First of all, if we are to go through and select a "name" to use in making reference to our Heavenly Father, why not just select the one He gave to Himself, the one that is used at least 6,823 times in all of Scripture? I don't care how "charming" a certain "name" may seem to anyone, or how nice of a "ring" it might have to it, you can't go wrong by calling upon the name He gave to Himself, the same name the believers of old called upon. There are many wonderful, beautiful names mentioned in Scripture. Can any surpass the name of YHWH? No. So why even consider another name, or even replacing His name with a title?

Secondly, "Hashem" simply means "the name." Is it appropriate to refer to our Creator as "The name"? I think not.

Thirdly, there is no Scriptual record of anyone ever referring to the Almighty as "Hashem." In other words, it is unscriptural to refer to YHWH as "Hashem." By "unscriptural," I refer to any teaching or practice that is not based upon Scriptural foundation or usage.

Finally, the name "Hashem" was the name of a common Israelite (I Chronicles 11:34). Is this TRULY showing our Heavenly Father the respect He deserves when we refer to Him by the name originally given to a man? This man named Hashem was given that name prior to anyone ever referring to Yahweh by such an appellation. In fact, the practice of referring to YHWH as "Hashem" can only be traced to the Middle Ages. Therefore, when one refers to the Creator as "Hashem," he or she is not only referring to Him by a man-made, unoriginal name/title, but such a person is also referring to Him with a name originally given to a man. Let’s not settle for such an insignificant name. Let’s go for the one He gave to Himself: YHWH.

This is my position regarding the name "Hashem," unless someone can demonstrate that I have made an error in judgement.

Yours in Messiah,
Larry

quote:

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Originally posted by Acheson:
Finally, the name "Hashem" was the name of a common Israelite (I Chronicles 11:34).

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Larry,

The name of the Israelite is pronounced "Hashaym" according to the Massoretic vowel points, but your point is well made.

Good Shabbath,

Hashem is not a name, but he has name. The title Hashem is used by many Orthodox Jews and others in reference to the name of El-Shadday or Eloha. Hashem being spoken meaning "the name". His devine name should not be uttered, as only YHWH can say "I always was, and I always will be who I AM".

I believe that he is his name, his name is who he is. Today we use "HE" to refer to him, and not "I" when we say YHWH.

Hashem Elokim can also mean the Merciful One/Judge. It's a bit hard for some to understand.

Shalom in YHWH,

Brother Yohanan

You wrote:

quote:

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Originally posted by Shlomoh:
The name of the Israelite is pronounced "Hashaym" according to the Massoretic vowel points, but your point is well made.

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I reply: All I know is the phonetic rendering supplied by Strong's Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary.

The name "Hashem" is word #2044 and is pronounced "haw-shame."

The word "Shem" is word #8034 and is pronounced "shame." If you place the definite article in front of this word, you have a word pronounced "haw-shame," right? I am not a Hebrew scholar, so maybe someone can demonstrate that I am mistaken in my use of Strong's here. From my perspective, there is no discernible difference in pronunciation.

Thank you for your comment!

quote:

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Originally posted by Acheson:
... there is no Scriptual record of anyone ever referring to the Almighty as "Hashem." In other words, it is unscriptural to refer to YHWH as "Hashem."

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I believe "unscriptural" would mean something more like an actual commandment or directive against something, Larry. Therefore, the most we could rightly say here might actually be something like "extra-Scriptural", as in "outside of Scripture", which, at least in the minds of many means we should also be silent on the matter.

Blessings ...

What is scriptural, is that the Father wants us to proclaim, and praise His name. His name is YHWH, and I believe that enough scholars through out the centuries have agreed on how it is pronounced. Psalms 68:4 "Sing unto Elohim, sing praises to His name; extol him who rideth upon the heavens by His name, which is YAH, and rejoice before Him." To me, the first syllable of His name is clearly shown in scripture. I dont find it difficult to add the second syllable. Praise YAHWEH!!

What is scriptural, is that the Father wants us to proclaim, and praise His name. His name is YHWH, and I believe that enough scholars through out the centuries have agreed on how it is pronounced. Psalms 68:4 "Sing unto Elohim, sing praises to His name; extol him who rideth upon the heavens by His name, which is YAH, and rejoice before Him." To me, the first syllable of His name is clearly shown in scripture. I dont find it difficult to add the second syllable. Praise YAHWEH!!

What is scriptural, is that the Father wants us to proclaim, and praise His name. His name is YHWH, and I believe that enough scholars through out the centuries have agreed on how it is pronounced. Psalms 68:4 "Sing unto Elohim, sing praises to His name; extol him who rideth upon the heavens by His name, which is YAH, and rejoice before Him." To me, the first syllable of His name is clearly shown in scripture. I dont find it difficult to add the second syllable. Praise YAHWEH!!

You wrote:Excuse me for the multiple posts.

It's ok, you were continuing to praise YHWH.

Praise YHWH,

Exo 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name YHWH thy Elohim in vain; for YHWH will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

vain:
H7723
BDB Definition:
1) emptiness, vanity, falsehood
1a) emptiness, nothingness, vanity
1b) emptiness of speech, lying
1c) worthlessness (of conduct)

Deu 32:3 Because I will publish the name of YHWH: ascribe ye greatness unto our Elohim
Deu 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: an Elohim of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He.

Psa 29:1 Give unto YHWH, O ye mighty, give unto YHWH glory and strength.
Psa 29:2 Give unto YHWH the glory due unto his name; worship YHWH in the beauty of holiness.
Psa 29:3 The voice of YHWH is upon the waters: the Elohim of glory thundereth: YHWH is upon many waters.
Psa 29:4 The voice of YHWH is powerful; the voice of YHWH is full of majesty.
Psa 29:5 The voice of YHWH breaketh the cedars; yea, YHWH breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
Psa 29:6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
Psa 29:7 The voice of YHWH divideth the flames of fire.
Psa 29:8 The voice of YHWH shaketh the wilderness; YHWH shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
Psa 29:9 The voice of YHWH maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
Psa 29:10 YHWH sitteth upon the flood; yea, YHWH sitteth King for ever.
Psa 29:11 YHWH will give strength unto his people; YHWH will bless his people with peace.

HALLEL YHWH!

Soujourner-Tamar

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Originally posted by Yahwehwitnesses:
It's ok, you were continuing to praise YHWH.

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My reaction: GREAT ANSWER, Brother Yohanan!! May the name of YHWH be forever praised and honored!

quote:

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Originally posted by leejosepho:

I believe "unscriptural" would mean something more like an actual commandment or directive against something, Larry. Therefore, the most we could rightly say here might actually be something like "extra-Scriptural", as in "outside of Scripture", which, at least in the minds of many means we should also be silent on the matter.

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I reply: I believe unscriptural was an appropriate term to use. This is because the issue of what name to call the heavenly Father is not a generic issue, it is a specific issue. The Bible is extremely specific on what His name actually is. One specific verse is found in Isaiah 42:8 where He says, "I am Yahweh, that is my name, and my glory I will not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." If we place another name in the stead of His true name we involve ourself in vain worship, laying aside the commandment of Yahweh (Ex. 20:7) to keep the tradition of men (Mk. 7:6-8).

YHWH spoke to Moses to speak to a rock in order for it to provide water for the children of Israel (Num. 20:7-8). These were the directions Moses was told to follow. He was not told what not to do; only what to do. Instead of speaking to the rock Moses struck the rock twice (Num. 20:10-11). Water came out of the rock because what he did was disobey Yahweh. Even though Yahweh didn't tell him not to strike the rock, Moses disobeyed the specific (not generic) command of Yahweh, and was unable to enter the promised land because of this (Num. 20:12). Yahweh has been just as specific on what His name is in Scripture. As Larry pointed out, at least 6,823 occurences can be found in the Tanak alone, and with Scriptures like Isaiah 42:8, I am actually scared to call him by another specific name.

"Knowing therefore the terror of the Master, we persuade men... {2 Cor. 5:11"

Good post Larry.

May Yahweh bless all those who seek to call upon His name,

Matthew Janzen

quote:

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Originally posted by Acheson:
Shabbat shalom, Shlomoh:

You wrote: I reply: All I know is the phonetic rendering supplied by Strong's Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary.

The name "Hashem" is word #2044 and is pronounced "haw-shame."

The word "Shem" is word #8034 and is pronounced "shame." If you place the definite article in front of this word, you have a word pronounced "haw-shame," right? I am not a Hebrew scholar, so maybe someone can demonstrate that I am mistaken in my use of Strong's here. From my perspective, there is no discernible difference in pronunciation.

Thank you for your comment!

Yours in Messiah,
Larry

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Shalom Larry,

Hashaym is "haw-shame". The spelling Hashem is usually pronouonced "haw-shehm" and so it may not exactly be correct to say that calling the creator by the term HaShem is giving Him a man's name. Of course this is extension of the "ineffable name" doctrine. On the other hand, I do think Shimson had a point when he responded to Eliyah's questioning of his use of HaShem in the "Specifically, When?" thread. It is not uncommon for the name to be used in jokes and other common speech in Sacred Name circles. This ought not to be.