I understand many believers do not want to use the word "God" because it is Anglo-Saxon and was used to refer to pagan daities. Such believers usually prefer to use the Hebrew El or Elohim.

But please consider this. In the Bible El/Elohim is also used of pagan deities. In fact, El was the name of the chief Caananite god.

So, what makes "God" a bad word and "El" a good one?

People understand here that YHWH is YHWH. He is not a Hebrew version of the Canaanite el, or the Akkadian il, or the Arabic al, etc.

Here are some interesting facts that I found : The use of el or elohiym, substituting or being added to the name YHWH by the scribes, increased after the exile, but was already happening before the exile. YHWH occurs in the Tanak portion of the Scriptures about 6828 times. Add in the 134 times that that Adonay was substituted and you have 6962. Add in again, the 8 times that Elohiym was substituted and you have 6970 times that YHWH was used in the Tanak. On top of that, you have 49 times that Yah is used.

Elohiym is used 2600 times. 23 times it refers to mighty or powerful people, such as judges. That leaves us with 2577 times that it is used. Take away the 274 times that it is used of foreign gods (This is the same name they want to call YHWH.), and you are left with, 2303 times. Of those 2303 times, 813 times it is used with the name YHWH, such as YHWH Elohiym or YHWH our Elohiym, etc. That leaves 1490 times that it is used independently, most of which occur in the latter period writings.

El is used 236 times. 5 of those times are to refer to someone or something as mighty. That leaves 231. 26 of the 231, are used for foreign gods, that leaves 205. Of the 205, 3 times it is used as might for Elohiym, that leaves 202. 13 times of the 202, it is used in conjunction with Alyon [The Most High] or Shaddai [Almighty]. That takes it down to 189. 8 times it is used in conjunction with YHWH. That leaves only 189 times that it stands on its own. Of all the 236 uses for El, 2/3 of them occur in the latter writings of Thehilliym [Psalms], YeshaYahu [Isaiah] and some of the latter prophets, and Iyob [Job]. That does not leave many times that it is used, prior to the substitution period.

Eloah is used 57 times. 8 of those times, it is used for foreign gods, leaving 49 times it is used to reference YHWH. Of the 57 times it is used, only 2 occur in HaDebariym [Deuteronomy]. All the other cases are in the latter writings, with 42 of the 55 uses, in the book of Iyob [Job].

So you do make a good case but I think people here are just trying to make an attempt to make sure they are addressing the one true El as such as not to confuse him with other diety. I mean can you really blame someone for trying to reverence Yahweh by not referring to Him as just some generic god ?
In any event, His name is YHWH (or YHVH as others write it)

Shalom,
Missy

You ask So, what makes "God" a bad word and "El" a good one?

It's correct that the titles God, El, l and Elohim are used for both good and evil ones. I suppose our earthly languages are what's the real problem.

YHWH is thee only Almighty and the rest are mighty ones or lesser, however out of those mighty ones there are known good and bad. YHWH is great and perfect, and he is our Father.

Look at what the days of the week are called..

Shalom in YHWH,

Brother Yohanan

The reason I brought this up is because a friend of mine told me I am part of Babylon because I use the word "God" (and "Lord"). When I asked him the question I asked here earlier, he really did not have an answer.

Words are important for what they convey not for any intrinsic value in themselves. In English, when the word God is capitalised as "God" it refers to the one true God of heaven. When it is in lower case, "god" or "gods" it refers to other, false deities. I suppose you can't have a true God or El if there are no false ones so the fact that in both Hebrew and English (and Greek and Aramaic) the same word is used of both the true and the false is not really a problem.

Blessings,
Gary

I may not be able to answer for everyone here, but the main reason I refrain from calling Yahweh, "My God" is because of the strongly questionable origin of the word. I believe it traces it's origin to a Canaanite-Babylonian deity of fortune, mentioned in Isaiah 65:11. To take this name "Gad", pronounced "Gawd", turn it into a title, and use it to refer to Yahweh, I believe dishonors Him.

This is not similar to Elohim, as you suggest. The title Elohim is originally pure, so far as all available evidence shows. It's first use is in Genesis 1:1 in reference to Yahweh Elohim (Genesis 2:4). The same goes for the titles Adonai, El, Eloah, etc. A titles origin has much to do with whether or not to apply it to Yahweh.

I would like to make you a suggestion. Before you speak about this to much, I would ask you to e-mail a friend of mine for a free booklet on this topic. His e-mail is:

seekutruth@aol.com

Ask him for the book about calling Yahweh, "God". It is very well written, and I think you would appreciate it.

Matthew Janzen

PS: I would probably be classified under the heading "Sacred Name Groups". I believe in the restoration of the proper name of the Creator. This name is rightly called the Sacred or Hallowed name (Matthew 6:9).

Blessings and I hope you are keeping well. I fully respect your choice not to use the word God. I do use it and so do the vast majority of Christians and because I feel it is an appropriate term, I think I should defend it. Here are a few thoughts for contemplation:

1. The Semitic "gad" means "fortune" or "troop". It later became the name of a deity as it was common to take different nouns and use them as names of deities. This practise means and the fact that there were thousands of deities means that many hundreds of the nouns we all use in our everyday speech would somehow be associated to ancient deities. The same is true of adjectives such as "good", "mighty", "saviour", and many many more. If we were to purge from the language any word that was in any way associated with paganism we would need to invent a new way of communicating.

The fact that "gad" is not a "pagan" word is evidenced by the fact that it is one of the names of the tribes of Israel. As such it was inscribed on the breastplate of the high priest by the command of God; the high priest who appeared in the very presence of God in the temple; it will also be inscribed throughout eternity on the gates of the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:12). Now, surely God would not allow the name of a pagan deity in His temple, or in His eternal city!

2. The Anglo-Saxon word "god" does NOT derive from the Semitic "gad". Similarity of sound does not necessarily indicate common root. The Anglo-saxon "god" comes fron an Indo-European root meaning "that which is called upon" or "invoked". Just check any good English dictionary.

3. The assertion that El was originally "pure" but was later "defiled" is, really, a non-starter. Moses wrote Genesis in the 15th century BC and by this time Semitic peoples had been referring to their deities as "El" for generations. Moses wrote Genesis in the language he was speaking at that time, not in the language Adam and Eve spoke.

4. Even if "El" was originally "pure", so was "gad" before it became a name for an foreign deity. It was a simple noun before it became the name of a deity.

5. Last but not least, the Greek word Theos which is used in the NT 1317 times, also originally referred to pagan deities. Did the apostles get it wrong? Or are the manuscripts at fault and Theos was not there originally?

I have requested the booklet you recommended and will read it with interest.

There is a big difference in calling a man by the title name of " Gad=GAWD=GOD" than calling the Creator by this title.

Read this at this address.

http://www.freewebs.com/elyah/whodoyouworship.htm

3. The assertion that El was originally "pure" but was later "defiled" is, really, a non-starter. Moses wrote Genesis in the 15th century BC and by this time Semitic peoples had been referring to their deities as "El" for generations. Moses wrote Genesis in the language he was speaking at that time, not in the language Adam and Eve spoke."""" Unquote.

In (Isaiah 65:11) is a very interesting statement made by the Creator through Isaiah the prophet, which many people have never really investigated in depth in the original texts of scripture.

The Old King James Version has this verse translated thus... ""But ye are they that forsake " the LORD",( Note YHWH==Strongs Exaustive Concordance, S.E.C.Heb.Num.3050,3068 , that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for " that troop",( Note see margin-GAD==GAWD=GOD=S.E.C. Heb. Num.1408,1409==A Babylonian Deity called Baal Gad), and that furnish the drink offering unto that number.""

This Babylonian Deity called Baal Gad mentioned in (Joshua 11:17; 12:7; 13:5), was was later worshipped by the children of Israel, and the true Creator YAH( Psalms 68:4) considered it Idolatry.

If you look in to the "" Webster's Unabridged Deluxe Dictionary, Second Edition, Page 746, "" GAD, 1.IN THE BIBLE, a son of Jacob. 2. A tribe of Israel descended from him. 3. The land where this tribe lived. GAD, gad, interj. A mild oath or expression of suprise, disgust, e.t.c., A EUPHEMISM FOR GOD. ""

Then, when you look at the word "" Baal"( S.E.C. Heb.Num.1167,1168), then you will see that one of its definitions of meaning is ""LORD"".

Now, I ask that you " get out " your Old K.J.V., and one with a "" CENTER REFERENCE COLUMN "" in the center, and LOOK very close in detail of these scriptures as these is pointed out to you, and you will be astounded at this revealed truth.

First, I want to let the K.J.V. point out the meaning of "" BAALI "" in detail, and show you that people are calling YAH this title name, and to point out that He does not approve of it either, and that He is going to remove it forcefully from peoples mouths.

Turn to ( Hosea 2:16 ), but please NOTICE the little small " NUMBERS" and " LETTERS " that are in the verse( as this is for the center reference column).

There is a "" NUMBER 12 "" in the verse 16 of a center reference column only K.J.V..

This "" NUMBER 12 "" in the verse 16 will SHOW You where to LOOK in the CENTER REFERENCE COLUMN by its number for " THE TRUE MEANING " of that word from English to Hebrew.

Look at the number 12 in the "" CENTER REFERENCE COLUMN "".

But, first I'm going to write the verse of ( Hosea 2:16), so that you can compare it to the ORIGINAL MEANING OF SCRIPTURES when we are finished.

K.J.V.== "" And it shall be at that day, saith "" the LORD "", that thou shalt call me Ishi ; and shalt call me no more Baali.""

This word "" BAALI "" has a number "" 12 "" just beside it, and now look at the "" center reference column "" at the number "" 12 "".

Number 12 center reference column says, "" THAT IS, MY LORD"".

Now, when this verse with its names is correctly " transliterated " it will read thus below, and it is inescapable that the title name "" BAALI "" means "" LORD ""..

"" And it shall be at that day, saith YHWH=YAH( 3050,3068, see Strongs of word 'lord'), that thou shalt call me( YHWH) my Husband( Ishi, see number 11 in center reference), and shalt call me( YHWH=YAH) NO MORE my "" LORD"".( Hosea 2:16).

Now, the center reference column in the K.J.V. absolutely leaves NO DOUBT as to the true meaning of the "" title name of BAALI "", for it means "" LORD "", and that is exactly what people are calling YHWH=YAH( Psalms 68:4) today.

Now look at ( Hosea 2:17) for it says, "" For I will take away the (titles) names of BAALIM( Plural==lord=baal and god=gad) OUT OF HER MOUTH, and they shall no more be remembered by their( titles) names.

Now, please NOTICE the letter "" P "" in this 17th verse of Hosea 2, and in " THE CENTER REFERENCE COLUMN ", and then, in the center reference column, the letter "" P "" refers you to ( Exodus 23:13).

Then, look at ( Exodus 23:13) as this is a COMMANDMENT that is being disobeyed and broken today by churchianity, for if you LOOK at the "" CENTER REFERENCE COLUMN "" and the letter "" N "" that is in ( Exodus 23:13) verse, then, look at the center reference column it refers you BACK to ( Hosea 2:17).

Study this very close with the center reference column in your own K.J.V., and can you truely deny to yourself the truth about people calling the true Father YAH( Psalms 68:4) by the pagan title names of " lord "== baali " ?

Read ( Exodus 23:13) as it is a Command TO NOT EVEN MENTION the title names of pagan " gods==deities " out of our mouths, but worse, people are also applying them to YHWH=YAH( Psalms 68:4), and what is even more worse, is that the translators mis-transliterated the true Creator's Name in the most popular K.J.V. scriptures.

Now, will you believe your own eyes, as you read the true meaning of " BAAL=LORD" in your own K.J.V. scriptures ?

If YAH( Psalms 68:4) is going to remove and take away the title names of BAALIM =LORD and GOD=GAD out of people's mouths in the future, then should we not get an early start at doing that today?

When the title of "" LORD GOD"" is transliterated back into the Hebrew( notice the vowel pointing), it is the same title of "" Baal Gad= lord gawd=gad=god"", a Babylonian Deity that was condemned by YHWH.( Remember Old Eliyahu the Prophet that faced the Baal prophets?).

This word " GOD==GAD==GAWD" is pronounced the same, and has been applied to the true Creator YHWH, and even in most all the English translations of scriptures too.

The true Creator spoke through Jeremiah the prophet and said this would happen in the last days..."" How long shall this be in the heart( mind) of the prophets that prophesy lies?...Which think to cause my people to FORGET MY NAME( YHWH==YAH=3050,3068, see Psalms 68:4)...as their ( fore)fathers have forgotten MY NAME( YHWH==3050,3068 for (Baal Gad==LORD GOD).""( Jer.23:26-27).

And we have certainly considered it IN THE LATTER DAYS as Yah has said( Jer.23:20).
Also, He says that He would remove the names( plural) of Balim( lord and god) out of their mouths( See also Hosea 2:16-17).

Have you investigated this matter fully? The children of Israel was condemned for such Idolatry, and the Apostle said, "" There are LORDS MANY and GODS MANY, and there is not in every man this knowledge.""( 1 Cor.8:5-7).

YHWH commanded to NOT EVEN MENTION other nation idol deities( Exod.23:13, Joshua 23:7, Deut.5:7), and the English " god==gad" is of pagan origin( See Encyclopedieas, especially the Brittannica), even tracing back to the time of the Israelites.

To apply other pagan deities to YHWH is expressly forbidden, and violates the " 1st, 2nd, and 3rd" commandments( Exod.20:2-7), as most all english translations of scriptures have done also.

Even Solomon succommed to practiceing " Syncretisim", or combinning pagan deities to YHWH because of his 700 wives and 300 concubines, and he too was condemned for his Idolatry( 1 Kings 11:4-6,33).

People will point out in the scriptures concerning other evil " Kings " of Israel that " did evil in the sight of YHWH ", but they just skim over or ignor the lesson concerning Solomon who committed abominations of Idolatry, and he too " DID EVIL IN THE SIGHT OF THE L-RD(YHWH= YAH=3050, 3068--)( 1 Kings 11:6--).

And in every place in the scriptures that " Ashtoreth= Astarte= Easter "( The Female deity) was practiced( as it is today), so was the Idolatry worship of " Baal=Lord and Gad=God"( The male diety counterpart of Astarte), and this same thing is being practiced on a world wide scale today by modern churchianity.

In every place that "" Ashtoroth==Astarte==Easter" was practiced( See Ezek.8:14-18--), so was the worship of the Babylonian deity called "" Baal Gad=Lord God""( Judges 2:11,13, 1 Kings 11:33--), and it was condemned by YHWH= YAH, and it even condemned Solomon too( 1 Kings 11:6--).

When I point this out to people concerning Solomon, they are in absolute shock, because most have not fully realized this lesson concerning Solomon and the practice of Idolatry by syncretisim as this world practices syncrenized paganisim with the worship of YAH Almighty, which is still IDOLATRY in His sight.

Carry this same example on down to today.

Does YHWH accept " syncrenization " of the pagan " Easter=Astarte=Ashoreth " custom with Him and His true worship ? I think You and I BOTH know the answer to that question; well neither does YHWH accept its male deity counterpart of " Baal=Lord and Gad=God " applied to Him either.

In every place that "" Ashtoroth==Astarte==Easter"( Female deity) was practiced, so was the worship of the Babylonian deity called "" Baal Gad=Lord God""( Astarte's Male counterpart)( Judges 2:11,13, 1 Kings 11:33), and it was condemned by YHWH= YAH.

The word "god" comes from the Old German ""Gott, Guth"", which originated from worship of tarus the bull( See All Encyclopedieas especially the Brittanica of word "god").

So Solomon too did " think there was nothing wrong" with combinning pagan deities to YHWH either, but YAH certainly did think it was wrong, and this resulted in rending the Kingdom from him, and the split of the Kingdom, and the rejection of Solomon.

There are many examples in scriptures where the children of Israel were taken captive by other nations for practicing " syncretisim" of pagan deities to YHWH=YAH( Psalms 68:4)..

In ( Acts 14:12-15) of the pagan Jupiter, which is another example of combining pagan deities to YHWH, but to the Romans, Jupiter was the suppreme being, but he was NOT the suppreme being according to the Apostle either.

It may not seem to make a difference to human beings, but it certainly does to YHWH, as His Word absolutely proves that it does matter.

The Hebrew words " EL" and " Elohim" existed long BEFORE( According to scriptures because MOSES WAS NOT ALLOWED TO ENTER THE LAND OF CAANAN, as this is where the Children of Israel began to worship this Babylonian Deity Called Baal GAWD=GOD) and it was originally a pure word title applied to YAH; but pagan cultures adopted it and applied it to their deities; but the word " gad=god" was used exclusively to a pagan Babylonian deity of Baal( =lord) Gad(= god), and used for worship of taurus the bull.

Inspite of what commentaries, lexicons, e.t.c. say, the word " god= gad" is not a correct transliteration from the word " EL" in Hebrew.

The Titles of " EL and Elohim" was originally pure Titles applied to YAH, but the word " god=gad" was and is applied to a Babylonian deity, which is condemned in ( Isaiah 65:11).

In ( Jer.8:8) it was prophesied that the scribes and translators would alter the scriptures texts.

And an example of that is by comparing N.T. texts as quoted from the original scriptures, with that of the O.T.texts.

Example of alteration from Hebrew to Greek to English is as follows below.

In the ( O.K.J.V.) of ( Matt.4:4; Luke 4:4) where Messiah said ""...but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of "" GOD( English)"", and "" Theos( Greek)"".

Here, the Messiah quoted( compare) from ( Deut.8:3)
which should read, "" .... but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of "" THE LORD"( K.J.V.)( =S.E.C. Heb.Numbs. 3050,3068==YAH) doth man live.""

Why is the word "" god"" used in ( Matt.4:4; Luke 4:4) and the word "" LORD" is used in ( Deut.8:3), but both leave out the true name of YAH( 3050,3068)??

The Greeks used their " deity" of " Theos" in translation, and the English merely used theirs of "" God"", but the original text says "" YAH "(S.E.C. 3050,3068).

This is one prime example of alteration and syncretisim, and covering up the true Creator's name with pagan titles in other cultures languages.

To the Greeks and Romans, their " Theos deity" was Zeus and Jupiter, not the true Creator YAH, and whenever the scriptures were translated into other cultures languages, the translators merely inserted their own " Deity" in place of the true Name of YAH( See Psalms 68:4, for the short form).

This may come as an EYE OPENER and a shock to many, but the Book of Revelation says that in the last days the whole earth would be worshipping satan the devil( See Rev.12:9; Rev.13:3-4,8; Rev.13:8) through his deception.

Paul certainly NEVER used the pagan title of " theos", because Paul admitted that he observed the entirety of the law( Acts 24:14), and that would include ( Exod.20:2-7; Exod.23:13; Deut.5:7;Joshua 23:7).

Also, Paul was against their " pagan theos of Jupiter" in ( Acts 14:11-15).

But, no matter how much proof from scriptures that is given to people, and even examples such as Solomon that practiced " syncretisim", which was, and still is prohibitted and condemned by YHWH, people will still do what they see right in their own eyes( Remember the Proverb?).

I do believe that there are honest people out there, and those who are truely TRUTH SEEKERS will eventually see this truth.

Otherwise, how could satan the devil deceive the whole world and its inhabitants into worshipping him in THE END TIMES( Rev.9:20;Rev.12:9; Rev.13:3-4, --8) ? Think about it, and pray about it.

http://www.freewebs.com/elyah/thetitlesofgodgad.htm

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this article

Elyahc=( Eljah C.)

You said: There is a big difference in calling a man by the title name of " Gad=GAWD=GOD" than calling the Creator by this title.

True. But don't forget that the name "Gad" will be on one of the gates of New Jerusalem. The Bible says very clearly that nothing will enter that city that defiles:

NKJ Revelation 21:27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Do you really think that God will allow a defiled name to be inscribed on one of the city gates? No. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with the word Gad.

Blessings,
Gary

quote:

---

Originally posted by GaryPap:
Hello Elyah,

You said: There is a big difference in calling a man by the title name of " Gad=GAWD=GOD" than calling the Creator by this title.

True. But don't forget that the name "Gad" will be on one of the gates of New Jerusalem. The Bible says very clearly that nothing will enter that city that defiles:

NKJ Revelation 21:27 But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb's Book of Life.

Do you really think that God will allow a defiled name to be inscribed on one of the city gates? No. Therefore, there is nothing wrong with the word Gad.

Blessings,
Gary

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Gary, exactly where in the Bible does it say that the name "Gad" will be on one of the gates of New Jerusalem ? I am surprised that you didn't put up the reference. It would be greatly appreciated.

Shalom,
M