The Second Commandment

[Xeno.of.athens]

You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.

The name of the Lord is YHWH in Latin letters and יְהֹוָה in Hebrew. It is commonly pronounced as Yahweh or Jehovah. While using these names is not wrong, it is not deemed necessary. This is because the initial translators of the Old Testament chose "the Lord" to represent YHWH, a practice largely maintained in English translations as "the LORD". Misusing God's name would involve using it disrespectfully or as if it had no value. Catholics, among others, consider the name of God—whether as the Lord, Jehovah, or Yahweh—to be sacred, deserving the utmost respect and never to be treated as insignificant.

 

[trophy33]

My current take on it is that, in the ancient Jewish thinking, for anything to exist, it had to have a name, a function in the world (see for example naming humans or animals in Genesis).

The name Yahweh gave God the "function", the role to be the God of Israel.

In more modern, European-rooted thinking, God is unique in such a way that He does not really have or need a specific, personal name.
I think thats why Christianity focused on the name of Jesus Christ, of this specific "man", and taught "in this name is salvation". Not in the meaning that the letters themselves have some mysterious power, but as a figurative language referring to the faith in Him.

 

[RandyPNW]

You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.

The name of the Lord is YHWH in Latin letters and יְהֹוָה in Hebrew. It is commonly pronounced as Yahweh or Jehovah. While using these names is not wrong, it is not deemed necessary. This is because the initial translators of the Old Testament chose "the Lord" to represent YHWH, a practice largely maintained in English translations as "the LORD". Misusing God's name would involve using it disrespectfully or as if it had no value. Catholics, among others, consider the name of God—whether as the Lord, Jehovah, or Yahweh—to be sacred, deserving the utmost respect and never to be treated as insignificant.

I should think all orthodox Jews and orthodox Christians would take seriously this command to not take the Lord's name lightly. I don't think it has as much to do with the literal name "Yahweh," but rather, refers primarily to anything that points to Him as a designation or identifier. Identifying Him as such, using any appropriate name, should not be misrepresented or abused, as you suggest.

We could call Him "the Holy One," or the "King of Kings," and they would still be "His Name." Whatever name we use to identify Him that is the "Name" we dare not abuse.

This abuse could take the form of not fulfilling a promise made in God's name. It could be claiming to be a religion in God's name and not living by the appropriate moral standards. It could be a false religion or a seedy cult.

It could even be deliberately insulting God by blaspheming Him or cursing Him, though I think this is least the meaning of the command. The primary focus, I think, is on living up to the moral standards that is associated with His name when we claim to represent Him.

The command to not misrepresent God follows the commands to avoid "other gods" and to avoid "image worship" because these also falsely represent who God is and what our relationship should be to Him, morally. If we are to represent the true God we must not externalize who He is, as if we have no responsibility to represent Him in our own lives. Rather, we must worship God by being "like Him," since we were created "in His image and likeness."

 

[KevinT]

When I look at the various ways this has been translated here, I see that some translate this as "misuse" the name of God, and many others translate it as "take the name..."

I've often wondered exactly what was meant by "taking the name". When a woman gets married, and she adopts the last name of her husband, it is said that she "takes his name". Could that meaning be included in this commandment? We are not to take on the name of God causally? I.e. call ourselves followers of God, but then not actually do so?

Interesting to think about.

Best wishes,
Kevin

 

[RandyPNW]

When I look at the various ways this has been translated here, I see that some translate this as "misuse" the name of God, and many others translate it as "take the name..."

I've often wondered exactly what was meant by "taking the name". When a woman gets married, and she adopts the last name of her husband, it is said that she "takes his name". Could that meaning be included in this commandment? We are not to take on the name of God causally? I.e. call ourselves followers of God, but then not actually do so?

Interesting to think about.

Best wishes,
Kevin

I do think that fits, Kevin. The covenants of God with His People were deliberately made to be like a Marriage Covenant, in which God's People would "take on" the name of God as their Lord. The Lord's People would represent Him in their lives by obeying His commands and morals.

To "take the Lord's name in vain" would refer to Israel, to whom the command was addressed. They did take on the Lord's name when they signed up to be His People. So they were not to misrepresent Him or His name, ie what His name meant in terms of morality and righteousness.

Good point brother!

 

[AbbaLove]

You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.

... the initial translators of the Old Testament chose "the Lord" to represent YHWH, a practice largely maintained in English translations as "the LORD".

"Adonai" is a Hebrew word that means “Lord" (plural) ... Isaiah chapter 25:8 ...

8 He will swallow up death forever.​

Adonai Elohim will wipe away​

the tears from every face,​

and He will remove from all the earth​

the disgrace His people suffer.​

John 1:1, 14
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God
14 The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.

John 8:58
58 __Jesus replied, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, before Abraham was born, I Am.

Selah​

 

[BobRyan]

You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.

The name of the Lord is YHWH in Latin letters and יְהֹוָה in Hebrew. It is commonly pronounced as Yahweh or Jehovah.

ok but Ex 20:7 (third commandment) is not about pronouncing the Hebrew word.

Misusing God's name would involve using it disrespectfully or as if it had no value.

exactly!