Names and Titles
Correct names and titles are incredibly important to the Almighty and integral to worshiping Him in Spirit and in truth as well as understanding the Holy Scriptures. Using incorrect names is tantamount to idolatry and breaks both the First and Fourth Commandments.
Before we study the names and titles found in the Scriptures, we first must understand that the English Bibles we read are translations. And with all translations, translator error and bias comes into play. That is why a Bible student needs to go back to the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. For more information on this very important topic, please read “Why we should we make changes to the English Bibles”.
A major example of translator bias in our English Bibles is the removal of the Almighty’s name, Yahweh including over 6,800 times in the Old Testament. In place of Yahweh’s name, the translators used “the LORD” and “GOD” in the Old Testament and sometimes “Lord” in the New Testament.
Why was the Almighty’s Name removed? Before Messiah came to this earth as a man, the Jews superstitiously determined that the sacred Name was too holy to pronounce. Therefore the Name was removed from most translations of the Old Testament Scriptures.
This Jewish tradition of deleting Yahweh’s Name was continued by “Christians” in the New Testament. Yahweh’s great name should be in the New Testament based on the number of quoted Old Testament Scriptures containing His Name. Plus we know that Yahweh’s name will be a memorial to all generations (Exodus 3:13-15, Psalm 135:13 and Daniel 2:20), that the Gentiles will at some time know His Name (Malachi 1:11, Ezekiel 36:20-23, 39:7 and Psalm 102:15), and that Yahweh does not change (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, and James 1:17).
“The LORD” and “GOD” (capitalized) in the Old Testament are pagan substitutions for the Hebrew name of the Almighty sometimes called the tetragrammaton, which consists of four Hebrew letters spelled out as YHWH or YHVH. We believe the best pronunciation of the tetragrammaton is Yahweh. Let’s investigate.
“HalleluYah” is probably the most universal word of praise in the known world. The reason I removed the J and inserted a Y, is that the J is a recent invention in the English language and was used as an incorrect substitute for the letter Y. HalleluYah means “Praise You Yah!” or “Praise Yah”; YAH being the poetic form of the Covenant Name “Yahweh” and is made up of the first two letters of the tetragrammaton.
We see the Hebrew word HalleluYah many times in the Psalms (Psalm 146:1 & 10, Psalm 147:1 & 20, Psalm 148:1 & 14, Psalm 149:1 & 9, and Psalm 150:1 & 6). We also see the poetic name of the Almighty, “YAH”, in some English Bibles. The following examples are straight out of the New King James Bible with no alterations.
Psalm 68:4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name: Extol Him who rides on the clouds by His name YAH. And rejoice before him. (NKJ)
Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH, the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ ” (NKJ)
Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. (NKJ)
Again, the Almighty’s name in the Hebrew Old Testament consists of four Hebrew letters (yod, he, waw, he) and implies a two-syllable word. As a side note, although the four Hebrew letters are consonants, there are implied vowel sounds in the Hebrew language including the tetragrammaton. It is clear the first syllable of the tetragrammaton is YAH based on what we have discussed.
The pronunciation of the second syllable (waw, he) of the Almighty’s name is more problematic. I am not a language expert. So I cannot prove without a shadow of a doubt how to pronounce the second syllable of the Almighty’s name. With that being said, there is much agreement that the best transliteration of the Almighty’s Name is YAHWEH. Let me be crystal clear. I would rather be very close to calling on the Creator of the universe with my best interpretation of His Name than calling on a name that is obviously incorrect or a name that has meaning that should never be attached to the Almighty! Think about this, names in Hebrew always have meaning.
It is amazing that Yahweh’s name occurs in ancient Hebrew manuscripts (Old Testament) over 6,800 times. But if you pick up most English Bibles you cannot find the name! It is critical to use Yahweh’s name and not incorrect names such as “the LORD” or “GOD”. For more information on why we should use the name Yahweh exclusively, please read “Should we exclusively use the name “Yahweh” for the Almighty? “
Why should we exclusively use the name “Yahweh” for the Almighty? First, Yahweh reveals His Name to genuine truth seekers. His Name can be found in the Scriptures, but only by those led by the Holy Spirit. His Name is Yahweh and His people will know His true name.
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.
Amos 5:8 Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: Yahweh is his name:
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.
Ezekiel 39:7 So will I make my holy name known in the midst of my people Israel; and I will not let them pollute my holy name any more: and the heathen shall know that I am Yahweh, the Holy One in Israel.
Yahweh declares in His Word that His Name alone is excellent and should be worshipped. And that His Name, “Yahweh”, should be “hallowed” which means “to acknowledge, venerate, and separate from profane things”.
Psalm 148:13 Let them praise the name of Yahweh: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
Isaiah 12:4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise Yahweh, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted.
Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed (37) be thy name.
37 hagiazo {hag-ee-ad’-zo} • from 40; TDNT – 1:111,14; v • AV – sanctify 26, hallow 2, be holy 1; 29 • 1) to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow 2) to separate from profane things and dedicate to Yahweh 2a) consecrate things to Yahweh 2b) dedicate people to Yahweh 3) to purify 3a) to cleanse externally 3b) to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin 3c) to purify internally by renewing of the soul
Why is it important to worship and use Yahweh’s great name and not false names or titles? Because Yahweh will hold them guilty who profane His Holy Name.
Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of Yahweh thy Elohim in vain; for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain (7723). (Also see Deuteronomy 5:11)
Psalm 139:20 For they speak against thee wickedly, and thine enemies take thy name in vain (7723).
What is “vain”? It means to be empty of value and worthless. Making his Holy Name something empty and worthless is what His enemies do, not believers!
7723 shav’ {shawv} or aw>v; shav {shav} • from the same as 07722 in the sense of desolating; TWOT – 2338a; n m • AV – vain 22, vanity 22, false 5, lying 2, falsely 1, lies 1; 53 • 1) emptiness, vanity, falsehood 1a) emptiness, nothingness, vanity 1b) emptiness of speech, lying 1c) worthlessness (of conduct)
And what is more amazing is that Yahweh foretold through Old Testament prophets that people would forget His Name for Baal, which translated means “the lord”. Baal is a pagan deity. It is not surprising that Satan has suppressed the Almighty’s Name, Yahweh, and replaced it with other names and titles. Yahweh has allowed Satan to do this (Job 1 & 2) in order that He may reveal His true name to His believers.
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 and that Baal=Lord? Selah (i.e. think about it).
Scriptures do use titles for the Almighty. If we are going to use a title for the Almighty, I prefer “Sovereign”, which means one with supreme rank or power or the Hebrew word “Adonai”. I use “Sovereign” or “Adonai” for “lord” all the time in the Old Testament and most of the time in the New Testament. The uncapitalized “lord” in the Old Testament is not from the tetragrammaton and is a title and is from the Hebrew word “Adonai”. The New Testament is very confusing in the use of “Lord”. When it is clearly a quote or paraphrase of the Old Testament verse that has the tetragrammaton I use “Yahweh”. Otherwise I use “Sovereign” or “Adonai”.
What about calling the Almighty “God”? “God” is mainly a substitute for the Hebrew words “El/Eloah/Elohim” in the Old Testament. Again, capitalized “GOD” in the Old Testament is a substitute for the tetragrammaton. “Eloah” means “Mighty One”, “Elohim” is plural, meaning “Mighty Ones”, and El is a shorten version of both. We know that “El/Eloah/Elohim” are not names. They are titles. But many mistake the English mistranslation of “El/Eloah/Elohim”, “God”, as the name of the Almighty. This use of “God” as the name of the Almighty is also found in the New Testament with the Greek “Theo” and its derivatives.
Should we use “God” as the name or as a title of the Almighty? First of all “God” is not the name of the Almighty and there is no connection between “El/Eloah/Elohim” and “God”. “El/Eloah/Elohim” cannot be translated “God”. Somehow “God” and capitalized “GOD” were added to the Scriptures. Couple this with the Jews deciding to take the name of Yahweh out of the Scriptures and you have Yahweh out and “God/GOD” in!
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.
1 John 5:19 We know that we are of Yahweh, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one (NKJ).
Revelation 12:9 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.
Yahweh has allowed Satan to remove His Name and replace it with “God/GOD”. Polls show that 90% of Americans believe in “God/GOD”. This is not surprising since Scriptures tell us that Satan is the “god” of this world. Selah (i.e. think about it).
2 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 Yahweh, should shine unto them.
We also know through Scriptures in Isaiah 65:11 that “God/GOD” is a demonic name and not the name of the Almighty.
Transliteration of the name means the phonetic representation of the original name needs to be kept as closely as possible to the original name between languages. Names are not translated from language to language but transliterated instead. A translation usually provides the meaning of a word but not necessarily the sound where a transliteration provides the sound but not necessarily the meaning.
Let us look at an example of transliteration of a 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/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) (1), and that furnish the drink offering unto that number. 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.
(1) 1409 gad {gawd} • from 01464 (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
Yahweh states that forsaking Him is equivalent to substituting “God/GOD” for His true name “Yahweh”. I don’t know about you, but I think I will pray to Yahweh and not “God/GOD” (gawd)!!! There is no doubt this demonic name is pronounced “God/GOD”. And the meaning of “God/GOD” is one that “invades, attacks, and divides” as demonstrated in the above Hebrew word definitions. Obviously “God/GOD” is not the personal name of the true Almighty, who is loving and merciful.
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”.
Lastly, the Scriptures have a lot to say about using “God/GOD” or any other name to worship the Almighty? Yahweh commands believers to call upon His Name only and forbids us to call upon the names of other mighty ones.
Isaiah 26:13 O Yahweh our Elohim, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.
Joshua 23:7 That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:
Exodus 23:13 And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.
Deuteronomy 18:20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
This brings us to a discussion about “Jesus”. Let us start the review of the name “Jesus” by looking at prophetic Scriptures about Messiah’s name in Zechariah, chapters 3 and 6. The true prophetic human name of the biblical Messiah found in Zechariah is Yah’shua (English = Joshua), prophesied six times (the number of man). The Hebrew name Yah’shua is pronounced “Yah-shoo-ah” or possibly could be pronounced “Yah-oo-shoo-ah”. Below are excerpts from these two chapters in Zechariah.
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.
We also have a clue on the pronunciation of Messiah’s name while a man on this earth in the Greek Septuagint. Again, the Greek Septuagint was written 250 years before Messiah’s first coming by seventy Jewish scholars. The goal was to translate the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek.
What we find in the prophetic passages just covered in Zechariah, the prophesied name of Messiah was transliterated in the Greek to IHSOU. IHSOU is pronounced Yah’shua. We also find approximately two-hundred times in the Septuagint Old Testament, Yah’shua (Joshua) transliterated into the Greek letters IHSOU, including Yah’shua son of Nunn.
I will not get into any details, but there is also prophetic symbolism with Yah’shua (Joshua), the son of Nunn, taking the Israelites into the promised land. This parallels Messiah rule of the promised land during His 1,000-year reign with His saints, which are spiritual Israel.
We also know Messiah comes in his Father’s name and that Messiah said that He and the Father are one. What is the father’s name? Yahweh. What does Yah’shua mean? “Yah(weh) saves”. There is a link with the 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.
John 10:29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.
How accurate are our English Bibles? I have already mentioned translation error and bias. Here are two examples of this in the King James Bible mistaking the name “Jesus” for Yah’shua (Joshua), son of Nunn.
Acts 7:45 Which also our fathers that came after brought in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom Elohim drave out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David;
And
Hebrew 4:8 For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
Both these verses refer to Yah’shua (Joshua), son of Nunn, successor to Moses. Why is Yah’shua mistranslated Jesus in these two passages? Because both had the same name and the translators overlooked these two passages. This is an extremely revealing error!
Here are some more interesting facts about the name “Jesus”. 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 biggest change to Messiah’s name in the King James Bible was the substitution of the letter “I” for the letter “J”. So why is this a problem using the letter “J”? The letter “J” was transliterated from the Roman (i.e. Latin) letter “I”. The problem with this transliteration is the Latin “I” represents a “Y” sound, not the harder consonantal “J” or “G” sound that we are familiar with the letter “J”.
There is not now nor was there ever an equivalent letter “J” in the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. The “J” is a new invention of the English language and is not in the Hebrew alphabet. Given that the Scriptures were penned hundreds of years before the English language even existed, it goes without saying that this fact alone disproves “Jesus” as a valid pronunciation of Messiah’s name.
Another problem with the name “Jesus” is that 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. The reality is Yah’shua has a unique sound and an absolute profound meaning. “Jesus” has no real meaning what so ever and does not represent a true transliteration of Messiah’s name while a man on earth.
Think about this, if “Jesus” was not used as the name of salvation until the last four hundred years, how could it be the name of salvation?
To finish our study on names and titles, I would like to start with a riddle. The riddle has to do with Messiah’s glorified name. As you probably have noticed in this article, when I use the name Yah’shua, I also sometimes indicate that this was Messiah’s name while a man on earth.
Proverbs 30:4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?
We know that Messiah’s name while a man on this earth was Yah’shua. But what is Messiah’s name before He emptied Himself of His glory and became a man? And what is Messiah’s name when He was glorified again with the Father after His resurrection from the dead? For the answer of this riddle, please read “The Name of Inheritance” by George Gabler and “The Great Riddle”.
Okay, I will give you the answer to the riddle….the name of our glorified savior is Yahweh! To distinguish between the Father and Son, I primarily use Yahweh for the Father and YahwehShua (Yahweh is salvation) or Yahweh Messiah for the son. Again, to understand this amazing revelation, please read the two referenced articles.
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)
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.
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:
Philippians 2:9 Wherefore Yahweh also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Psalm 148:13 Let them praise the name of Yahweh: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.
Based on everything we have covered I will not use the names and titles “The Lord/The LORD”, “God/GOD”, and “Jesus”, but will use the titles “Sovereign” and “Adonai” and the names “Yahweh” and “Yah’shua”. I will also use the name “YahwehShua” or “Yahweh Messiah” when referencing the resurrected and glorified Messiah.
Names and titles are critical to worshipping the Almighty and understanding the Holy Scriptures. Using the correct names and titles is of paramount importance and will open up the Scriptures to the genuine truth-seeker.
HalleluYah
(11/13c)