Bringing His Name to Naught

Let's begin with a quick look at Exodus 20:7 in the Hebrew:

לֹ֥א תִשָּׂ֛א אֶת־שֵֽׁם־יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לַשָּׁ֑וְא כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יְנַקֶּה֙ יְהוָ֔ה אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־יִשָּׂ֥א אֶת־שְׁמ֖וֹ לַשָּֽׁוְא׃פ

To me, the key to this verse lies in an understanding - or a proper translation of the word, לַשָּׁ֑וְא which has a relationship to the concept of a storm, and for some reason, the Ruach has directed my attention to Psalm 19:1 and so I will here insert it for the one who needs reminding:

The heavens are proclaiming the esteem of Ěl; And the expanse is declaring the work of His hand.

There is a crashing, a true sense and stunning display of power during a storm. A storm is not a storm without the crashing of thunder and the flashing of lightning. Take those away and all you have is rain, and perhaps a bit of wind. Add thunder and lightning to wind and rain and now you have a display of power! You have a לַשָּׁ֑וְא a storm.  Strong's suggests that it is not just any storm, but one that is desolating, that takes your breath away (and sometimes your house).  Let's get back to Exodus 20:7:

לֹ֥א תִשָּׂ֛א אֶת־שֵֽׁם־יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לַשָּׁ֑וְא כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יְנַקֶּה֙ יְהוָ֔ה אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־יִשָּׂ֥א אֶת־שְׁמ֖וֹ לַשָּֽׁוְא׃פ and I translate it literally:

'Do not take the storm-power-display away from (ET - Focus-Directing Prefix) Name of YAHUAH, your Elohikah (your Eloah/Elohim), for YAHUAH will not hold him guiltless who takes the storm-power-display away from (ET - Focus-Directing Prefix) His Name.'

So, to put it as bluntly as necessary, this verse has been horribly re-communicated in English when translated:

Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. (KJV)

For to begin with, this and many other translations commit the crime even as they are citing the LAW! They replace the Name with a title - LORD. Secondly, the use vague terminology that could easily be interpreted to say, 'Don't use the Name!' When in reality it is saying, 'Don't HIDE the Name!'

In this article, and many to follow, we will be reviewing some verses that are setting the record straight with citations from upright individuals who are using the phrases,

• Your Name
• His Name

and even YAH speaking of

• My Name.

We will begin with 'Your Name'. In most cases, the Word requires no notation by me. These Psalms especially are well worth meditating upon and asking Him to make His Name great in your heart.

Genesis 32:29 - And Ya‛aqoḇ asked Him, saying, “Please let me know Your Name.” And He said, “Why do you ask about My Name?” And He blessed him there.

This was an intimate and life-changing moment for Ya‛aqoḇ, he was certain that He with Whom he had wrestled was that same unnamed stranger Who had visited his grandfather Abraham (particularly Gen 18) and his father Yitsḥaq (reported in Jubilees), for he concludes:

And Ya‛aqoḇ called the name of the place Peni’ĕl, “For I have seen Elohim face to face, and my life is preserved.” (vs 30)

2 Samuel 22 (various verses):

1 Then Dawiḏ spoke to יהוה the words of this song, on the day when יהוה had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Sha’ul. 2 And he said, “יהוה is my rock and my stronghold and my deliverer.

4 “I call on יהוה, the One to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.

7 “In my distress I called upon יהוה, And to my Elohim I cried. And from His Hĕḵal He heard my voice, And my cry was in His ears.

14 “יהוה thundered from the heavens, And the Most High sent forth His voice. (Do you recognize the relationship between His Name and thunder?)

29 “For You are my lamp, O יהוה, And יהוה makes my darkness light.

31 “The Ěl – His way is perfect; The Word of יהוה is proven; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
32 “For who is Ěl, besides יהוה? And who is a rock, besides our Elohim?

50 “Therefore I give thanks to You, O יהוה, among nations, And I sing praise to Your Name.

Do you see what a crime it would be to remove the Name here and replace it with a generic title? 

(1 Kings 8 - This entire chapter is one worthy of note, recording Solomon's prayer to YAHUAH and his blessing of Ishra'el. It is repeated in 2 Chronicles 6)

I Kings 8:35-36 - “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they sin against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your Name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, 36 then hear in the heavens, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Yisra’ĕl – for You teach them the good way in which they should walk – and shall give rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.

So many points are in this pair of verses:

• The lack of rain was brought on because they had sinned and stopped confessing His Name.
• When they prayed, repented of their sins and confessed His Name - only then did He hear their cry, forgive their sin, heal their affliction and teach them the 'good way in which they should walk' and 'give rain on their land'.

1 Chronicles 17:24 - “So let it stand fast, and Your Name be great forever, saying, ‘יהוה of hosts, Elohim of Yisra’ĕl, is Elohim to Yisra’ĕl.

Psalm 5:11 - But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; Let them ever shout for joy, because You shelter them; And let those who love Your Name exult in You.

Psalm 8:1,9 - O יהוה, our Master, how excellent is Your Name in all the earth, You who set Your splendor above the heavens! (repeated in v9) O יהוה, our Master, How excellent is Your Name in all the earth!

Psalm 9:1-2,10 - I praise You, O יהוה, with all my heart; I declare all Your wonders. 2 I rejoice and exult in You; I sing praise to Your Name, O Most High. 10 And those who know Your Name trust in You, For You have not forsaken those who seek You, O יהוה.

Psalm 44:8 - In Elohim we shall boast all day long and praise Your Name forever. Selah.

Psalm 45:17 - I cause Your Name to be remembered in all generations; Therefore, the people praise You forever and ever. (Conclusion: there is no real praise where His Name is not remembered)

Psalm 74:10,18 - O Elohim, how long would the adversary reproach? Would the enemy despise Your Name forever? (Conclusion: despising Your Name is a mark of those who are Your adversary. This is so important, it is repeated in verse 18)

18 Remember this: the enemy has reproached יהוה, And a foolish people has despised Your Name.

Psalm 80:18 - And we shall not backslide from You. Revive us and let us call upon Your Name. (Conclusion: backsliding results when one does not call upon His Name)

Psalm 86:8-12 - There is none like You among the mighty ones, O יהוה; And like Your works there are none. 9 Let all nations You have made come and bow themselves before You, O יהוה, and give esteem to Your Name. 10 For You are great, and are doing wonders; You are Elohim, You alone. 11 Teach me Your way, O יהוה; Let me walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your Name. 12 I praise You, O יהוה my Elohim, with all my heart, And I esteem Your Name forever.

Psalm 92:1-3 - 1 It is good to give thanks to יהוה, And to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High; 2 To declare Your loving-commitment in the morning, And Your trustworthiness each night, 3 On ten strings, and on the harp, To the sounding chords of the lyre.

Psalm 99:1-3 - יהוה shall reign; Peoples tremble! He is enthroned on the keruḇim; The earth shakes! 2 יהוה is great in Tsiyon, And He is high above all the peoples. 3 They praise Your Name, great and awesome, It is set-apart.

Psalm 119:55 - I have remembered Your Name in the night, O יהוה, And I guard Your Torah.

Psalm 119:32 - Turn to me and show me favor, According to Your right-ruling, toward those who love Your Name.

Psalm 135:13-14 - O יהוה, Your Name is forever, O יהוה, Your remembrance to all generations, 14 For יהוה rightly rules His people, and has compassion on His servants.

Psalm 138:1-2 - I give You thanks with all my heart; Before the mighty ones I sing praises to You. 2 I bow myself toward Your set-apart Hĕḵal (temple), And give thanks to Your Name For Your loving-commitment and for Your truth; For You have made great Your Word, Your Name, above all.

Psalm 145:1-2 - I exalt You, my Elohim, O Sovereign; And bless Your Name forever and ever. 2 All day long I bless You And praise Your Name forever and ever.

And here, we will end this post and pick up with the Prophets and Renewed Covenant texts in the next post.