What do you know/think about this? It seems very well researched.

"GAD - GOD, GUD

A prophecy for the end-time is given in Isa. 65:11 wherein our Mighty One warns of the apostasy of His people, "But you are those who forsake Yahúweh ... who prepare a table for Gad, and who furnish a drink offering for Meni."-Revised Authorised Version. All commentators agree that Gad is a pagan deity, and so is Meni. Gad is usually interpreted as the well-known Syrian or Canaanite deity of "Good Luck" or "Fortune", and Meni the deity of "Destiny". This Gad is written in the Hebrew as GD, but the Massoretes afterwards vowel-pointed it, adding an "a", to five us "Gad". However, we find other references in Scripture to a similar deity, if not the same one, also spelt GD in the Hebrew text but this time vowel - pointed to read "Gawd" or "God", in Jos. 11:17, 12:7, 13:5, where we find: "Baal-Gawd" or "Baal-God", according to the vowel- pointed Massoretic Hebrew text. This Baal-Gawd or Baal-God was obviously a place named after their diety.159

The astrologers identified Gad with Jupiter,159 the Sky-deity or the Sun-deity. Other sources of research also testify of "Gad" being the Sun-deity. Rev. Alexander Hislop wrote, "There is reason to believe that Gad refers to the Sun-god ... The name Gad ... is applicable to Nimrod, whose general character was that of a Sun-god ... Thus then, if Gad was the 'Sun divinity', Meni was very naturally regarded as 'The Lord Moon.' "160 Keil and Delitzsch, Commentaries on the Old Testament, comments on Isa. 65:11, "There can be no doubt, therefore, that Gad, the god of good fortune, ... is Baal (Bel) as the god of good fortune. ... this is the deified planet Jupiter ... Gad is Jupiter ... Mene is Dea Luna ... Rosenmuller very properly traces back the Scriptural rendering to this Egyptian view, according to which Gad is the sun-god, and Meni the lunar goddess as the power of fate."161 Isa. 65:11 tells us than that Yahúweh 's people have forsaken Him and in the end-time are found to be serving Gad, the Sun-deity of "Good Luck", and Meni, the Moon-deity of "Destiny".

As pointed out above, this Gad (GD with and "a" vowel - pointing) is probably the same deity as we read of in the book of Joshua, GD with a vowel-pointing of "aw" or "o", Massoretes cannot always be relied on, but we can rely on the Hebrew Scriptures before the vowel-pointing was done. It could well be that the GD of Isa. 65:11 is the same as the "Gawd" or "God" of the book of Joshua. But, let us not try to establish a fact on an assumption. Let us rather do some research on the word "God".

The word God (or god), like the Greek Theos (or theos) is used in our versions as a title, a generic name, usually. It translates the Hebrew The Mighty One (or The Mighty One), El (or el), and Eloah. However, in quite a few places it is used as a name whenever it is used as a substitute for the Tetragrammaton, the Name of our Father, e.g. Matthew 4:4 etc. If the word God is then used as a substitute for the Name, it must be accepted that the word God has become a name again. How and when did this title or name become adopted into our modern languages? Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th edition, says, "GOD - the common Teutonic word for a personal object of religious worship ... applied to all those superhuman beings of the heathen mythologies. The word 'god' on the conversion of the Teutonic races to Christianity was adopted as the name of the one Supreme Being ...." Webster's Twentieth Century Dictionary, Unabridged, 1st edition, says, "The word is common to Teutonic tongues ... It was applied to heathen deities and later, when the Teutonic peoples were converted to Christianity, the word was elevated to the Christian sense." James Hastings, Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics, vol. 6, p. 302, reads, "After the conversion of the Teutons to Christianity the word came to be applied also to the Christian Deity ... Its etymology and its original meaning are obscure, and have been much debated." J.G.R. Forlong, Encyclopedia of Religions, on "God", says, "It is remarkable that philologists are unable to decide the origin of this familiar Teutonic word." Once again, we are strongly suspicious of the rulers of darkness or the Prince of Darkness, having succeeded, once again, in hiding yet another work of darkness. There is much confusion in the European languages between the words gud (good) and god. The Scandinavian languages, like the old Anglo-Saxon, called god gud and called gud (good) god. Calling good god and god gud is bad enough to confuse us. Even worse is that the Old Nether lands languages regarded god as an idol and gud as the correct deity! Jacob Grimm recorded162 this for us, as well as Julius Pokorny and Jan de Vries.163 This inconsistency of spelling confuses us, as it must have confused the people in those early centuries who were still completely or partially ignorant of the True Mighty One and His Name. Jacob Grimm asserts that this was done because of fear, "Such a fear may arise from two causes: a holy name must not be abused, or an unholy dreaded name, e.g., that of the devil, has to be softened down by modifying its form", and then gives examples.162 Other modifying its form", and then gives examples.162 Other scholars have explained that the names of national deities were either hid, or modified, in order to prevent their enemies getting hold of these names -enemies who might use it as a magic word against them. Another reason for this changing of spelling of idols' names was the ritual of abrenuntiatio, i.e. a solemn renouncing of the names of major deities, whenever a pagan became converted to Christianity. One of the three major idols of the Teutonic tribes was called Saxnot. It is well documented how this name was renounced and later on came back in a disguised form, Saxneat. We even found that some idols' name were spelt 17 different ways.

We found further evidence that "gott" or "god" was not only a title, but used as a name too, amongst the Teutonic tribes. Simrock discovered songs wherein "Gott" was used as a beiname for the deity Odin.164 In German, beiname means: surname (or epithet, or appellation). We further found "Goda" as a proper name of an idol.165 Moreover, the same author relates how Wodan, "the name of the highest god" , also called Wotan and Odan, was also called Godan.166 The Teutonic masculine deities each had its female consort or counterpart. Thus we read that this deity's female consort was frau Gode.167 It is commonly known that our Wednesday was named after Wodan or Wotan. In Westphalian we find this day being called Godenstag.168

If the Teutonic pagans called all their idols by the generic name "gott" or "god", shall we continue to call the One that we love by the same generic name/title/or name? Why do we not translate the title The Mighty One (or El or Eloah) with it proper meaning: Mighty One or Mighty? Also, in those places where "God" has become a substitute name for "Yahúweh ", shall we continue to invite the wrath of The Mighty One by doing this? He has commanded us that we should not destroy His Name (Deut. 12:3c and 4, KJV or RSV). he is sorely displeased with those who have forgotten His Name for Baal (Jer. 23:27), remembering that Baal really was the Sun-deity. "Therefore My people shall know My Name," Isa. 52:6. "Yahúweh 's voice cries to the city - wisdom shall see Your Name," Yahúweh 6:9. "For The Mighty One will save Zion ... and those who love His Name shall dwell in it," Ps. 69:35-36. Also read Isa. 56:6-7. If we love Him, we will love His Name. If we love His Name, we will not destroy it (Deut. 12:3c and 4), we will not forget it (Jer. 23:27), we will not substitute it with a title, a generic name, or a name, which had been used for a pagan deity (Exod. 23:13). Also, and even more applicable to this present study, we will stop substituting His Name with Baal (Jer. 23:27 and Hos. 2:16) - that great Sun-deity, also known as Bel, who was the primary deity of Babylon - whether "Baal" applies to the name of the Sun-deity, or whether "Baal" became a title. We are to stop substituting His Name with anything that pertains to a Sun-deity, or even only a title with an idolatrous origin, notwithstanding attempts to justify the "changed meaning of the word".

There is not a single text in all Scripture which prohibits us from calling Him by His Name. They called upon His Name right back in Gen. 12:8 and 13:4, and as "Abraham" again in Gen. 21:33. Abraham called the place in Moria "Yahúweh Yireh", Gen. 22:14. Isaac called upon the Name Yahúweh , Gen. 26:25. Jacob used the Name, Gen. 28:16. Leah used it, Gen. 29:33 and 35. Moses proclaimed the Name of Yahúweh , Deut. 32:3. David declared Yahúweh 's name, Ps. 22:22, and so did our Messiah, Heb. 2:12, John 17:6 and 17:26. Finally, Yahushúa promised to do it again, John 17:26b, which is that which is now happening!"

Taken from "Come Out of Her My People" by C.J. Koster.

Read it on-line here:

http://www.iahushua.com/ST-RP/tfr.htm

Personally I think they altered and snuck in a whole bunch of pagan garbage over the years.

In these latter days, many truths are being made known, and to those who are honestly seeking and Loving YHWH. At the same time satan is on a rampage knowing that his time is quickly running out. A rapid increase in knowledge "both good and evil" in these last days. Enough to make many earthly people to eventually go crazy, so they won't know what all is right or wrong anymore. They will become more and more confused/possesed if they don't eat the daily bread of heaven.

Share the truths in a loving way for it is the will and power of YHWH. You don't want to detour anyone away from Yahshua "the Word of YHWH". If somebody refuses to submit to the Word of YHWH, then that's their own decision.

We can't save anybody, but we can share the truths that have been freely given to us. If others wish to donate and pay to be deceived by the many false Christs "self proclaimed annonted ones", they will surely pay at the end. Many churches are founded on Mammon, and we can not serve both. The truth can set anybody free if they accept and live by it.

In today's world many will likely hate you if you make known and live by the Word, but know that the world hated Yahshua first.

Do what is right in the eyes of our heavenly Father the best you know how, and hold onto what is good until the end. Listen, speak and see with your heart.

Zep 3: Therefore wait ye for me, saith Yahweh, until the day that I rise up to the prey; for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger; for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. 9 For then will I turn to the peoples of a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of Yahweh, to serve him with one consent.

Praise YHWH,

Brother Yohanan, I am still waiting for an e-mail from you~!

Shabbat Shalom & Agape

Allen

exodus20@YHWHisEl.com

The article may have the appearance of scholarly research and insight, however it is rather dilettantish. Koster cuts many corners and makes huge leaps by bending the rules of the matrix. He likes to drop names of etymologists but does not actually quote them when it would certainly be relevant. He also goes on many distracting tangents trying to villify the term "god" by a guilt-by-association approach that has no etymological basis. He leaves out many facts that easily dismantle this presumption.

Here are just a few factual points to ponder.

The name GAD is one of the sons of Israel and will be written on the gates of the New Jerusalem. If GAD is so BAD, then how can this also be the name of one of the 12 sons of Israel, and also be written on the gates of Jerusalem?

There is absolutely no etymological connection between the English "god" and the Hebrew "gad".

There is not a single idol named "God" in any culture at any time.

A look in any modern etymological dictionary shows there is no controversy or confusion over the origin of "god" or between it and "good". If the origin really is obscure as Koster claims, then he can't make any definite conclusions, but decides to anyways. This basically became filler for his book.

Julius Porkorny offers excellent proof in his IndoGermanic Dictionary of Etymology against anti-god sacred namers (which ironically they reference), I encourage everyone to read this reference for themselves.

The torah endorses the application of "heathen" epithets to YHWH.

The meaning of "god" and the meaning of "gad" are completely unrelated.

There really is a similar meaning shared by "el" and "god".

There actually is a common etymological root to God and YHWH.

Thank you Brother Yohanan and MJ!

That is what I was wondering about. Having realized that I have been deceived in everything I have ever thought to be true, it is hard, as Brother Yohanan pointed out...

quote: "Enough to make many earthly people to eventually go crazy, so they won't know what all is right or wrong anymore."

That's what it seems like to me. It is difficult not to "over-protect" myself because I don't know what satan and paganism have changed in the scriptures before they ever got to me. And after seeing how they conveniently left Our Father's name out (All my life I thought His name was G_d!!) it made me wonder what else they had conveiently tried to deceive me with.

I just want to everything Our Heavenly Father wants me to do, and I want to do it right by Him. I am striving so hard.

Please pray for me.

I believe I address each of the arguments you listed in favor of "God" in the study that my wife and I authored three years ago, which is available at Frank Brown's Search the Scriptures web site. Those arguments that are not addressed in that condensed version are dealt with in the full-length version. By the way, Frank is a "Sacred Name" advocate who for many years supported referring to Yahweh as "our God." He is an individual who will read both sides of the issue with an open mind before making a final decsion. As a result of reading our study, he changed his mind on his position, and he subsequently very kindly offered to post the abridged version of our study on his web site. Since I believe I address each of your comments in that study, I offer it to anyone who would like to carefully examine both sides. Here is the link:

http://www.search-the-scriptures.org/artic-98.htm

MJ, you wrote:

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The name GAD is one of the sons of Israel and will be written on the gates of the New Jerusalem. If GAD is so BAD, then how can this also be the name of one of the 12 sons of Israel, and also be written on the gates of Jerusalem?

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I reply: (1) Who gave "Gad" his name? Was this person raised in a righteous Yahweh-fearing environment?
(2) There is a righteous man named Apollos who "mightily convinced the Jews and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Yeshua was Messiah" (Acts 18:24-28). Apollos was named after the Greek idol Apollo. Would it be okay and honorable to take the name of that fine man and apply it to our Heavenly Father? Would you refer to Yahweh as "our Apollos"? Additionally, would you refer to Him as "our Zeus"???
(3) After having spent 14 years working for his father-in-law, Jacob took his family and headed for the land of his father. On his way there, what instruction did he give his household (Gen. 35:2)? Is it possible that any members of his household had been worshipping idols?
(4) Regardless of "whose" names appear on the "gates of the New Jerusalem," does it really make sense to refer to Yahweh with a title that was the name of a man? If so, then why choose the name of a man whose name itself was taken from the name of a heathen idol? Why not choose a name with an inherently pure origin, such as Zebulun? The name "Zebulun" has a nice intrinsic meaning: "habitation." I would like nothing more than to make YHWH my habitation, so why not just refer to Him as "Yahweh my Zebulun"? Why choose "GOD" out of all those twelve names??

You wrote:

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There is absolutely no etymological connection between the English "god" and the Hebrew "gad".

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I'm also curious as to how the word pronounced "GOD" in the Russian language means "serpent" or "reptile" in that language. Can you explain this for me, please?

Continuing, there was an idol worshipped in Ireland named "Gad-el-glas." If you check out Irish linguistics, you will notice that the above is actually pronounced "God-el-Gloss." The word "glas" in Irish means "green." The word "GOD" in Irish means "serpent." Thus, the ancient Irish worshipped an idol whose name means "GREEN ALMIGHTY SNAKE," or as the author of this reference puts it, "Green god snake." If you investigate, you will find that there is a connection between the Irish language and the Russian language. As I understand it, they both have Indo-European connections.

Is it possible that it is from this Irish "GOD" that the Germanic "GOTT" was born? I honestly believe that those who cannot see a connection do not want to see a connection. I believe it is that obvious.

You wrote:

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There is not a single idol named "God" in any culture at any time.

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I realize you didn't request the information I offered yesterday, which seems to indicate you weren't interested, but I believe I need to offer a portion of it here now so as to document what I have just told you. The following is an excerpt from the presentation I gave at this year's Unity Conference:

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One thing we do know is that the heathen idol God was also known as Baal-God¹, and one of Baal’s symbols was the serpent.² While this information does not prove anything, it certainly arouses some suspicion. Furthermore, according to J. G. R. Forlong in his book Rivers of Life, volume one, published in 1883, the early heathens in Ireland worshipped a “god-snake” named Gad-el-glas. Here is an excerpt from that chapter:

Mr. Marcus Keane tells us that although the Kelts of Ireland rejected the phallic worship of their predecessors the Tuath-de-Danaans, they yet retained their names and customs. May day continued to be called La-Baal-Thinna, and was always connected with the worship of Baal as "the green god" —a very ancient term for Mercury, whose hue was green; and being so, we here see him in dress of suitable shape and colour, and with his Caduceus in hand. "Gad-el-glas.³ or the Green-god-Snake," was an important Irish deity, and the name seems to correspond with "the green god," or "Primeval Boodh," which Coleman treats of in his Indian Mythology, but which I take the liberty of calling Primeval Goad; I do not think there is any connection whatever between him and Boodha.⁴

Is it just a coincidence that the word pronounced “God” not only made its way into the Russian language with the meaning of “reptile” or “serpent,” and this same word is found in heathen worship in Ireland in reference to “the Green-god-Snake”? Is it just a coincidence that his worship is connected to Baal worship and that one of Baal’s symbols was a serpent?

The fact that God is a name identified with serpent worship should, in our opinion, alarm any serious student of the Word. The connection of an ancient idol of “fortune” to a similar Russian word meaning “fortune-teller” (gadalka) and the transliteration of the very name God meaning “reptile” in itself reveals an indelible link that I find difficult to deny. However, when combined with the above information unveiling yet another idol named God who is known as the “Green-god-Snake,” the association only seems deniable by those unwilling to see it. Is God connected to the worship of the True Mighty One … or is God connected to serpent worship? Based upon all available historical evidence, God is most certainly not associated with the worship of our Heavenly Father Yahweh. As for the destiny of any idols identified with serpent worship, we can only remind you of the information offered in Revelation 12:9:

⁹And 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.

I don’t know about you, but this is just too many “coincidences” for June and me. Back in 2001, while still engaged in a group e-mail discussion regarding whether or not we honor Yahweh by referring to Him as “our God,” one of the participants insisted that I have not proven my position “beyond a reasonable doubt.” One of my responses was to let him know that, instead of putting the burden of proof on MY shoulders, I consider the burden of proof to be on HIS SHOULDERS! In our quest to serve Yahweh and give Him the pure worship He is so deserving of, should the burden of proof rest upon those of my persuasion to prove that the title “God” is an affront to Yahweh? Or should the burden of proof be upon those who believe it’s honorable to prove that it’s honorable?

June and I take our worship very seriously. We didn’t come this far only to compromise our worship or give half an ounce of our worship to someone (or something) other than Yahweh. Nor are we interested in gambling as to whether or not Yahweh approves of the title “God.” We prefer to err on the side of safety, and we urge all fellow truth seekers to do the same.

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Again, I believe I have not only provided proof that, indeed there is/was an idol whose name was pronounced “God,” but I believe I have provided solid evidence of a connection between (a) the Irish serpent idol, (b) the Russian word for “serpent/reptile,” (c) the Russian word for “fortune teller” AND (d) the Canaanite idol of fortune, whose name is indeed pronounced “GAWD.” Those who disagree typically attempt to make a case out of pronunciation variations based upon the vowel pointings, but hopefully we all know and understand that vowel-pointings weren’t added to the Hebrew text until modern times (7th century CE). Thus, according to the original Hebrew text, we have a name spelled “giymel, daleth,” a name reserved for the idol of fortune. We can try to wish that name away … we can try to make up the vowels that we think best fit … but the connection won’t go away. I believe it is undeniable. However, there will be those who insist on denying it. Even if I were of that persuasion, I would be extremely concerned that maybe, just maybe, the connection really is there.

You wrote:

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Julius Porkorny offers excellent proof in his IndoGermanic Dictionary of Etymology against anti-god sacred namers (which ironically they reference), I encourage everyone to read this reference for themselves.

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You wrote:

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The torah endorses the application of "heathen" epithets to YHWH.

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You wrote:

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The meaning of "god" and the meaning of "gad" are completely unrelated.

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You wrote:

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There really is a similar meaning shared by "el" and "god".

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You wrote:

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There actually is a common etymological root to God and YHWH.

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You wrote:

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There are many holes in the antiGod rhetoric, and they are something I will address in a report shortly that covers all these and more points. Remember a story always sounds reasonably true until you hear the other side.

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Right now, in addition to all the other things I really need to see from you, I would like to know how you believe the Hebrew word spelled “giymel, daleth” is phonetically pronounced in English. Is “gawd” reasonably close?

I am eager to see your report.

Yours in Messiah,
Larry

¹According to G. F. Taylor, in his book The Second Coming of Jesus, The Falcon Publishing Company, Falcon, N.C., 1916, p. 161, God is another name for Baal: “The city Baal Gad (Josh. 11: 17) derived its name from ‘Baal’; and from ‘Gad,’ the Babylonian god of fortune, Bel, standing for the planet Jupiter. The Arabs called it ‘the greater good fortune;’ and ‘Meni,’ the planet Venus, stood for ‘the lesser good fortune.’ ‘But ye are they that forsake the word, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that god, and that furnish the drink offering unto that Meni.’—Isa. 65: 11. (Margin.) In this verse the idea of the male and the female antichrist is mentioned. Gad is only another name for Baal, the male god; while Meni stands for Venus, the female goddess.”
²Source: Mythaeum: An Archetypal Encyclopaedia of Myth, online edition, page 9, (http://www.mythopedia.info/03-pan-semitic.htm), where we read, “A serpent was Baal’s symbol.”
³That the Irish word “Gad” is pronounced “God” can be established by checking out the pronunciation of the word “glas,” which is the Irish word for “green.” According to an Irish informational web site (http://www.ireland-information.com/irishphrases.htm), the word “glas” is pronounced “gloss.”
⁴From Rivers of Life or Sources and Streams of the Faiths of Man in All Lands, Major-General J. G. R. Forlong, Vol. 1, London: Bernard Quaritch, 1883, page 450.

[This message has been edited by Acheson (edited 01-01-2005).]

Love in Yahushua's precious name,

I will answer all your points in detail and include them in my report, and anything I did not cover I will be glad to write additional reports on. Give me next week to see if I can finish it off and I will post it. Because it contains graphics I will have to post it to the web and provide a link. The only reason I did not request your full length article is for two reasons, I didn't have time this past week to read it, and I noted from your digested version the premises that you were basing on. Because I am familiar with those premises I already knew what the majority of your material would consist of. The overall problem I see is that your bottom line is "five coinicidences equal one bonafide truth". For me it takes more than mere coincidences. Sometimes coincidences are just coincidences. A coincidence is a group of things that are superficially comparative or related. There is a risk when making any decision based soley on circumstantial evidence.

If one is not careful they could convince themselves that YHWH actually means "He is wicked" because HWH in Hebrew means "wickedness" and is spelled the same, and sounds the same, and it REALLY is related to the HWH in YHWH. And that is a far stronger case than the one against "god". But even with all that factual solid evidence the conlusion is still completely in error.

The question that labels this thread is this:

"What does 'G_D' mean?"

Even though I usually shy away from rhetoricals ...

I grew up believing as taught in an assembly of protest-ants, that the word "God" is the name of the One who created all things. And of course, I was also eventually taught that He actually has many "names".

Q: Are either of those things true?
A: No.

So then, why would anyone want to call Him "God"?

Q: Are there any/many "other-gods"?
Q: Do any of those "other-gods" have names?
Q: Is it at all possible the word "God" could refer to any "other-god"?
Q: Could Abba-Father's own name even possibly refer to any "other-god"?
A: Yes, Yes, Yes, No.

If "God" is a name at all, and if "God" is not YHWH's exclusive name at all, then whose name is it, really? Or, what does the word "God" really mean?

Having heard all the Germanican-Teutonic stuff and even much more several years ago, my personal speculation today is that the word "God" is some kind of name or reference for any one or more of the "other-gods" our Abba-Father is not. But even if that is not so, I have yet to hear anyone offer a legitimate reason for calling YHWH by what is either the wrong- and/or somebody-else's-name "God".

Certainly, though, the word "God" clearly represents one of the "other-gods" at least I used to worship and serve while yet deceived within sectarian religion.

Blessings, I hope ...

There truly is a g-d, and his title truly contains g-d within it.

2Co 4:4 In whom the g-d of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Moshiach, who is the image of YHWH, should shine unto them.

Scripture refers to the enemy as the g-d of this world, so that being said...why use the same wordings when refering to our Heavenly Father?

They that worship, must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth,

HalleluYAH!

Blessings,
Sojourner-Tamar

You wrote:

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I see is that your bottom line is "five coinicidences equal one bonafide truth". For me it takes more than mere coincidences.

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For the record, in my posting above, I asked “Is this just a coincidence?” on three occasions. I was hopeful that the reader would understand that I was asking a rhetorical question. Also, for the record, my answer to each of those questions is, “No, they are not coincidences.”

As I brought my commentary to a close, I wrote:

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I don’t know about you, but this is just too many “coincidences” for June and me.

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My use of quotation marks in the above sentence was not an accident. If I had not enclosed the word “coincidences” in quotation marks, I could understand how or why you might possibly understand that I actually believe the connections I demonstrated are “coincidences.” By enclosing that word in quotation marks, however, I was employing a rhetorical device to emphasize the irony of identifying those connections as “coincidences.” The use of quotation marks with the ironic or emphasized material is occasionally used as a visual aid in setting off a certain word or phrase from the rest of the sentence, and that is what I did with the word “coincidences.” I used the word in an ironic fashion to show the reader that I mean just the opposite of what would be normally understood. Please understand that I don’t like giving these long, drawn-out explanations, but since it appears that you did not understand my use of the word “coincidences,” I feel it is necessary. I truly hope the misunderstanding was a genuine one and not an intentional subversion.

You wrote:

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One thing I find troubling is that you consider all kinds of heathen names to originate from Hebrew, with the odd exception of GAD.

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I reply: My concern is not so much what language the word “GAD” (more correctly pronounced “GOD”) came from as it is whether or not it originated with heathen idol worship. That’s my main concern. For all anyone knows, the word indeed originated in the Hebrew language. Of course, no one ever applied it to Yahweh, so I really do not understand why anyone would want to do so now … unless they want to better relate to those who do.

If we’re going to trace the origin of this name, let’s start with Scripture, okay? Where does it first appear? Who gave Jacob’s son this name? Was she reared in a heathen environment? Can it be proven that an idol named “GOD” was worshipped in the area where she was raised? Is it possible that this is where this name originated?

These are all questions that must be answered, so I trust you will address them in your report.

While I recognize the possibility that the word “GOD” has its origin in the Hebrew language, its origin as a name is clearly from unregenerate heathens. To then take that name, redefine it as “a perfectly acceptable translation of Elohim” is simply a slap in the Almighty’s face. This is what is known as the cultural redefinition of words. If we can borrow the name of any heathen idol from some language, then culturally “redefine” it as a “clean” word in our language, then apply it as a title for Yahweh, this opens the door for us to pretty much assign Him any title that suits our fancy.

In fact, as one man who supports your view wrote, “There is no such thing as an unclean word.”¹ Indeed, there really isn’t, according to this view. So long as the individual “redefines” it as a “clean word,” it suddenly becomes worthy of being applied to Yahweh. In fact, with this reasoning, we can even refer to Yahweh as “our Zeus.” I believe you would have no problem with referring to Yahweh as your “Zeus,” based upon your comment that the torah endorses the application of "heathen" epithets to YHWH. Obviously, then, you have no problem with assigning either “Zeus” or “Apollo” as acceptable titles for YHWH, based upon the method of reasoning you expressed in your posting.

But let’s go one level higher, okay? Is it also okay to refer to Yahweh as your “Satan”? Certainly, since you believe the torah endorses the application of “heathen” epithets to YHWH, and since many of us realize that “the face behind the mask,” so to speak, is actually none other than “Satan,” and especially since “Satan” is only a title anyway, then it must be perfectly acceptable to Yahweh for you to refer to Him as your “Satan,” right?

Am I following your reasoning properly? If I am misapplying anything that you wrote, please correct me and clarify your wording. I do not want to misunderstand anything that you have written, but certainly if you believe the torah endorses the application of heathen epithets to YHWH, and since "Satan” is one such epithet, it follows that you believe the torah endorses our referring to YHWH as “Satan.”

Since the title “Satan” means “adversary,” I personally cannot recommend that anyone who wants to be on Yahweh’s side refer to Him with such a title. But of course, since a part of borrowing names/titles from other languages is culturally redefining them to suit our desires, someone might conceivably choose to redefine "Satan" as “Almighty” and thus justify using that title in reference to Yahweh.

After all, this is precisely what has been done with the name/title “GOD.”

I believe this is where we are headed when we endorse referring to Yahweh with heathen “epithets.”

As for me and my house, we do not go there.

This issue really boils down to choices. There are several other titles that we can use in reference to Yahweh that are not stained with the corruption of heathen idol worship. Why not prefer them?? Is He not worthy of our UTMOST praise and honor? Why should we want to apply a title to our Creator that comes from the name of a man, let alone one that comes from the name of an idol whose worship He condemns??

Does this bring Him honor?

As June and I exclaimed back in 2001, so we exclaim in 2004: LET’S GO FOR THE BEST, FOLKS!!! ("God" does not qualify).

May Yahweh bless,

Larry

¹From the article “The Truth Regarding Divine Titles,” 1997, by Dale George and Silvio Soto, p. 37.

On second thought, I think I will reply to some of what you wrote without further delay and by doing this the visitors to this thread can prime the pump of critical thinking. I will limit this reply to the subject of Gad-el-glas. I don't know if they were your personl presumptions, or based on someone else's, but they are typical of the quality of research in the sacred name movement. I hope that the following will be enough to change your mind at least on the subject of Gad-el-glas. I encourage to verify everything I have written.

There was a historical person (not a god) named Gáedal Glas. He was an Irish hero, not a god, and not worshipped as a god. So right there everything falls apart. There is no god named Gadelglas, just a person. Even if there was, for the sake of argument, you’ll see why his legacy has nothing to do with our issue. I honestly hope to inspire you to be a better researcher.

The second error is the translation of Gáedal Glas which means “Gáedal the Green” not “The Green God Snake”. GLAS does mean “green” but Gáedal does not mean “snake”, nor “fortune”. The Irish word for SNAKE is not GAD, but NATHAIR. And the Irish word for GOD is not EL, but DIA. There is not the slightest connection between the Irish GAD (“stick”) and the English GOD. So the translation is plainly wrong.

The “Gad-“ in Gadel or Gáedal is pronounced GAY not GOD. The first pronunciation error is to assume that any or every “a” in Gaelic is pronounced like “ah” and therefore should be replaced with an “o” is a completely ignorant assumption and without respect for Gaelic linguistics. The word for the “Irish Language” is “Gaelic” and everyone knows how to pronounce “Gaelic” – good, because Gaelic is taken directly from the name of Gáedal.

The second error in pronunciation is the Gaelic letter “d” also appearing as “dh”. It is not pronounced at all like the English “d”. When it appears after the “e” in “Gae-“ it must be pronounced like the English “y”. Thus when you properly pronounce Gáedal it sound like Gael. Thus the point that it should be pronounced God-el-glos is utterly mistaken.

Gáedal was variably known as Gathelus and Gallo the father of the Gaels or Gauls. Now I am in familiar etymological territory since I previously wrote a paper on the origin of the this name. To make a long story short, his name is derived from the Hebrew words GIYL and GOOL which are also the source for a host of Greek, Latin, and English words such as angel, evangelist, Anglican, Galatia, England, and gale.

The actual legend of this person may be worth noting. He and his father left Egypt with the Israelites. In the wilderness he was bitten by a snake in the neck. His wound turned green from the venom. Moshe was called and when he touched his staff to the boy’s neck he was instantly healed. However the wound remained green the rest of his life. Then Moshe pronounced a blessing upon him that in whatever land his descendants should populate that venomous snakes would be repelled.

So he wasn’t an idol or "GREEN ALMIGHTY SNAKE" OR “GOD-SNAKE” as the gnostic and Thelemic James George Roche Forlong revisions him, no, he was the hero that drove the snakes from Ireland. Later the Church syncretized him into the St. Patrick whose colour is green and who also drove the snakes from Ireland.

There are many paganized words, names and holidays troughout the world. Even the days "Sun-day through Saturn-day are paganized words.

My Heavenly Father has a name, and his name is YHWH. His title is Father, and yes he is thee only Almighty one.

The singular title "God" is claimed to mean "Mighty One". YHWH is Almighty!.

The titles God, Gods, l, El, Elohim, have all been used for both good and evil ones, and before it was printed in any bible.

Lord and God are not names, nor should they ever be used to replace his name.

The title Lord does not even need to be in the bibles, as the titles "master, sir and teacher" are already written throughout the scriptures.

What were the intentions of those who put in the title Lord to replace the Almighty name YHWH throughout the scriptures?. Could it be that the Pope is actually today's Baal the false prophet?

What about the names Easter and Je-Hovah.

HalleluYah doesn't mean "Praise ye the Lord" either, nor does it reffer to somebody called Jesus.

Hos 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 the Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be mentioned by their name.

Lord = Baal http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=Baal

Sun-day Day of sun Worship

East-er = http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/easthist.html

The word Amen is Egyption orgin, and a name for Ra. http://www.touregypt.net/amenra.htm

The Rabbit was used as an insignia of the rising of the sun of Ra.

This is a pretty good link if anybody wan's more insights on all this and more.
http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/easthist.html

It's all connected with sun worship, just like the Roman Catholic church that caused all this. In fact it was Pope leo that have the name Jehovah created after the letter "J" was invented. Je-Hovah = The destroyer

Eze 8:13 He said also unto me, Thou shalt again see yet other great abominations which they do. 14 Then he brought me to the door of the gate of Yahweh's house which was toward the north; and behold, there sat the women weeping for Tammuz. 15 Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? thou shalt again see yet greater abominations than these. 16 And he brought me into the inner court of Yahweh's house; and behold, at the door of the temple of Yahweh, between the porch and the altar, were about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of Yahweh, and their faces toward the east; and they were worshipping the sun toward the east. 17 Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have turned again to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose. 18 Therefore will I also deal in wrath; mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity; and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, yet will I not hear them.

Blessings in Yahshua's name

You said:

If we’re going to trace the origin of this name, let’s start with Scripture, okay? Where does it first appear? Who gave Jacob’s son this name? Was she reared in a heathen environment? Can it be proven that an idol named “GOD” was worshipped in the area where she was raised? Is it possible that this is where this name originated?

Doing a word study:
In Strongs Concordance under Hebrew numbers 1408-1409, it says:

01408 Gad {gad}
a variation of 01409; TWOT - 313e; n pr m
AV - non translated variant 1; 1
Gad = "god of fortune"
1) a Babylonian deity

Notice how #1408 is a variant of #1409...

01409 gad {gawd}
from 01464 (in the sense of distributing); TWOT - 313d; n m
AV - troop 2; 2
1) fortune, good fortune

The word “Gad” in Isaiah 65:11 has both #1408 and #1409 assigned to it:

Isaiah 65:11 But ye are they that forsake YHWH that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop (Gad) <01409> (08677) <01408>, and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.

BDB/Thayers explanation of 8677 (inserted between numbers 1408 and 1409 in preceding verse):

08677 Synonym Strong's Numbers:
Sometimes, a word or phrase has individual Strong's numbers assigned
to it and it has an additional Strong's number for the entire phrase.
Only by context can you distinguish proper names in Hebrew from individual words. Hence translators do arrive at different renderings for the same Hebrew.

Continuing on with Strong's definition:
01410 Gad {gawd}
from 01464; n pr m
AV - Gad 70; 70
Gad = "troop"
1) seventh son of Jacob by Zilpah, Leah's handmaid, and full brother
of Asher.
2) the tribe descended from Gad

Notice how the variant for the deity of fortune (#1409) is used when Leah, the daughter of an idol worshipper (Gen. 31:30),
named her handmaiden's son Gad (pronounced gawd)

Gene 30:11 (KJS) And Leah said, A troop [1409] cometh: and she called his name Gad [1410].

It seems to me that the three words spelled gimmel-dalet (g-d), Strong’s numbers 1408-1410, are all related.

Love in Yahushua,
Richard

I disagree very strongly with your position, of course, and I do have some tough questions for you to answer (still unanswered, by the way). This, however, does not justify demeaning anyone's research skills, especially when full documentation is offered. I mean, after all, it's not like I went to the children's section of the library to obtain my information ... is it? For you to offer such demeaning remarks and then subsequently leave your own opposing remarks completely undocumented tells me something about yourself that I would prefer to not share in this forum.

You wrote:

quote:

---

I don't know if they were your personl presumptions, or based on someone else's, but they are typical of the quality of research in the sacred name movement. I hope that the following will be enough to change your mind at least on the subject of Gad-el-glas. I encourage to verify everything I have written.

---

I reply: Please, MJ, let’s not humor each other in this discussion, okay? Since I freely offered the documentation from my research, I would hope you would understand this is not my “personal presumptions.” Can you agree to that?

I find that remark to be completely out of order. In fact, I will go so far as to state that I believe it was intended as an insult. Agreed?

Even IF my resource should be proven as in error, can you acknowledge that this cannot be a “personal presumption”? You later issue a disclaimer so as to try and make it appear that you aren’t out to demean anyone. The above commentary pretty much negates your disclaimer.

Now if I had merely issued a commentary without offering documentation, I might understand your unkind remark. Issuing new and previously unheard-of information without offering documentation should rightly be criticized. But I did not do this. So please, tell me why you choose to operate in this fashion.

Next, you encourage me to verify everything you have written. Against what?? It appears that you are the one who offers information, expecting everyone to “just believe” you. Or perhaps you expect us to “just know” where to go to verify your information??

Indeed, the mark of responsible journalism is to provide your readers with the documentation that they need to verify the truth of your information. At this point, I have nothing to go on but a guy who seems very adept at attempting to demean the research of others.

And while I’m at it, please bear in mind that I am not a paid researcher. All the research I have done has been in my own spare time, at my own expense, as time allows. It obviously isn’t of a high enough level to impress you, but it nevertheless came at the expense of many evening hours away from my family, as well as being away on the first day of the week. It was a labor of love. I didn’t expect any high marks of praise from anyone as a result of my research, but neither did I expect any cutting remarks from anyone, either.

Again, if my research turns out to be based upon flawed evidence from flawed sources, I believe it shouldn’t be beneath you to address it from that level instead of demeaning the one doing the research. It certainly isn’t a professional way of treating people, even in the secular world. But to treat others this way when I think you claim to seek peace among the brethren is simply amazing. Really, there is a way of exposing flawed research without demeaning the one doing the research.

My e-mail address is seekutruth@aol.com. Please e-mail me, as I would like to discuss this issue with you over the phone. You can call me or I can call you, unless you prefer to issue these cutting remarks while cloaked behind a screen name. Let’s try to resolve this in a professional manner, at the very least.

Please let me know if I have written anything in this discussion that you believe has served to demean your level of intelligence.

Also, please bear in mind that I have many good friends who refer to the Almighty as “God.” I condemn no one, but I will assert that it dishonors Him to refer to Him in this way, unless someone can show me otherwise. I really do try to be open, especially to constructive criticism.

Yours in Messiah,

Larry