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By L. McGuire (2005)
The meanings of names are significant. For instance, the name Linda means beautiful, Felicia means happy. Most parents will spend months choosing a name for the soon arriving baby. Some pick names they like, while others choose names with significant meaning.
When reading scriptures the Hebrew word Shem has great significance as a name, much more than a label of identification. It means an expression of the essential nature of the name bearer. Let us look at some names that are found in scriptures, to learn if these names have meaning. For instance, the book of Genesis (Bereshith)is the book of 'Beginnings.' Moreover, the last book is called Revelation meaning to 'reveal.'
In the book of Genesis (Bereshith)16:11; we learn that the messenger of Yah tells Hagar to name their child Ishmael (Yishmael) because "Yah has heard your affliction." In the same book, we find in 17:5, that Abram gets a new name, Abraham meaning "father of many nations." Then in chapter 25 of Genesis (Bereshith), Esau (Esaw) gets His name because he is red and is like a hairy garment.
Esau's brother Jacob (Ya'aqob) gets a new name. Genesis (Bereshith), 32:28, "Your name is no longer called Ya'aqob, but Israel (Yisra'el) because you have striven with Elohim and with men, and have overcome." Yisra'el means "to strive with El, to overcome with El, and then to rule with El." In the same book in chapter 35:, verse 18, Rachael (Rahel) wanted to name her son Ben-Oni, she chose that name because her life was going out of her but the father wanted his name to be Binyamin. If we go to the book of Exodus (Shemoth) chapter 2, verse 10, we find a person by the name of Moses (Mosheh) meaning, "I have drawn him out of the water." 1 Samuel (Shemu'el) 1:20, Hannah called Samuel this name because "she asked Yah for him."
We find later in the scriptures, four Hebrew boys that would not compromise their faith even to the point of death. Do you know their names? They are; Daniel, Hananyah, Mishael and Azaryah. Daniel's name means, "My Judge is El." Hananyah's name means, "Yah has shown favour." Mishael's name means, "Who is like El." Azaryah's name means, "Yah has helped." Sadly, the Babylonian king, by the name of Nebuchadnezzar (Nebukadnetstsar), decided to change the names of these four Hebrew boys. Daniel's name changed to Belteshazzar (Belteshatstsar). Hananyah's name is changed to Shadrach (Shadrak). Mishael's name is changed to Meshach (Meyshak). And Azaryah's name is changed to Abednego (Abed-Nego). The King thought, by changing their names, he would give them a name in honor of pagan deities with hope that they would change their beliefs. Of course, we know, Hananyah, Mishael and Azaryah all bravely stood and would not bow before the golden image king Nebuchadnezzar constructed. We learn that Daniel, gets thrown in the lions den because he would not compromise his faith. Of course, the very one that created the lions is the same one that shut the lions mouth to spare Daniel.
Even altars had special names. For instance, Genesis (Bereshith) 35:7 and Exodus (Shemoth) 17:15,16. As we can tell just from these few names that I have listed that names have great significance to the person that bears the name.
TITLE
Before we look closer at the Name ( 'Ha Shem '), let us go to the dictionary and see what the word 'Title' means. Title: an identifying appellation signifying status or function: e.g. Mr. or General: an appellation signifying nobility;
Now that we know what a title is, let us look at the following, (titles) words:" The Scriptures, (PTY) South Africa "El, Eloah, Elohim, Elyon:
El= Mighty One, Strength
Eloah- is the singular form of Elohim, it has the same meaning as El.
Elohim= is pural of Eloah, Rulers, Messengers
Elyon, El Elyon: The Most High El.Hebrew - Eloah, Elyon, Elohim
Aramaic-Elah, Illaya, Elahin
"The word 'EL' is an ancient Semitic term. Among Semitic languages, it is one of the most used terms for greatness, strength or deity. In the Hebrew religious usage it does not denote a proper name but is used as a title. Used for the Creator's Supremacy over all others as a generic term like in Daniel 11:36, "the EL of elahin" In Mark 15:34, "Eli, Eli, lamah shebaqtani. (My El, My El, why have you forsaken me?)."
Turn with me to the book of Exodus (Shemoth) 23:13, "And in all that I have said to you take heed. And make no mention of the name of other mighty ones, let it not be heard from your mouth."
The word heed means, "to listen, be careful". We are being told to "listen up, be careful to make no mention of the name of other mighty ones (gods) neither let it be heard from our mouths."
Malachi (Mal'aki) "For I am YHWH, I shall not change, and you O sons of Yaaqob, shall not come to an end."
From this verse, we see Elohim changes not. Now some may claim He changes. For instance, "Oh that is Old Testament stuff; we are in the New Testament now." Did you read anywhere, in that verse where He says, "Oh, I'm ever-changing?" No, you didn't, He said, "He changes NOT." We should take heed to His words, wouldn't you agree?
If you have a K.J.V Bible or any other version, you may come across this statement: "Translated out of the Original Tongues and with previous translations diligently compared and revised." The "Original Tongues" is indeed the inspired word of Elohim. Through the lengthy process of translating scriptures, human error has occurred. For instance, in the Book of "Acts 12:4 uses the word "Easter" when the proper word should be "Passover". Another error can be found in "Hebrews 4:9", the word 'rest' was substituted with the word 'Sabbath'. The Greek word is 'sabattismos' meaning Sabbath-keeping.
These minor errors can change the whole meaning of the verse and the main subject being address. I recommend that everyone should have a Bible concordance and a Bible dictionary. I myself use, "The New Strong's Complete Dictionary of Bible Words". With proper Hebrew, Greek and English translations. I also have the "Green's Interlinear Greek-English N.T." Let us not overlook, 2 Timothy 2:15, "Study to shew thyself approved unto Elohim, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth".
We briefly covered some of the titles (Elohim) that the Creator of Heaven and Earth bears. Let us go to the scriptures to see if there are more titles given to Him.
Genesis (Bereshith), 35:11; "I am El Shaddai". Exodus (Shemoth) 3:14, 15, "And Elohim said to Mosheh, "I am that which I am". The Hebrew reads "eyeh 'asher 'eyeh". Eyeh derived from hayah meaning, "to be, to exist". Verse 14 leads up to verse 15 when He tells us His "Name". In the book of Revelation, we find another title given to the Creator, Revelation 1:8, "I am the 'Aleph' and the 'Taw', Beginning and End," says YHWH �"who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty".
You may wonder why your version does not use these words instead; it uses the words "Lord" and "God". Why is this? Are the words "Lord" and "God" names or titles? What about "God", is that a name or a title? You should find the answer to this question very surprising. According to the "Encyclopedia Britannica", we find the following under:(Please note how the this was adopted as a Name. All emphasis added by me)
"GOD- the common Teutonic word for a personal object or religious worship, applied to ALL those superhuman beings of heathen mythologies. The word "god" on the conversion of the Teutonic races to Christianity was adopted as the name of the one Supreme Being".
In the James Hastings, "Encylcopedia of Religion and Ethics, vol. 6." We find the following: "After the conversion of the Teutons to Christianity, the word came to be applied also to the Christian Deity."
According to the unabridged, "Webster's Twentieth Century Dictionary", it says the following: "The word is common in 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."
The following is a list of some of the generic names, Gad, God, Gud, Gott. These names were among the Teutons tribes. "Goda" is a proper name for an idol. Then we have Woden, "the name of the highest god" was also called Witan, Odan, The day of the week, "Wednesday" or some would say, "Godenstag" is named after the Teuton deity!
Oh my beloved friends, let us go back to that verse, Exodus (Shemoth) 23:13, "And in all that I have said to you take heed. And make 'no mention of the name of other mighty ones, let it not be heard from your mouth'.
This is almost unbelievable! Truly, man has made a great error. When I first discovered this, I was stunned. Then as the scriptures tell us, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free". Once I prayed about this and research this information out for myself, it became obvious. Many times, I have watched the Music Awards in amazement, hearing people say: "I give thanks to God". People in every culture use the word God in their everyday vocabulary in meaningless statements. Unwittingly they are blaspheming (Elohim) YHWH.
Let us review the "Third commandment":
Exodus (Shemoth) 20:7 "Thou shalt not take the name of the "LORD" (YHWH) thy "God" (Elohim) in vain; for the "LORD" (YHWH) will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain".
According to the, "Webster�s Twentieth Century Dictionary" The word vain means: empty, worthless, having no genuine substance or value or importantance. Under syn., we find empty, worthless, unimportant, false, void.
So, Elohim will not hold the person guiltless that takes His Name in vain (empty, worthless, void, unimportant) or brings His name to nought (nothing).
"Webster's Twentieth Century Dictionary", tells us the following about LORD: A TITLE of respect."
So far we see that LORD is a title. Could this title have become a name? Just like with the title/generic name of God? Sadly the answer is YES! What have we done by substituting His name with a title? Have we not, brought His name to nought? Have we not voided out His Name? Have we not brought His name to seem unimportant? Have we replaced His name with a name of a pagan deity? Have we NOT SINNED AGAINST HIM?
Exodus (Shemoth) 23:13 "And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, (mighty ones) neither let it be heard out of thy mouth."
Not only is LORD a title but it is also a name of Baal. Who or what is Baal?
"Webster's Twentieth Century Dictionary", defines Baal:
Oh my, beloved friends, it is unthinkable, the human error that has taken place, but it is true. Watch what scriptures tells us, turned to:
Jeremiah (Yirmeyahu),23:27; "Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal."
Wow! Can you feel the Spirit (Ruach Ha Qodesh) working, to reveal the truth to YOU? I can feel and see the darkness being exposed! Praise be to Yah!
There are many verses that speak of how important the NAME of YHWH is. The following is just a few verses:
Deuteronomy 32:3, "Because I will publish the name of 
ascribe ye greatness unto our Eloah".
1 Chronicles 16:8, "Give thanks unto call upon his name; make known his deeds among the people."
Psalms 20:7, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of our Eloah."
Psalms 34:3, "O magnify with me, and let us exalt his name together".
Psalms 113:2, "Blessed be the name of the from this time forth and for evermore."
Micah 4:5, "For all people will walk every one in the name of his god,(mighty one) and we will walk in the name of our Eloah for ever and ever."
Zechariah 13:9, "And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, is my Eloah."
From the verses above (there are many more) we can truly see how important His name is. Have you noticed some of the names from other countries? For instance, Russian's President Vladimir Putin's name is pronounced the same all over the world. We can include President of France, Jacques Chirac, Bin Ladin, and Saddam Hussein and yes even our President, George W. Bush.
So, what happen to the Creator's name? We know from scriptures and any good encyclopedia will tell us that the true worshippers, the children of Israel,did not keep the Torah. Due to their harden hearts and disobedience Elohim allowed them to be exiled into Babylon for seventy years. During this time the Babylonian's started making fun of them! We are told the following: 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."
The children of Israel carried YHWH's name. They were called, Yahudim's (Judah, drop the 'd' sound). Since the NAME was blaspemed from pagans, the Name became AVOIDED COMPLETELY. Going against the Third Commandments, This is what the Father's name written in Hebrew looks like 
This is the Fathers name written in Palaeo-Hebrew . Before the exile into Babylon. We read from left to right but the NAME is read from right to left. This is called the Tetragrammaton. The four letters; (please take note, that we are attempting to sound/say the name correctly and that is why we see different spellings of the name, these are transliterations from the Hebrew letters)
Y= YOD, the d is dropped.
H= HAY
W=WAW, sounds like 'OO' as in Hallelu-Yah
H=Hay
Yahueh
Yahu'ah
Yahuwah, Ya-HOO'-ah
What is interesting, if we take the name Judah back to the original Hebrew we get Yehudah. Drop the 'd' sound and we get Yahuah!
Over time, to say the NAME became on offense worthy of death, except for the priests. See Yohanan the immerser (John the Baptist) was a Priest therefore he was allowed to say the name.
He tells us... "I am;that is my Name! I am the first and I am the last, apart from me there is no Eloah." "Is there any Eloah besides Me?" "Before Me? I am Eloah, and there is noother, I am Eloah, and there is none like Me. Before Me, no Eloah, was formed nor will there be one after Me. I, even I , and apart from me there is no Saviour.
Truly, Ya-HOO-ah, is the GREAT I AM!