd-shaped Hebrew letters pictured above are rather unique. They are a photographic reproduction of the word Y’shua which was engraved on a First Century AD ossuary which was discovered in recent times, in a rock-cut tomb in the vicinity of Jerusalem. In Jewish burial in those times, the bones of the deceased were collected exactly one year after his death and re-interred in an ossuary - a small container carved from stone. These containers were usually decorated with geometric or other designs, and often inscribed with the name of the deceased.

The ossuary recently discovered with the name of Y’shua, of course, was not a box containing the bones of our Saviour. Y’shua rose from the dead, and did not leave any bones behind to be interred! But the ossuary was evidently that of a believer; the Name of his Saviour inscribed on the outside.)

These four letters are Yod Sheen Wah Ayin. (Ayin is a silent consonant, which has only a breathing sound.) The unwritten vowels are oo and ar. The pronunciation has an accent on shu: 

Ye–SHU-wa

An accepted, and probably the best, spelling (in English) is Y’SHUA. But we often find two alternate spellings:

1. Yeshua (Ye is a vocalisation of Y’). This is a late spelling, after vowels were indicated along with the consonants. Although widely used, I do not prefer this spelling because it often leads to a wrong pronunciation. Unless they have learnt the correct pronunciation, most English people naturally pronounce it as Yesh-u-a, rhyming with Joshua. That’s wrong! The accent should be on SHU. Another disadvantage with the ‘Ye’ spelling is that it obscures the meaning of Y’.

2. Yahshua (Yah is the meaning of Y’). We don’t actually find the Name written this way in Scripture, but Y’ definitely stands for Yah. This form shows the meaning of the Name, and the Father’s Name in the Son. But one disadvantage with this spelling is that it also can cause a wrong pronunciation. The tendency is to say a long Yah (even Yaar), and to end up with  YARSH-u-a. That’s wrong!

So the best spelling, I believe, is Y’SHUA. True, the apostrophe (which indicates the half vowel) may cause a temporary confusion for some, but once explained it is not a big thing. And sure, the Name should be explained. Actually this should have been taught everywhere in Sunday School. But it hasn’t been! It is because the church, for centuries, has been content with the faulty transliterations of the Name, which they considered just as good as the original (if not better!).

The time has now come for a restoration of the original, authentic Names! And I believe the Father is doing this all over the world.

 

13.  WHAT ABOUT THE NAME IMMANUEL?

Some will ask, “Isn’t Immanuel the Saviour’s Name?”

Let’s clarify this point! In Matthew 1, the angel of Yahweh commanded Joseph to call the Baby Y’shua. But then Matthew comments, quoting the prophecy in Isaiah:

“All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and will give birth to a Son, and they shall call His Name Immanu’el;’ which translated means, ‘God with us’.” (Matthew 1:22-23)

It is clear from the passage that Joseph was not commanded to call Mary’s Baby Immanuel. This was a Name that would become attached to the Person of Y’shua the Messiah.  “They shall call His Name Immanu’el.”

 

14.  AND WHAT OF THE WORD MESSIAH?

“The Messiah” is a very specific title given by God to the Person of Y’shua. In Hebrew the title is HA MASHIACH. (Pronunciation: ma-shee-ah;  the ch or h is gutteral).

Mashiach/Messiah means “THE ANOINTED.” This word is used 37 times in the OT, and is mostly translated as “Anointed” - referring to Saul, and David, “The LORD’s Anointed.” (Once, Cyrus, the Persian Ruler, is also called “His anointed” - Isaiah 45:1.)

Mashiach is transliterated twice as Messiah, in Daniel 9:25, 26, where it is referring to the future Messiah.  

In the NT Greek text, Messias is used twice - John 1:41 and 4:25. At first it seems strange that this important title, Messiah” is used only four times in our English Bibles. But the word “Christ” actually means “Messiah,” as John indicates in those two verses. And “Christ” is used more than 350 times in the New Testament

The Greek New Testament uses the word Christos - a word derived from the Greek verb chrio - for Mashiach. Chrio had to do with the anointing of kings and high priests in the Greek world, similar to the anointing of Saul and David.

Christos is not actually a name; it is a special descriptive title -  The Anointed.

Chrio is used in the five verses that speak of Y’shua’s anointing. (Lk 4:18; Acts 4:47, 10:38; 2 Cor 1:21; Heb 1:9).  (The anointing that believers have, 1 John 2:27, is a different word – chrisma.)

The Name and title of our Saviour is Y’shua Ha Mashiach, Y’shua the Messiah, or Jesus the Christ.  And truly, He is the only Person who is worthy of the definite article, “the,” in the title – The Messiah.

In the original spoken dialogues about Y’shua, by the disciples, such as, “You are the Christ,” would have employed the Hebrew word Mashiach.  But as Mashiach has come across into English as Christ, we need to know, and teach the meaning of that title - “Christ” means “Anointed Messiah.”

FALSE CHRISTS

Today, the title “Christ” has been hijacked by many who claim to be Messiahs. The New Age Movement, in particular, has twisted its meaning, and applied it to a counterfeit who, they claim is, “The Christ,” Lord Maitreya, the Master of Masters, and head of the “Spiritual Hierarchy.”

And there are also misguided enthusiasts who equate Christ with Krishna (Chrishna); they link Jesus with Zeus, Shiva, and Buddha; and Mashiach with Maitreya.  And, of course, they want to strip Y’shua of His anointed position.

So believer, we need to proclaim the truth about who Y’shua-Jesus the Messiah is!

15.  JESUS IS A TRANSLITERATION OF Y’SHUA

Some will say, “ ‘Jesus’ is an English translation of ‘Y’shua’.” To which I reply, “Why did His Name ever need to be translated?” You are most welcome to explain the meaning of the Name by way of translation, (Yahweh is salvation), but the Saviour’s original, authentic Name must not be eliminated!

But actually, “Jesus” in not a translation. It is a transliteration of Y’shua. A transliteration is the carrying of a word over into another language so that it sounds very much the same as in the original, even though written in a different alphabet.

The Name Y’shua should have been transliterated into all languages exactly, or very closely to the way it sounds in the original. Some transliterations are close, but some, as in English, sounds far removed from the original.

Yes, Y’shua and Jesus are really the same name, but I’m sure you will agree that Jesus doesn’t sound anything like Y’shua. The reason is because “Jesus” is a poor transliteration - both in spelling and pronunciation. And the reason for that faulty transliteration is because the Name has come into English, not directly from the Hebrew, but through Greek and Roman, and because of English language “mutation.”

Y’shua was brought over from Hebrew into Greek as Iesous.

The reason for that mutation is because the Greeks have a lazy tongue and do not pronounce ye and shu.  For the Greek it is much easier to pronounce the letters as ee and soo.  So Yeshua mutated to Iesous.

(I know some people today who love the Name of Y’shua, but they pronounce it as Ishua. They can’t clearly hear the difference.)

Iesous became Iesus in Roman (Latin), and it then became Yesus in English.  In the 16th century, Yesus became Jesus when J was added to the English alphabet.

In other tongues also, the Name has been brought over from a variety of language Bibles, including Greek, Latin and English, without much consideration of the original Hebrew. Thus we have a great number of variations of the Saviour’s Name, getting further and further away from the original, as the following diagram shows.

 

Hebrew

Y’shua

Iesous   Yeshua

Iesus            Yeshu

Yesus                   Yesu

Jesus                           Yisu

   Jesu                                     Ishuah

Jeesis                                                  Isu

   Jisu                                                              Isua

Jisa                                                                        Isa

 

The Inspired Greek New Testament

Someone will argue, “But Jesus is the Name in the inspired Greek New Testament.”

That’s not quite right. The word in the Greek NT is IESOUS.  So if we used the Greek name, then we should call the Saviour, Iesous. Why should we call Him Jesus, Yesu, Isu, etc., if Iesous was the most correct form? 

For many years I thought that ‘Jesus’ was a Hebrew word - the actual name spoken by the apostles.  It came as a jolt to realise that the disciples never heard the pronunciation, ‘Jesus.’  Nor did the Greeks! 

One English lady once said to me, “Oh, I like ‘Jesus’ because it is a nice English word.” I replied, “And you would prefer an English Jesus, with blue eyes, golden locks, and speaking Oxford English?”

Y’shua was neither an Englishman, nor a Greek!  He was a Hebrew!

Why did the apostles write in Greek?

Paul and John wrote in Greek because the Great Commission was to preach the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. And Greek was the main international language through which it could be accomplished at that time.

Why did they use the word Iesous instead of Y’shua?

In writing in Greek, the New Testament apostles used the Greek form of the Name of Y’shua, Iesous, as that Name had already mutated, orally, from the Hebrew, and was in general usage.

It is admitted that it is not always easy to transliterate a name exactly into another language. The exact letters Paul used we do not know, as the original manuscripts are not available, and the earliest Greek scripts available are copies made in the 3rd century and thereafter).

We know that names and words change their spelling and pronunciation over a period of time. It you take a King James Bible printed in 1611, you would find it very hard to follow. In that edition, Jesus was spelt Iesus; and numerous words were spelt differently to how they are now. For example, the original King James Bible bore the following subtitle:

“The Holy Bible, conteyning the Old Testament, and the New, Newly Translated out of the Originall tongues: & with the former Translations diligently compared and revised: by his Majesties speciall Comandement. Appointed to be read in Churches. Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, Printer to the Kings most excellent Majestie. Anno Dom. 1611.”

The King James Bible has been updated several times as far as spelling is concerned, and particularly after the letter J was added to the English language. The current King James Bible is actually the revision of 1769. 

(We can hardly imagine how the word Jesus might be spelt in English in another 200 years time - the pace of change is now so rapid, particularly with language. Many parents can’t keep up with the language of their own children).

So it is possible that the Greek spelling or pronunciation of the Saviour’s Name changed from the form that Paul and John used, especially as the church soon became predominantly gentile.

In translating from the Greek and Latin into English, the early translators had three options. 1.  to use the spelling Iesous.  2. to use an English form that had developed orally via Latin, even though it was further from the original. 3. to return to the original language from where the Name came, and use that original Name - Y’shua or Yeshua.  They chose the middle course.

The only way the early English translators could have checked on the correct spelling of Biblical names, would have been to go back to the Hebrew, and to transliterate them as closely as possible into English. But they didn’t. The Hebrew forms were not considered important. 

We praise God, however, for the wonderful work the early translators did in making the Scriptures available in English, and in other languages.

Wycliffe’s Bible of 1382, (the first complete English Bible) was translated from the Latin Vulgate. Tyndale’s translation was released in 1525, being printed on the newly-invented printing press. Tyndale translated from Greek and Hebrew texts that had been compiled, but of course, he never questioned the spellings that had developed in the Greek texts. The Coverdale Bible of 1535 was a translation based on the Latin Vulgate and the German Bible.

Other translations followed; the Matthews’ Bible (1537), the Great Bible (1539), the Geneva Bible (1560), the Bishops’ Bible (1568), the Douay Bible (1609-10), and then the King James (1611). But the traditional Greek/Roman/English spelling continued, even as it has up to the present time.

With later translations into other languages, however, the translators (including William Carey) have been careful to render the Saviour’s Name more closely to the original - hence Yesu and Yeshu are used in most of the Indian editions. Other Bible names also are much closer to the Hebrew than the English spellings.

 

16.  A NATURAL RESPONSE

A natural question, after discovering that “Jesus” is not the original Name of the Messiah, is, “Miracles have been performed in the Name of Jesus. And we have been saved in the Name of Jesus. So how is it possible that it is not the divinely-inspired Name?”

It is true that people have been healed, and saved, and delivered in the Name of Jesus, even though it is a faulty transliteration of the original Name. When we have called on the Name of Jesus, we have been referring to the Person who lived in Galilee, whose Name was Y’shua. Our Father knows that we have been referring to no other than Y’shua; so He has honoured our faith because it has been placed in His Son. Our Father has overlooked our particular pronunciation of the Saviour’s Name (Acts 17:30). In fact, He is not worried about our pronunciation! But now that the truth has been revealed, why should we not love and use His precious, original Name?

Yes, people are still being saved in the Name of Jesus, and will be saved in that Name right up till the Rapture.

I am certainly not seeking to eliminate the Name of Jesus!  That is not possible, nor desirable, as the world in general has some idea of who Jesus is. But what I am saying is that every believer should know his Saviour’s original Name, and should love that God-given Name because of its authenticity, and its meaning.

During the Great Tribulation, the Name of Y’shua will be very crucial indeed. Firstly, there will be a tremendous outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Israel, so that the nation will recognise Y’shua as the One their ancestors crucified. They will believe in Him, and as they all speak Hebrew, they will naturally proclaim His original Hebrew Name.

The term “Christ” will not be used much by believers in the Tribulation, for it is an English word, and also because it’s the “office” claimed by the Man of Sin. Believers will refer to Y’shua the Messiah.

The word “church” will be discarded by believers, for the “church” at that time will be a descriptive title of Mystery Babylon. Even now it is like that. Church means either a building with a steeple, a particular denomination such as the Catholic Church; or to Christendom as a whole. The Biblical “church” is actually an assembly of the corporate Body of Christ – a fellowship of believers in Y’shua.  Now-a-days some groups are calling themselves, a “Y’shua Fellowship,” or a “Messianic Assembly.”

The word “Christian” has now lost its true meaning (one who belongs to Christ). “Christian” now means simply, one who belongs to the Christian community, as differing to the Hindu, Buddhist or Islamic communities. Or “Christian” can mean “a Christian nation.” (And Hitler was a “Christian” in that sense.)

If asked your “religion” these days, a good expression would be, “The Fellowship of Y’shua the Messiah.”

In Israel, the disciples preached Y’shua Ha Mashiach of Nazareth, and proclaimed:

“Let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the Name of the Messiah, Y’shua from Nazareth, whom you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead - by this Name this man stands here before you healed. And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10,12)

BAPTISM IN THE NAME

This is a question that sometimes comes up: “What Name should we be baptized in?

Peter said, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the Name of Y’shua the Messiah...” (Acts 2:38)

Y’shua Himself said: “            Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

Did Peter get it wrong? No! To be baptized in the Name of Y’shua (or Jesus), means the same as to be baptized in the Name (singular) of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, for each of the three member-manifestations of the one Eternal Deity bear the Name, YAH . . .

                                                YAHWEH

                                                YAHSHUA

                THE SPIRIT OF     YAHWEH

And besides the truth of the mutual Name of Yah, the apostle Paul wrote that all the fullness of the Eternal Deity dwells in bodily form in Y’shua (Colossians 2:9). As the Eternal Deity is in Y’shua, and Y’shua is in the Eternal Deity, baptising in the Name of Y’shua (or Jesus) is to baptize in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

We reject, then, and warn about the so-called JESUS ONLY doctrine, which denies the Three-in-one (the three member-manifestations of the one eternal Deity), and which refuses to baptize according to the Great Commission of Y’shua in Matthew 28:19.

The JESUS ONLY teaching tries to counteract the idea that some have, that there are three Gods in Christianity, by saying, the Father is Jesus, the Son is Jesus, and the Holy Spirit is Jesus.  But that does not harmonize with the Scriptures. For example: at the baptism of Y’shua, all three members were manifest, all at the same time.  (Matthew 3:16-17)

The “Jesus Only” cult insists on re-baptizing people who have been baptized in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But there is no need to be re-baptized in the Name of Jesus, or Y’shua, or the Three-in-One, if you have already been baptized as a true believer in the Saviour.

 

17.  WHY HAS THE NAME CHANGED SO MUCH?

That natural linguistic changes have occurred, has been explained above. But there has also been a satanic conspiracy to eliminate the true, original, authentic Name of the Messiah, Y’shua, and its meaning, which is, “Yahweh, the eternally-existing One saves.”

Even as the Name of Yahweh had been effectively eliminated from Hebrew speech, Satan has sought to influence men to eliminate the Name of the Son, whom he hates so much. If Satan could not destroy the person of Y’shua, he would attempt at least to destroy His true Name by motivating the followers of the Saviour to use substitutes.

Satan played on the fears of the church in the 2nd and 3rd centuries. The church came under severe persecution for those two long centuries, and the use of Hebrew names was incriminating. Israel had rebelled against Rome, and the destroyed nation became a byword. Any Hebraisms were suspect and equated with sedition. And added to the fact that the Greeks and Romans could not pronounce Hebrew names correctly, they adapted the Saviour’s Name to make it sound more like a Greek name.

At the end of the first century, the Church at Pergamum was holding fast to the Name of Y’shua the Messiah (Revelation 2:12-17). But the Church at Thyatira was already beginning to permit the infiltration of Roman paganism into the church. They were already compromising, under a policy of Hellenisation and Jezebelism, and were into idolatry, and were beginning to equate the names of pagan gods with the Person of Y’shua. (Revelation 2:18-23).

The Church at Sardis was almost spiritually dead. The believers there, evidently, had already lost their love for the Saviour’s Name (Revelation 3:1-3). But the Church in Philadelphia was commended for it had not denied His Name. (Revelation 3:8). All that was by the end of the first century A.D.

The apostles would undoubtedly have used the Name Y’shua, and written it as closely as possible in Greek.  But by the time of Constantine, about 250 years later, the Hellenistic-Roman influence had eliminated any resemblance of the Hebrew pronunciation.

The next question to arise, then, is, “Why did the Lord allow this significant change to take place? Surely He could have safeguarded His very Name?”

This is like asking, “Why did God allow Satan in the Garden of Eden?” God knew all about the confusion of tongues (Babel), and He is well able to interpret any amount of people’s garbled languages. No one is going to be lost because he mispronounced the Master’s Name! People have been saved with very limited knowledge of the Saviour. But we can understand from Jeremiah 31:24, Isaiah 52:6, and Hebrews 8:11, that God is certainly going to restore His Name in the end times.  And I believe He is doing it now!

There have always been some who have known the true Names of Yahweh and Y’shua. And modern scholars have hardly been unaware of the original Names for a long time; but like most of us, they have regarded the Names as useful only for theological Hebrew studies. It hardly seems to have entered most Christian minds that the original Names revealed by the Almighty, are very important, and are for all generations.

Of course, for several centuries the Name JEHOVAH was widely accepted as the original Name of the Father. For example, in his new translation of the Bible (1890), J N Darby used the word Jehovah throughout the Old Testament, as well as the words Jah and hallelujah.

The American Standard Bible of 1901 followed the same custom. But none of the main English translations ever used the actual Name of our Saviour - Y’shua. And I think that is incredible! How is it possible that it could be so eliminated in our English Bibles?

There was a time when I thought that “Jesus” and “Jehovah” were Hebrew words. I used to believe that “God” was the actual Name of the Almighty in all languages.

Why did El Shaddai allow His actual Name to be largely eliminated? There are a number of strange ideas or explanations:

* Some people have suggested that God wanted it that way so that His true Name would not be blasphemed so much.

* Other people have suggested that God allowed the new “international” names as He wanted to distance Himself from unbelieving Israel.

* Some have suggested that the Name Yahweh was a primitive, Israelitish name for their localised God, and that it became obsolete when the nation began to evolve into a more intellectual nation, and discovered that “God” is the universal Deity.

* Some suggest that with the new dispensation in which the Gospel was made available to the world, God “internationalized” His name, switching to Greek forms.

* Some think the new Name is God’s way of making the Messiah more acceptable to the non-Jewish world.

* Some believe that because Israel rejected Him, the Messiah became the property of the Gentiles who were entitled, because of their acceptance of Him, to give Him a Name-change.

The truth is that Yahweh did NOT change His Name, nor did Y’shua change His!

“For I, YHWH, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”  (Malachi 3:6)

The unity of the “family Name” of YAH is important, and it is unchangeable. The elimination of the original Names is a satanic conspiracy to rob people of the Truth, and to cause “Christians” to adopt pagan beliefs subtly couched in “Christian” expressions.

Even the title Messiah has been almost eliminated from our English Bibles. It is used only FOUR times in the whole King James Version! The impression is that “Messiah” is something to do with Jewish expectations, and it is immaterial to Christians. But as we have seen, the word Messiah is a transliteration of “Mashiach which means “Anointed.” And surely that is most significant for Christians! He is just as much OUR Anointed One - our Messiah - as He is the Anointed for the Jews!

Some will respond, “But Christos” means “anointed.” That’s true, but most people, including Christians, don’t know that; for over a period of time, this descriptive title changed into a Proper Noun, and a new name was created, which has been transliterated into other languages as Christ, Christu, or Kris.

If Paul was writing for English people today he would no doubt use an English translation (Anointed) or a closer transliteration of the Hebrew Mashiach – possibly “Mashiah.”

In our Hindi and Nepali Bibles, the translators have transliterated Mashiach as Masia. In Tibetan it is rendered as Mashika - which is much closer to the original than Christu, Krist, Kris, or Christos in other languages.

Some of our languages use a form of Y’shua which is much closer to the Hebrew original than the transliterations of the Greek, Iesous. Tibetan, for example uses Yeshu. It is a pity that the Tibetan translators did not go all the way and use Yeshua, for one of the titles of a Buddhist god is Yeshay. That is too close to Yeshu. Yeshua would have been quite distinct - and indeed, the very real Name.

One reason why the Gospel has not made the impact among the Tibetans that it should have, I believe, is because the early translators and missionaries chose a wrong word for “God.” They used the word “Kunchok.” This word has no true equation with the Bible’s definition of the Almighty. Kunchok means a trinity comprised of the Buddha deity, the incarnate lamas, and the Buddhist scriptures. That’s not what the Bible means by “God.”

I mention this as I have studied Tibetan. In fact, my first book was in Tibetan. It had the title, Kunchok khi Sungthrin Shuk So, meaning, “God’s Message.” I did not fully realize in those days - 42 years ago  -  the damage that can be done by applying the word Kunchok to the Almighty of the Bible. And the same type of damage is being done today, by some leading churches who say that Shiva or Buddha are simply other religion’s names for OUR God.

Of course, in my book I sought to define the main Bible terms we use - God, sin, salvation, justification, heaven and hell, etc. But I took on the impossible task of explaining that “kunchok” does not mean what the Tibetans always believed it meant; and that it means something quite different.

Tibetans often remark, after hearing a little of the Gospel, “Ngantsher cher jikpa re!” (Our religion is the same). Today when I speak to Tibetans I do not refer to kunchok, but I speak of Dzepapo Chempo - the Great Creator, and the Heavenly Father. The Almighty, the Most High, whose Name is Yahweh - the eternal existing One who sent His only incarnation, Y’shua, into the world to save us from the penalty of our sins.

 

18.  TELUGU, TAMIL, MALAYALAM and MARATHI

I don’t have much trouble explaining the Name of Yahweh and Y’shua to those who speak these languages, because the Names used in the Bibles of these languages, are closer to the originals.

Most of them use Yehowah for Yahweh. If the “o” is left out, the word is close to Yahwah and Yahweh. And it is not difficult to explain that the Yeh stands for Yah, when you relate it to “halleluYAH.”

Yesu is used for Y’shua, and some of the languages, especially in singing, add “a” - Yesua. So for someone used to Yesua, Y’shua is not far out. It needs only a slight correction.

It is the English-speaking world, however, that has difficulty in accepting the original Names as anything more than admitted Hebraisms.

In past centuries Hebrew became virtually a dead language, and the language was considered unimportant - except to theologians and Bible translators. For most Christians, God wrote the Bible in King James English.

Over the past century, however, Hebrew once more became a living language as Jews in various parts of the world began to learn the language anew; and later, as it became the official language of the restored nation of Israel. Amongst many Christians, there has been a keen interest in the study of Hebrew, and a new awareness that the Almighty caused about 80% of the Scriptures to be written in that language.

Then over the past four decades, a mighty movement began amongst Jews - several hundred thousand of them have discovered that Y’shua is indeed the Messiah, the Light of the World.

“Jews For Jesus”, an evangelistic movement, began to proclaim to the nations that Y’shua is the Saviour of the World. One of their thrilling songs reads:

May all who live believe in You

And sanctify Thy Name in truth.

For You are our Salvation

Y’shua, Jesus, You’re the One.

Y’shua Ha Mashiach, You are Lord,

Yes, You are Lord!

These believers equate the Name Jesus with Y’shua, but underline the fact that Y’shua is not a translation of Jesus. It is His Hebrew Name; and His original, authentic Name.

Furthermore they emphasize that Y’shua was not an Anglo-Saxon. In one of their full page evangelistic advertisements (in the International Herald-Tribune, 21.12.88), Jews For Jesus wrote the following:

“Did you ever think about where Y’shua was born? He wasn’t born in Buckingham Palace or even in St Mary’s Paddington! He was born in the sheep-rearing capital of Israel called Bethlehem Ephrathah, also known as the City of David . . .

“Everyone knows that all angels are interdenominational and non-sectarian. That angel told Joseph; She (that’s Mary) will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the Name Y’SHUA because He will save His people from their sins . . .

“This was all to begin happening through Mary’s Son who would be both Jewish King and Saviour - and if you don’t want a Jewish Saviour, sorry, He’s the only kind of Saviour available . . .

“We wouldn’t even bring up the subject of sin except there is a solution to the problem, an antidote to the poison and an answer to the destruction caused by sin. Y’SHUA is His Name.”

Interesting, isn’t it? And if Jews can have a movement, “Jews For Jesus,” why can’t Christians have a movement, “Christians For Y’shua”?

Notice the spelling which this movement uses - Y’shua. Although the name is also traditionally spelt by Jews as Yeshua, Jews For Jesus prefers Y’shua, and I do too!

There is a slight difference between Yeshua and Y’shua. Yeshuah is a Scriptural word meaning “salvation”. But Y’shua is a contraction of Y’hoshua which means “Yahweh is salvation.” It is the simple equation: Y = YAH = YHWH.  The Y is pronounced quickly, as though it didn’t have a vowel. But Y actually stands for YAH. And Y’shua actually means YAH-SHUA, or even YAHWEH-SHUA.  But naturally, Satan wants to keep this fact hidden, even from believers.

Religious Jews will never spell out God’s Name, but the day is coming when the scales will fall off the eyes of the people of Israel, and they will realize that Yahweh never ever said, Do not speak My Name. And they will realise that Y’shua is the manifestation of YHWH in human form. And they will realise that is it no accident that the Father’s Name, Yah, is in the Son, Y’shua (Yah-shua).

The day is coming when, “My people (all believers in fellowship with Yahweh through Y’shua) shall know My Name.” (Isaiah 52:6).  The day is coming when …

“They will call on My Name

And I will answer them;

I will say, ‘They are My people,’

And they will say, ‘YHWH is my God’.” (Zechariah 13:9)

Earlier I said that none of the main English Bibles have used the real Name of Y’shua - in Old or New Testaments. But things are now changing. Two Bibles I know of, The Sacred Name Bible, and the Restoration Bible Use the original Names. The first uses Yahweh, and the second, Yahvah. Both use our Saviour’s Name, spelt Yahshua.

The Jewish Bible, a translation by a Messianic believer, David H Stern, uses all original Hebrew names for both people and places, and it is particularly useful for Hebrew-speaking people in Israel today (Yerushalayim for Jerusalem; Yitzhak for Isaac; Y’hudah for Judah and Judea; Yohanan for John; Miryam for Mary, etc.). And it uses Yeshua for Jesus.

 

19.  WHY CONFUSE THE PEOPLE?

This is a question that has been posed by some of my readers. Why not just stick to whatever variations of the Name the people are used to?

As the English lady said to me, “I like the ENGLISH name, Jesus.”

And I asked, “And you like an Anglo-Saxon Saviour, too?”

“Oh no!” she replied, “But we’re accustomed to that Name.”

One brother wrote to me, “We know Jesus as Jesus only in all our Indian languages. Why drag us into controversy?”

This is not a controversy - unless you reject the Truth. I’m not saying that Iesous, Isu, Isa, Yesu, Yisu, Jesus, Jisu, Jesu are not referring to our Saviour. I’m saying that when we use these variations, we are actually referring to the Son of Yahweh whose true Name was, and still is, Y’shua.

And I’m also saying that the fulfilment of the prophecy of Isaiah 52:6, is now happening. “My people shall know My Name.” It is happening all around the world. And I’m excited to be in on this restoration of Truth.

I find it exciting that we are now coming back closer to the New Testament ecclesia (assembly) of the Apostles. The word “church” today hardly expresses the truth that believers are members of the Body of Y’shua. “Church” means either a building, a religious club or denomination, or “Christendom as a whole.” The Bible “church” is actually, “the worldwide company of people in fellowship with Y’shua.”

The word “Christian” these days is also a misnomer. It should refer to a person who is in fellowship with Y’shua. But sadly, it mostly means a community or caste, or a citizen of a “Christian” country. Adolph Hitler was a “Christian”; and I can understand why believing Jews do not refer to themselves as “Christians.” These days you don’t radiantly proclaim, “I’m a Christian.” Yes, you joyfully proclaim your faith in Y’shua, or Jesus. You are proud of Him. But reluctantly you have to admit that you are a “Christian.”

If someone asks me about my religion, I prefer to say, “I’m in fellowship with Y’shua the Messiah,” or “I belong to Y’shua.”

 

20.  YAHWEH IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Y’shua said, “I have made Your Name known to them, and will make it known.” (John 17:26). I can’t imagine our Master saying, “Children, your Father’s Name is Adonai; and His other Name is God.”

No, Y’shua revealed the Father, and He must have given an in-depth study to the disciples on the Name of Yahweh, and on the titles of El Shaddai.

Some believers, however, insist that Yahweh is a Name used only in the Old Testament, and its absence from the New Testament means it has become obsolete.

The seeming elimination of Yahweh from the New Testament is not the apostles’ doing. It is the result of the hellenisation of the church and of the translations of the Scriptures in the post-Apostolic age.

There are, in fact, quite a few references to Yahweh in quotations from the Old Testament. And the apostles, in writing those quotations, would have followed the Jewish practice of writing YHWH wherever the Name occurred.

When Jewish translators who produced the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) came across the Name YHWH, they left a gap in the Greek text, and then later added the Hebrew letters of the Name - . They were careful not to take away one dot or tittle from the Sacred Name. The apostles, writing in Hebrew, or in Greek, would have followed the same custom, or transliterated the Name. Thus the Old Testament quotations would have been written like this:

“Blessed is He who comes in the Name of YHWH.” (Matthew 21:9; 23:39; Mark 11:9;  Luke 13:35;  John 12:13)

“You shall love YHWH your God with all your heart.” (Matthew 22:37)

“Make ready the way of YHWH, make His paths straight.” (Matthew 3:3)

“You shall not tempt YHWH your God.” (Matthew 4:7)

“You shall worship YHWH your God, and serve Him only.” (Matt.4:10)

“YHWH said to my Lord, sit at My right hand.” (Matt.22:44)

“YHWH has sworn and will not change His mind.” (Hebrews 7:21)

“Behold, days are coming, says YHWH, when I will effect a new covenant . . . and I did not care for them, says YHWH . . . after those days, says YHWH . . . Know YHWH, for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest of them.” (Hebrews 8:8, 9, 10, 11)

“Holy, holy, holy, is YHWH of Hosts, El Shaddai, who was and who is and who is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)

“Great and marvellous are Your works, O YHWH, El Shaddai ... who will not fear, O YHWH, and glorify Your Name? For You alone are holy; for all nations will come and worship before You.” (Revelation 15:3-4)

This latter verse is another indication that the Name of Yahweh has not changed, but that all the saved of the Gentile nations, as well as Israel, will know His Name.

Other quotations from the Old Testament where YHWH must have been used, include Matthew 21:42;  Hebrews 10:16, 30; 12:5, 6; 13:6;  1 Peter 3:12.

And in Revelation 19:1 to 6, the Hebrew word, halleluYah, is used four times; the same word as used more than 20 times in the Psalms.

Some will argue that the word “LORD” (Adonai or kurios) was used in the quotations, and not YHWH. No! Remember, in speaking the Jews used the word Adonai, but they did not change the written word, YHWH. So the Name in the Old Testament quotations must have been written as YHWH in the original New Testament scripts - both Hebrew and Greek.

It was the later copies of the N.T. mss that substituted YHWH with the words kurios and theos.

 

21.  LOVE FOR THE NAME

It is not merely a knowledge of what the original Names are, but a deep love for those Names that is being revived.

“For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and THE LOVE WHICH YOU HAVE SHOWN TOWARD HIS NAME.”  (Hebrews 6:10)

Once you know HA SHEM (The Name), certain Scriptures take on deeper significance. You begin to meditate on such verses as:

“Hallowed be Your Name.” (Matthew 6:9)

“O YHWH, our Lord, How majestic is Your Name in all the earth.” (Psalm 8:1)

“Though all the peoples walk each in the name of his god, as for us, we will walk in the Name of YHWH our God for ever and ever.” (Micah 4:5)

“Your Name is like purified oil (oil poured forth).” (Song of Songs 1:3)

“I will show him how much he must suffer for My Name’s sake.” (Acts 9:16)

“Then they (the high priests) called them in again, and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the Name of Y’shua.” (Acts 4:18)

“And He (El Shaddai) commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead. Of Him (Y’shua) all the prophets bear witness that through His Name, every one who believes in Him has received forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 10:42-43)

“I have come in My Father’s Name, and you do not receive Me.” (John 5:43)

“They who know Your Name will put their trust in Thee.” (Psalm 9:10)

“But the people who know their God will display strength and take action (be strong and do exploits).” (Daniel 11:32)

“Teach me Your way, O YHWH;  I will walk in Your truth.

Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your Name.

I will give thanks to Thee, O Adonai my God, with all my heart,

I will glorify Your Name for ever.” (Psalm 86:11-12)

“Father, glorify Your Name.” (John 12:28)

“Holy Father, keep them in Your Name, the Name which You hast given Me.” (John 17:11)

“Let the same attitude and purpose be in you which was in the Messiah, Y’shua, who, although existing in the form of God - being in very nature God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself (of all rightful dignity), taking the form of a bond-servant, being made in human likeness.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself (still further) by becoming obedient to the extreme of death, even death on a cross.

“Therefore (because He stooped so low), God exalted Him to the highest place, and gave Him THE NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME that at the Name of Y’shua every knee should bow - in heaven and on earth and under the earth - and every tongue confess that Y’shua the Messiah is Lord (the Heavenly Master), to the glory of YHWH, God the Father.” (Philippians 2:5-11)

AMEN !

“And the four living creatures kept saying, ‘Amen’.”

(Revelation 5:14)

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 

---

 

PART TWO

 

A STUDY ON

THE ORIGINAL HEBREW

NAMES AND TITLES OF GOD

 

By BETTY ISHAM  with  DON STANTON

 

         THIS STUDY

1       EL, ELAH, ELOAH, ELOHIM       GOD                                     

         EL ELYON                                          GOD MOST HIGH            

2       EL SHADDAI                                     GOD ALMIGHTY             

3       ADONAI                                              LORD  (Sovereign Master)            

4       YAHWEH                                            THE ETERNAL EXISTING ONE (THE GREAT I AM)           

5       YAHWEH YIREH                             YAHWEH WILL PROVIDE       

6       YAHWEH ROFEKA                         YAHWEH HEALS             

7       YAHWEH NISSI                                YAHWEH MY BANNER             

8       YAHWEH M’KADESH                    YAHWEH SANCTIFIES              

9       AHWEH SHALOM                           YAHWEH IS PEACE                    

10     YAHWEH TZIDKEINU                   YAHWEH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS                          

11     YAHWEH RO-EE                              YAHWEH MY SHEPHERD        

12     YAHWEH SHAMMAH                    YAHWEH IS THERE       

         SUPPLEMENT                                  “YAH” AND “EL” IN HEBREW NAMES

 

 

THIS STUDY

Credit is given here to Mrs BETTY ISHAM, who was for many years the MRC Representative in Queensland and later in Tasmania, Australia, for the tremendous help in the preparation of this series of studies. Sister Betty is now with the Master in Glory.

Some time back I requested Sister Betty to help me in deeper research into the Names and Titles of God. Betty has had theological training in the US, and her late husband, Ed Isham, had also spent much time in studying the Names. Betty was glad to share in this study, and found a real blessing through the several months of work she put into this study.

Betty came to the same conclusions as I did, but she went deeper into the synonyms - the extended Names of Yahweh - and here brings out the significance of those compound Names. We both are convinced that the Hebrew Names apply to both Yahweh, the Father, in the Old Testament, and to Y’shua, the Son, in the New Testament. We both were absolutely convinced of the unity of the Old and New Testaments, and the Unity of the Eternal Deity, the Three-in-One, which is so meaningfully expressed in the original Hebrew Names. This study is our prayerful, combined effort.

Betty acknowledges several books which have been of particular help in the preparation of the study:

Names of God in the Old Testament by Nathan J Stone; Moody Press

New Hutchinson 20th Century Encyclopedia; E.M.Horseley, Australia.

Int’national Standard Bible Encyclopedia; James Orr, Grand Rapids, US

Ungers Bible Dictionary

Davis Dictionary of the Bible

Young’s Bible Concordance.

The purpose of this study is to help readers understand the Scriptural Hebrew Names and titles of God, and how they describe His character, and show His relationship to His people. Our study seeks to relate the Old Testament Hebrew Names and titles of God with the Person of our Sovereign Master and Saviour in the New Testament.

Some claim that Yahweh is Y’shua, or Y’shua is Yahweh. And our Saviour’s claim that “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9), and “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30), certainly suggests this. But we have to recognise that Y’shua is uniquely the Son of Yahweh, the begotten of the Father (Psalm 2:7, Hebrews 1:5) and that “in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.” (Colossians 2:9)

There are certainly not two Gods - one in the Old, the other in the New! There are not two Lords, two Saviours, two Fathers, and two Spirits.

The Scriptures reveal the eternal Deity as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and of course there has been an age-long debate about whether these three represent three distinctly separate Persons, or simply three modes or manifestations of one Deity.

The Biblical doctrine of the Trinity does not teach “three Gods,” but unfortunately this has been the concept promoted by much of the church. Unscriptural paintings, for example, show an old man, a young man, and a dove above them. It is, of course, a foolish and unscriptural thing to try to paint a picture of the Deity.

On the other hand there is danger in the “Jesus only” doctrine which says that Jesus is the Father, Jesus is the Son, and Jesus is the Holy Spirit. That is an over-simplification. Y’shua is “the only begotten Son,” and while He is called “everlasting Father” in Isaiah 9:6, Yahweh is not called “the only begotten Son.”

No-one, I believe, can adequately describe the Eternal Deity, but we must accept what the Scriptures say. God is One, but known as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is wrong to refer to “Their Majesties,” even though the word Elohim (God) is plural.

In my concept I think of the three superimposed into one - like a third dimension picture. But all our illustrations fall short.

God is revealed as a tri-unity in the New Testament exactly as He is revealed in the Old Testament. And the titles of Deity used in the O.T. may be equally applied to the Deity in the New Testament. And I believe you will find it refreshing to use such titles as Y’shua Ro-ee and Y’shua Shalom.

This study seeks to go back to our Hebrew roots, and to use the titles and Names that Paul and the apostles would have used in preaching to Jewish communities during their journeys, to gain a deeper insight into our Father’s, and our Master’s personality.

Some of my readers may say they are not much interested in Hebrew. To which I say, many Moslems learn Arabic simply for the sake of studying the Koran in its original language. It is sad that the majority of Christians hardly know ten words of the language that first conveyed their Father’s written message to mankind.

I am not saying that we must learn Hebrew to get the message straight. But there is a blessing in learning the Hebrew titles which our Father used to describe Himself and His relationship to His people - and to us!

Yes, sure, you can get the general meaning from your English translations; but sadly, the translations do not convey the actual Names which are synonyms, or extensions of the Name, Yahweh.

Count the number of Hebrew words you already know!

Reader, it is not going to tax your memory terribly, to add 20 or 30 words to your Hebrew vocabulary. You already know a few Hebrew words such as halleluYah, hosanna, Adam, amen, Immanuel, and “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani.” And, of course, there’s a heap of Hebrew names - people and places - which we use, but pronounce in an anglicized way. (Bibles in most Indian languages write the Hebrew names more closely to the original than English Bibles do).

The titles in this study should become familiar to all who regularly read and love the Bible. They are all synonyms of the Name of the Almighty One, our Father, and our Saviour. They are titles that we can, and should use, in prayer, in preaching, and in witnessing. Their usage, particularly in prayer, will help to lift us out of the groove of our few constant repetitives.

We will begin this study with the Hebrew words that are translated into English as “God.”

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 

1.  EL, ELYON, ELOAH, ELAH, ELOHIM

EL is the most basic Hebrew word for “God.” It is singular tense, and it occurs about 250 times in the Bible. EL signifies “strong” and “first”, and is the title that proclaims God as THE MIGHTY ONE, and “the First Great Cause of all.”

EL ELYON. The first four occurrences of EL are in Genesis 14:18-22 where Melchizedek refers to “EL ELYON (God Most High), possessor of heaven and earth.” In this same passage, Abram speaks to the King of Sodom and links Yahweh with El Elyon.

“I have sworn to YHWH EL ELYON, possessor of heaven and earth.”

This indicates that the Name YHWH was indeed known before Moses.

Yahweh Elyon is used in Psalm 7:17; ELYON is used alone in Isaiah 14:14.

The attributes of God are usually attached to the title EL, such as, El Elyon (Most High God): El Shaddai (Almighty God) (Gen. 17:1); Everlasting El (Gen. 21:33); a Jealous El (Ex. 20:5); a Merciful El (Deut. 4:31). Each attribute of God is infinite - infinite eternal love; infinite almighty power, etc.

ELOAH (singular) comes from “Ahlah,” (to worship, to adore), and thus presents God as the one supreme object of worship; the Adorable One.  The word occurs about 56 times; first, in Deuteronomy 32:15,17;

“But Jeshurun (Israel) . . . forsook Eloah who made him . . . They sacrificed to demons who were not Eloah.”

Eloah is used frequently in the Book of Job.

ELAH is a Chaldean word that corresponds to Eloah. It is found in the Books of Ezra and Daniel, 77 times, and once in Jeremiah.

ELOHIM is the most widely used of these five words that refer to God. It occurs about 2,500 times. Elohim is the plural of Eloah, but it may appear along with verbs and pronouns that are singular as well as plural. It means the Mighty One (the One who is to be worshipped). It can also mean the “mighty ones.” Much the same as in English - God/gods.

Elohim is used 35 times in the account of creation, including the first verse of Genesis, “In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth.” The word contains the idea of creative and governing power, of omnipotence and sovereignty.

Elohim (plural) is the Creator. As Paul said on Mars Hill, Elohim made the world and all things in it. (Acts 17:24). In Genesis 1:26 Elohim says, “Let us make man.” And in Genesis 1:2, the Spirit of Elohim is seen moving over the waters. The apostles also refer to the Son, “the only begotten” of the Heavenly Father, as the Executive of Elohim in the work of creation. It is He, the Son, who upholds all things by the word of His power. (Colossians 1:13-17. Hebrews 1:1-3).

Omnipotence is expressed by the words and actions of Elohim. He brings cosmos out of chaos; light out of darkness; habitation out of desolation, and creates life in His image.

Elohim promised Noah there would be no more universal floods. No one makes a covenant unless he has the power and right to do so. Elohim has the absolute authority as Creator and Ruler of the Universe, and thus His covenant will stand firm. In making a covenant, Elohim swears by Himself for there is no greater authority. (Hebrews 6:13)

 

ELOHIM OF ELOHIM

In Deuteronomy 10:17 we read,

“For YHWH your Elohim is Elohim of elohim . . . the great, the mighty, and the awesome El who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe.”

“Elohim of elohim” at first seems to be contrary to other Scriptures which declare there is one Elohim.

“You were shown these things so that you might know that YHWH is Elohim; there is no other besides Him.”  (Deuteronomy 4:35)

These two verses indicate, firstly, that Elohim is not the unique, personal Name of the Almighty, but a descriptive title. These verses also show that the true Elohim is not denying that there are elohim (i.e., objects of worship who are powerful in the eyes of their beholders) in the nations.  (See 2 Chronicles13:9 & Isaiah 37:19). 

The word elohim is used 240 times in the Old Testament to refer to “gods”, and twice to Ashtoreth -  the goddess of the Zidonians - (1 Kings 11:5, 33). These are powerful demonic spirits which ruled the people. As the Apostle Paul said,

 “You were slaves to those which by nature are no gods.” (Galatians 4:8)

The true Elohim, however, is the One who is mighty to save. He is the Most High, and the covenant-keeping God who invites all who will, to take shelter under His wings:

“He who dwells in the shelter of El Elyon, will abide in the shadow of El Shaddai. I will say to YHWH, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my Elohim, in whom I trust.”  (Psalm 91:1-2)  

 ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 

2.  EL SHADDAI

“EL SHADDAI” means Almighty God. “El” denotes mighty power. “Shaddai” suggests nourishment and all-sufficiency.

“He who dwells in the shelter of El Elyon will abide in the shadow of El Shaddai.” (Psalm 91:1)

In the New Testament, Paul uses the expression.

“And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty (YHWH EL SHADDAI).” (2 Corinthians 6:18).

Our Father, Yahweh El Shaddai, is able to save to the uttermost, and to do exceedingly abundant above all we can ask or think. (Heb.7:25; Eph.3:20)

Under this Name, El Shaddai revealed Himself to Abraham (Genesis 17:1). In their advanced age, Abraham and Sarah were able to prove that El Shaddai was all-sufficient. He was the Almighty, the One who could touch their reproductive systems, and give them the promised heir.

El Shaddai appeared to Jacob also when he returned from Paddan-aram. First, El Shaddai had to deal with Jacob, to teach him that his sufficiency was to be of God and not of himself. Jacob’s thigh, you will remember, was dislocated by the Lord, because, although he was the father of the chosen nation, he could not fulfil the promise, until he learned that without El Shaddai, he could do nothing.

This is the lesson that each follower of Y’shua needs to learn. “... without Me you can no nothing.” (John 15:5)

In the form of a “man” (a pre-incarnate appearance of the Son of God) El Shaddai wrestled with Jacob at Jabbok (Gen. 32:25). And then a little later, El Shaddai revealed Himself once more to “the Supplanter” and changed his name to Israel (Ruler with El), saying, “I am El Shaddai; be fruitful and multiply.” (Genesis 35:11)

The Apostle Paul had to learn the very same lesson.  So do we all. El Shaddai is the One who is all-sufficient.

“’My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in (your) weakness.’ “Most gladly, therefore,” Paul says, “I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of El Shaddai may dwell in me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

SUFFICIENCY IN SUFFERING

El Shaddai appears in the book of Job 31 times - more often than in any other book. Job proved the all-sufficiency of El Shaddai in the midst of his afflictions.

Eliphaz exhorted Job to repent and to return to El Shaddai (Job 22:23-27). But in the midst of torment, Job knew that El Shaddai would carry him through.

 “But He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10)

The apostle, Peter, is undoubtedly expressing the same faith, when he said; you . . .

“… are protected by the power of God (El Shaddai) through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, you may have been distressed by various trials.” (1 Peter 1:5-6)

Yes, the El Shaddai of the Old Testament is the El Shaddai of the New. Y’shua, the manifestation and fullness of El Shaddai is the All-sufficient One, for all who are in need.

“Come unto Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest . . . If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink . . . Apart from Me you can do nothing . . . Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you . . . I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 11:28;  John 7:37; 15:5, 9;  Mathew 28:20)

EL SHADDAI, THE JUDGE

In the Revelation we see El Shaddai - God Almighty  . . .

“… in righteousness He judges and wages war . . . and treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of El Shaddai (God, the Almighty).” (Revelation 19:11,15)

“Yes, O YHWH El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty), true and righteous are Your judgments.” (Revelation 16:7)

Y’shua, as the Lamb, poured out His love, His life, His blood, on the cross in order to redeem mankind from sin. In Revelation 6:16, however, we see those who reject His sacrifice, calling upon the mountains and the rocks to hide them from the wrath of the Lamb. Oh that today men would call upon the Name of God Almighty.

Today, El Shaddai is still extending His powerful hand to all who need His grace. He is still “Mighty to Save” for all who will call upon His Name. He is still waiting for “whoever will”, to come and to drink of the Water of Life, and to enter into the blessings that He has prepared for those who take shelter under the shadow of His wings.

EL SHADDAI REIGNS

In Revelation we also hear . . .

“the sound of mighty peals of thunder, shouting, ‘HalleluYah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty (Yahweh our El Shaddai), reigns.” (19:6).

Looking into the eternal realm (Revelation 21:22,23), we see Yahweh El Shaddai and the Lamb (Y’shua) as the temple, the glory, and the light of the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem.

Oh what blessing, what power, what nourishment, what sufficiency there is - available for all who are in fellowship with El Shaddai, the Almighty!

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 

3.  ADONAI

The word ADONAI, generally translated as “Lord” in English, is used some 300 times throughout the Old Testament. The singular form, Adon, is used mostly for men, and only occasionally for God. The plural form, Adonai, is used regularly for the Almighty, and implies the plural manifestations of the eternal Deity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is also used frequently in the compound - Adonai Yahweh, and sometimes as Adonai our Elohim.

Adonai signifies ownership or mastership. (Adonai could be more correctly translated as SOVEREIGN MASTER). Adonai is the owner of all mankind, and as such, claims obedience of all.

“For YHWH your Elohim is the Elohim of elohim and the Adonai of adonim, the great, the mighty, and the awesome El who does not show partiality, nor take a bribe.” (Deuteronomy 10:17)

 “Adonai of adonim” implies His absolute sovereignty and plurality of majesty - He is the Eternal I AM, who rules above all masters and authorities.

Abraham was adon to his servants, but he bowed to Adonai as the master of all he possessed (Gen.15:2).

David said: “Who am I, O Adonai YHWH? And what is my house that You have brought me thus far?... For You know Your servant, O Adonai YHWH.” (2 Samuel 7:18-20)

Isaiah saw Adonai, the Sovereign Master sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, and discovered that He was absolutely Holy, and requires His servants to be cleansed and to be holy.  (Isaiah 6:3-7)

Jeremiah discovered that Adonai demands absolute obedience in service.

“Then I said, ‘Alas, Adonai YHWH! Behold I do not know how to speak, because I am a youth.’ But YHWH said to me, ‘Do not say, “I am a youth,” because everywhere I send you, you shall speak . . . I have put My words in your mouth’.”  (Jeremiah 1:6, 7, 9)

Yahweh is indeed the FATHER, both in the Old and the New Testament; but He is also our MASTER. Through the prophet Malachi, Yahweh challenged the priests of Israel;

“A son honours his father, and a servant his master. Then if I am the Father, where is My honour? And if I am a Master, where is My respect? says YHWH of hosts to you priests who show contempt for My Name.” (Malachi 1:6)

Daniel confessed the sins of the people of Israel against their Master;

“And I prayed to YHWH my Elohim and confessed and said, ‘O Adonai, the great and awesome El, who keeps covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and obey His commands; we have sinned, committed iniquity, acted wickedly, and rebelled, even turning aside from Your precepts and commands’.”  (Daniel 9:4-5)

In Ezekiel, where the compound, Adonai Yahweh, occurs over 200 times, it is used not only as Master of Israel, but also in reference to the nations around.  Yahweh is Adonai over all the peoples of the earth.

In the New Testament, Y’shua is addressed as Adoni or Adonai (Master), as well as Rabbi (Teacher).  [Adoni is Master in general.  Adonai, being a title for The Almighty, would have been used in addressing Y’shua, only by believers who recognised Him as the Son of God.] The Greek text does not bring out the difference. But the following gives the Hebrew words that I expect were used.

“You call Me Rabbi and Adoni; and you are right; for so I am.” (John 13:13) “Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Adonai and my Elohim.” (John 20:28)

Y’shua is indeed our Master - not a school master, nor a despot or slave-master. He is the Sovereign to whom obedience is due; but His Mastership is of a very special quality; it establishes a loving relationship between Redeemer and freed ones; between Master and disciple; between Father and children; Friend and friend.

“Y’shua said, ‘No longer do I call you servants; for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you (My) friends’.” (John 15:15)

So He is our Friend, but He is also our Master - our Sovereign. And we are exhorted to present our bodies as a living sacrifice in His service. Paul exhorts us:

 “Do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord (Adonai) is.” (Ephesians 5:17)

Paul delighted to refer to himself as a bond-servant of Y’shua. (Romans 1:1, Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:1).

Both Peter and Paul remind us that believers have been bought with a price - by the blood of Y’shua, and therefore He is our Redeemer-Master - a special and blessed relationship. (1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:22, 23; 2 Peter 2:1)

Yes, Y’shua is our Adonai/Master; but He Himself became a Servant - for our sakes (Isaiah 42:1; Hebrews 10:7-9; Matthew. 20:28; John 8:28; Romans 15:3;  2 Corinthians. 8:9)

The Mastership (Lordship) of Adonai in the Old Testament, as well as that of Adonai Y’shua in the New Testament, is an important study for all believers. It is not a one-sided relationship. It is not all “commands and fear.” For His part, Adonai protects, guards and guides His servants. He is their Rock, their Fortress and Deliverer. He stands by us; He delivers us from evil; He provides our resources; He supplies our Manna and our Life-giving Water; and He bountifully rewards us for faithfulness to His will.  (Psalm 19:14; 31:3; 2 Timothy 4:17-18; Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-27;  Genesis 15:1;  Numbers 18:20;  1 Corinthians 3:13-15).

Our part is to obey the voice of the Master. “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”  (John 14:15)

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast! Let nothing move you! Always give yourselves fully to the work of Adonai (our beloved Sovereign), knowing that your labour in the Master is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

THE DAY OF ADONAI YAHWEH

For the world there is a scheduled day of reckoning ahead, called, the Day of Adonai Yahweh:

“For that day belongs to Adonai YHWH of Hosts, a day of vengeance, so as to avenge Himself on His foes.”  (Jeremiah  46:10)

“The great and awesome day of YHWH.”  (Joel 2:31)

For the faithful servant of Adonai, however, there is a day of joy that awaits him, when his Master will say;

“Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your Adonai (Master).”  (Matthew  25:21)

“HalleluYah!  For YHWH El Shaddai, our Adonai reigns!”

(Revelation 19:6)

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 

4.  Y H W H

YAHWEH

The four letters of the personal, sacred Name of the Almighty, is referred to as the Tetragrammaton (from French, meaning, having four letters). The four Hebrew letters are transliterated as YHVH or YHWH. The Name is nowadays written and pronounced as Yahweh.

Some people refer to Yahweh as the “God of the Hebrews.” But as the Tetragrammaton is used nearly 7,000 times in the Bible, it must be admitted that YHWH is the God of the Bible, and the God of Heaven and Earth. It is not a Name invented by Jews or Christians. It is the Name revealed by Yahweh Himself, who also declared that this is His memorial Name for all generations. (Exodus 3:15).

Unger’s Bible Dictionary says that inscriptions from the 2nd and 3rd millennia B.C., indicate that YAHWEH was the Name used by the Hebrews. The Name has been found to be unique to Israel, and it has not been used as the name of any deity by any other nation. Scholarly Christians, for ages, have known that the Hebrew letters, transliterated as YHWH, form the Sacred Name. But for several centuries, JEHOVAH, or Yehovah, was believed to be the correct rendition of the Name. “Jehovah” was used widely in the 19th and early 20th centuries. More lately, Christians have been content to use LORD or GOD as the Name.

During the 20th century it has become clear that “Jehovah” is a hybrid (mixed) word. “Jehovah” is not a true Hebrew word. It is formed by inserting the vowels of “adonai”, in between the letters YHWH. Scholars now believe that “Yahweh” or “Yahwah” is very close to the original.

Orthodox Jews say they will regard it as a sign of Messiahship in the one who can truly pronounce the Name, YHWH, as that ability was lost due to the Jews’ unwillingness to pronounce the holy Name.

YAHWEH, THE ETERNALLY-EXISTING ONE.

This meaning comes from the Hebrew words, to be, to exist, to live – hawa, hayah, havah, hayah, all of which have a syllable in the Name of Yahweh or Yahwah.

At the burning bush in Exodus 3:14, God spoke to Moses;

“I AM WHO I AM” (EHYEH ASHER EHYEH) . . . say, I AM has sent me to you.”

The expression, “I am whom I am” implies underived, eternal existence, and it is believed that the word YHWH is formed from the Hebrew words that have the meaning of living, and existing. When we say that God is “I AM,” it is more than simple existence that is affirmed. He exists in a sense in which no other being does. He is! and the cause of His being, is in Himself. He is because He is! Yahweh is absolutely self-existent, and He alone is the true and eternal, unchangeable Elohim.

“Before Me there was no elohim formed, and there will be none after Me. I, even I, am YHWH; and there is no saviour besides Me.” (Isaiah 43:10-11)

Bible commentators have said, “All the names of God in Scripture, are derived from His works - except one - Yahweh. This is called “the Plain Name” because it teaches plainly and unequivocally the substance of the Eternal One. In “Yahweh” the personality of the Supreme is distinctly expressed. It is everywhere, a Proper Name, denoting the Person of the Eternal God, and Him alone.

In the Old Testament, the Tetragrammaton is written more than 6,850 times (far more than any other name.) The Name first appears in Genesis 2:4 as a compound – YHWH-ELOHIM. In chapters 2 and 3 this compound Name is used 20 times.

When the serpent appears, however, he refers simply to Elohim, not to Yahweh. And Eve likewise (Genesis 3:1-5). But that the Name YHWH was known from the beginning becomes evident when Eve says, in Genesis 4:1:

“I have gotten a male-child with the help of YHWH.”

When Jacob dreamed at Beth-El, he heard the voice of God saying,

“I am YHWH, the Elohim of your father Abraham and the Elohim of Isaac.”  (Genesis 28:13)

In the New Testament, YHWH is “the LORD” referred to in many quotations from the Old Testament. And He is Yahweh Elohim (Lord God) … the One “who is, and was, and is to come,” in Revelation 1:8.

YAHWEH IS HOLY

“Holy, Holy, Holy, is YHWH of Hosts.”  (Isaiah 6:3)

Yahweh is ever the Holy One, who has commanded His people:

“You shall be holy, for I, YHWH your Elohim, am holy.”  (Leviticus 19:2)

When man sins, it is against the holiness of Yahweh that he transgresses. Adam and Eve must leave the Garden, and the Presence of the Holy One because of their sin. Yahweh cannot tolerate evil.

“O YHWH, my Elohim, my Holy One . . . Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, and You cannot tolerate wickedness.”  (Habakkuk 1:12-13)

In the Revelation again we are permitted to look into heaven and to hear the words of the four living creatures:

“Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, (YHWH El Shaddai), who was, and is, and is to come.”  (Revelation 4:8)

YAHWEH IS RIGHTEOUS

He is called “the Judge of all the earth,” by Abraham (Genesis 18:25). And in Deuteronomy 32:3-4, Moses says:

 “For I proclaim the name of YHWH ... for all His ways are just; the El of faithfulness and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.”

Yahweh demands righteousness, justice and holiness from the creatures He made in His own image. As righteous Judge He pronounced judgment on the world of Noah’s day, on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, on other wicked nations, and also on Israel.

YAHWEH IS LOVE AND IS MERCIFUL

Some imagine that Yahweh of the Old Testament was an angry God; but Jesus in the New Testament is a loving God. No! Yahweh is indeed angry at sin and rebellion, but as David said:

“Let us now fall into the hand of YHWH for His mercies are great.”       (2 Samuel 24:14).  “YHWH is gracious and compassionate.” (Psalm 111:4)

YAHWEH IS REDEEMER AND SAVIOUR

It is Yahweh who redeems and restores fallen man to fellowship with Himself. From the time of Adam and Eve’s sin, Yahweh sets about teaching man to approach Him by way of sacrifice. All the Levitical sacrifices were offered to Yahweh (as distinct from Elohim). In Leviticus chapters 1 to 7, the name Elohim occurs only once, while YHWH occurs 86 times. The 12th chapter, dealing with the Great Day of Atonement, mentions only the Name of YHWH, and that, 12 times.

It is interesting; ELOHIM commanded Noah to build the Ark and to bring animals into it, for He was the Creator; but it is YAHWEH, the Saviour, who tells Noah to bring into the ark, seven pairs of every clean beast. These were animals suitable for sacrifice. (Genesis 6:13; 7:1-3)

YAHWEH FAITHFULLY CARES FOR HIS PEOPLE

 Yahweh led Israel through the wilderness and provided for their needs. He Himself declared to Moses that He is …

“YHWH, YHWH-EL, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin.” (Exodus 34:6-7)

IN YAHWEH THERE IS JOY!

“Do not be grieved, for the joy of YHWH is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

 “How blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! O YHWH, they walk in the light of Your countenance. In Your Name they rejoice all the day, and by Your righteousness they are exalted.” (Psalm 89:15-16)

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 

5.  YAHWEH YIREH

Yahweh Will Provide (Genesis 22:14)

You will remember the account of how Abraham placed his son Isaac on an altar on Mount Moriah, to offer him as a sacrifice in accord with the direction of Elohim. As Abraham stretched out his hand, and took the knife to slay his son, the Angel of Yahweh called to him from heaven, and stayed further action. Abraham then saw a ram caught in a thicket by his horns - a provision for a sacrifice. So he took the ram and offered it for a burnt offering in the place of his son. (Genesis 22; 10-13). The Bible account then continues:

“And Abraham called the name of that place YHWH YIREH, as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of YHWH it will be provided’.” (v.14)

Abraham’s life was one of learning and proving that Yahweh, his Elohim, would provide. Abraham knew of the promise to Eve that Yahweh Yireh would provide a Redeemer; and he knew of the need for blood sacrifice - Yahweh’s provision for remission of sin. He had seen the provision of his Heavenly Father in the remarkable miracle which enabled Sarah to give birth to Isaac. The Patriarch had seen Yahweh Yireh faithfully providing for him throughout his life, so when he was commanded to take Isaac and sacrifice him on Mount Moriah, he  could go forward in obedience, confidently, knowing that on the Mount of Yahweh, a provision, a miracle, somehow, would be seen - even if, and after, Isaac was slain.

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his ‘only begotten’ (unique) son; even though God said to him, ‘Through Isaac your seed (descendants) shall be reckoned.’ Abraham considered that YHWH could raise up men even from the dead; and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.”  (Hebrews 11:17-19)

In this supreme test, Abraham once more proved Yahweh Yireh! In Abraham’s act of faith, obedience and triumph, another great act was foreshadowed - the act of Yahweh Yireh, Himself, about 2,000 years later - the sacrifice of Yahweh’s only begotten Son, Y’shua the Messiah. That was on Mt Calvary, barely a kilometre from the place Abraham called Yahweh Yireh. In this sacrifice, Yahweh did not provide a ram, but He provided the perfect, spotless and eternal Lamb of God.

Isaac was a type of the Lamb of Elohim who was slain for the sins of the world. Isaac, in figure, was slain, resurrected and returned to his father. Y’shua, in reality, was slain. And on the third day, He was raised from the dead, and thereafter, ascended to His Father in Heaven.

Y’shua said, “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing My day; and he saw it, and was glad.”  (John 8:56)

What made Abraham rejoice? Yes, he rejoiced that his son Isaac “was dead and is alive again.” But even more, he rejoiced for he knew Yahweh would provide a Son, the promised Seed, the Lamb, the Saviour for the World. By faith, Abraham could look ahead with assurance, to that greatest of provisions, and thus proclaim:

 “In the mount of YHWH, it shall be seen.”  (Genesis 22:14)

The Apostle Paul, with Mount Moriah and Mount Calvary, in mind, could write the blessed promise for each one who will believe it;

“And my Yahweh Yireh shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Y’shua the Messiah. Now to our Elohim and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”  (Philippians 4:19-20)

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 

6.  YAHWEH ROFEKHA

Yahweh Your Healer  (Exodus 15:26)

After Moses had led the people of Israel out of Egypt, both he and they had many more lessons to learn. After crossing the Red Sea, the great company entered the wilderness. After three days they could not find water. When they eventually found it at Marah; they could not drink it, for it was bitter.

What a setback! There was joy when water was sighted, but then came the terrible realization that it could not satisfy their thirst.

Yahweh had the answer; He told Moses to cut down a certain tree, and to throw it into the waters. As Moses obeyed, the waters were “healed” - they became sweet.

“And He (Yahweh) said, ‘If you will listen carefully to the voice of YHWH your Elohim, and do what is right in His sight, and pay attention to His commands, and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians; for I, YHWH Rofekha (am healing you)’.”  (Exodus 15:26)

The word Rofe means “healer”; Rofekha, “your healer.” (The kha is actually a gutteral ha.) Rofe comes from the word Rafa which means to restore, to heal, to cure - physically, morally and spiritually.  This root word appears over 60 times in the Old Testament.

El Shaddai promised to keep His people from diseases - provided they kept themselves true to His commandments. Good health depended on obedience; and healing depended on faith in Yahweh Rofekha.  The Psalmist said:

“Bless YHWH, O my soul . . . and forget none of His benefits; who pardons all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases.”   (Psalm 103:2-3)

The prophet Hosea pleaded with the people of Israel who had forsaken the commandments, and fallen into sin and disease:

“Come, let us return to YHWH.

He has torn us to pieces, but He will heal us;

He has injured us, but He will bind up our wounds.”  (Hosea 6:1)

Yahweh Rofekha promised:

“For I will restore you to health and heal your wounds, declares YHWH.”  (Jeremiah 30:17)

In the New Testament, Elohim took the form of Y’shua Rofe, and turned bitter waters into sweet. He replaced sorrow and mourning with joy; He mended broken lives, and broken limbs; restored sight to the blind; delivered from demons and from epilepsy; healed all their diseases, and raised the dead. He was Ha Rofe, The Healer, The Great Physician, and He was also the Burden-bearer. He carried our sorrows, and He took the terrible penalty for sin that was due to each one of us. (Isaiah 53:4-5)

All men had sinned; they had broken the Law of Yahweh, and had fallen so terribly short of the glory of the Great and Awesome El.

Every type of sin has the inherent consequences which affect the sinner, mentally, physically and spiritually. Disease, frustration, and misery are the immediate consequences; and the ultimate consequences - the wages of sin - is death; eternal loss and remorse. But, halleluYah, through the blood of the Lamb, a remedy has been provided for each condemned and sin-afflicted person on this earth. Whoever will call upon the Name of Adonai - Y’shua Rofekha, will be saved. (Romans 10:13)

If we are physically sick, we have this specific promise:

“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, and anoint him with oil in the Name of the Master, Y’shua Rofekha, and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and Yahweh will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15)

THE ULTIMATE HEALING

What happened at the waters of Marah in the Sinai, points to the ultimate healing of the nations, as pictured in the Book of Revelation.

“Then he showed me the river of the water of life, sparkling like crystal, flowing from the throne of Yahweh and the Lamb, down the main street of the city; and on each side of the river stood the Tree of Life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”  (Revelation 22:1-2)

But life-giving and healing waters are available right now, for all who wish to drink by faith. Y’shua Rofekha said:

“But whoever drinks of the water that I give him will never ever thirst again. Indeed the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  (John 4:14)

Hallelu-Yahweh Rofekha!

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 

7.  YAHWEH  NISSI

Yahweh My Banner (Exodus 17:15)

The children of Israel left Marah where the bitter waters were healed by Yahweh Rofe (Exodus 15:23). Then after visiting Elim, the place of refreshing and rest  (Exodus 15:27),  the  great  company  entered  the  Wilderness  of  Sin (Exodus 16) where they experienced the heavenly manna of Yahweh Yireh - the provision of Yahweh. In Exodus 17, the people are found thirsting again for water, at Rephidim. It was there that Moses struck the rock, causing waters to burst forth. Once again Yahweh Yireh demonstrated that He would provide for His people, and meet their needs.

Israel next had to learn that their Adonai was also Yahweh Nissi - their Banner - and that under that Banner, they would be provided with strength to fight and defeat their enemies.

The Amalekites were the first enemy Israel encountered after leaving Egypt. Amalek did not fear the Elohim of Israel; and evidently considered these ex-slaves a walk-over. His strategy was to attack them from behind, but he soon discovered he was engaged in a battle with a people under the protection of Yahweh Nissi. It was a fierce battle. Years later, Moses reminded Israel;

“Remember what Amalek did to you when you came out of Egypt, how he did not fear God, but when you were weary and worn out, he attacked you along the way and cut off all the stragglers at the rear.” (Deuteronomy 25:17-18)

The people certainly remembered. Moses had commanded Y’hoshua to select men and go out against Amalek, and then he himself took up a position on top of a hill overlooking the battle. With the rod of the Almighty One in his hands, he lifted up his arms in the Name of Yahweh Nissi; and under that authority, Y’hoshua’s men prevailed against Amalek. But whenever Moses lowered his hands, the battle reversed. Aaron and Hur therefore sat Moses on a large rock, so that they could support his arms. Thus Moses was enabled to keep his hands up until the close of the day, and to the end of the battle.

The rod in Moses hand was a symbol of God’s Presence, power and authority. It was that same rod that he used in Egypt to challenge the powers of Egypt, and to bring the plagues upon the land. It was the same rod that parted the Red Sea. It was the rod that unleashed the same waters upon the chariots of Pharaoh. It was the rod of El Shaddai, the Banner of Yahweh Nissi, under which Israel fought and won the victory.

Once again, Moses was an instrument to demonstrate the all-sufficiency of El Shaddai, the Almighty God, on behalf of His people.

After that battle, Yahweh said to Moses:

“‘Write this in a book as a memorial, and recite it to Y’hoshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.’ Then Moses built an altar, and named it YHWH NISSI (Yahweh is my Banner), saying, ‘YAH has sworn; YHWH will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation’.”  (Exodus 17:14-16)

Amalek represents the kingdom of darkness which is opposed to the Kingdom of Light. He represents powers of evil and falsehood that are opposed to good and truth. He represents the forces of the world, the flesh and the devil that constantly attack the followers of Y’shua today, even as they did in past ages.

The kings and rulers of the world, David said, have lifted up their banner against the LORD and His Anointed. (Psalm 2:2)

The flesh, the powers of carnality, Paul said, are warring against the Spirit. In the flesh, there is no good thing (Romans 7:18). And of course, Peter said:

“Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  (1 Peter 5:8)

Every believer experiences conflicts with these three enemies; the world, the flesh, and the devil, constantly. But victory is assured because of the One who lifted up His hands on our behalf. It is Y’shua who stands like Moses, holding the rod of Yahweh in His hands on our behalf. It is Y’shua (Yahweh is salvation) who is our Nissi. It was Y’shua who won the victory when He climbed the hill of Calvary, and stretched out His hands upon the tree. It was Y’shua who broke forth from the tomb, and ascended to the throne of the El Elyon. It is Y’shua who will rule the nations with a sceptre of iron. (Revelation. 2:27 & 12:5)

And now, because of His victory and authority, we can raise our Banner in His Name against the forces of Amalek. Because of His outstretched hands from the throne, we can resist, and wrestle, and prevail against the principalities and powers of darkness, against the wicked rulers in spiritual places.

But in this battle, there must be no compromise. Yahweh has declared war on these three enemies, and His intention is to bring them, ultimately, to a complete end. So our Saviour has instructed us to deny ourselves and to take up our cross daily; we are to count ourselves dead to the world, the flesh and the devil, but alive unto El Shaddai. We can then stretch out our hands in His Name, and ask;

“What shall we say to these things? If Yahweh Nissi is for us, who is against us? (Who can be our foe, if Y’shua is on our side?) . . . . No!  In all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:31, 37)

“Now thanks be to

YAHWEH NISSI,

who always leads us in His triumph in the Messiah,

and through us, spreads the knowledge of Him,

like lovely perfume, in every place.”

(2 Corinthians 2:14)

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 

8.  YAHWEH  M’KADESH

Yahweh Who Sanctifies

(Exodus 31:13. Leviticus 20:7-8; 21:8; 22:9, 16, 32; Ezekiel 20:12)

In the title Yahweh M’Kadesh, God reveals His intention that His people should be a separated, holy nation.

“Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am YHWH your God. And you shall keep my decrees and practice them. I am YHWH who sanctifies you.”  (Leviticus 20:7-8)

The word “sanctify” means to separate for holy purposes. The Hebrew words Kadash, Kadosh, Kadesh and Kodesh are used about 700 times in the Bible, and they are translated as consecrate, dedicate, to hallow, be holy, sanctify, holy, sanctuary, purified, and Holy One.

Sanctification is first seen in Genesis 2:1-3, where God sanctified His Day of Rest. It was a day set apart for rest and holy purposes.

Next, Moses was commanded . . .

“Sanctify unto Me all the firstborn among the children of Israel.” (Exodus 13:23)

 The firstborn were chosen to be representatives of all Israel, even as the nation of Israel was chosen to be God’s representative (or firstborn) of all nations. The firstborn, whether of a family, or of the nation, were to walk worthy of Yahweh who had redeemed them, and as an example to others. Yahweh M’Kadesh demands holiness - a moral and spiritual purity - of the people who are His representatives.

Everything about Israel was to be holy. The Sabbath was to be a holy day. The great feasts of Leviticus 23, as well as the fasts of Israel, were days set apart as holy convocations. The sabbatical years (every seventh year), and the Jubilee years (every 50 years), were to be sanctified years.

The land of Israel was to be a holy land (“My Land” Joel 3:2); the City of Jerusalem, the Hill of Zion, the Tabernacle, the Temple, the Sanctuaries, the Altar, the Holy Place and the Holiest of Holies, and the Service of YHWH, were all to be holy.

The High Priest wore a pure gold plate with the words engraved on it, “Kodesh to YHWH.” (Exodus 28:36). The prophets were also sanctified by Adonai. (Jeremiah 1:5). But more than that, ALL the people were to be sanctified.

“For you are a holy people to YHWH your God; YHWH your God has chosen you out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth, to be His people, His special treasured possession.”  (Deuteronomy 7:6)

Why the emphasis on holiness?  Because the nation was chosen by the Holy One, and called according to His holy purposes.

“There is no-one holy like YHWH,

Indeed, there is none besides You,

There is no Rock like our God.”  (1 Samuel 2:2)

Holiness is essential. One authority observed, “Power without holiness would degenerate into cruelty. Omniscience without holiness would become craft. Justice without holiness would disintegrate into revenge. And goodness without holiness would be passionate and intemperate fondness, doing mischief rather than accomplishing good.”

The inherent Holiness of God engenders grandeur, majesty and fullness of perfection to His Person. “Holy, holy, holy, is YHWH of Hosts” cried the seraphim, who, as pure as they themselves were, covered their faces and their feet, in the Presence of Yahweh, El Elyon Ha Kadesh (the Holy and Most High God).  (Isaiah 6:2)

The awesome holiness of El Elyon was displayed on Mt Sinai when the law was given - the law that demanded a holy standard. Yahweh M’Kadesh is described as a jealous God, for He insists on worship from a redeemed, cleansed, and separated people.

“Ascribe to YHWH, O mighty ones,

Ascribe to YHWH glory and strength.

Ascribe to YHWH the glory due to His Name;

Worship YHWH in the beauty of His holiness.”  (Psalm 29:1-2)

Israel failed! Instead of living in fellowship with Yahweh M’Kadesh, the people of Israel, time and time again, forsook Him, and resorted to the gods of the heathen nations - to gods, which, in contrast to the Holy One of Israel, inflamed lustful pleasures, quarrels and corruption and demanded demonic rituals.

But the Holy One, in due time, sent His Holy Son, Y’shua, into the world - to save both Israel and the world. The Son left the glorious holy environment of heaven, and came to this earth - a cesspool of iniquity. His mission was to bring about the reconciliation of a depraved, unholy world, with the El Elyon Ha Kadesh.

Y’shua, is called “the Firstborn” - not meaning that He was created, but rather that He stands in unique relationship to the Father. Y’shua “the Firstborn,” is God’s Representative of the family of Heaven. And He was absolutely holy. He was called “the holy offspring” from the womb. He was called “The Holy One” in prophecy (Psalm 16:10). The apostles referred to Him as God’s Holy Servant (Acts 4:27); and demons cried out to Him, “You are the Holy One of God.” (Luke 4:34)

To reconcile a depraved world to the infinitely Holy One would seem to be an impossible task, but Y’shua became the Mediator; He was God’s Representative, and He was our Representative also. And by His death on the tree, Y’shua “put to death the enmity” and reconciled both Jews and Gentiles to Yahweh M’Kadesh. (Ephesians 2:13-16)

HalleluYah. Yahweh-Y’shua be praised!

And now we who once were far off, and outside the chosen nation, are brought near - right into the Presence of Yahweh M’Kadesh, the Most Holy One.

As the apostle, Peter, explained - bless him!  We who were once not a people, are now the people of God. We’ve become God’s holy nation.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light: for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you were not pitied, but now you have received mercy.”  (1 Peter 2:9-10)

“But you were washed, and you were sanctified, and you were justified in the Name of Adonai, Y’shua Ha Mashiach, and by the Spirit of our God.”  (1 Corinthians 6:11)

Moreover, we have become a holy temple of El Elyon, and each one of us who are born again, are possessors of, and possessed by, Ruah Ha Kodesh (the Holy Spirit).

And what is our destiny? To become the Holy Bride of Y’shua, “The Firstborn,” and the Holy One. Oh the joy before us! By the grace and sanctifying power of Yahweh M’Kadesh, all born again believers, all who are “in the Messiah Y’shua,” will be presented holy and blameless, without spot or wrinkle, to the One who loved us and gave Himself for us. (Ephesians 5:26-27)

HalleluYah  M’Kadesh!

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 

9.  YAHWEH SHALOM

Yahweh is Peace  (Judges 6:24)

The people of Israel had to learn that true peace (shalom), would be theirs only as they are sanctified and separated from the heathen tribes and nations around them.

El Shaddai had promised the land of Canaan to Abraham, Jacob and the people of Israel, and He had delivered it into their hands. But instead of destroying the Amalekites whom Yahweh had condemned, Israel settled for less.

Rejecting the commandments of Yahweh, they tried to become good neighbours to the condemned tribes. Soon their sons and daughters were intermarrying with pagans. It wasn’t long then before the Amalekites, Midianites and Philistines gained the upper hand, and began to make the rules. In fact, these heathen tribes began to destroy the chosen people by hindering their production of food. There was soon a scarcity, and the Midianites then forced the Israelites to flee and to take shelter in the caves of the mountains.

Severely oppressed, the Israelites began to call upon the LORD. It was in this condition that Yahweh reminded the people that it was HE who had delivered them from Egypt, and given them the Promised Land. It was He who had said to them right at the beginning:

“I am YHWH your God; you shall not fear and worship the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live.”  (Judges 6:10)

You will probably remember how the Angel of Yahweh came to Gideon while he was threshing wheat in a winepress - seeking to conceal the food from the enemy. The Angel greeted him . . .

“‘‘YHWH is with you, O valiant warrior.’

“Then Gideon said to him, ‘O my lord, if YHWH is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, “Did not YHWH bring us up from Egypt?” But now YHWH has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian’.”  (Judges 6:12-13)

It was then that Yahweh commissioned Gideon to deliver Israel.

“Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”  (v.16)

Gideon needed to be reassured that he was really God’s man for the job. He prepared a cooked meal for the Angel, but when a fire from the LORD consumed the food, and the Angel vanished, Gideon realized that he has seen the Angel of Yahweh. He exclaimed,

“‘Alas, O Adonai YHWH! For now I have seen the Angel of YHWH face to face.’ Then YHWH said to him, ‘Peace! Do not be afraid. You shall not die.’ So Gideon built an altar there to YHWH and named it YHWH-SHALOM.”  (Judges 6:22-24)

Thus began the thrilling episode of another mighty warrior, and his exploits in the Name of Yahweh-Shalom, by which he defeated the enemy, and brought peace to the people of Israel. (Judges 7)

Today the world is crying out for peace. We have many Amalekites and Midianites gaining the upper hand in our nations, creating great food problems. Farmers are being driven off the land; people are losing their homes, hunger stalks many of the less-developed nations; and the moral and social fabric of the nations is being destroyed.

But just as El Shaddai allowed Israel to experience a sense of being abandoned, the same Almighty God is causing the nations to taste an acute anxiety and despair today - that happily, they might call upon the One who alone can bring peace and salvation - Y’shua Shalom.

Today as we look at modern Israel surrounded by enemies, we know that Yahweh will certainly bring the nation into true and lasting peace, but it will not be before Y’shua, the Prince of Peace, reigns in righteousness, from Yeru-shalom, the city of Peace.

The indications are that the day of Yahweh is drawing very near; the day in which He will purge the world, and the day in which Adonai, Yahweh-Y’shua, will be King of all the earth. In that day, when Mount Zion will be “the joy of the whole earth” (Psalm 48:2), and when the redeemed of the nations will know the Name of the Most High, they will say:

“Yahweh-Shalom is our God.”

(Zechariah 13:9; 14:9)

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 

10.  YAHWEH TZIDKEINU

Yahweh our Righteousness  (Jeremiah 23:5, 6)

God chose the nation of Israel so that He might, through her, reveal His righteousness to the nations around. But the people of the Holy One ignored or by-passed the commands He had given, and instead, espoused unrighteous methods, dealings and living. Again and again the nation fell into idolatry, apostasy and corruption. They forsook Yahweh Tzidkeinu, and of course, forfeited the blessings of righteousness.

Yahweh demanded righteous standards:

“You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment . . . in weight or in measure.”  (Leviticus 19:35)

Yahweh Tzidkeinu demanded honesty and integrity, but we find instead;

“The good man has perished from the land, and not one upright person remains. All men lie in wait to shed blood; each hunts his brother with a net. Both hands are skilled in doing evil. The prince and the judge both ask for a bribe; and the great men dictate their evil desires. They all conspire together.”  (Micah 7:2-3)

The true prophets of the LORD continually warned about the moral and spiritual decline in the nation, and of the inevitable consequences of its corruption.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)

All the kings of Israel, with a few exceptions like David and Josiah, were wicked, and provoked Yahweh Tzidkeinu to anger. They, and the priests who served during their reigns, instead of acknowledging, proclaiming and serving Yahweh Elohim, followed the example of the heathen nations around them. The so-called “shepherds” were even destroying the flock.

The chosen people continued to rebel against the Holy One, and His righteousness, until they had forfeited their right to live in the promised land. They had turned the holy land into a land of gross darkness. Soon powerful nations were severely oppressing them.

Israel needed to learn that Yahweh M’Kadesh would not overlook the nation’s persistent state of carnality, idolatry and rebellion. He would bring His people to the end of themselves, and hand them over to captivity - until they saw themselves as they were:

“For all of us have become like one who is unclean,

And all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags;

All of us shrivel up like a leaf,

And our iniquities, like the wind, sweep us away.”  (Isaiah 64:6)

The Righteous El Shaddai handed over the ten tribes of the northern kingdom, to Assyria. A little later, Judah and Benjamin, the two tribes of the southern kingdom, were led into captivity in Babylon.

It was when Judah was threatened with total disaster, that El Shaddai revealed yet another of His titles, demonstrating both His concern for His people, and His unchanging standard of righteousness for them.

“‘Behold, the days are coming,’ declares YHWH,

‘when I shall raise up for David a righteous Branch;

A King who will reign wisely

and do what is just and right in the land.

In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.

And this is His Name by which He will be called,

YHWH Tzidkeinu  (Yahweh our Righteousness)’.”  (Jeremiah 23:5-6)

Salvation for Israel depended upon a king who would be filled with the righteousness of Yahweh. At first it seemed that Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, would fulfil the prophecy, and save the kingdom from disaster. But look at what happened:

After Jehoiakim and most of Judah had been led away captive, the King of Babylon made Mattaniah, ruler of what remained. But Nebuchadnezzar first changed Mattaniah’s name (which meant “gift of Yah”) to TzidkeiYah (English, Zedekiah), which means “Righteousness of Yah.”

This young king of only 21 years of age, with a name very much like Yahweh Tzidkeinu, provided some hope. But Zedekiah did not trust in Yahweh Tzidkeinu. Rather, he relied on his own name and carnal wisdom. He did not prove himself to be a righteous saviour of Israel, but a total disaster.

He had the right name, but he did evil in the sight of Yahweh throughout his eleven years reign. He tragically misjudged the situation, and rebelled against the king of Babylon. The result was that his young sons were slaughtered in front of him, and then his eyes were gouged out, before being dragged in chains to Babylon. (see 2 Kings 24:17 to 25:7)

How many Christians today have good Biblical names, but are in fact, bound by chains of sin, and openly displayed as slaves of Satan. Their name does not save them! They need to learn, as Israel did, that there is only one Name in which they must trust - Y’shua, the Righteous Branch.

It was several hundred years later, when Israel was once more back in its land, that the prophecy concerning a “righteous branch” was fulfilled. Yahweh Tzidkeinu took the form of a Man, known as Y’shua Ha Mashiach, the Righteous.  (1 John 2:1)

Y’shua was the Righteous Branch; and as the perfectly righteous One, He became a Sacrifice, to pay the penalty for the sins of the unrighteous. He shed His spotless blood to redeem a people who would come to know the true meaning of Yahweh Tzidkeinu.

Here are two glorious truths:

SUBSTITUTION: Because of a broken law, the One who wrote that law, paid the penalty for every man in order to redeem man from the penalty imposed by the law. His died on the cross to save us from the law that demands, “He who sins must die.”

“He (Yahweh Tzidkeinu) made Him (Y’shua, the Lamb of Yahweh- Yireh) who knew no sin, to be sin on our behalf, that we (sinners) might  become (partakers of) the righteousness of Yahweh Tzidkeinu in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

IMPUTATION: Because of the perfect sacrifice of the Lamb of God, we who were unrighteous, can now become righteous - in Him. This is not a righteousness of our own, but the righteousness that is imputed to us (given to us). It is the righteousness of Messiah the Branch which is given to us when we are justified and born again. It is “credited to our account,” so to speak.

It is like a pure white garment that is provided for us, so that we may have access into the Presence of Yahweh Ha Kadosh. Wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption are not what we achieve; neither are they what we earn. They are ours by imputation. They are ours because Y’shua is ours, and we are in Him.

“But by His doing, you are (implanted) in the Messiah, Y’shua, who has become to us wisdom from God, and righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.”  (1 Corinthians 1:30)

The young Pharisee, Saul, on the way to Damascus discovered that what he believed was his righteousness, was nothing more than filthy rags, in God’s sight. From that moment on, he counted all that he himself had attained, as rubbish. And he became enthralled with “the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith (in Y’shua the Messiah).”  (Philippians 3:7-11)

Paul became very concerned for his people, the Israelites, and continuously prayed for their salvation.

“For I bear them witness that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. For not knowing about the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of GOD. For Christ is the end of the law (as a means of righteousness) so that (His) righteousness may be obtained by everyone who believes in Him.”  (Romans 10:2-4)

But the day is coming when Israel will recognise the Righteous Branch, and will call upon the Name of Y’shua Tzidkeinu, and be saved. Then the glorious day will dawn when . . .

“The Sun of Righteousness will rise

with healing in His wings.”

(Malachi 4:2)

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 

11.  YAHWEH RO-EE

Yahweh my Shepherd  (Psalm 23:1)

A short story appeared in a monthly magazine some years ago, telling of a man high in the mountains who had some sheep he lovingly cared for. Each sheep had a name, and each responded to the shepherd when he spoke to it. While he watched over them at night, each sheep individually showed its affection for the shepherd who considered them his family.

Some vandals came one night, and despite the pleadings of the shepherd, killed or maimed all the sheep, and left the shepherd distraught. He was never the same again, wandering the hills and vales, unable to recover from the tragedy that befell the sheep he loved.

There was a true shepherd!

How many shepherds we see in the Bible! Abel was the first; a keeper of sheep. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all had flocks. Job had many sheep. Israel, for the most part, was a pastoral people. The most famous shepherd, of course, was the young man, David, whose experience as a shepherd is reflected in the “Shepherd Psalm”.

 We often think David wrote the psalm while he was very young. Not necessarily. It could have been later on in life, as he looked back over the years, and recalled the tender care of Yahweh Ro-ee for him, especially during the times of great danger.

“YHWH is Ro-ee, I shall not want . . .

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil; for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff; they comfort me.”  (Psalm 23:1, 4)

David was glad to be called a sheep in Yahweh’s pasture. That privilege meant a life of goodness and lovingkindness; it meant a table prepared, and a cup that overflows. But Israel was not always willing to be “the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalm 100:3). And more often than not, the “shepherds of Israel” were concerned about their own welfare rather than that of the people. The great prophet described Israel as lost sheep:

“All of us like sheep have gone astray,

Each of us has turned to his own way.”  (Isaiah 53:6)

And Ezekiel places the blame squarely upon the spiritual leaders of the nation:

“Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says Adonai YHWH, “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have only been feeding themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flock?

“‘“You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.

“‘“Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought the lost; but harshly and brutally you have ruled over them.

“‘“ (As a result) they were scattered for lack of a (true) shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild animals”.’”  (Ezekiel 34:2-5)

Can not the same words be directed to many of our shepherds of our pre-Rapture flock? Where are the true shepherds, the good shepherds, the righteous shepherds today? Yes, there are some! But there are tens of thousands of lambs and sheep out there who have not been strengthened, healed, bound up or cared for. Precious  sheep are perishing while  sheepish pastors are playing! (I said, playing, not praying!)

“Thus says Adonai Elohim, ‘Look, I am against the shepherds and will hold them accountable for My flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue My flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them’.” (Ezekiel 34:10)

The Hebrew word raah means to feed or lead the flock to pasture, as most shepherds do; but every true, good Ro does more than that. He protects the sheep from all dangers, even at risk of his own life.

In the New Testament we see Y’shua Ha Ro, The Good Shepherd ministering to the people, healing their sick, raising their dead, casting out tormenting demons, and setting men free from the bondage of sin.

Y’shua said, “I am the Door of the sheep,” which means that no intruder (Satan in particular), can get to His sheep unless he first moves the Good Shepherd out of the way. And if you think about it, you will see that that is an impossibility! Yes, this Good Shepherd laid down His life for sheep, but He also took up His life again.

“No-one takes it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. These are the instructions I received from My Father.” (John 10:18)

How can Satan move the resurrected Good Shepherd out of the way, especially as this Good Shepherd has an intimate relationship with each of His sheep?

Like the mountain shepherd mentioned at the beginning of this study, Y’shua Ha Ro deeply cares for every one of His sheep; but unlike that unfortunate shepherd, Y’shua is well able to protect His flock from vandals.

David said, “I fear no evil,” for he knew very well that Yahweh-Y’shua Ro-ee holds us in His powerful hands. And what a Shepherd He is! He cares for the LOST sheep, and will not rest till He finds it. He brings it back to the fold with much rejoicing.

Y’shua is an example for all His appointed pastors today. In order to become our Good Shepherd, Y’shua Himself became a Lamb. As a Lamb, He experienced the temptations, the sorrows and sufferings that we experience. So He knows! He understands our feelings of weaknesses, our hurts, pains and anxieties.

“He was oppressed and He was afflicted,

Yet He did not open His mouth;

Like a lamb that is led to slaughter,

And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers,

So He did not open His mouth.” (Isaiah 53:7)

Y’shua subjected Himself to His Father’s will; to become a sacrificial Lamb.

“But it was the will of YHWH to crush Him, and to put Him to grief;

And though YHWH makes His life a guilt offering,

He will see His offspring, and prolong His days,

And the will of YHWH will prosper in His hand.

As a result of the anguish of His soul,

He will see it and be satisfied;

By His knowledge the Righteous One,

My Servant, will justify many,

As He will bear their iniquities.” (Isaiah 53:10-11)

 

And now, with that on-going love and commitment, the Good Shepherd continues His pastoral ministry. He has entered the Holy of Holies, in Heaven, as the Great High Priest, sprinkling His blood, and thus making atonement for us. He has paved the way for us to come to the Father-Shepherd, Yahweh Ro-ee. Now Y’shua is on the Throne as our Representative; He is also present with us constantly, in the Person of Ruah Ha Ro-ee - the Comforting, Shepherding Holy Spirit.

Y’shua Ro-ee neither slumbers nor sleeps. He leads His sheep besides still waters, and makes them to lie down in green pastures. He watches over them with a jealous eye. He protects them from false shepherds, and from ravening wolves. His voice is unique, and His sheep know that voice, and they follow Him. Sometimes He leads them through rough ravines and craggy mountains; sometimes through very dark places; even through the valley of the shadow of death. But always onward, upward, towards the Place He has prepared for them.

It is there that the redeemed of the Lamb, becomes the Bride of the Lamb; and the Bride becomes wedded to the Good Shepherd/King, and they together …

“will dwell in House of YHWH forever.”

(Revelation 19:7.  Psalm 23:6)

 

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 

12.  YAHWEH  SHAMMAH

Yahweh is There  (Ezekiel 48:35)

This title is the very last phrase in the book of Ezekiel; and it is in the form of a prophecy concerning the ultimate name of the city of Jerusalem.

“The city shall be 18,000 cubits all the way around; and the name of the city from that day on shall be, YHWH SHAMMAH (the LORD is there).” (Ezekiel 48:35)

We can trace the history of Jerusalem back to the time of Melchizedek (King of Righteousness; “zedek” (or more correctly, “tzedek”) is used to describe God’s attribute. It is basically the same word as used in Yahweh Tzidkeinu. Melchizedek was the King of Salem, a Jebusite city during the time of Abraham. (Salem, or more correctly, Shalayim, means “peace”. The word is very close to Shalom “peace”.) Salem later became Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) - possession of peace.

Melchizedek was a priest of El Elyon (God the Most High). Evidently he did not know the Name Yahweh; but Abraham revealed this to him.

“And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was priest of El Elyon (God Most High).

And he blessed him and said,

‘Blessed be Abram by El Elyon, Creator of heaven and earth;

And blessed be El Elyon,

Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’

And he gave him a tenth of everything ...

And Abram said to the king of Sodom, (in the hearing of Melchizedek), “‘I have sworn to YHWH El Elyon, Creator of heaven and earth’ ...” (Genesis 14:18, 20, 22)

In the Book of Hebrews we are told that Melchizedek is a type of the Messiah, both as High Priest, and Righteous King.

“You are a priest forever

according to the order of Melkhizedek.”  (Hebrews 5:6)

This verse is a quotation from the Messianic Psalm:

“YHWH says to my Adon (Master): ‘Sit at My right hand,

until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.’

YHWH has sworn and will not change His mind:

‘You are a priest forever,

According to the order of Melchizedek’.”  (Psalm 110:1, 4)

Y’shua, who is one in substance and equated with Yahweh, is seen in Revelation 15 as the righteous King of the whole world. (The passage is made up of several quotations from the O.T.):

“And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God,

and the song of the Lamb, saying,

‘Great and marvellous are Your works,

YHWH, El Shaddai;

Righteous and true are Your ways,

O Sovereign of the ages -  King of the Nations!

Who will not reverence and glorify Your Name, O YHWH?

For You alone are holy.

All the nations will come and worship before You,

For Your righteous acts have been revealed’.”   (Revelation 15:3-4)

It is to be noted that Melchizedek was King of (Jeru-)Salem, and it is from this very same city that Y’shua, the Righteous King of all the earth, will reign during the Millennial kingdom. Because of this fact, Jerusalem is a very important place, and world attention is focusing on “the City of Peace.”

It was to Mt Moriah in Jerusalem that Abraham was commanded to take his son Isaac and offer him as a sacrifice (Genesis 22). It was David, centuries later, who bought a place of sacrifice on Mt Moriah, and made the nearby Mt Zion, “the City of David.”  What a history the city has had since then!

Great events and personalities have left their mark on the city. Titus the Roman General destroyed it in AD 70, after which it was “trampled underfoot by the Gentiles” right up to 1967 when Jerusalem was liberated by the modern state of Israel.

Today it is still a city of conflict, between Arabs and Israelis. And it is destined to be “a heavy stone” for all nations in these last days.

Jerusalem is the city coveted by Satan, and where “the god of this world” will install his man as the “King of all the earth” during the Great Tribulation. Antichrist will “sit in the temple (that is yet to be built on Mt Moriah), displaying himself as being God.” (2 Thes. 2:3-12)

But Jerusalem is the city where Yahweh has put His Name. It is to the Mount of Olives (East Jerusalem) that Y’shua will descend at the end of the Tribulation. It is through the Eastern Gate that the Messiah will enter into the city, bathed in glory.

“Then he led me to the gate, the gate facing east; and I saw the glory of the Elohim of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters; and the earth was radiant with His glory.” (Ezekiel 43:1-2). (Compare these verses with Revelation 1:14-16)

It is from Jerusalem that Y’shua will rule the nations with a sceptre of righteousness. And at that time, when Jerusalem is the “city of the great King, it will be called,

YAHWEH SHAMMAH, “the joy of the whole earth.”

(Psalm 48:1-2. Ezekiel. 48:35)

“Then the survivors from the nations that attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, YHWH of Hosts, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

“In that day there will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, ‘HOLY TO YHWH.’ And the cooking pots in the house of YHWH will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar.

“Every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be holy to YHWH of Hosts, and all who sacrifice will come and take of them and boil in them. And in that day there will no longer be a Canaanite (an infidel) in the house of YHWH of Hosts.” (Zechariah 14:16,20-21)

But no less real than YAHWEH SHAMMAH, the Holy City on earth, will be the glorious New Jerusalem, the heavenly city which Y’shua has prepared for His Bride. The description we have in Revelation 21 indicates that nothing more beautiful can be imagined. From this city, the Bride will reign with her Beloved Master and Sovereign-Husband, over His vast new creation.

That city is called the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, the City Foursquare; but it will also have the beautiful name, YAHWEH SHAMMAH, for Yahweh-Y’shua will be there.

“And I saw no temple in it, for Yahweh, El Shaddai, and the Lamb, are its temple.” (Revelation 21:22)

“Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the Tree of Life, and may enter by the gates into the city.” …

YAHWEH-SHUA  SHAMMAH.

(Revelation 22:14)

 

~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

 

SUPPLEMENT

THE COMMON USAGE OF THE NAMES

“YAH” AND “EL”

IN HEBREW NAMES

Most English readers are unaware that many Hebrew Bible names actually include Yah, the short form of the Father’s Name, at the beginning or end of the name, and sometimes at both ends.

Note:  The Jews traditionally spell this as Ye or Y’; both stands for Yah/Yahweh. The Hebrew Y’ has come across into English as Je.

As a matter of interest, a partial listing of such names is given here. This is not meant to confuse you, and to say that we have to start reforming all our English names. But it is to emphasise how significant the Name of Yah is in Hebrew; and it will help us in understanding the meaning of Bible names. (It may even provide you with a few options for naming your children!)

 

            ANGLICISED NAME         HEBREW FORM            MEANING

            Jecholiah                           Y’holiahu                       Yah is able

            Jeconiah                            Y’haniahu                      Yah is establishing

            Jedaiah                              Y’daiah                           Yah is praise

            Jedidiah                             Y’didiah                         Yah is a Friend

            Jehiel                                  Y’hiEl                             Yah is living God

            Jehiah                                Y’hiah                             Yah is living

            Jehizkiah                           Y’hizhiahu                     Yah is strong

            Jehoadah                           Y’hoadah                       Yah unveils

            Jehoaddan                         Y’hoadan                       Yah gives delight

            Jehoahaz                           Y’hoahaz                        Yah upholds

            Jehoash                              Y’hoash                          Yah supports

            Jehohanan                         Y’hohanan                     Yah is gracious

            Jehoiada                            Y’hoiada                        Yah knows

            Jehoiachin                         Y’hoiahin                       Yah establishes

            Jehoiakim                          Y’hoiakim                      Yah sets up

            Jehoiarib                            Y’hoiariv                        Yah contends

            Jehonadab                         Y’honadav                     Yah is liberal

            Jehonathan                        Y’honatan                      Yah gives

            Jonathan                            Y’honatan                      Yah gives

            John                                   Y’ohanan                       Yah gives

            Jehoram                             Y’horam                         Yah is high

            Jehoshabeath                     Y’hoshavah                    Yah makes oath

            Jehoshaphat                      Y’hoshafat                      Yah is judge

            Jehosheba                          Y’hosheva                      Yah make oath

            Jehoshua/Joshua             Y’hoshua                        Yah saves

            Jehozabad                         Y’hozavad                      Yah endows

            Jehozadak                         Y’hotzadeh                    Yah is just

            Jehu                                    Y’hua                              Yah is he

            Jerahmeel                          Y’rahmaEl                     Yah El is merciful

            Jeremiah                            Y’irmeYahu                   Yah is high

            Jeriah                                 Y’riahu                           Yah is foundation

            Jeribai                                Y’rayavai                        Yah contends

            Jesse                                   Y’shei                              Yah exists

            Joab                                    Y’oav                              Yah is father

            Joash                                  Y’oash                            Yah supports

            Josiah                                 Yoshiahu                        Yah supports

            Jotham                               Y’hotam                         Yah is perfect

            Judah                                 Y’hudah                         Yah is to be praised

            Isaiah                                 Y’shaiahu                       Yah is helper

            Ishmael                              YishmaEl                       El is hearing

            Israel                                  YishraEl                         Ruler with El

            Ezekiel                               Y’hezihEl                       Yah El is strong

            Elijah                                 Eliyahu                           El is Yah

            Eliel                                    Eli’El                               El is El

            Elisha                                 Eli’sha                             El is saviour

            Elisabeth                            Eli’sheva                         El is swearer

 

r  r  r  r  r  r  r