THEME: The union of the term ADONAI with the Holy Name YHVH:
Deuteronomy 3:23,
VA’ET’CHAN’NAN EL-YHVH BA’EYT HA’HI’U LEY’MOR
I implored YHVH at that time, saying,
“ADO’NAI YHVH”
MY LORD YHVH (LORD) /
MY LORD LORD
What a difference a vowel makes: the “—AI” ending on “ADONAI” (“—ahee, a long “i” sound”) MY LORD, MY MASTER) distinguishes the term ADON (Lord, Master) from the lesser term “adoni” (“—i”, the “ee” vowel ending, “my lord, my master”). The first refers only to GOD; the second refers to lesser lords and masters. Yeshua is NOT Adoni (my human lord merely) but instead is ADONAI (MY LORD AND MY GOD—the confession of Doubting Thomas after he placed his finger into the nail holes in Jesus’ resurrected hands and thrust his hand into the wound in the MASTER’S resurrected side—John 20:27-28).
When we say “ADONAI ELOHEYNU” we are in effect referring to the HOLY NAME Y-H-V-H without vocalizing that NAME. This is the object of the traditional Jewish community: to put a fence around the use of the REDEMPTIVE NAME OF GOD—YHVH—by pronouncing in its stead this statement of Moses to the LORD without completing it beyond “ADONAI.”
Yet the Bible commands us to take our solemn vows in the HOLY NAME (YHVH). (Deuteronomy 6:13)
We are commanded not to do so falsely. (Leviticus 19:12)
How can we make our solemn affirmations in the HOLY NAME without using the HOLY NAME? It is technically not possible to do so. Yet the tradition has come to the position that misuse of the Name is bound up in the loss of knowledge of HOW TO CORRECTLY PRONOUNCE the Name.
I will not argue with our People. I will not transgress their conscience. I offer my prayers and petitions and make my solemn affirmations in the HOLY NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS (YESHUA), as it is written, “Whatsoever you shall ask IN MY NAME that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13 et al) The letter “Yud” in His Name brings to His Name the presence of the HOLY NAME (“YE’SHUA” means “YHVH SAVES”).
Again, I will obey the admonition of the Apostle of our LORD: “And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the LORD Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him.” (Colossians 3:17)
And when I speak the HOLY NAME* in Hebrew, I will make it my habit to follow the custom of my People, lest I lay before them a stumbling block. Furthermore, I will restrain myself in its use so that in the company of consecrated men I may honor the sanctity that belongs to that NAME.
It is not technicality that is most important: it is the frame of your heart and your conscience that ultimately matters. Do not fall into condemnation when you make an honest mistake; but ask for forgiveness and then correct your errors once you recognize them. Ask the Blessed Holy Spirit to lead you; that is His role. (John 16:13) Let the HOLINESS of our Lord’s (LORD’S) name (NAME) permeate your spirit, now and always. And let the grace of the Name of Je’sus—Ye’shua—be upon your lips forever.
- “THE HOLY NAME in Hebrew”: An addendum to the devotion is in order: In the Stone Tanakh the vowel points for the NAME (YHVH) are “EH-OH-EE”—but the common pronunciation is not “YEH-HO-VEE” but instead is “JE’HO’VAH.” This is important for us because the Jewish people have ostensibly permitted this vowel pointing in the text of Deuteronomy so that we may avoid a breach of conscience and yet offer up a consecrated utterance of the NAME of our Redeemer. When we sing or say “JEHOVAH” let us keep in mind that though the exact pronunciation of the NAME is not known (as far as we are aware), it is nonetheless to be honored.
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[YAH’WEH is also a scholastically oriented pronunciation of the HOLY NAME that is common in the Christian world. I have used it without breach of conscience or rebuke of the Holy Spirit as long as my intention has been reverent. I have known of other approximations also among those who are consecrated, and their usages have seemed acceptable to the witness of the Holy Spirit in my spirit.]
