Why we should we make changes to the English Bibles
Why we should we make changes to the English Bibles
In the following article, I will explain why I make changes to the King James and other English versions of the Scriptures. Did you know that there are over 30 well known English Bibles in use today? And that they all translate the Hebrew Old Testament Scriptures and the Greek New Testament Scriptures differently? How can this be? Let us investigate.
Some English Bible translations are as literal as possible. This is known as a word for word or formal equivalence translation. Some translations are less literal but are more of a thought for thought method known as dynamic equivalence. Literal or word for word translations run the risk of language differences where the meaning of the translated words grouped together have a different meaning than the original grouping of those Hebrew and Greek words. On the other hand, interpreting Scriptures on a dynamic equivalence basis runs the risk of translator bias.
Can all the English Bibles in use be the inspired Word of Yahweh when some of them have translations that have different meanings? Remember the original Scriptures in Hebrew for the Old Testament and Greek (1) for the New Testament are the inspired Word of Yahweh, not the English language translations.
(1) Many believe that many of the original New Testament Scriptures were written in Hebrew, the native language of the New Testament writers, and were translated into Greek.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of Yahweh, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
A question may arise that if we cannot 100% trust that our English-language Bibles are accurate; can we trust anything written in an English Bible? Let us start with some basics about the Scriptures. We know that we do not have any original Scriptures. We know the Israelite scribes meticulously copied the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) when the old Scriptures wore out and we have copies of the Hebrew Scriptures like the Dead Sea scrolls that validate the Old Testament. We also have many copies of the Greek New Testament. The consistencies of all these copies are incredible and we can rely, for the most part, on the translated Scriptures into English as the inspired word of Yahweh.
But we cannot rely 100% on the accuracy of the English-language translations. Here are two examples of English Bible translations having two different meanings. The mistake is in the King James Bible pertaining to Messiah’s name and Yah’shua (Joshua) son of Nun. The King James Bible identifies the person in this passage as Messiah, when it really should have been Yah’shua son of Nun, who brought the Israelites into the Promised Land. My New King James Bible has this correction. As a side note, I left in for this example the names of Jesus and God that were transliterated in the King James Bible but will discuss later in this article why I don’t use those names.
Acts 7:45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus (should be Yah’shua son of Nun) into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
And
Hebrew 4:8 For if Jesus (should be Yah’shua son of Nun) had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
Another example of inaccuracy in our English Bibles is the translation of the Greek word “aion” and “aionios”. The same Greek word is translated mainly “eternal”, “age”, or “world”. How can this Greek word be translated three different ways into the English language? Also the Hebrew word “olam” is sometime similarly translated “forever” and “everlasting” like the Greek word “aion”. The Scriptures are clear that certain events that were translated “eternal” or “forever” in both testaments were not! So there is inaccuracy, probably due to bias, in the English language translations. Below are a few examples:
Jude 1:7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal (166-aionios) fire.
Clearly there are no ruins that remain on fire today as an example of the wickedness of these cities as this English translation proclaims.
Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever (165-aion) and ever (165-aion). (Also see Revelation 14:11)
Let me ask a silly question. How can there be something after forever? Clearly something has been mistranslated.
Genesis 13:15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever (5769-olam).
Genesis 17:8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting (5769-olam) possession; and I will be their Elohim.
We know that the seed of Abraham has not always retained possession of the land of Cannan. Therefore olam is mistranslated.
A more accurate translation of the Greek word “aion” and “aionios” and the Hebrew word “olam” is “age”, “ages” or “age abiding”, indicating a finite period of time. The only exception to this, are Scriptures pertaining to the Father and the Son, who are immortal and out side of time.
We can also find many examples of gender bias in our English Bibles. There has been a lot of controversy over women teaching Yahweh’s Word. Many believe that women cannot teach men under any circumstance and base it on Scriptures like 2 Timothy 2:1 and 1 Peter 4:11 (for more details, please read “Women’s Role in the Kahal”). Let us take a closer look at both Scriptures.
2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Messiah YahwehShua. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men (444), who shall be able to teach others also.
At first, 2 Timothy appears to teach that the evangel should be committed to faithful men (by inference excluding women), who shall be able to teach others. But the Greek word is (444) Anthropos – human being (man or woman). Again we have translator bias. This Scripture should read “committed to faithful men and women…who shall be able to teach others also”.
What about 1 Peter 4:11?
1 Peter 4:11 If any man (1536) speak, let him speak as the oracles of Elohim; if any man (1536) minister, let him do it as of the ability which Yahweh giveth: that Yahweh in all things may be glorified through YahwehShua Messiah, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Again, it appears that men are the only ones to speak/teach the oracles of Elohim and that Yahweh has only given men that ability. But the Greek word translated “If any man” is 1536-eitis, which actually means “if any” – which would include women. “Man” was added by the translator and again we have translator bias.
Another source of translation bias is that the original text had no headings, punctuations, or numbering, compounding the problems of the translations and translator bias. Moving a comma can change the whole meaning of a verse. Let us look at a couple of examples.
Luke 23:42 And he said unto Yah’shua, master, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. 43 And Yah’shua said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Or
43 And Yah’shua said unto him, Verily I say unto thee today, shalt thou be with me in paradise.
By moving the comma over by one word (translators’ bias), the time that the thief would be in paradise changes from today to some time in the future. My studies on this matter clearly show that believers are resurrected from the dead at Messiah’s second coming and that we don’t have an immortal soul that goes directly to heaven when we die.
Plus how could the thief be with Messiah in heaven (i.e. paradise) that day when we know that Messiah was in the grave three days and three nights before His resurrection and that He did not ascend to heaven until 40 days after His resurrection?
Let us look at another example:
Mark 16:9 Now when Yah’shua was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.”
Or
Mark 16:9 Now when Yah’shua was risen, early the first day of the week he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.”
There is a missing implied comma between “risen” and “early.” Yah’shua did not rise from the dead on Sunday morning. Based on my studies, Yah’shua died on Wednesday afternoon, was put in the tomb at sunset on Wednesday, and was resurrected Saturday at sunset.
Lastly, we have added words shown in italics. Sometimes the added words help in our reading and understanding of the Scriptures. Other times they can change the meaning of the Scriptures.
For instance, Yahweh tells Moses at the burning bush that His name is “I AM” (Exodus 3:13-14). About 1,500 years later, when Yah’shua is about to be arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, He tells them “I am He” (John 18:3-8). The “He”, however, is in italics. That means Yah’shua did not say it! He really said to them “I AM”, identifying Himself as the Yahweh who spoke to Moses, the very Mighty One of Israel! No wonder the multitude fell back!
Let us look at another example in the Scriptures.
2 Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever (165-aion better translated for the ages)
As you may have noticed, the word “are” is italicized, which means it was added by the translators. This verse should read “were” cast because the original Greek is past tense. Just like man that did not repent during the Last Great Day, the Beast, the False Prophet, and Satan are destroyed and become ashes under believers’ feet (Malachi 4:1-3). The word “are” is added by the translators making it sound like the Lake of Fire is an eternal condition when actually the Lake of Fire is finite and not existent in the New Heavens and Earth.
Another example how added words can distort the meaning of the Scriptures is found in Colossians where many believe Yahweh’s Food Laws, Holy Days, New Moons, and Sabbaths have been done away.
Colossians 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon (#3561), or of the sabbath days: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body (is) of Messiah.
First, this verse in Colossians clearly indicates that Yahweh’s Food Laws, Sabbath Days, Holy Days, and New Moons are shadows of things to come, meaning that they have not been done away with. The Greek word translated shadow, #4639 “skia”, means “shadow” or “adumbration”. According to the Heritage Dictionary, “adumbration” is “something that foreshadows or partially or guardedly discloses something or gives a sketchy outline of something”. The definition of foreshadow is “to present an indication or suggestion of beforehand; presage”. And lastly the definition of “presage” is “(1) an indication or warning of a future occurrence; (2) prophetic significance or meaning”.
If you look closely at Colossians 2:17, you will notice at the end of this passage the word “is” is added by the translators. If this added word is removed, we get a clear understanding of this passage which should read; “Let no man (i.e. person) therefore judge you…….but the body of Messiah”. Therefore the judge should be the body or assembly of Messiah. The addition of the word “is” has really distorted this passage with many believing that this passage states Messiah’s sacrifice abolished Yahweh’s Food Laws, Sabbath Days, Holy Days, and New Moons.
Not only do we have a word added here or there to help with the translation from one language to another, we have added passages that were not in the original texts.
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
It is clear that not all of the words in this passage were in the original Greek text. Some words were added and need to be removed, namely “in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth,”.
The correct translation of 1 John 5:7-8 should read: “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood; and these three agree in one.
Clearly these extra words in this passage were added to support the Trinity doctrine.
We have English Bible translations based on traditions of men, not the correct translation of the original Hebrew language. An example of an incorrect translation based on Jewish tradition is found in Psalm 8:5 and repeated in the book of Hebrews.
Psalm 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Hebrews 2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
9 But we see Yah’shua, who was made a little lower than the angels
Angels is not the correct translation. The reason we have angels in these passages is based on Jewish tradition. The correct translation is not angel but Elohim (Hebrew for Mighty Ones). Therefore these passages should read “made him a little lower than Elohim”.
Let us look at one last example of translator bias. It is a fact that mainstream Christianity does not keep the Biblical Sabbath (Friday sunset to Saturday sunset). Below is another example of translator bias. This time the translator bias is against Yahweh’s Sabbath.
Hebrew 4:8 For if Yah’shua had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest (4520) to the people of Yahweh. 10 For he that is entered into his rest (2663), he also hath ceased from his own works, as Elohim did from his.
4520 sabbatismos {sab-bat-is-mos’} • from a derivative of 4521; TDNT – 7:34,989; n m • AV – rest 1; 1 • 1) a keeping sabbath 2) the blessed rest from toils and troubles looked for in the age to come by the true worshippers of Yahweh and true Christians
2663 katapausis {kat-ap’-ow-sis} • from 2664; TDNT – 3:628,419; n f • AV – rest 9; 9 • 1) a putting to rest 1a) calming of the winds 2) a resting place
If you read carefully in verse nine of Hebrews by looking up the word translated “rest”, we find this word “rest” should have been translated “Sabbath”. Therefore, the writer of Hebrews is telling us that “There remaineth therefore a Sabbath to the people of Yahweh”. Yes, the Sabbath was not done away with the death, burial, and resurrection of Messiah as many believe.
What are we to do about inaccuracy and translator bias? First, we must study the original Greek and Hebrew word definitions. This is critical. Using a Concordance is the best way to do a key word study. Strong’s Concordance is the most popular concordance used. The Strong’s Concordance also allows the reader to see how the underlying Greek and Hebrew words are used throughout the Scriptures and can open up additional understanding of those Greek or Hebrew words.
Utilizing the LXX (Septuagint) can be helpful to see how Hebrew words (Old Testament) were translated by 70 Jewish Rabbis into Greek. Therefore we can have a better understanding of how these two languages interface.
Most importantly, we must want the truth:
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 Yahweh is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 8:31 Then said Yah’shua to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
And we must not settle for the traditions of men:
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Messiah.
Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Sovereign said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
We must prove all things:
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Yahweh.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
And must use the Holy Spirit (not other people) to lead us into all truth and righteousness!
1 Corinthians 2:10 But Yahweh hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of Yahweh. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of Yahweh knoweth no man, but the Spirit of Yahweh. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of Yahweh; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of Yahweh. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of Yahweh: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 John 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
So clearly, we need to be cognizant that our English Bibles are not 100% accurate. With that in mind, I will discuss eleven general changes I make to the King James and other English Bibles.
1) The Name of the Almighty is Yahweh and should be used exclusively in the Old Testament.
The name of the Almighty, the four Hebrew letters called the Tetragrammaton, was taken out of the English transliteration (name translation) of the Hebrew Scriptures (i.e. Old Testament) over 6,800 times. In its place was substituted “the LORD” and “GOD”. The best transliteration of the Almighty’s name, the Tetragrammaton, is YAHWEH.
Isaiah 42:8 I am Yahweh: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.
Isaiah 52:5 Now therefore, what have I here, saith Yahweh, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith Yahweh; and my name continually every day is blasphemed. 6 Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I.
Psalm 135:13 Thy name, O Yahweh, endureth for ever; and thy memorial (2143), O Yahweh, throughout all generations.
2143 zeker {zay’-ker} or zeker {zeh’-ker} • from 02142; TWOT – 551a; n m • AV – remembrance 11, memorial 5, memory 5, remembered 1, scent 1; 23 • 1) memorial, remembrance 1a) remembrance, memory 1b) memorial
“The LORD” is not the Almighty’s name. Did you know that “Baal” means “lord”? And that Yahweh predicted that some would forget His name for “Baal”?
Jeremiah 23:26 How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart; 27 Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal (1168).
Hosea 2:16 And it shall be at that day, saith Yahweh, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali. 17 For I will take away the names of Baalim (1168) out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.
1168 Ba`al {bah’-al} • the same as 01167; TWOT – 262a • AV – Baal 62, Baalim 18; 80 • Baal = “lord” n pr m 1) supreme male divinity of the Phoenicians or Canaanites 2) a Reubenite 3) the son of Jehiel and grandfather of Saul n pr loc 4) a town of Simeon, probably identical to Baalath-beer
After reading the above, should we be calling the Almighty “the LORD” when He tells us His name is Yahweh, that we should not give His glory to another, and that Baal=Lord?
What about using “God”? Again this is not the Almighty’s name. Let us take an inside look at the name God.
Did you know that Satan is the “god of this world”?
Corinthians 4:3 But if our evangel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious evangel of Messiah, who is the image of Elohim, should shine unto them.
And that Satan is the great deceiver?
Revelation12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
1 John 5:19 We know that we are of Yahweh, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one (NKJ).
From the beginning Satan wanted to be like the Most High.
Isaiah 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of Elohim: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. 15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
….. And what better way to be like the Most High than to have your name worshipped by billions of people!
All of the world’s false religions are part of Satan’s deception. Satan has deceived mankind into worshipping him through a multitude of false names, including God.
In most English versions of the Old Testament; God is used for the Hebrew words El/Elohim. El means Mighty One and Elohim is plural, meaning Mighty Ones. El/Elohim are not names, but titles. There is no connection between El/Elohim and God, meaning you cannot translate El/Elohim to God. God is a proper name, but not of the Most High. It was added to the Scriptures likely by the Greeks. Couple this with the Jews taking the name of Yahweh out of the Scriptures and the name of the Almighty is out and the name of the devil is in!!!
According to R. James Strong, author of the famous Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, God is a Babylonian demon. [SECB, Abingdon Press, 28th edition, 1979, Hebrew/Chaldee Dictionary, entry #1408].
According to the official explanation of the Catholic Church, on their newadvent.org website, God is the name of several demonic entities, including the supreme Greek deity Zeus! [newadvent.org, God:etymology].
According to Dr. E.W. Bullinger, compiler of Zondervan’s Companion Bible, God is identified as a Syrian demon of Fate. [Companion Bible, Isaiah 65:11 notes]
Transliteration of the name means the phonetic representation of the original name needs to be kept as closely as possible to the original name. My name is Chuck. If my name was transliterated into Russian, the Russian transliteration should sound as close to Chuck as possible. The following verses and the definitions of the underlying Hebrew word dG (pronounced “gawd”) are conclusive evidence that we should never use God when talking about Yahweh, the Holy One of the Scriptures.
Isaiah 65:11 But ye are they that forsake Yahweh that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for dG (1409-Gad/God pronounced “gawd”), and that furnish the drink offering unto that number (4507-Meni, literally number or destiny, a pagan deity). 12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
1409 gad {gawd} • from 1464 (in the sense of distributing); TWOT – 313d; n m • AV – troop 2; 2 • 1) fortune, good fortune
1464 guwd {goode} • a primitive root [akin to 01413]; TWOT – 325; v • AV – overcome 2, invade with troops 1; 3 • 1) to invade, attack 1a) (Qal) to attack
I don’t know about you, but I think I will pray to Yahweh and not God (“gawd”)!!! There is no doubt this demonic name is pronounced “God”. And the meaning of “God” is one that invades, attacks, and divides and is not a loving or merciful Elohim.
Also the Greek LXX (Septuagint), written 250 years before Messiah by seventy Jewish scholars translated the Hebrew word dG (pronounced “Gawd”) to daimoni or “the demon”.
This may sound far-fetched to a lot of people, but we know that Satan has been deceiving mankind since the creation of the world and what better way to deceive than to mix truth (inspired Scriptures) with lies (that the Almighty’s name is God).
2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Messiah. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his (Satan) ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
For “the LORD” and “GOD” in the English Old Testament, I use the Almighty’s true name, Yahweh. Again, “the LORD” and “GOD” were substitutions for Yahweh’s name, the four Hebrew letters called the Tetragrammaton, by the translators. I have no problem with titles as we will discuss later, but prefer to use the actual name, Yahweh, as often as possible. If I do use a title, I like to use Sovereign, which means supreme rank or power.
2) Yahweh’s name continues in the New Testament:
Based on the number of quoted and paraphrased Old Testament Scriptures that contain the Tetragrammaton in the New Testament, it is clear Yahweh’s name continues in the New Testament. Plus we know that Yahweh’s name will be a memorial for all generations and that the Gentiles will at some time know His name.
Exodus 3:13 And Moses said unto Elohim, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The Elohim of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 14 And Elohim said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. 15 And Elohim said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, Yahweh Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial (2143) unto all generations.
Malachi 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith Yahweh of hosts.
The New Testament does not have Yahweh’s written name, the Tetragrammaton, or the Greek equivalent. What we have is the Greek word Theo and its derivatives. Approximately 300 years before Messiah emptied Himself of glory and came down to earth as a man, Yahweh’s name was gradually taken out of the Greek writings by the Jews. In its place was substituted Theo and its derivatives. Therefore to determine whether or not to use Yahweh’s name or a title like Sovereign, it is important to see if the New Testament Scripture is quoting or paraphrasing an Old Testament Scripture. Also the Greek “Theo” with or without a definite article also gives us clues. If “Theo” has a corresponding definite article, I sometimes use Yahweh. Yahweh’s name in the New Testament is substituted many times with “God” (lower case for the last two letters) and sometimes with “the lord” (lower case). Although not capitalized in the New Testament, “the lord” and “God” are titles/names that I do not use based on what we have already discussed.
3) Messiah’s name during His time on earth was Yah’shua (Joshua) not Jesus.
Messiah was a Jew from the tribe of Judah and was a Jewish Rabbi. He had a Hebrew name (Jesus in not a Hebrew name) which was prophesized in the Old Testament as Yah’shua.
Let’s look at prophetic scriptures in Zechariah, chapters 3 and 6. The true prophetic human name of the biblical Messiah is Yah’shua, prophesied six times (the number of man) in these two chapters. Below are excerpts from these two chapters.
Zechariah 3:1 And he shewed me Yah’shua (Joshua) the high priest standing before the angel of Yahweh, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2 And Yahweh said unto Satan, Yahweh rebuke thee, O Satan; even Yahweh that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3 Now Yah’shua (Joshua) was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment.
Zechariah 6:11 Then take silver and gold, and make crowns, and set them upon the head of Yah’shua (Joshua) the son of Josedech, the high priest; 12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh Yahweh of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of Yahweh: 13 Even he shall build the temple of Yahweh; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.
I will not get into any details, but there is also prophetic symbolism with Yah’shua (Joshua) son of Nun, taking the Israelites into the promised land.
We also know Messiah comes in His Father’s name.
John 5:43 I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
What is the father’s name? Yahweh. What does Yah’shua mean? Yah(weh) saves. There is a link with the father’s name.
The name Jesus is new and has been around for about 400 years. In fact the name Jesus was not even in the first King James Bible. The letter J in English is a new invention. There is no corresponding letter in the Hebrew alphabet for the English J.
With the name Jesus, there is no connection to the Father’s name. You cannot transliterate Yah’shua into Jesus. Jesus does not sound remotely like Yah’shua. Messiah was a Jew from the tribe of Judah. Yah’shua is a Jewish name. Jesus is not a Jewish name.
If “Jesus” was not used as the name of salvation until the last four hundred years, how could it be the name of salvation? If you ever reviewed someone proving the name “Jesus”, it usually involves transliteration of the name from Hebrew to Latin to Greek to English with unclear letter substitutions. What it reminds me of is a shell game!
4) At His resurrection and return to glory with the Father, Messiah was again given the glory He once had with the Father and inherited a more excellent name, the name above all names…the great name of Yahweh.
To distinguish between the Father and Son, I prefer to use YahwehShua. Shua is a suffix to Yahweh and means salvation. So YahwehShua means Yahweh is salvation. Yahweh’s word allows for the addition of a suffix, but it doesn’t alter His name. Examples are YahwehShalom, YahwehYireh, and YahwehTzidkenu.
YahwehShua is also an expansion of Yah’shua. Yah’shua is sometimes spelled with six Hebrew letters (the number of man) and by adding an additional Hebrew letter, Hey, you expand Yah’shua to YahwehShua. You then have seven Hebrew letters to tie in with the perfection of the Almighty. Therefore I use the name YahwehShua (not Jesus) after his resurrection. Another acceptable alternative is Yahweh Messiah or Yahweh the Messiah.
John 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore Yahweh also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of YahwehShua every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Yahweh the Messiah is Sovereign, to the glory of Yahweh the Father.
Hebrew 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Psalm 8:1 O YAHWEH our Sovereign, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.
Psalm 148:13 Let them praise the name of Yahweh: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Messiah, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
Psalm 89:24 But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn (power) be exalted (raised).
Let us look at more clues on why Messiah’s name is Yahweh after his resurrection when He returns to glory with the Father. We know that during the 1,000-year reign, Messiah will be called Yahweh.
Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith Yahweh, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. 6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, YAHWEH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (Also see Jeremiah 33:15-16)
Matthew 23:39 For I (Messiah) say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of Yahweh (a direct quote of Psalm 118:26).
Zechariah 14:9 And Yahweh shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Yahweh, and his name one.
Zephaniah 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of Yahweh, to serve him with one consent.
When is this day? It sounds like the 1,000-year reign to me. Nobody is calling him Jesus.
Messiah’s name before he emptied himself of His glory and came down to earth as a man was Yahweh. Remember, Scriptures state that no one other than Messiah has ever seen or heard the Father.
John 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.
John 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of Yahweh he hath seen the Father.
So who was the Yahweh that was seen or heard in the Old Testament? There are a165 places in the Old Testament where “Dabar-Yahweh” is found. The Hebrew word “dabar” means “word ” or “speaking”. Therefore “Dabar-Yahweh” means the “Word of Yahweh”. And if no one has ever heard the Father, the “Word of Yahweh” could also be interpreted as the “Spokesman of Yahweh”. Over and over in the Scriptures, we see the “Dabar-Yahweh” or “Yahweh” talking and sometimes being seen by Abraham, Moses, the children of Israel, Samuel, Solomon, and Elijah.
Genesis 15:1 After these things the Dabar-Yahweh came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty Elohim; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Exodus 6:10 And Yahweh spake unto Moses, saying,
Exodus 24:16 And the glory of Yahweh abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day he called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. 17 And the sight of the glory of Yahweh was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.
1 Samuel 15:10 Then came the Dabar-Yahweh unto Samuel, saying,
1 Kings 6:11 And the Dabar-Yahweh came to Solomon, saying,
1 Kings 21:1717 And the Dabar Yahweh came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
Are there any clues in the New Testament on who is the “Word of Yahweh”?
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Yahweh, and the Word was Elohim.
John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of Yahweh.
It seems very clear that the Yahweh that spoke and was heard in the Old Testament was Messiah. 1 Corinthians nails this on the head. Again I don’t see the name Jesus being used.
1 Corinthians 10:1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Messiah.
Exodus 14:24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch Yahweh looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
Deuteronomy 32:3 Because I will publish the name of Yahweh: ascribe ye greatness unto our Elohim 4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a Elohim of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Psalm 95:1 O come, let us sing unto Yahweh: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
5) God (lower case) in the Old Testament and sometimes in the New Testament has been substituted for the Hebrew words “El” and mostly “Elohim”. Simple definition of “El” is “Mighty One” and “Elohim” is plural or “Mighty Ones”. Therefore I use “El”, “Elohim”, “Mighty One” or “Mighty Ones”. Again God is not the Almighty’s name but a transliteration of a demonic name.
6) I use “evangel” for “gospel” based on “gospel” etymology to “God”.
7) I use “holiness”, “righteousness” or “piety” for “godliness” based on “godliness” etymology to “God”.
8) I use the Hebrew word “kahal” (the called out) or “assembly” for “church”. This is my preference. There are a lot of people that hear the word “church” and immediately think of a building or a denomination, not the body of believers with Messiah as its head.
9) I use “Messiah for “Christ”. This is my preference. Many people believe Messiah’s name is Jesus Christ or just Christ. I am trying to get away from the incorrect names.
10) I use “stake” for “cross”. The Greek word “stauros” means “stake”, not “cross”.
It is clear by the Scriptures that Yah’shua (and the thieves) were not crucified on crosses on a barren hill, but nailed to a stake and fastened to trees in a garden!
John 19:41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
Acts 5:30 The Elohim of our fathers raised up YahwehShua, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree (xulon). (also see Acts 10:39, and 13:29)
Galatians 3:13 Messiah hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree (xulon): (direct quote from Deuteronomy 21:23)
1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree (xulon), that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. (also see James 2:24)
And this xulon or tree that Messiah was fastened to was a LIVING tree!
Luke 23:31 For if they do these things in a green tree (xulon), what shall be done in the dry? 32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death. 33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
“Green” is from the Greek word “hugros”, meaning ” full of sap – LIVING!
SECB: 5200 hugros {hoo-gros’} • from the base of 5205;; adj • AV – green 1; 1 • 1) damp, moist, wet 2) full of sap, green
11) I use “Sovereign” for “the lord” or “lord” all the time in the Old Testament and most of the time in the New Testament. “the lord” or “lord” in the Old Testament is not from the Tetragrammaton and is a title. The New Testament is very confusing in the use of “the lord” or “lord”. When it is clearly a quote or paraphrase of the Old Testament verse that has the Tetragrammaton I use “Yahweh”. Also the Greek “Theo” with or without a definite article also gives us clues whether or not to use “Yahweh”. If “Theo” has a corresponding definite article, I sometimes use Yahweh. Otherwise I use “Sovereign”, which means supreme rank or power.
HalleluYah
(5/13b)