What to say when I see God's name?

Rachel96 · May 29, 2015

Bear with me. I'm just visiting your section of the forum because of this one question. I considered saying "how to pronounce God's name" and decided against it because I thought no-one would read my question. I suppose you must get a lot of questions like that, and that's not really what I'm asking, anyway.

Anyway, when we're reading the Bible and I see God's name, I say "ha-shem", but my teacher always tells me, "What? Say 'adonay'!" I'm not sure where I picked "ha-shem" up from, but it makes more sense to me (and one of my classmates). I don't like to say "adonay", because then how would you know whether the text says adonay or has His name?

I suppose my question is: which should I say: "adonay" or "ha-shem"? Which do you say?

Dave-W · May 29, 2015

"Adonai" (my Lord) has historical precedent, and when the Masorites added the vowel pointing to Hebrew they put the vowels of Adonai to the Yud Hay Vav Hay name. Much later (like the 1700s) some, and I think it was in Chassidic groups, started using "Ha Shem" (the Name) when reading Yud Hay Vav Hay in something OTHER than a biblical text or a formal prayer. In those cases Adonai is still used. Ha Shem has found little traction outside of Chassidic and Orthodox Judaism (and some in the MJ community).

JLB777 · May 29, 2015

Rachel96 said:
Bear with me. I'm just visiting your section of the forum because of this one question. I considered saying "how to pronounce God's name" and decided against it because I thought no-one would read my question. I suppose you must get a lot of questions like that, and that's not really what I'm asking, anyway.

Anyway, when we're reading the Bible and I see God's name, I say "ha-shem", but my teacher always tells me, "What? Say 'adonay'!" I'm not sure where I picked "ha-shem" up from, but it makes more sense to me (and one of my classmates). I don't like to say "adonay", because then how would you know whether the text says adonay or has His name?

I suppose my question is: which should I say: "adonay" or "ha-shem"? Which do you say?

I pronounce God's name as
JESUS.

The name above every.

The name in which we heal.
The name in which we deliver.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Jesus is the name of the LORD, YHWH.

JLB

Dave-W · May 29, 2015

JLB - first off "Jesus" is NOT the name of the FATHER.
It is an English corruption of the name of the SON.

Secondarily, there is no "W" in Hebrew. Or "J," or "TH."

Rachel96 · May 29, 2015

Thanks, Dave!

So, basically, reading the Bible = say "adonay". We don't really read anything else yet (we're only about eleven or twelve weeks into the academic year, plodding our way through Jonah for need for a short, snappy book to encourage us to learn). In the first lesson, we were told, "This is God's name, but we don't say it, out of respect for the Jews", but we weren't actually told what to say instead. Thanks for clearing that up.

I honestly don't know where I picked ha-shem up from - it may have even been just that "shem" was one of the first words I learnt, and I knew it was a name.

JLB777 · May 29, 2015

DaveW-Ohev said:
JLB - first off "Jesus" is NOT the name of the FATHER.
It is an English corruption of the name of the SON.

Secondarily, there is no "W" in Hebrew. Or "J," or "TH."

FYI -

The Title of the OP is -
What to say when I see God's name?

I don't see where your response has anything to do with my post, as I did not mention the Father.

Secondly, why wouldn't God's only Begotten Son, have the same name as His Father.

11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. John 17:11 NIV

The name of YHWH is Jesus.

Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me. Isaiah 45:21

looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Titus 2:13

Jesus is the name of the only Lord, who is our God and Savior.

JLB

Dave-W · May 29, 2015

JLB - it looks to me like you are trying to slip an anti-trinity argument in here where that is not the question. If so it is off topic.

The OP is reading the bible in HEBREW. She wanted to know what to say when she encountered Yud Hay Vav Hay (YHVH) - the proper name of God (the Father)

When reading in Hebrew, one would NOT say "Jesus" when reading the tetragramaton.

yonah_mishael · May 29, 2015

The rule in Orthodoxy is to say "HaShem" (השם) when doing personal reading and "Adonai" (אדני) when praying or reading for a congregation.

Dave-W · May 29, 2015

Rachel96 said:
So, basically, reading the Bible = say "adonay". We don't really read anything else yet (we're only about eleven or twelve weeks into the academic year, plodding our way through Jonah for need for a short, snappy book to encourage us to learn). In the first lesson, we were told, "This is God's name, but we don't say it, out of respect for the Jews", but we weren't actually told what to say instead. Thanks for clearing that up.

You are welcome. Interesting that they would be interested in not offending the Jews; and less interested in whether they offend God or not by not correctly pronouncing His personal name.

Ha Shem is "the name" and yes - 'Shem' was used as a name of one of Noah's sons. Who names their kid "Name?"

yonah_mishael · May 29, 2015

DaveW-Ohev said:
JLB - it looks to me like you are trying to slip an anti-trinity argument in here where that is not the question. If so it is off topic.

The OP is reading the bible in HEBREW. She wanted to know what to say when she encountered Yud Hay Vav Hay (YHVH) - the proper name of God (the Father)

When reading in Hebrew, one would NOT say "Jesus" when reading the tetragramaton.

Right. The question was properly what should I say when I come across יהוה in a Hebrew text? If that had been asked, JLB wouldn't have made his comment.

Dave-W · May 29, 2015

JLB777 said:
Secondly, why wouldn't God's only Begotten Son, have the same name as His Father.

Same reason my name is David and my dad's name is William.

yonah_mishael · May 29, 2015

"Shem" (שם) is deeper than just "name." It refers to a reputation, a personal identity, a designation. When we see יהוה, it is THE NAME of God - the only proper name of God ever given in the Bible. Thus, it is appropriate to say "THE NAME" when you read it. Why would that not be appropriate?

pat34lee · May 29, 2015

yonah_mishael said:
"Shem" (שם) is deeper than just "name." It refers to a reputation, a personal identity, a designation. When we see יהוה, it is THE NAME of God - the only proper name of God ever given in the Bible. Thus, it is appropriate to say "THE NAME" when you read it. Why would that not be appropriate?

Because it was never used in all of scriptures like that.

pat34lee · May 29, 2015

Rachel96 said:
I suppose my question is: which should I say: "adonay" or "ha-shem"? Which do you say?

Neither. Pick a pronunciation. The Most common is Yahweh. You call anyone by their proper name, including your pet. Does he deserve less?

Would you appreciate being called "Hey You", "Lady" or "Whatshername" all the time, by people who should know your name?

ChavaK · May 29, 2015

DaveW-Ohev said:
Interesting that they would be interested in not offending the Jews

Same thought I had. Why are they worrying about offending Jews and why do they think Jews care what name Messianics use for G-d?

Lulav · May 29, 2015

ChavaK said:
Same thought I had. Why are they worrying about offending Jews and why do they think Jews care what name Messianics use for G-d?

She's not Messianic, I think she is taking a course in Hebrew at Uni.

It is very courteous to not want to offend Jews, better than not too many years back when that's all people wanted to do. Why do you find it necessary to always make exclusionary remarks that divide Messianics from Jews?

JLB777 · May 29, 2015

DaveW-Ohev said:
JLB - it looks to me like you are trying to slip an anti-trinity argument in here where that is not the question. If so it is off topic.

The OP is reading the bible in HEBREW. She wanted to know what to say when she encountered Yud Hay Vav Hay (YHVH) - the proper name of God (the Father)

When reading in Hebrew, one would NOT say "Jesus" when reading the tetragramaton.

Again, here is the OP - What to say when I see God's name?

She wanted to know what to say when she encountered Yud Hay Vav Hay (YHVH) - the proper name of God (the Father)

YHWH = The Lord = Jesus.

Jesus is God our Savior.

Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me. Isaiah 45:21

Jesus is Lord, YHWH

You must confess Jesus as Lord to be saved.

Do you confess Jesus as LORD?

looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
Titus 2:13

Jesus is God the Savior.

JLB

JLB777 · May 29, 2015

DaveW-Ohev said:
Same reason my name is David and my dad's name is William.

I see. So God is limited to what your dad named you?

11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. John 17:11 NIV

JLB

JLB777 · May 29, 2015

DaveW-Ohev said:
JLB - it looks to me like you are trying to slip an anti-trinity argument in here where that is not the question. If so it is off topic.

The OP is reading the bible in HEBREW. She wanted to know what to say when she encountered Yud Hay Vav Hay (YHVH) - the proper name of God (the Father)

When reading in Hebrew, one would NOT say "Jesus" when reading the tetragramaton.

What is anti-Trinity?

JLB

Lulav · May 29, 2015

JLB777 said:
I see. So God is limited to what your dad named you?

11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one. John 17:11 NIV

JLB

Do you understand what the name means, what you call Jesus is actually Yeshua or Yehoshua, which means 'salvation' Remember that Mary was told to name him this because 'he will save his people'?

That name is in the 'Old Testament' el Yeshua. so , yes the Father gave the son that name because he was the one to bring to completion the salvation promised. But this is not the YHVH name.

What to say when I see God's name?

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הֱיֵה קודם כל בן אדם

Welcoming grandchild #7, Arturus Waggoner!

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Welcoming grandchild #7, Arturus Waggoner!

הֱיֵה קודם כל בן אדם

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