Why is God's Name NOT in the Bible?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

iamsoandso

Senior Member
Oct 6, 2011
8,048
1,609
113
God is Love. How does one pronounce the name of God and not be in the midst of the act of love? Shall I perceive one whom entreats me with unkindness as not knowing how to pronounce my fathers name or as if he has used it in vain? Go ye up to the Temple of God,do you not know that you are the Temple of God and that the Holy Spirit dwells within you and your neighbor? Go you up to the Temple of God at your neighbor and offer your fruits on it's alter. Offer your evil fruits at the Temple of God at your neighbor and they will be received in my fathers name. Go you up to the Temple of God and offer love and it also will be received in my fathers name. Maybe people are so accustomed to words in languages of men that they cannot see any other manner of speach...
 
Feb 24, 2022
1,346
288
83
Brother - thank you
Yes i am quite familiar with John ch8, and you are correct in that they recognized the name.

Here are my questions again = look carefully - Peace

How do you know that "they all knew YHVH"???
Why was there no need for Jesus to teach about YHVH???
What, in fact, did Jesus teach then???
They might not know God as the Father, but they did know their Scripture, especially the name YHVH in Ex. 3:14. Many people at the time like Nicodemus and the woman at the well acknowledged him as a prophet, but only Peter confessed to him that he is the son of God, that's beyond comprehension to others. One objection was that the invisible God appearing in the form of a man was idolatry, many jews and muslims still reject Jesus for the same reason.
 

JeffA

Minstrel
Mar 31, 2022
360
72
28
Thank you for the opportunity and the privilege.

Admittedly, I was expecting a discredit of JJP through assignment to the Pharisaical collective but comforted to see that not being the case. I arrived at my trust in his guidance having noted his deep personal commitment to and adoration of Jesus. As I mentioned, his studies are far more extensive than my own so I'll provide a link to a starting point which reading contains within it many more links to tributaries of thought on this subject here:
Names of God

Unless it has gone over my head that it is only a rhetorical question, of course, under the subheading, "Names Revealed in the Tanakh," you'll find a link to the page YHVH offering an answer to your question posed in this thread wherein JJP claims that neither Jehovah nor Yahweh are correct pronunciation and why, though neither does he offer any other 'correct' transliteration.
I followed the link and it was interesting. Thanks you for that.
It is unfortunate that the Modern YHVH is substituted for the YHWH, as written. I also noted that it is referred to as the ineffable and unutterable name. This is a product of Pharisee-ism, which (after the Romans destroyed the Temple) became Rabbinic Judaism.
This is well attested. They did get rid of many rules related to Temple practice but there was no Temple, so...

What was once the Northern Kingdom of Israel had long since been replaced by Assyrian/Babylonian/Persian, Farsi (wow, sounds like Pharisee). Their practice became infused with the Hebrew religion over time. Eventually, after trying and ultimately failing to stop the second Temple from being rebuilt, they took advantage of the void that was created during the fall of Greece and rise of Rome. In 165 BC they took control of the Temple and the religion via the Hasmoneans (Ashmodi'm) known as the Maccabean rebellion.

This is my understanding and I could be totally wrong. Well probably not 100% wrong. At least it makes sense as to why Jesus rebuked the Pharisees so often. They were not Hebrew but claimed it. They were not Judean, certainly. Jesus spent a lot of time teaching in the synagogues around Galilea, I think. Hebrews did not have them. There many around by Jesus' time.

Anyway, if my understand of it is way off base I would love to read a more convincing account.
I really do appreciate you taking the time on me.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
Why is God's Name NOT in the Bible?


God has many names, and they are found everywhere throughout the Bible.
 

JeffA

Minstrel
Mar 31, 2022
360
72
28
Why is God's Name NOT in the Bible?


God has many names, and they are found everywhere throughout the Bible.
According to God he has one name. He is known by many titles and descriptors.
 
Aug 2, 2021
7,317
2,048
113
They might not know God as the Father, but they did know their Scripture, especially the name YHVH in Ex. 3:14. Many people at the time like Nicodemus and the woman at the well acknowledged him as a prophet, but only Peter confessed to him that he is the son of God, that's beyond comprehension to others. One objection was that the invisible God appearing in the form of a man was idolatry, many jews and muslims still reject Jesus for the same reason.
Academic /religious knowledge of the name of God and proper pronunciation holds no value unto eternal life.
Then they said to Him, “Where is Your Father?”
Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also.”

Knowing the True Elohim is the Gift of Eternal Life.
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
 

oyster67

Senior Member
May 24, 2014
11,887
8,705
113
According to God he has one name. He is known by many titles and descriptors.
Do you believe in the Trinity? Very few would not consider "Jesus" to be a name for God.

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

Amanuensis

Well-known member
Jun 12, 2021
1,457
460
83
Thank you for the opportunity and the privilege.

Admittedly, I was expecting a discredit of JJP through assignment to the Pharisaical collective but comforted to see that not being the case. I arrived at my trust in his guidance having noted his deep personal commitment to and adoration of Jesus. As I mentioned, his studies are far more extensive than my own so I'll provide a link to a starting point which reading contains within it many more links to tributaries of thought on this subject here:
Names of God

Unless it has gone over my head that it is only a rhetorical question, of course, under the subheading, "Names Revealed in the Tanakh," you'll find a link to the page YHVH offering an answer to your question posed in this thread wherein JJP claims that neither Jehovah nor Yahweh are correct pronunianciation and why, though neither does he offer any other 'correct' transliteration.
Thanks Mem. That is a great link and it is what I have read from other authors through the years. Very well articulated.

https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Names_of_G-d/YHVH/yhvh.html

I especially agree with his summary statements under the heading "Gnosticism and the Name"
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
7,159
2,174
113
Thanks Mem. That is a great link and it is what I have read from other authors through the years. Very well articulated.

https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Names_of_G-d/YHVH/yhvh.html

I especially agree with his summary statements under the heading "Gnosticism and the Name"
I was just thinking of highlighting that very segment, thank you. Initially, I thought to do that in my previous post and remembered it just now while catching up on the thread. I think it to be the main point of this topic of discussion in general. But of course there are many other points of relevant interest also such as the gematria of it for one and (as you noted, a better articulation of) the relation to the Hebraic phrase, 'was, am, will be,' (or something to that effect if my clumsiness in articulation muddled it).

And your background in study hasn't gone unnoticed by me either. You are an approved read, iyam.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,143
5,720
113
Do you believe in the Trinity? Very few would not consider "Jesus" to be a name for God.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
amen it is the name Jesus that brings all the other names for God into meaning. He is where they all Meet and become manifest in one name.
 

JeffA

Minstrel
Mar 31, 2022
360
72
28
I was just thinking of highlighting that very segment, thank you. Initially, I thought to do that in my previous post and remembered it just now while catching up on the thread. I think it to be the main point of this topic of discussion in general. But of course there are many other points of relevant interest also such as the gematria of it for one and (as you noted, a better articulation of) the relation to the Hebraic phrase, 'was, am, will be,' (or something to that effect if my clumsiness in articulation muddled it).

And your background in study hasn't gone unnoticed by me either. You are an approved read, iyam.
The author in the Hebrew4Christian article is apparently steeped in Rabbinical Judaism.
 

Amanuensis

Well-known member
Jun 12, 2021
1,457
460
83
The author in the Hebrew4Christian article is apparently steeped in Rabbinical Judaism.
The history of YHWH is steeped in Rabbinical Judaism wouldn't you say?
 

JeffA

Minstrel
Mar 31, 2022
360
72
28
The history of YHWH is steeped in Rabbinical Judaism wouldn't you say?
I don't expect anyone to take my word.
If you agree that we should study the scriptures (on our own), testing scripture against scripture, and holding fast to that which is good then I would only ask one thing of you.

If you study the scripture, both old and new testaments, and find that God, indeed wants his name (YHWH) to be known, then you will know that the Rabbi is a liar. If God does not want his name known, then you will know the Rabbi speaks the truth.
I would never suggest that you make such a call based on my opinion.

I do know that Satan worshipers use all of the same titles and descriptors for their God.
I also know that their religious practice intentionally hides the name of their God. (who would want to follow Satan on purpose?)

I pray and study scripture to be closer to the God who loves me so much that he would send his only Son to freely give his life so that this wretched soul could be saved.
Peace
 

Amanuensis

Well-known member
Jun 12, 2021
1,457
460
83
I don't expect anyone to take my word.
If you agree that we should study the scriptures (on our own), testing scripture against scripture, and holding fast to that which is good then I would only ask one thing of you.

If you study the scripture, both old and new testaments, and find that God, indeed wants his name (YHWH) to be known, then you will know that the Rabbi is a liar. If God does not want his name known, then you will know the Rabbi speaks the truth.
I would never suggest that you make such a call based on my opinion.

I do know that Satan worshipers use all of the same titles and descriptors for their God.
I also know that their religious practice intentionally hides the name of their God. (who would want to follow Satan on purpose?)

I pray and study scripture to be closer to the God who loves me so much that he would send his only Son to freely give his life so that this wretched soul could be saved.
Peace
By studying the scripture one will come to the conclusion that it is a descriptive name and means who God is, rather than just a sound created by sounding out letters.

Putting an emphasis that God wants the sound of a particular string of letters to be sounded out when we call upon him does not seem to be what the scriptures are teaching us in the context of answering the question of His name by Moses.

Therefore the context really does shed light on the answer as to His name. We know this and all the translators in the history of translating seem to have understood this as well, and no I don't believe they were all liars but rather intelligent people who concluded based on the facts that the name is descriptive. So in my opinion those who come up with a different idea about the importance of sounding out the sound correctly rather than the message God was intending when he spoke to Moses would be in error, or if you insist, "liars" because they don't agree with the scripture PROPERLY INTERPRETED in their original context.

When Jesus taught the disciples to pray He said "Our Father which art in Heaven".... No YHWH, or Yahweh, or Y...whatever" Just "Our Father" and I like that. It embodies a message that was new to them. Maybe that was what Jesus was doing, answering the arguments about how to pronounce His name correctly?

It would be impossible to go wrong if you followed Jesus instructions when you prayed and said "Our Father in Heaven" and therefore if anyone suggests that we are not obeying God by not using a string of letters besides "Our Father in Heaven" they are contradicting the plain example Jesus gave and I would reject their argument as false and invented based on bad interpretations about the name of God.

That information in that article has been repeated by many who are not Jewish. Facts about this subject don't change based on whether a Jewish scholar writes about it or a Christian Gentile scholar writes about it. Ancient Language rules, history and translation rules don't change based on the authors if they are being intellectually honest.
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
7,159
2,174
113
The author in the Hebrew4Christian article is apparently steeped in Rabbinical Judaism.
An extensive knowledge of something doesn't qualify as being "steeped" in it. If you know the history of, say the Jehovah Witness movement, it doesn't necessarily mean you've been initiated into their brotherhood, they most likely will even look at you as an outsider until you fall in with all their doctrinal adaptations. But neither can I dismiss a truth for a lie simply because Jehovah Witnesses subscribe to it, even if I don't agree with any other of their assertions.
 

JeffA

Minstrel
Mar 31, 2022
360
72
28
An extensive knowledge of something doesn't qualify as being "steeped" in it. If you know the history of, say the Jehovah Witness movement, it doesn't necessarily mean you've been initiated into their brotherhood, they most likely will even look at you as an outsider until you fall in with all their doctrinal adaptations. But neither can I dismiss a truth for a lie simply because Jehovah Witnesses subscribe to it, even if I don't agree with any other of their assertions.
point taken
 

CherieR

Senior Member
May 6, 2017
2,271
1,429
113
Throughout the Bible it is clear that GOD wants his name to be known and proclaimed.
In this day and age we can easily figure out that his name is YHWH (Pronounced Yahuah).
His name is always replaced with a Title, "the Lord". (about 6,800 times).
Can anyone explain why this has not been corrected? (IN ANY mainstream Bible).
One day I do hope to know how his name here is pronounced.
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
7,159
2,174
113
One day I do hope to know how his name here is pronounced.
It is said making the sound of the letters are similar to a breath. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it were correctly pronounced in a sigh.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,143
5,720
113
By studying the scripture one will come to the conclusion that it is a descriptive name and means who God is, rather than just a sound created by sounding out letters.

Putting an emphasis that God wants the sound of a particular string of letters to be sounded out when we call upon him does not seem to be what the scriptures are teaching us in the context of answering the question of His name by Moses.

Therefore the context really does shed light on the answer as to His name. We know this and all the translators in the history of translating seem to have understood this as well, and no I don't believe they were all liars but rather intelligent people who concluded based on the facts that the name is descriptive. So in my opinion those who come up with a different idea about the importance of sounding out the sound correctly rather than the message God was intending when he spoke to Moses would be in error, or if you insist, "liars" because they don't agree with the scripture PROPERLY INTERPRETED in their original context.

When Jesus taught the disciples to pray He said "Our Father which art in Heaven".... No YHWH, or Yahweh, or Y...whatever" Just "Our Father" and I like that. It embodies a message that was new to them. Maybe that was what Jesus was doing, answering the arguments about how to pronounce His name correctly?

It would be impossible to go wrong if you followed Jesus instructions when you prayed and said "Our Father in Heaven" and therefore if anyone suggests that we are not obeying God by not using a string of letters besides "Our Father in Heaven" they are contradicting the plain example Jesus gave and I would reject their argument as false and invented based on bad interpretations about the name of God.

That information in that article has been repeated by many who are not Jewish. Facts about this subject don't change based on whether a Jewish scholar writes about it or a Christian Gentile scholar writes about it. Ancient Language rules, history and translation rules don't change based on the authors if they are being intellectually honest.
yeah Jesus is the name above all
Others
and includes that message of the father not sure yhwh is as important as Judaism makes it to be

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:21-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

not sure how anyone could miss the name of God in the Bible it seems sometimes we overthink and forget God said he would make his word available in all tongues and languages and never said anyone needed to become an expert of ancient Hebrew to hear and believe it
 
Nov 26, 2021
1,125
545
113
India
It's just completely wrong imho to totally forget the Father, while pretending to love the Son. That goes against everything Lord Jesus Christ taught. Many Christians have forgotten God the Father completely. God the Father revealed Himself as Yahweh. He said "I am Yahweh your God, you shall have no other gods beside Me". He also said, "I, even I, am Yahweh, and beside Me there is no Savior." Yeshua is the Son of Yahweh, His Eternal Word, just as the Holy Ghost is the Eternal Spirit of Yahweh. The Three are Co-Equal and One Lord God.

Just as He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father truly, so also he who does not honor the Father does not honor the Son truly. True believers will worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth, as the Lord said, i.e. worship the Father, with His Word, Jesus, and His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. The Father is Yahweh. Yeshua is the Son of Yahweh Who is One with Yahweh. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of YHWH.