The Divine Name in Jewish Tradition and New Testament Writings: Exploring the Use of ‘YHWH

Are "Yahweh" and "Jehovah" pronounced by Jews to represent the name of their God?

Jews traditionally do not pronounce the name represented by the Hebrew letters YHWH - יהוה (the Tetragrammaton). The actual pronunciation is considered lost over time, as the Hebrew language did not originally include vowels in its written form. "Yahweh" and "Jehovah" are attempts by scholars to reconstruct the probable pronunciation of the name.

However, in Jewish tradition, the name is regarded with such respect that it is not pronounced at all. Instead, Jews use different terms like "Adonai" (the Lord) or "HaShem" (the Name) when referring to God. Thus, neither "Yahweh" nor "Jehovah" are used or pronounced by Jews to represent the name of their God.



Why did the authors of the New Testament, including Paul, not transliterate the divine name "יהוה" into "Yahweh" like some modern translators do?

The authors of the New Testament, including Paul, were writing in Greek and were following the tradition of the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible. In the Septuagint, the divine name "יהוה" is consistently translated as "κύριος" meaning "Lord" in Greek, rather than being transliterated into a specific pronunciation like "Yahweh".

This tradition was continued by the New Testament authors, who followed the Septuagint's rendering of the divine name. Additionally, the reverence for the divine name in ancient Jewish tradition may have also played a role in this decision.

The modern transliteration "Yahweh" is an attempt to approximate the original pronunciation of the Hebrew name, but it is not certain how the name was pronounced in ancient times. The decision not to use "Yahweh" in the New Testament may also reflect the linguistic and cultural context of the authors, who were writing in Greek and addressing both Jewish and Gentile audiences.

What is the reason behind the usage of “G-d” by Jews instead of writing the word "God"?

The reason behind the usage of "G-d" by Jews instead of writing the word "God" is rooted in the Jewish tradition of treating God's name with utmost reverence and respect.

In Judaism, the name of God is considered holy and should not be erased or defaced. By omitting the letter "o" in "God" and replacing it with a hyphen, Jews are avoiding directly spelling out God's name in full to prevent any potential desecration.

This practice stems from the commandment in the Torah to not take God's name in vain (Exodus 20, verse 7), as well as from a general sense of awe and reverence for the divine.

By using "G-d," Jews are demonstrating their commitment to upholding this tradition and showing respect for God's sacred name.

Is Allah the God of Israel?

Yes, according to Islamic belief, Allah is considered to be the God of Israel. In Islam, Allah is believed to be the one and only God, the creator and sustainer of all things. Muslims believe that Allah is the same God worshipped by the prophets, including Moses (Musa) and Jesus (Isa), who are respected figures in Islam.

While the Quran doesn't explicitly state that Allah is exclusively the God of Israel, it recognizes the Israelites as a chosen community and acknowledges their prophets and their relationship with Allah. Muslims believe in the continuity of prophethood and consider the teachings of the Prophets, including those sent to the Israelites, as part of the divine message. Hence, Allah is recognized as the God of all people, including the Israelites, in Islamic belief.

How is the word "Yahweh" connected in meaning to one of the ninety-nine names of Allah, "الْحَيُّ," mentioned in Surah 2, verse 255, of the Quran?

There appears to be an interesting connection between the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (YHWH) and the Arabic name "Al-Hayy" (الْحَيُّ), which is one of the 99 names of Allah mentioned in the Quran. Here are the key points:

1. Yahweh: The name “Yahweh” is derived from the Hebrew root HWH or HAYAH, which means “to be” or “to exist.” It is often translated as “I am who I am” or “The One Who Is.” This name signifies God’s eternal, unchanging, and self-existent nature, implying that God exists independently and without beginning or end.

2. Al-Hayy (الْحَيُّ): Al-Hayy in Arabic means "The Ever-Living One". It is one of the 99 names of Allah mentioned in the Quran, specifically in Surah Al-Baqarah (2, verse 255), known as Ayat al-Kursi.

3. Some scholars have noted a similarity in meaning between YHWH and Al-Hayy (الْحَيُّ):

The Jewish Encyclopedia entry for YHWH states that its meaning matches the meaning of "Al-Hayyu Al-Qayyum" (The Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting), which are two names of Allah mentioned together in Ayat al-Kursi.

Both names relate to the concept of eternal existence or "being".

4. While there is no explicit teaching in Islam that Al-Hayy (الْحَيُّ) is directly equivalent to YHWH, some see it as a possible Arabic manifestation or derivative of the Hebrew name.

5. Both Judaism and Islam consider their respective names (YHWH and Al-Hayyu Al-Qayyum) to be among the most important revealed names of God.

It's important to note that while there are similarities in meaning, Islamic and Christian theological perspectives on God differ in significant ways. Muslims believe in the absolute oneness of Allah, while Christians believe in the Trinity. Therefore, the connection between these names should be understood within their respective religious contexts.