The Importance of Using the Biblical Names of Elohim

Exodus 3:14–15, I AM THAT I AM. The name YHVH is Elohim’s memorial name forever. It reflects that fact that he is; that he is undefinable in human terms, and that he has always existed. This is the name by which he is to be remembered (not forgotten as is the case with the ineffable name concept of the rabbinic Jews whereby the names of deity are forbidden to be used).

The Scriptures clearly teach us that YHVH wants his people to use his Hebrew names and titles (e.g. YHVH, Yah, El, Elohim, Adonai and Yeshua). If not, than why is “YHVH,” the personal name of the biblical deity, found in the Tanakh (or Old Testament) almost 7000 times?

Despite the proliferation of the name YHVH in the Bible, men are not to use his name carelessly as the third commandments teaches us (Exod 20:7).

The problem is that YHVH’s people have forgotten YHVH’s Hebrew names and worshipped pagan gods instead (Ps 44:20; Jer 23:27). Interesting, it’s a fact that most of our common English substitutes for the Hebrew names of Elohim derive from the names of pagan deities (e.g. God, Lord, Holy, Christ, Jesus). At the same time, the Scriptures prophesy that YHVH’s name will be restored and used again (Jer 23:6; 31:23; Ezek 39:7).

Interestingly, Satan’s name has never been changed down through the millennia from one language to another. The names of significant Hebrew biblical personalities along with Greek and Roman notable historical figures remain essentially unchanged to our day. However, the Hebrew names of Elohim and his Messiah not only have been changed, but often masked under the names of pre-exisiting pagan deities. Doesn’t this sound like a satanic conspiracy to hide the true identity of the Elohim of the Bible? It’s time for the YHVH’s people to stop acquiescing to these demonic plots begin using the true Hebrew names of Elohim.

In biblical times, YHVH’s name was so precious to his people that the Israelites used it respectfully as a common greeting (Ruth 2:4; Ps 129:8; Jer 31:23).

In the future, the Hebrew name YHVH will be applied to Yeshua at his second coming (Ps 118:26; Matt 23:39). Why shouldn’t his people start using it once again?

The prohibition of the rabbinic Jews about using Elohim’s Hebrew names is not supported biblically, but is a more recent religious doctrine of men that is based on pagan Babylonian religious notions. This is yet another made-made tradition that has made of non-effect the clear word of Elohim (Matt 15:6 ; Mark 7:7–9).

For the above-mentioned reasons, we don’t support the prohibition of using the Hebrew names of Elohim.

At the same time, if we’re not careful, using the biblical names of Elohim can become a prideful and divisive issue. For some people, it can become a legalistic issue as well. For them, they view negatively those who don’t use the Hebrew names either out of ignorance of the Scriptures, or because of adherence to man-made religious traditions that shun the use of the biblical names of Elohim. This is not good. The importance using the Hebrew names is a revelation from the Spirit of Elohim. Those who haven’t received this revelation yet must be viewed with mercy and grace. The use of the sacred names must never be viewed as a requirement for salvation or fellowship.

Names are important. They not only designate who one is referring to, but behind a name is a reputation. That reputation speaks to the person’s character, authority and power. It is vitally important that YHVH’s people guard the use of his name and not confuse it with the names of pagan deities. In fact, the Torah commands YHVH’s people not even to speak the names of pagan deities (Exod 23:13). As Torah-pursuant people, we need to obey this command. We don’t want to profane the reputation or character of YHVH Elohim through the use of unbiblical and often pagan and demonic names.

Yeshua warned his disciples against following those who come in their own name (John 5:43). The demonic beast adversaries of YHVH in the end times hate and will blaspheme the name of Elohim (Rev 13:6). Most of the people on the earth will follow this evil and blasphemous enemy of Elohim (Rev 13:8). This is what evil, demon-inspired people do. The psalmist lamented this when he cried out, “O Elohim, how long shall the adversary reproach? Shall the enemy blaspheme your name forever?…Remember this, that the enemy has reproached, O YHVH and that the foolish people have blasphemed your name,” (Ps 74:10, 18).

Meaning of Name in Hebrew

The Hebrew word shem, which is translated in our bibles as name, connotes two primary concepts Biblically, a name is a label by which a person is called. Often, but not always, that name reflects some trait about the person. A name is also used to indicate a person’s reputation. The same significance behind the word name exists in modern English as well.

To give us an understanding of the broad meaning of the word shem, consider the following. Shem is translated in the KJV Bible as name (832 times), renown (7 times), fame (4 times), famous (3 times), named (3 times), report (1 time) and means “name, reputation, fame, glory, the Name (as designation of Elohim); memorial and monument.”

What Are the Hebrew Names of Elohim in the Bible?

There are several main names and titles that the Scriptures reveal belong to the Creator. They are the following:

YHVH, referred to as the tetragrammaton, the personal name of the Creator and occurs some 6800 times in the Tanakh. The exact pronunciation of this name has been lost down through the ages, and there is debate among well-meaning individuals on how to pronounce this four consonant Hebrew name. Because there are now vowels in this name, scholars can only speculate and make educated guesses about what the vowels between the consonants should be. In this author’s opinion, the most likely candidate for the tetragrammaton’s pronunciation based on all the ancient historical, linguistic and literary evidence currently available is Yehovah and not Yehowah, Yahweh, Yahuweh or Yahveh.

Elohim — This is the next most common name for the Creator occurring more than 2600 times in the Tanakh. It is most often translated as God in our English Bibles. This name is plural and can mean “mighty or powerful ones.” It indicates the uni-plural nature of the Godhead and is a reference to the Father, the Son and the Set-Apart Spirit of Elohim.

El — This is believed to be a shortened form of Elohim and is found 245 times in the Scriptures and is most often translated as God. It means “mighty one.”

Eloah — This is the singular form of Elohim and occurs about 70 times in the Tanakh. It means “mighty or powerful one.”

Yah — This is the shortened form of YHVH and is found 49 times in the Tanakh. It is usually translated into English as Lord. In some Bibles, it is written as Yah or Jah in Psalm 68:4.

Adonai — This title meaning “lord, master” occurs 434 times in the Tanakh and is usually translated as Lord.

Yeshua — This is the Hebrew name for Jesus and is found 29 times in the Tanakh and means “he is saved.” It is a shortened form of Yehoshua meaning “YHVH is salvation.”

Mashiach — This is the Hebrew word for messiah and is translated into English in the Testimony of Yeshua as Christ. It means “anointed one” or literally “one smeared with oil.” This word is found 39 times in the Tanakh.

Ruach HaKodesh — This phrase is found only three times in the Tanakh and refers to the Spirit of Elohim, which, through other terms, is referenced numerous times in the Tanakh. It literally means “set-apart spirit.”

Moreover, when worshipping YHVH Elohim, we suggest you use the following Hebrew words instead of the more common terms that have pagan derivations: Instead of holy use kadosh or set-apart, for glory use kavod, for hallowed and sacred use qodesh, for amen say amein. Of course, the Hebrew word halleluyah (and other similar biblical words) is totally acceptable to use when worshipping and praising YHVH. In the Testimony of Yeshua, it’s easy to make the substitutions to the Hebrew names. Jesus becomes Yeshua, Christ becomes Messiah, God become Elohim, Lord becomes Master or YHVH depending on the context of the passage. If the passage is a quote from the Tanakh where YHVH was used originally or it’s a reference to the deity of Yeshua, then Lord becomes YHVH. If, for example, the disciples are referring to Yeshua in a colloquial fashion as Lord, then a possible substitution would be Master.

Exodus 3:14–15 — The Memorial Name YHVH Revealed

The name YHVH is Elohim’s memorial name forever (Exod 3:14–15). It reflects that fact that he is; that he is undefinable in human terms, and that he has always existed. This is the name by which he is to be remembered (not forgotten as is the case with the ineffable name concept of the rabbinic Jews whereby the names of deity or forbidden to be used). Exodus 3:14–15 reads,

And Elohim said unto Moses, “I AM THAT I AM [EHYEH ASHER EHYEH/VHVT RAT VHVT]”: and he said, “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM [EHYEH/VHVT] hath sent me unto you.” And Elohim said moreover unto Moses, “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, YHVH [vuvh] the 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 [shem] for ever, and this is my memorial [zeker] unto all generations.”

Here are some examples of how various Bibles translate the name of YHVH in Exodus 3:14,

I Am That I Am (KJV)

I Am Who I Am (NAS, NIV, NKJV

I Am That Which I Am (YLT)

I Shall Be As I Shall Be (The ArtScroll Stone Edition Tanach)

I Will Be What I Will Be (The Gutnick Edition Chumash, JPS)

I Will Be There Howsoever I Will Be There (The Schocken Bible)

I Am the Being (LXX, Brenton)

Exodus 3:15 states that YHVH is Elohim’s memorial name that Moses was to use when referring to I AM THAT I AM. I AM THAT I AM is Elohim’s actual name and what he calls himself, but men are to refer to him as YHVH, which means “the existing one, the one who is, the one who will be.” Both the former and latter are forms of the Hebrew verb hayah meaning “to be.” YHVH instructed that YHVH was to be his memorial name forever. In other words, humans were to use YHVH to remember him by. There is no indication anywhere in the Bible that it was YHVH’s intention that his name was to be forgotten or hidden through euphemization. The word memorial in Exodus 3:15 is the Hebrew word zeker and means “memorial, remembrance or memory.” There is nothing here to indicate that his name was to be forgotten.

The Third Commandment

The third commandment shows us what man’s demeanor should be toward the use of the names of Elohim.

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD [YHVH] thy God [Elohim] in vain [desolation, devastation, ruin, destruction, emptiness of speech, worthlessness, vanity, or falsehood]; for the LORD [YHVH] will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Exod 20:7)

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD [YHVH] thy God [Elohim] in vain: for the LORD [YHVH] will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (Deut 5:11)

What is it to take YHVH’s name in vain? In vain is the Hebrew word shav (tuA=/UA) meaning “emptiness, vanity, falsehood, nothingness, emptiness of speech, lying.” The root of this word means “to ravage, devastate, ruin, waste, desolate or destroy.”

Not only do we learn here that man should not profane YHVH’s name through improper use such as empty, lying and vain speech, but it should not be profaned by falsifying, devastating or ruining it through substituting it with false names or euphemisms.

Additionally, the name of YHVH should not be forgotten. If it had been YHVH’s intention to have his name not used or forgotten, then why is the name YHVH found some 6800 times in the Tanakh? That YHVH’s name wasn’t forgotten by the ancient Israelites but was regularly used is proven by its use as a common greeting (Ruth 2:4; Ps 129:8; Jer 31:23).

The following is a series of topical categories with corresponding scripture references showing the emphasis the Bible places on the use of the biblical Hebrew names of Elohim. After having reviewed them, can there be any doubt that all believers should be using the Hebrew names of Elohim?

We Are to Know the Name of the Most High

My people shall know my name. (Isa 52:6)

And in that day shall you say, “Give thanks to YHVH, call upon His name, declare His doings among the peoples, make mention that His name is exalted.” (Isa 12:4)

From the rising of the sun to its going down YHVH’s name is to be praised. (Ps 113:3)

Elohim’s Name Is YHVH

That men may know that Thou, Whose name alone is YHVH, art the Most High over all the earth. (Ps 83:18)

I am YHVH: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images. (Isa 42:8)

As for our Redeemer, YHVH of hosts is His name, the Kadosh One of Israel. (Isa 47:4)

For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the Elohim of Israel; YHVH of Hosts is His name. (Isa 48:2)

But I am YHVH thy Elohim, That divided the sea, whose waves roared: YHVH of hosts is His name. (Isa 51:15)

For thy Maker is thine husband; YHVH of hosts is His name; and thy Redeemer the Kadosh One of Israel; the Elohim of the whole earth shall He be called. (Isa 54:5)

The portion of Jacob is not like them: for He is the Former of all things; and Israel is the rod of His inheritance: YHVH of hosts is His name. (Jer 10:16)

Thus saith YHVH, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; YHVH of Hosts is His name. (Jer 31:35)

Thou shewest loving kindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty El, YHVH of hosts, is His name. (Jer 32:18)

Thus saith YHVH the Maker thereof, YHVH That formed it, to establish it; YHVH is His name. (Jer 33:2)

Their Redeemer is strong; YHVH of hosts is His name: He shall thoroughly plead their cause, that He may give rest to the land, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon. (Jer 50:34)

The Portion of Jacob is not like them; for He is the Former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: YHVH of hosts is His name. (Jer 51:19)

And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, Whose name is YHVH of hosts. (Jer 51:57)

YHVH Was a Common Greeting in Ancient Israel

And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, YHVH be with you. And they answered him, YHVH bless thee. be with you. And they answered him, YHVH bless thee. (Ruth 2:4)

Neither do they which go by say, The blessing of YHVH be upon you: we bless you in the name of YHVH. (Ps 129:8)

Thus saith YHVH of hosts, the Elohim of Israel; As yet they shall use this speech in the land of Judah and in the cities thereof, when I shall bring again their captivity; YHVH bless thee, O habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness. (Jer 31:23)

The Bible Prophesies That the Hebrew Names for the Elohim Would Be Forgotten

How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart, who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal. (Jer 23:26, 27)

The Bible Prophesies That Hebrew Names for the Elohim Will Be Restored

And it shall be at that day, saith YHVH, that thou shalt call me Ishi (My Husband); and shalt call me no more Baali. (My lord) For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name. (Hos 2:16)

YHVH Is the Memorial Name of Elohim

And Elohim said moreover unto Moses, “Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, YHVH 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 unto all generations.” (Exod 3:15)

Thy name, O YHVH, endureth for ever; and Thy memorial, O YHVH, throughout all generations. (Ps 135:13)

The way of the just is uprightness: Thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. Yea, in the way of Thy judgments, O YHVH, have we waited for Thee; the desire of our soul is to Thy name, and to the remembrance of Thee. (Isa. 26:7–8)

Even YHVH of hosts; YHVH is His memorial. (Hos 12:5)

Remember YHVH’s Name

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we remember the name YHVH our Elohim. (Ps 20:7)

If we have forgotten the name of our Elohim, or stretched out our hands to a foreign mighty one, would Elohim not search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart. (Ps 44:20–21)

I cause your name to be remembered in all generations: therefore the people praise you forever and ever. (Ps 45:17)

Till when shall it be in the heart of the prophets? The prophets of falsehood and prophets of the deceit of their own heart, who try to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone relates to his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Ba’al. Jer 23:26–27.

Love YHVH’s Name

…And let those who love your name exult in you. (Ps 5:11)

And the seed of His servants inherit it, and those who love His name dwell in it. (Ps 69:36)

Turn to me and show me favour, according to your right-ruling, toward those who love your name. (Ps 119:132)

Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to YHVH, to serve Him, and to love the name YHVH, to be His servants, all who guard the Sabbath, and not profane it, and hold fast to My covenant. (Isa 56:6)

Bless Others in the Name of YHVH

YHVH bless you and guard you; YHVH make His face shine upon you, and show favor to you; YHVH lift up His face upon you, and give you peace.’ Thus they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I Myself shall bless them. (Num 6:24–27)

At that time YHVH separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the covenant of YHVH, to stand before YHVH, to serve Him, and to bless in His name, to this day. (Deut 10:8)

And the priests, the sons of Levi, shall come near, for YHVH your Elohim has chosen them to serve Him and to bless in the name of YHVH, and by their mouth every strife and every stroke is tried. (Deut 21:5)

And those who pass by shall not say, “The blessing of YHVH be upon you: We have blessed you in the name of YHVH.” (Ps 129:8)

The sons of Amram; Aaron and Moses: and Aaron was separated, he and his sons forever, that he should sanctify the most holy things, he and his sons for ever, to burn incense before YHVH, to minister unto Him, and to bless in His name for ever. (1 Chron 23:13)

Men Are to Call Upon the Name of YHVH

And to Seth, to him also there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon the name YHVH. (Gen. 4:26)

I call on YHVH, the One to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. (2 Sam 22:4)

“And you shall call on the name of your mighty one, and I, I call on the name of YHVH. And the Elohim who answers by fire, He is Elohim.’So all the people answered and said, “The word is good.” (1 Kngs. 18:24)

Give thanks to YHVH, call upon His name, make know His deeds among the peoples! (1 Chron 16:8)

I call upon YHVH, the One to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. (Ps 18:3)

And we shall not backslide from you. Revive us, and let us call upon your name. (Ps 80:18)

Moses and Aaron were among His priests, and Samuel was among those calling upon His name. They called upon YHVH, and He answered them. (Ps 99:6)

Give thanks to YHVH! Call upon His name: make known His deeds among the peoples. (Ps 105:1)

I lift up the cup of deliverance, and call upon the name YHVH. (Ps 116:13)

I bring you a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and call upon the name YHVH. (Ps 116:17)

And in that day you shall say, ‘Praise YHVH, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples, make mention that His name is exalted. (Isa 12:4)

And It shall be that everyone who calls on the name YHVH shall be delivered… (Joel 2:32)

For then I shall turn unto the peoples a clean lip, so that they all call on the name YHVH, to serve Him with one shoulder. (Zeph 3:9)

And I shall bring the third into fire, and refine them as silver is refined, and try them as gold is tried. They shall call on My name, and I shall answer them. I shall say, “This is My people,” while they say, “YHVH is my Elohim.” (Zech 13:9)

And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name YHVH shall be saved. (Acts 2:1)

For everyone who calls on the name YHVH shall be saved. (Rom 10:13)

And flee from the lusts of youth, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those calling on the Master out of a clean heart. (2 Tim 2:22)

Examples of People Who Called on YHVH’s Name

“And he [Abraham] build there an alter to YHVH, and called on the name YHVH,” Gen. 12:8.

…to the place of the alter which he had made there at first, and there Abram called on the name YHVH. (Gen 13:4)

And he [Abraham] planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name YHVH, the Everlasting El. (Gen 21:33)

And he [Isaac] built an alter there, and called on the name YHVH, and he pitched his tent there, and the servants of Isaac dug a well there. (Gen 26:25)

Then I [David] called upon the name YHVH, O YHVH, I pray to you, deliver my being. (Ps 116:4)

They [Moses, Aaron, Samuel] called upon YHVH, and He answered them. (Ps 99:6)

I [Jeremiah] called on your name, O YHVH, from the lowest pit. (Lam 3:55)

And you shall call upon the name of your mighty one, and I [Elijah], I call on the name YHVH. (1 Kgs 18:24)

Israel Called By and Kept in YHVH’s Name

Thus they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I Myself shall bless them. (Num 6:27)

And all the peoples of the earth shall see that the name YHVH is called upon you, and they shall be afraid of you. (Deut 28:10)

And My people upon whom My name is called, shall humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I shall hear from the heavens, and forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chron 7:14)

All those who are called by My name, whom I have created for My glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. (Isa 43:7)

… yet you, O YHVH, are in our midst, and your name has been called upon us. Do not leave us. (Jer 14:9)

Your words were found, and I ate them, and your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. For your name is called on me, O YHVH Elohim of hosts. (Jer 15:16)

O my Elohim, incline your ear and hear. Open your eyes and see our wastes, and the city which is called by your name. (Dan 9:18)

O YHVH, hear! O YHVH, Forgive! O YHVH, listen and act! Do not delay for your own sake, my Elohim, for your city and your people are called by your name. (Dan 9:19)

That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and all of the heathen, which are called by My name, saith YHVH That doeth this. (Amos 9:12)

Simeon has declared how Elohim first visited the gentiles to take out of them a people for His name. (Acts 15:14)

“That the residue of men might seek after YHVH, and all the gentiles, upon whom My name is called,” saith YHVH. (Acts 15:17)

And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou has given Me that they may be one, as We. (John 17:11)

When I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name: those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the Scripture might be fulfilled. (John 17:12)

Do they not blaspheme that good name by which you are called? (Jas 2:7)

Declare or Proclaim YHVH’s Name

And for this reason I have raised you up, in order to show you My power, and in order to declare My name in all the earth. (Exod 9:16)

And He said, “I shall cause all My goodness to pass before you, and I shall proclaim the name YHVH before you….” (Exod 33:19)

And YHVH came down in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name YHVH. (Exod 34:5)

For I proclaim the name YHVH, ascribe greatness to our Elohim. (Deut 32:3)

I make known your name to my brothers; in the midst of the assembly I praise you. (Ps 22:22)

To declare the name YHVH in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem. (Ps 102:21)

O YHVH our Elohim, other masters besides you have had rule over us; only in you do we make mention of your name. (Isa 26:13)

And I shall make My Holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and not let My Holy name be profaned anymore. And the gentiles shall know that I am YHVH, the Holy One of Israel. (Ezek 39:7)

I have revealed your name to the men whom you gave Me out of the world…. (John 17:6)

And I have made your name known to them, and shall make it known. (John 17:26)

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘For this same purpose I have raised you up, to show My power in you, and that My name be declared in all the earth. (Rom 9:17)

Saying, “I shall announce your name to My brothers in the midst of the congregation I shall sing praise to you.” (Heb 2:12)

Exalt and Magnify YHVH’s Name

And let your name be made great forever, saying, “YHVH of hosts is the Elohim over Israel.” (2 Sam 7:26)

So let it stand fast, and your name be great forever, saying, YHVH of Hosts, Elohim of Israel, is Elohim to Israel. (1 Chron 17:24)

Rise, bless YHVH your Elohim forever and ever! And let them bless your esteemed name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise. (Neh 9:5)

O, make YHVH great with me, and let us exalt His name together. (Ps 34:3)

I bow myself toward your Holy place, and give thanks to your name for your kindness and for your truth; for you have made great your word, your name, above all. (Ps 138:2)

And in that day you shall say, “Praise YHVH, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples, make mention that His name is exalted.” (Isa 12:4)

We Should Bless His Name

Sing unto YHVH, bless His name. (Ps 96:2)

Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. (Ps 100:4)

Bless YHVH, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. (Ps 103:1)

Blessed be the name YHVH from this time forth and for evermore. (Ps 113:2)

I will extol The, my Elohim, O king; and I will bless Thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless Thee: and I will praise Thy name for ever and ever….And let all flesh bless His holy name for ever and ever. (Ps 145:1–2, 21)

We Are to Rejoice in His Name

The north and the south Thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in Thy name. (Ps 89:16)

In Thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and In Thy righteousness shall they be exalted. (Ps 89:16)

Sing and Give Praise to His Name

Therefore I give thanks to you, O YHVH, among nations, and I sing praise to your name. (2 Sam 22:50)

I give thanks to YHVH according to His righteousness, and I praise the name YHVH Most High. (Ps 7:17)

I rejoice and exult in you; I sing praise to your name, O Most High. (Ps 9:2)

Therefore I give thanks to you, O YHVH, among nations, and I sing praise to your name. (Ps 61:8)

So I sing praise to your name forever, when I pay my vows day by day. (Ps 61:8)

Sing out the splendor of His name; make His praise esteemed. (Ps 66:2)

All the earth shall worship you, and shall sing unto you, they shall sing to Thy name. (Ps 66:4)

Sing to Elohim, sing praises to His name. (Ps 68:4)

It is good to give thanks to YHVH, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High. (Ps 92:1)

Praise YAH, for YHVH is good; sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant. (Ps 135:3)

And for the gentiles to praise Elohim for His compassion, as it has been written, “Because of this I shall confess to you among the gentiles, and I shall sing to your name.” (Rom 15:9)

Give Him the Glory Due His Name for His Works

Give unto YHVH the glory due unto His name… (Ps 29:2)

Unto thee O Elohim, do we give thanks, unto Thee do we give thanks: for that Thy name is near Thy wondrous works declare. (Ps 75:1)

Give unto YHVH the glory due unto His name… (Ps 96:8)

O give thanks unto YHVH; call upon His name: make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him: Talk ye of all His wondrous works. Glory ye in His holy name: Let the heart of them rejoice that seek YHVH. (Ps 105:1–3)

Not unto us, O YHVH, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth’s sake. (Ps 115:1)

Let them praise the name YHVH: for He commanded, and they were created. He hath also established them for ever and ever: He hath made a decree which shall not pass. (Ps 148:5–6)

Wherefore glorify ye YHVH in the fires, even the name of the Sovereign YHVH of Israel in the isles of the sea. (Isa 24:15)

As the beast goeth down into the valley, the Spirit of YHVH caused him to rest: so didst Thou lead Thy People, to make Thyself a glorious name. (Isa 63:14)

And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for your. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto My name, saith YHVH of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. (Mal 2:1–2)

We Are to Dance to YHVH’s Name

Let them praise His name in the dance. (Ps 149:3)

Praise ye YHVH. Praise Elohim in His sanctuary: Praise Him in the firmament of His power. Praise Him for His mighty acts: Praise Him according to His excellent greatness. Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet: Praise Him with the psaltery and harp. Praise with the timbrel and dance: Praise Him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: Praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise YHVH. Halleluyah. (Ps 150)

We Are to Lift Up Our Hands in YHVH’s Name

Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy name. (Ps 63:4)

Give Thanks to YHVH’s Name

And say, “Save us, O Elohim of our deliverance; and gather us together, and deliver us from the gentiles, to give thanks to your holy name, and boast in your praise.” (1 Chron 16:35)

Save us, O YHVH our Elohim, and gather us from among the gentiles, to give thanks to your holy name, to exult in your praise. (Ps 106:47)

Where the tribes have come up, the tribes of YAH, a witness to Israel, to give thanks to the name YHVH. (Ps 122:4)

Only, let the righteous give thanks to your name, let the straight ones dwell in your presence. (Ps 140:13)

Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to Elohim, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (Heb 13:15)

Fear YHVH’s Name

If you do not guard to do all the words of this Torah that are written in this book, to fear this esteemed and awesome name, YHVH your Elohim. (Deut 28:58)

For you, O Elohim, have heard my vows; you have given me the inheritance of those who fear your name. (Ps 61:5)

And the nations shall fear the name YHVH, and all the sovereigns of the earth your esteem. (Ps 102:15)

So shall they fear the name YHVH from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of YHVH shall lift up a standard against him. (Isa 59:19)

But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings: and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Mal 4:2)

And the nations were angry, and your wrath has come, and the time of the dead to be judged, and to give the reward to your servants the prophets and to the set-apart ones, and to them who fear your name, small and great, and to destroy those who destroy the earth. (Rev 11:18)

Sanctify or Honor YHVH’s Name

But when he seeth his children, the work of Mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify My name, and sanctify the Set-Apart One of Jacob, and shall fear the Elohim of Israel. (Isa 29:23)

And I will sanctify My great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am YHVH, saith the Sovereign YHVH, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. Ezek 36:23)

Our Father Which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. (Matt 6:9; Luke 11:2)

We’re Saved by YHVH’s Name

O Elohim, save me by Your name, and rightly rule me by your might. (Ps 54:1)

Because he cleaves to Me in love, therefore I deliver him; I set him on high, because he has known My name. (Ps 91:14)

But He saved them for His name’s sake, to make known His might. (Ps 106:8)

And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name YHVH shall be delivered. (Joel 2:32)

And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name YHVH shall be saved. (Acts 2:21)

And there is no deliverance in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we shall be saved. (Acts 4:12)

For everyone who calls on the name YHVH shall be saved. (Rom 10:13)

Don’t Profane YHVH’s Name

You do bring the name YHVH your Elohim to naught, for YHVH does not leave the one unpunished who brings His name to naught. (Exod 20:7; Deut 5:11)

…And do not profane the name of your Elohim, I am YHVH. (Lev 18:21)

And do not sware falsely by My name and so profane the name of your Elohim. I am YHVH. (Lev 19:12)

Neither shall ye profane My holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am YHVH Which hallow you. (Lev 22:32)

YHVH’s Name Is a Strong and High Tower of Safety

The name YHVH is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and is safe. (Prov 18:10)

YHVH is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My El, my strength, in Whom I will trust; My buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon YHVH, Who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. (Ps 18:2–3)

We Can Defeat the Enemies of YHVH in His Name

Then said David to the Philistine, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the YHVH of hosts, the Elohim of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” (1 Sam 17:45)

Trust in YHVH’s Name

And those who know your name trust in you, for you have not forsaken those who seek you, O YHVH. (Ps 9:10)

(For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His set-apart name. (Ps 33:21)

Who is among you that feareth YHVH, that obeyeth the voice of His Servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name YHVH, and stay upon his Elohim. (Isa. 50:10)

But I shall leave in your midst an oppressed and poor people, and they shall trust in the name YHVH. (Zeph 3:12)

Healing Occurs in Yeshua’s Name

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the assembly, and let them pray over him, having anointed him with oil in the name of the Master. (Jas 5:14)

Think on YHVH’s Name

Then they that feared YHVH spake often one to another: and YHVH hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared YHVH, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be Mine, saith YHVH of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth Elohim and him that serveth Him not. (Mal 3:16–18)

His Name Is Our Banner.

We will rejoice in Thy salvation, and in the name of our Elohim we will set up our banners. (Ps 20:5)

We Are to Walk in His Name

For all people will walk every one in the name of his Elohim, and we will walk in the name of YHVH our Elohim for ever and ever. (Mic 4:5)

And I will strengthen them in YHVH; and they shall walk up and down in His name, saith YHVH. (Zech 10:12)

His Name Is Excellent

O YHVH our Sovereign, How excellent is Thy name in all the earth. (Ps 8:1)

O YHVH our Sovereign, How excellent is Thy name in all the earth! (Ps 8:9)

Let them praise the name YHVH for His name alone is excellent. (Ps 148:13)

YHVH’s Name Defends and Helps Us

YHVH hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the Elohim of Jacob defend thee; send the help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion. (Ps 20:1–2)

Our help is in the name YHVH Who made heaven and earth. (Ps 124:8)

Israel’s Enemies Will Be Destroyed By the Name YHVH

Through Thee will we push down our enemies: through Thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. (Ps 44:5)

All nations compassed me about: but in the name YHVH will I destroy them. They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name YHVH I will destroy them. They compassed me about like bees; they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name YHVH I will destroy them. Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall: but YHVH helped me. Ps 118:10–13

YHVH’s Name Endures Forever

And Elohim said moreover unto Moses, ‘Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, YHVH 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 unto all generations. (Exod 3:15)

[YHVH’s] name shall endure for ever: His name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. Blessed be YHVH Elohim, the Elohim of Israel, Who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be His glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with His glory; Amen and Amen. (Ps 72:17–19)

Thy name, O YHVH, endureth for ever; and Thy memorial, O YHVH, throughout all generations. (Ps 135:13)

YHVH’s Name Is Great

In Judah is Elohim known: His name is great in Israel. (Ps 76:1)

Let them praise Thy great and awesome name; for it is set-apart. (Ps 99:3)

Forasmuch as there is none like unto Thee, O YHVH; Thou art great, and Thy name is great in might. (Jer. 10:6)

Therefore hear ye the word of YHVH, all Judah, that dwell in the land of Egypt; Behold, I have sworn by My great name, saith YHVH, that My name shall no more be named in the mouth of any man of Judah in all the land of Egypt, saying, “The Sovereign YHVH liveth.” (Jer 44:26)

References to YHVH’s Name in the Testimony of Yeshua

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Matt 6:9)

And in his name shall the Gentiles trust. (Matt 12:21)

Elijah truly shall first come and restore all things [including the sacred name]. (Matt 17:11)

For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of YHVH. (Matt 23:39; also Mark 11:19; a fulfillment of Ps 118:26)

But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name’s sake. (Luke 21:12)

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. (Luke 21:17)

I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. (John 17:6)

And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. (John 17:11)

And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:26)

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the YHVH shall be saved. (Acts 2:21)

And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. (Acts 3:16)

Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things [including the sacred name], which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. (Acts 3:21)

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this? (Acts 4:7)

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of YHVH. (Acts 22:16)

For the name of Elohim is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written. (Rom 2:24)

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the YHVH shall be saved. (Rom 10:13)

And that the Gentiles might glorify Elohim for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. (Rom 15:9)

I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. (Rev 3:8)

And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against Elohim, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. (Rev 13:6)

And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. (Rev 14:1)

And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. (Rev 19:16)

Re 22:4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.

“I Am” Passages in the Testimony of Yeshua

In these passages in the Gospel of John, the apostle is not only acknowledging the deity of Yeshua, but recording Yeshua’s claim to be YHVH. That the Jews attempted to kill him for making this claim (John 8:59) indicates that they understood that he was applying the deific title of I AM (or YHVH) to himself.

Then said Yeshua unto them, “When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am [he (a supplied word that is not in the Greek)], and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.… Yeshua said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” Then they took up stones to throw at him. (John 8:28, 58–59)

Yeshua saith unto them, “I am [he (a supplied word)].” And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am [he (a supplied word)], they went backward, and fell to the ground.… Yeshua answered, I have told you that I am [he (a supplied word)]: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way. (John 18:5, 6, 8)

 

4 thoughts on “The Importance of Using the Biblical Names of Elohim

  1. Mercy Natan! It must have taken you a LONG time to put this together!! Thanks for your work. A couple of questions/thoughts………..You really didn’t say much about some of the words you suggest NOT using. What is really wrong with using “holy,” “glory,” “hallowed,” “amen,” etc? Abba confused the language and will restore it at the right time, and in the meantime, does He not understand and accept that which He confused? It seems like we are finding so many things unacceptable now that it is causing a wild swing to the “other side” so-to-speak. Some won’t sing the songs or even listen to them if they use the word “Amen,” etc and it seems like more time is being spent digging into the pronunciation and the pagan roots that we don’t have time to just walk the walk. Comments appreciated. Also…..I am not a great researcher when it comes to languages, so this may be an ignorant question, but here goes……….. When Yeshua taught his followers how to pray at their request, did He say to pray “Our Father……?” If Yeshua called up “Our Father,” isn’t that w good lead to follow? I agree with what you say about Scripture saying to remember and memorialize, but also consider that perhaps when using a “name” to call upon Him, that using Father might be a good idea. I know that I would not want my children to call me by my name…….I want them to remember it and know it, but would be downright insulted if they called me Darlene instead of mom, ma, etc. Perhaps there is a root to “Father” that Yeshua used that I am not aware of that would help me see this………… Thanks, and Shabbat Shalom!

  2. And the Gentiles shall know My Name..how I love this…I did not learn the name Yeshua (and I love that it begins with “yes”) till a few years ago and never realized (real eyes) that God was not the Father’s name, that it is Yehovah, He Who was and is and is to come, yet when I share this with others they justify not using His correct name because they don’t speak Hebrew or they say He knows who they mean…this to me, is rebellion…if I told you my name and you call me another/different name, why would I answer you?
    Thank you so much for this in depth, edifying teaching…Yehovah has blessed you and us through you.

  3. QUESTIONS PLEASE (and I really don’t presume to have any superior knowledge about these things, so they are sincere questions and I have no arguments):

    1) If there a simple explanation for you believing Yehovah is the correct pronunciation of YHVH, could you please provide that or direct me to one of your teachings?

    2) I think i have heard you place the accent on the last syllable when pronouncing it YehoVAH, right? Why is that?

    3) Why YHVH and not YHWH and what it the critical issue with that?

    4) If Yehovah is the correct pronunciation of YHVH, why then is Yah the abbreviated form? It seems that if that is true, then that would give credence to the correct pronunciation as Yahweh, Yahuweh or Yahveh, or some other spelling and pronunciation starting with Yah, wouldn’t it?

    • All very good questions.

      I would recommend that you procure Keith Johnson’s book, “His Hallowed Name Revealed Again” at his ministry Biblical Foundations Academy. It is the best book on the subject and will answer most of your questions. He is an associate of Nehemia Gordon, a rabbinic Jewish manned turned Karaite Jew, and a linguistic scholar in several ancient biblical languages including Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic. He was trained at Hebrew University.

      I know Gordon quite well. It was after I spend some one-on-one time with him in 2008 when I was in Israel that I went from saying Yahweh to saying Yehovah. I too have an academic background in linguistics and journalism and English and French grammar having studied French for 15 years including a year of French at one the top universities in the world in Lausanne, Switzerland. I also studied journalism at two universities and wrote for several newspapers before becoming a biblical researcher and author. Anyway, I discussed at length with Gordon the technicalities from a linguistic and grammatical perspective the pronunciation of YHVH. As a result of talking to him in 2008, reading his published papers on the subject and after having seen the name Yehovah (YHVH with the actual vowel points or niqqudim) in the two oldest Hebrew OT manuscripts in the world (Codex Leningrad and Codex Aleppo)—each being 1000 years old—written in the marginal references written by the Masoretes and no occurrences whatsoever of the name Yahweh, I became convinced that Yehovah was the correct pronunciation. Plus, there is all the internal evidence in the OT/Tanakh itself to support this. Frankly, in my opinion, the evidence for Yehovah for outweighs Yahweh. This is a hotly debated topic, but this is where I have landed. If one has a different opinion on this, this is fine. I will respect that, but I will not argue about it.

      Anyway, Keith has taken all of this research and put it into his book, which I highly recommend. It is well-documented with actual photos of the ancient manuscripts in question. He also explains how the name Yah is a shortened/contracted form of Yehovah and not Yahweh.

      As to why the letter vav is pronounced with as a v and now a w (as in waw), I refer you to Nehemia Gordon’s research which I refer to in a post that a did on this blog a while back at https://hoshanarabbah.org/blog/2017/01/19/name-of-the-creator/.

      As far as which syllable to accent in Yehovah, that’s a good question. I don’t have the answer to that question, and I may be pronouncing it incorrectly. I’ll have to email Gordon and ask him.

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