Question for any Jehovah's Witness

[Sparko]

excerpts from http://theologytoday.ptsem.edu/jul19...-tabletalk.htm

Bible Translation and the Gender of God - By S T Kimbrough, Jr.

The God of Israel has a distinctive name, YHWH, in Holy Scripture. The English name "Jehovah" is a hybrid form of the consonants YHWH and the vowels of the Hebrew word for "Lord" (Adonai, see below), hence it is not a serious option for the vocalization of the name YHWH. Another suggested spelling, "Yahweh," arises as the result of persuasive evidence from discoveries in West Semitic language literature. W. F. Albright long contended that there was only one plausible explanation for YHWH, namely, Yahweh, a causative Hebrew verb form translated "He causes to be." It is clear from Greek transcriptions of YHWH that the pronunciation "Yahweh" was known. Nevertheless, it cannot be maintained conclusively that we know the specific origin of the pronunciation or that it is unequivocably correct.

...

in the Hebrew text and the name YHWH was not spoken because of the awesome reverence attached to it....

The word usually substituted for YHWH was 'Adonai which comes from the word 'adon, a common noun meaning "Lord." 'Adonai is the plural form of the noun with the first person singular possessive suffix. Translated both "my Lord" (Ex. 4:10) and "the Lord" (Ps. 37:13), 'Adonai is the traditional Hebrew language substitute for YHWH, and it is clear that Israel understood YHWH to be the Lord of creation, the world, and the community, and to be the Holy One who expected Israel's obedience.

The other most common name for God in Hebrew is 'Elohim, which we translate as "God." It is a plural form of the noun, and perhaps the English word "deity" is closer to its meaning. In the Hebrew scriptures, it usually appears with a verb in the singular, which may indicate that it was understood to be a valid means of expressing monotheism. Hence, 'Elohim used in the singular sense is characteristically a Hebraic usage and can therefore be a synonym for YHWH. This is not true of other Hebrew words for God, such as 'El, which may refer to YHWH or any other god(s). It is interesting that in the so-called "Elohistic Psalter" there are examples of the interchangeable use of YHWH and 'Elohim.

© source where applicable

So while YHWH is the name of God, it is more of a decriptive name than a personal one, and it really can't be said that Jehovah is the correct pronunciation.

Personally, I consider YHWH to be my heavenly Father, and my Lord. I never called my father by his name, but used "dad" or "father" out of respect. I do the same with God. I call him Father.

Edited to add: Also, can you point to one instance in the new testament where Jesus calls the Father by his "personal name?"

[twohumble]

Barryrob,
Twohumble tried to pull this bologna on me earlier. He was immediately shown where multiple persons were included in the phrase of a singular name. IE. 'In the name of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.' It seems the subject shut down pretty quickly after that.

As far as God's personal name being Jehovah, anyone that denies that probably isn't even halfway qualified to be in this discussion. The name "Jehovah" appears nearly three times as often as the word "God". It appears more times than Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Jesus, and Moses combined. I don't think anyone would say that these are not personal names of these persons. How the name Jehovah can appear more than all of those combined and yet have someone argue it is not God's personal name is amazing. And a signal that you might not want to even bother messing with them.

Nontrin:
1. Your tone and demeener are once again lacking in a "Christian" bent.
2. I have searched this thread, and not found where you have rebutted my assertion, and your claim that "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" is analogous to Matt 28 is incorrect on a number of grounds. Before I enumerate them, why don't you point us to the exact passage you are refering too.
3. As far as "being qualified" for this discussion: what is the criteria for qualification, and who sets the criteria??? YOU?

If so, I would suggest you search your heart a little and ask what the JW theology has really taught you.

[barryrob]

So while YHWH is the name of God, it is more of a decriptive name than a personal one, and it really can't be said that Jehovah is the correct pronunciation.


Hmmmmm, intresting but, who is the ultimate one to say it is right or not?

Exodus 3:15

NWT "This is what you are to say to the sons of Israel, ‘Jehovah the God of YOUR forefathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has sent me to YOU.’ This is my name to time indefinite, and this is the memorial of me to generation after generation.

KJV And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

Now it would seem to me that the Name "Jehovah" is not being used less but in reality more as there are 5,000 new Jehovah's Witnesses each week and that we are in every nation world wide:-

Micah 4:5

NWT For all the peoples, for their part, will walk each one in the name of its god; but we, for our part, shall walk in the name of Jehovah (Heb YHWH) our God to time indefinite, even forever.

KJV For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD (Heb YHWH) our God for ever and ever.

thus spreading God's name -Jehovah- (or however in is said in any tounge) is today more than yesterday but less that tommorrow, so it would seem that the author of the Bible does not agree with you.

Barryrob

[Sparko]

thus spreading God's name -Jehovah- (or however in is said in any tounge) is today more than yesterday but less that tommorrow, so it would seem that the author of the Bible does not agree with you.

Barryrob

Does not agree with me about what? and which author? Moses? or God?

[twohumble]

So while YHWH is the name of God, it is more of a decriptive name than a personal one, and it really can't be said that Jehovah is the correct pronunciation.


Hmmmmm, intresting but, who is the ultimate one to say it is right or not?

Exodus 3:15

NWT "This is what you are to say to the sons of Israel, ‘Jehovah the God of YOUR forefathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, has sent me to YOU.’ This is my name to time indefinite, and this is the memorial of me to generation after generation.

KJV And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.

Now it would seem to me that the Name "Jehovah" is not being used less but in reality more as there are 5,000 new Jehovah's Witnesses each week and that we are in every nation world wide:-

Micah 4:5

NWT For all the peoples, for their part, will walk each one in the name of its god; but we, for our part, shall walk in the name of Jehovah (Heb YHWH) our God to time indefinite, even forever.

KJV For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD (Heb YHWH) our God for ever and ever.

thus spreading God's name -Jehovah- (or however in is said in any tounge) is today more than yesterday but less that tommorrow, so it would seem that the author of the Bible does not agree with you.

Barryrob

Barryrob
The names used at the different times, reflect different ideas and revelations about God. The NT never asks us to be witnesses to "Jehovah", but it does ask us to be witnesses for Christ. The name above all names is that of Christ, yet, the OT claims that YHWH is above all other names. Why do you suppose this is?

[NonTrinitarian]

Nontrin:
1. Your tone and demeener are once again lacking in a "Christian" bent.

And once Christ spotted snakes, so was his. (Matt 3:7)

2. I have searched this thread, and not found where you have rebutted my assertion, and your claim that "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" is analogous to Matt 28 is incorrect on a number of grounds. Before I enumerate them, why don't you point us to the exact passage you are refering too.

You have searched this thread? This is typical of the level of your research. Why don't you READ this thread? After all, it does pertain to one of the questions you had. Start with page one next time.

3. As far as "being qualified" for this discussion: what is the criteria for qualification, and who sets the criteria??? YOU?

The criteria of common sense. If God used his name nearly 7000 times in the Bible, you might want to thnk a little harder before doubting that it is His personal name.

If so, I would suggest you search your heart a little and ask what the JW theology has really taught you.

That God is not a Trinity. That there is no immortal soul. That the earth will be a paradise and that Christians wouldn't kill Christians in war, unlike Catholoics, Baptists, Methodists and Presbyterians, to name a few.

[barryrob]

Try 2 Tim 3:16-17

[barryrob]

Barryrob
The names used at the different times, reflect different ideas and revelations about God. The NT never asks us to be witnesses to "Jehovah", but it does ask us to be witnesses for Christ. The name above all names is that of Christ, yet, the OT claims that YHWH is above all other names. Why do you suppose this is?

I think that:-

Micah 4:5
For all the peoples, for their part, will walk each one in the name of its god; but we, for our part, shall walk in the name of Jehovah (Heb YHWH) our God to time indefinite, even forever.


Goes well beyond N.T. and beyond today.

Barryrob

[JAY-PC]

The plain and simple fact is that Jesus Christ is called God and anyone who reads the Bible has to recognize that. After you recognize that Jesus is called God you have to ask what that means but let’s not ever say that Jesus is not called God that would be a lie.

(John 1:1 NWT) In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.

(John 20:28 NWT) In answer Thomas said to him: "My Lord and my God!"

(Isaiah 9:6 NWT) For there has been a child born to us, there has been a son given to us; and the princely rule will come to be upon his shoulder. And his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.


*** g72 3/22 pp. 5-6 Is Jesus Christ God? ***
Jesus Called “God”
First it is of interest to note, as does Canon Theologian of Coventry Cathedral H. W. Montefiore, that “very seldom indeed is Jesus called God in the New Testament.”1
(Watchtower CD 2001)