The Divine Name Of God

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 How is Psalm 83:18 translated in your copy of the Bible?  The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures translates it this way: "That people may know you, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth."  Several other versions give similar translation.  Nonetheless, numerous translations omit the name Jehovah.  Instead, they replace Jehovah with a title; such as "Lord" or "God".  What actually belongs here?  A title or the name Jehovah?

The verse speaks of a name.  Much of the Bible was written in Hebrew, and in these manuscripts a unique personal name appears.  This is how it is spelled יהוה in Hebrew letters.  The common pronunciation in English is "Jehovah". These four letters, arranged thusly, are commonly known as the Tetragrammaton.  Is this the only place in which the name Jehovah can be found in the Bible?  No.  The Tetragrammaton is found 6,828 times in ancient manuscripts.  The Tetragrammaton appears more than any title given to God, such as "Sovereign Lord" or even "God".   This great frequency testifies to the importance of the name to the Divine Author.

Is it important that we know God's name?  Think about the prayer given by Jesus at Matthew 6:9-13.  It begins: "Our Father, in the heavens, let your name be sanctified."   John 12:28  reads, Jesus is speaking: "Father, glorify your name." Therefore a voice came out of heaven: "I both glorified [it] and will glorify [it] again."  These facts clearly show God's name is of  paramount importance.  This being the case, why have some translators chosen to exclude the name Jehovah and replace it with titles?

Two factors have played a role in the omission of God's name from the Bible.  Many people feel the name should not be used because the original way to pronounce it is unknown. Ancient Hebrew was written with no vowels.  This fact prevents us from determining exactly how ancient Jews pronounced YHWH.  Still, should we deprive ourselves the use of God's name because of this?  Jesus' name may have been pronounced Yeshua or Yehoshua by his contemporaries.  It is not known for certain.  This does not prevent people worldwide from using the name of Jesus pronounced in their respective languages.  On the same note, if you travel to a foreign land your name might be spoken quite differently than your home land. Therefore, just because we are uncertain of the pronunciation of God's name is no reason not to use God's name.

A long-standing tradition of the Jews is the other  reason for removing the name of God from the Bible.  Many ancient jews believed that God's name should not be spoken.  A misuse of  Exodus 20:7, "You must not take up the name of Jehovah your God in a worthless way, for Jehovah will not leave unpunished who takes up his name in a worthless way.", seems to be the root of this belief.

Consideration of this verse reveals that it forbids the use of God's name in a worthless way. In no way does it forbid the respectful use of God's name, Jehovah.The inspired men that wrote the Bible were all faithful men that lived by the law that God gave to the ancient Israelites.  These men used God's name often.  As an example, the name of God is included in many Psalms that were sung out loud by crowds of worshippers.  Jehovah God has instructed his worshippers to call upon his name, and faithful ones obey.  Read Joel 2:32 and Acts 2:21.  This makes it clear that God wants us to know and use his name, Jesus most certainly did.  Compare John 17:26.

A serious error was made in replacing God's name with titles.  The Bible urges people to develop a personal intimacy with Jehovah God, Psalm 25:14,  yet God seems more remote and impersonal when addressed only by a title.  Think of a close friend.  Do you think you would be as close to this friend if you did not know their name?  Likewise, a person that is kept ignorant concerning the name of God, Jehovah, will be unable to be truly close to God. Ultimately, a person will be unable to gain knowledge, read John 17:3, of the wonderful meaning of God's name if they do not know it.

The meaning of God's name was explained by God himself to Moses.  When Moses asked about God's name, Jehovah replied: "I shall prove to be what I prove to be."  Exodus 3:14  Rotherham's translation translates this way: "I will become whatsoever I please.  This tells us that Jehovah can become whatever is needed to ensure his purposes are fulfilled.

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