![]() ![]() We make a misstep if we extract the supposed verbal root HYH (or HWH, both of which mean “to be”) from this word and then ascribe that idea to YHWH’s character. But given the clarity of Exodus 34:6–7, we don’t need etymology. Etymology is a tool we reach for when we have no others left. The meaning of the name YHWH also does not derive from its etymology. YHWH, YHWH, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation. Rather, we find the meaning of the name YHWH in Exodus 34:6–7: 2 Asking, for example, “Does Yahweh mean Jehovah?” already assumes that we’ve recovered the vowels of the name, and we haven’t.Īs for the meaning of YHWH, it may shock you to discover that the name does not mean “I am,” “He is,” or “He causes to be,” as interpreters commonly argue from Exodus 3:14. I consider the loss of these vowels as one of the sociological and religious wonders of the ancient world! 1 The most accurate way to render the divine name in English in light of this loss is “YHWH.” What then of the forms “Yahweh” or “Jehovah”? These are educated guesses, and no one can prove them conclusively from the available historical evidence. Sadly, we have inherited this name with consonants, but not vowels. God has a name, and it’s not “God.” However, God’s proper name has come to us “damaged”-linguistically damaged. ![]() Facebook Twitter Reddit Pinterest Email LinkedIn ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |