What is the name of God

The Name of God

Many of us have heard or seen the name of God spoken or written various ways, depending on the source. Some of the names that are used are; God, Elohim, Lord, YHWH, Yahweh, El Shaddai, Adonai, Jehovah (in many forms), and many others as well.

As a result of seeing all these different names for God, it can be quite confusing at times. Which one is correct? And how do we know. Particularly in view of the mounting evidence that the names of God, as well as other assorted things in scripture have been altered innocently or deliberately by the scribes and translators. So let’s explore the name of God with what might be some new information to you. It was new to me recently and turned out to be quite insightful. It is to this day, the clearest explanations I have seen for the name of God, taken from the original language.

God does have a name, and He wants us to know it and use it. His proper name has been removed from nearly all of scripture today, and is supplanted with words like God, Elohim, Lord, etc.

The following text is excerpted from a book by Richard Ruhling, titled The Earthquake and the 7 Seals. I am indebted to Richard for this revealing information.

Proverbs 30:4 asks, “What is His name?” These words reflect our need to know. Josephus, a Jewish historian at the time of Jerusalem’s destruction, gives us a major clue. He describes the high priest’s golden crown, “in which was engraven the sacred name [of God]...It consists of four vowels” Wars of the Jews, Book 5, Chapter 5, Section 7.

Some modern authorities agree. “The letters of the Name of God in Hebrew are yod, hay, vav, and hay. They are frequently mispronounced Yahveh ...[but] they are all vowels.” Rabbi Lawrence Kushner, The Book of Words, Jewish Lights Publ, p. 27.

Some say those letters are consonants, but a renowned Hebrew textbook says, “Long before the introduction of vowel-signs, it was felt that the main vowel-sounds should be indicated in writing, and so the three letters, yothe, hay, waw, were used to represent long vowels” A Practical Grammar for Classical Hebrew, Weingreen, Oxford University Press, 1959, p. 7-8. God’s name is spelled yod, hay, waw [vav], hay.

The above three sources all support God’s name as four vowels. His name is said to be glorious. Psalm 96:8  How?

  

One reason is because of the meaning of the Hebrew letters—yod, hay and vav that compose it.

1. The yod is the first letter of God’s name. It is the smallest Hebrew letter and it looks like an apostrophe. As a vowel it has the sound of “i” in Gloria and it means hand as in giving, receiving or ownership.
2.  The second letter of God’s name is the hay which sounds like “ah” and it represents light or rain.
3.  The third letter is the vav and as a vowel sounds like “oo” in tooth. It looks like a concrete nail and has the meaning of nail or hook.

The meanings of the letters suggest they are the initials of the Father (Genesis 22:8), Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:2), and the Son Psalm 2:12; Isaiah 53:4-7. God’s name is glorious for its meaning depicting the role of Father with an outstretched hand, the Holy Spirit as light to guide us and the Son nailed for us on the cross.

The best of Hebrew transliterates Josephus’ statement of God’s name (“four vowels”) as IAUA. “I” has the international “I” sound as in Gloria. [Phonetically IAUA is ee’-ah-oo”-ah.] 

This may be one reason the Jews “profaned” it--to avoid the heathen mocking it or laughing at them because it is so different. But you wouldn’t want God to have a name like Tom, Dick or Harry; His name must be different. The reason you might see it written as YHWH, or YAHWEH, is because phonetically, they sound very much the same.

Consonants [like b, d, k, or m] are made by obstruction of air flow. God’s name has no obstruction like our names or characters have. His name and His character are all flow and melody. And the vowel tones are pure [not diphthongs like ah-ee = I. This reminds us of His apocalyptic promise—“then will I turn the people to a pure language [margin says lip] that they may all call upon the name of IAUA.” Zephaniah 3:9.

The first two letters (IA= ee-ah) were part of many Hebrew names—the prophets often came in God’s name like JeremIA or ZecharIA, and we should pronounce the “i” like “ee” as they do in most countries. Elijah was pronounced “el-ee-ah,” because there is no J in Hebrew. So Elia means El [short form of Elohim, meaning God] is IA. Women named Maria or Gloria have the short poetic form of God’s name (IA) as part of their name. Countries like SyrIA or SamarIA also have God’s name as part of theirs.

HalleluIA is an international word meaning “Praise IA” in most languages. You can read this short form of God’s name in Psalm 68:4, except translators supplanted the Hebrew yod with “J” making it “Jah,” where it should be IA [ee-ah].

Before the second coming, “Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.” Matthew 17:11. Since God’s name means salvation, it stands to reason that His name will also be restored to it’s rightful place in the end time. It is our privilege to share in this work of Elijah.

It is my belief that God’s sacred name, which is IAUA, is now being restored to it’s rightful place, in our minds and our hearts.

5th Month (August~Av) 2011-2012

Examining the Count to Pentecost During the Exodus

This graphic has been modified from the original to demonstrate whether the Count to Pentecost should be considered during the Exodus scenario. Due to the lack of clear instruction in Exodus 12 thru Exodus 19 and the arrival of the Israelites at Mt Sinai, it appears the count to Pentecost should not even be considered in this scenario.

NOTE: This chart has been revised, due to additional insights into the chronology. Factors which prompt revision are: (1) There are no instructions in Exodus for a wave sheaf at or during the exodus; (2) The crops were all destroyed before the exodus, including the barley, so there was no wave sheaf available to wave; (3) Passover and ULB were apparently the only feasts set to be observed during the 40 years in the wilderness; (4) all other feasts have the instruction, "when you come into the land which IAUA will give to you," and "which thou has sown in the field." (5) Since they entered the promised land in the 1st month of the 41st year from leaving Egypt, the Israelites would have to have planted spring wheat (110-120 days to maturity) in the spring of the year they entered Canaan. It would have been the only wheat harvest available in the 1st year in the promised land. Harvest of that spring wheat would have come at the end of the 4th month. (6) There would have been no winter wheat, which has to be planted in the fall, in order to harvest sometime around early June, early in the 3rd biblical month.

Click on the image a couple of times to get to largest image.

The Saturday Sabbath Calendar Conundrum

Saturday Sabbath: Another Conundrum

Midnight in the Calendar Wars

Since Saturday Sabbath keepers observe their Sabbath by pointing to the roman gregorian calendar for the day, why don’t they observe time by the same calendar? Saturday on the roman gregorian calendar begins, and ends, at midnight; midnight to midnight. Period.

Since most, if not all, Saturday Sabbath keepers begin their Sabbath the night before at sunset Friday, they are actually keeping their Sabbath partially on Friday and partially on Saturday; according to the calendar they are using.

So they, Saturday Sabbath keepers, are not actually keeping Sabbath on the 7^th day of the week at all. At least not all of it. They are keeping it partially on the 6^th day, or preparation day (of their calendar), and only partially on the 7^th day. This according to the calendar they claim they are keeping Sabbath on.

Let’s follow up this thought about part of one day and part of another. Saturday Sabbath keepers, by observing sunset to sunset of the biblical Hebrew day, are actually beginning their “Sabbath” on one calendar, the lunisolar calendar of scripture, and ending their Sabbath on another calendar, the roman gregorian. It is the blending of more than one system, in several ways. But there is a catch here. If the Saturday Sabbath keepers are ending their 7^th day Sabbath at sundown Saturday, they are not fully keeping the full Saturday Sabbath, which according to the calendar they are using, would not end until midnight Saturday.

The only apparent solution for this seemingly sticky problem, is not only to observe the correct biblical  calendar, but to observe the correct Sabbath day as well; the one the Creator has outlined in His word.

Will the traditional Count to Pentecost stand up to scrutiny?

True Count to Pentecost: Questions that must be answered

Questions that need to be answered if the traditional count to Pentecost is to be upheld.

When did the Israelites arrive at Mt Sinai?

According to scripture the Israelites arrived on the 15^th day of the 3^rd month. This is 7 days after the traditional count to Pentecost, on Sivan 9. Why would they arrive at Mt Sinai to receive the law after the time when the giving of the law is allegedly related to? Moses is called before YHWH on the 16^th day, to have the people prepare themselves for the verbal giving of the law. (Jubilees 1:1) Granted the law, including the 10 commandments, is verbalized by YHWH on the 18^th day of the 3^rd month, but this is still after the fact, now 10 days after the traditional Pentecost of Sivan 9. Because of  being pinpointed on the 1^st day of the 2^nd week, this does not make the 9^th day of the 3^rd month very specifically related to anything.

No Feast mentioned during the third month in Exodus

If the traditional Pentecost count is the 9^th day of the 3^rd month, why is there no mention of the word “feast” or “chag” around that time in Exodus 16-19, but there is mention of “feast” 50 days later from Sivan in Exodus 32? The feast mentioned in Ex 32 is at the very end of the 4^th month, when Aaron declares a feast, and when Moses comes down from the mount after 40 days. with the tables of the testimony. (NOTE: chag, ḥag̱: H2282. A noun meaning a feast, a festival. This word is used numerous times throughout the Old Testament referring to the feasts of the Hebrew religious calendar. It is used of the major feasts, including the Feast of Unleavened Bread and the Passover Feast, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. Complete Word Study H2282)

What happened to the wheat in the “plague of hail.”

Exodus 9:18-35 says this about the wheat. The plague of hail smote every herb of the field, broke every tree. Flax and barley were smitten; wheat and rye were not smitten, for they were not grown up (not out of the ground). Winter wheat would have been destroyed; spring wheat had not yet been planted. So if there is no wheat harmed by the hail, what is the wheat that is supposed to be harvested around Sivan 9, just a little over two months or so later?

What is the wheat that was supposed to be harvested in the 3^rd month?

Winter wheat is planted in the fall, takes 7 months to harvest, would have been ready in the 3^rd month, were it not for the hail. By the time of the hail, about 4 months or so into the growth cycle, winter wheat would have been substantially out of the ground, that it would have been destroyed during the plague of hail. At the time of the hail, it was nearing the planting time of the spring wheat, which planted in the first week or so of Nisan, would be harvested in 4 months, 110-120 day to maturity.

Is Pentecost related to the giving of the law?

It is said that Pentecost is related to the giving of the law. If this is the case, why isn’t the giving of the law in Exodus mentioned around the first week of the 3^rd month, the time of the traditional Pentecost of the 9^th day of the 3^rd month? Granted, the law was spoken from the mount by YHWH on the 18^th day of the 3^rd month, but there is no mention of a feast here. Why is there no mention of a feast, if Pentecost is related to the giving of the law?

When was the law on the tables of stone given?

Although the law was spoken on the 18^th day of the 3^rd month (third day after arrival at the mount) , Moses doesn’t come down from the mount with the tables of stone until 41 days after the law is spoken. He goes up the mount on the 19^th day of the 3^rd month, to begin the 40 days, and doesn’t come down until the 29^th day of the 4^th month, the day Aaron declared a feast (chag).

How many died; how many saved

Acts 2:41 states that 3000 souls were saved on the day of Pentecost in the NT. In the Old Testament, that same identical number is used to declare that 3000 souls were lost or died. (Exodus 32) When did this happen. It happened on the day Moses came down from the mount with the tables of stone; at the very end of the 4^th month, on the 29^th day, ironically, 50 days from the end of the seven Sabbaths complete. There is no mention of 3000 dying in the early 3^rd month, at the time of the traditional Pentecost. Is this number just coincidental, while occurring at the same feast time in the OT and NT?

When was the healing of the paralytic in the NT?

In John 5, we have the account of Jesus healing the paralytic on the Sabbath and then being confronted by the Pharisees for doing so. When did this occur. A close read of John 5 will reveal that this occurred during a feast, one of the 3 annual chags. This appears to be after the time of Jesus first appearance in the temple, around Passover, so it is a bit later in the year, at a feast, (chag) which is very likely Pentecost. Passover is earlier during the year John 2:13, and Tabernacles later, John 7:2. Notice that the healing of the paralytic took place on a Sabbath, which pinpoints it on the 29^th day of the 4^th month, the same day Moses came down from the mount with the tables of stone.

Is the traditional Pentecost on a Sabbath?

Why does the traditional count of Pentecost not correlate with the rest of the annual feasts, which have Sabbaths as part of the theme? If we follow the count of the days and periods of time in Exodus 12 through 32, we find that the count will pinpoint the 29^th day of the 4^th month, a Sabbath. The traditional count to Pentecost bring us out on the 1^st day of the 1^st week of the 3^rd month, which appears to have no scriptural significance to the rest of the annual feast plan.

Where is the 50 day count applied?

If the 50 days is from Nisan 16 to Sivan 9, where is the mention of Pentecost in Exodus at the corresponding time? (somewhere between Exodus 16 and 19) Leviticus says to count these days, but it is unclear where the count is anchored and there is confusion where the 50 days is counted from. If we look in Exodus 12 through 32, and follow the count, we find that “coincidentally” there is 50 days from the end of the seven Sabbaths complete to the end of the 4^th month on the 29^th day, were a “feast” is mentioned. Could this be more than just coincidence.

Where does Ellen White place the wheat harvest of Pentecost

Ellen White uses the terms springtime, midsummer, and autumn to describe the times of the three annual feasts. Midsummer is not in the springtime, during the 1^st week or so of the 3^rd month, usually in early June. Midsummer could be described as sometime during July and August, more likely midsummer.

“But three times a year seasons were appointed for social intercourse and worship. The journey to Jerusalem, in the simple, patriarchal style, took place amidst the beauty of the springtime, the richness of midsummer, or the ripened glory of autumn.” Compiled from Educ pgs 41-42 EGW

Although much confusion and controversy continues regarding the count to Pentecost, there are some serious questions and problems with the traditional count that need to be addressed. There are issues that are not easily resolved with the traditional count, whereas the pieces of the puzzle seem to fit together much better with a count that ends at the very end of the 4^th month. So lets settle in, knuckle under, and let YHWH’s spirit lead in this matter. Let the scriptures, all the related ones, speak for themselves.

NEW LUNAR SABBATH DISCUSSON GROUP AT FACEBOOK

New Discussion Group at FACEBOOK: 
Lunar Sabbath Adventist

If you would like to be part of the discussion of the lunar sabbath and calendar as it relates to Seventh Day Adventists, come join us on Facebook at 

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/groups/240032266015640?ap=1

Any and all are welcome to the discussion, or just to observe.

Blessings in the name of Yahushua

4th Month YHWH's Calendar July 2011-2012

NOTE: Count to Pentecost still under study and review. See preliminary post here:  What is the True Count to Pentecost?

Notes regarding this months calendar:Even though the Count to Pentecost is still under study and review, this months calendar shows the full count as reviewed, on the 29th day of the 4th month, the last Shabbat of the 4th month. 

You will also note the small blue numbers in the upper right corners of each day. These are the counting of the 50 days from the Feast of Weeks at the end of  "Seven Sabbaths complete," which ends on the 8th day of the 3rd month, the Shabbat of the 8th day of the month.

When you count 7 Sabbaths complete, from the Wave Sheaf on the 16th day of the 1st month, then count and add 50 days to the 7 Sabbaths complete, the total is 99 days (49 and 50) and ends the count on the 28th day of the 4th month, the next day being the feast (chag)

Further info to come as study and review of the Count to Pentecost continue.