Continued from last week…
‘Jehovah’ known for centuries
For consistency, however, must not the faithful choose to call God’s name in the form that has been popular and used for centuries? This conforms to God’s own will that his name be remembered “from generation to generation.” (Exodus 3:15) This is the line of reasoning adhered to by translators who opted for “Jehovah” in their Bible versions. It’s the form used by different translators since the 14th century C.E. Of course, the spelling and pronunciation would vary from language to language, and dialect to dialect.
In Europe, the name Jehovah or its Hebrew letters for YHWH could be found in some old Catholic churches, in coins, and coat of arms of certain royalties, and legal as well as classic documents. It proves how known the name was way back then. And evidently by Divine Providence, the name Jehovah had survived through the centuries. Today more than ever, enlightened scholars and translators realized how important it is to have it restored to its rightful place in the pages of the modern Bible.
Against all odds and the machinations of its enemies, the name Jehovah has found a secure home, at last!
In contrast, the rendition Yahweh is only of more recent vintage. It was first used in the Catholic translation The Jerusalem Bible, printed in 1966.
Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that the rendition Jehovah fulfills God’s own mandate that his name shall be remembered “from generation to generation.” (Exodus 3:15) That form has been in use since the 14th century C.E. and therefore has been remembered in more than 30 generations (roughly, one century is made up of four generations, each new generation is born theoretically every 25 years).
The translators of the Divine Name King James Bible explained why they decided to use “Jehovah” in nearly 7,000 times it appeared in the extant manuscripts. In its “Foreword” they wrote”
“Does it not seem clearer than ever why Jesus instructed us at Matthew 6:9 to pray “Hallowed be thy name” not “hidden be thy name”! Jesus faithfully showed why the name of Jehovah must be known to us for only by that way would we know who Jesus is, for his name in Hebrew is Yeshua, “Jehovah is Salvation”. In making his Father’s name above all others, Jesus set the pattern for pure worship. This is directly tied to our having eternal life, for Jesus himself said in prayer to Jehovah, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3)
The name that saves
Knowing Jehovah God and serving him for life as Christ’s faithful disciples emerges as the key to eternal salvation. “God said, “Because he has affection for me I will rescue him. I will protect him because he knows my name.” (Psalm 91:14) “For everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” (Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13)
Naturally, embracing Jehovah’s worship will draw earnest ones to his people, now an international organization identified as “people of all nations, people who are called by my name, says Jehovah.” (Acts 15:14).
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