The Tetragrammaton in the New Testament.

[Elijah John]

How often is the Tetragrammaton, (YHVH) used in the New Testament?

If not very often, hardly ever, or never, why not?

Especially since it is used almost 7000 times* in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, more than any other name, human or Divine.

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*(masked as "LORD" in most translations)

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 1 by Elijah John]


The New World Translation contains the Divine Name 237 times in the Christian Greek Scriptures (NT). George Howard of the University of Georgia, suggests that {quote} "quotations of and allusions to the O[ld] T[estament]" in the Christian bible, originally contained the Tetragrammaton, and available evidence supports this idea.


Divine Name in the NWT
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 274#822274

Other Translations
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 460#858460

[Elijah John]

[Replying to post 1 by Elijah John]


The New World Translation contains the Divine Name 237 times in the Christian Greek Scriptures (NT). George Howard of the University of Georgia, suggests that {quote} "quotations of and allusions to the O[ld] T[estament]" in the Christian bible, originally contained the Tetragrammaton, and available evidence supports this idea.


Divine Name in the NWT
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 274#822274

Other Translations
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 460#858460

I agree with the NWT inclusion of the Divine Name so many times. I see it as justified. Especially when NT characters or authors quote the OT/Hebrew Bible. But also on those occasions where a NT author or character refers to God, and not Jesus.

It is commendable that the NWT acknowledges the Divine name so many times even in the New Testament. And of concern that so many others do not.

Even translations which otherwise render the Tetragrammaton as "Yahweh" (such as the Jerusalem Bible) or "Jehovah" (such as the American Standard Version) in the "Old" Testament, seldom if ever follow through in the NT.

It makes one wonder why.

And while I commend the NWT for it's honoring of the name of God, for those put off by it's other controversial renderings, (such as "stake" instead of cross), I recommend the "Proclaim His Holy Name" Bible, which is the KJV, but with the Name of God "Yehovah" restored throughout and where appropriate, including in the New Testament.

[bjs]

It is commendable that the NWT acknowledges the Divine name so many times even in the New Testament. And of concern that so many others do not.

I could not disagree more. It is commendable that most translations of the NT translated the text we have instead of writing in the theology that they would like to see. It is of concern that the NWT translators chose not to translate that actual texts, and instead imaged a different text which does not currently exist (and may never have existed) and then used that imaginary text as the basis of their translation.

Even translations which otherwise render the Tetragrammaton as "Yahweh" (such as the Jerusalem Bible) or "Jehovah" (such as the American Standard Version) in the "Old" Testament, seldom if ever follow through in the NT.

It makes one wonder why.

The answer is simple: The word is not found in the Greek text. When the tetragrammaton is added to an English version of the NT then it ceases to be a translation. It becomes, at best, a paraphrase.

Actual translations of the NT do no included the tetragrammaton.

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 3 by Elijah John]

I think its fair to say that bible translators are on a mission to totally irradicate the Divine Name from living memory. A case in point is that in many of the major translations it cannot be found even in the Hebrew Scriptures... I know in many French bibles the translators have not even signalled in the footnotes anywhere that the name ever existed within its pages. Without being informed by an outsider, the modern bible reader would not know the tetratrammaton exists much less that it was such an integral part of the bible.

[Elijah John]

[Replying to post 3 by Elijah John]

I think its fair to say that bible translators are on a mission to totally irradicate the Divine Name from living memory. A case in point is that in many of the major translations it cannot be found even in the Hebrew Scriptures... I know in many French bibles the translators have not even signalled in the footnotes anywhere that the name ever existed within its pages. Without being informed by an outsider, the modern bible reader would not know the tetratrammaton exists much less that it was such an integral part of the bible.

It really seems so. Why do you think that is the case? Are they trying to promote Jesus-worship, even over Jehovah? I wonder if that is their agenda.

[Willum]

The Tetragrammaton is simply how you write Yahu's name without vowels.
Phonetician, the language that it was originally written in: Canaanite, if you will, did not posses vowels.

It was simply carried forward as an abbreviation, all subsequent magic associated with the name, is showmanship.

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 6 by Elijah John]

While the removal of the tetragrammaton from the NT definitely faciliated the promotion of the "worship" of Jesus as part of a trinity, you have got to remember that the overal antagonism towards the Divine Name is a very recent phenonomen.

Up until the 1950's even later I'd say the 1970/80's the Divine name was very commonly used especially by Protestants. It's all over their churches, writings, in their bible translations (especially non-English) and hymnes ... for example the famous Welsh hymn "Guide me, O thou great Jehovah" written in 1745 is sung with gusto as an unofficial Welsh anthem at most national rugby matches in in the UK by people that probably never set foot in church from one month to the next. Even that Catholics (who repeatedly ban the Divine name from their religious services in any form) have the Pope John Paul II special Edition Holy Bible (published in 1943) which has the name "Jhova" in Psalsm 83:18 (an unspeakable abomination today)... and the Jerusalem Bible had "Yahweh" throughout the Hebrew scriptures until the Divine Name was completely "revised" out of it in 1985.

In short, our parents and grand parents would have had no problem with seeing the name "Jehovah" (very common in English at the time) in their churches, prayer books, or hymns. That it has all but disappeared from use in amongst the faithful of most Christian religions is in my personal view, not entirely disconnected with the the move towards a ecumenical movement, the traditional position of Christendom to avoid offending Judaism and perhaps the increasing association of the name in its English form with the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses.


Personal opinion,


JW

To learn more please go to other posts related to ....

GOD, THE DIVINE NAME and ...THE DIVINE PERSONALITY

[Elijah John]

[Replying to post 6 by Elijah John]

While the removal of the tetragrammaton from the NT definitely faciliated the promotion of the "worship" of Jesus as part of a trinity, you have got to remember that the overal antagonism towards the Divine Name is a very recent phenonomen.

Up until the 1950's even later I'd say the 1970/80's the Divine name was very commonly used especially by Protestants. It's all over their churches, writings, in their bible translations (especially non-English) and hymnes ... for example the famous Welsh hymn "Guide me, O thou great Jehovah" written in 1745 is sung with gusto as an unofficial Welsh anthem at most national rugby matches in in the UK by people that probably never set foot in church from one month to the next. Even that Catholics (who repeatedly ban the Divine name from their religious services in any form) have the Pope John Paul II special Edition Holy Bible (published in 1943) which has the name "Jhova" in Psalsm 83:18 (an unspeakable abomination today)... and the Jerusalem Bible had "Yahweh" throughout the Hebrew scriptures until the Divine Name was completely "revised" out of it in 1985.

In short, our parents and grand parents would have had no problem with seeing the name "Jehovah" (very common in English at the time) in their churches, prayer books, or hymns. That it has all but disappeared from use in amongst the faithful of most Christian religions is in my personal view, not entirely disconnected with the the move towards a ecumenical movement, the traditional position of Christendom to avoid offending Judaism and perhaps the increasing association of the name in its English form with the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses.


Personal opinion,


JW

Opinion noted, and endorsed. Just a couple of things.

"Guide me O thou Great Jehovah" is one of my favorite hymns, love it! It was sung at my father's funeral.

Also, I picked up a copy of the Jerusalem Bible at a Catholic bookstore, and it certainly contained the name "Yahweh" all through the "Old" Testament.

So even if more recent editions are as you say, without the Divine name, they are still selling ones with the Divine name today.

I think it was Benedict who ordered the name to be omitted from Liturgy, Mass, and new editions of prayer books etc. The Jerusalem Bible is not used at Mass, though it still has the Imprimatur of the RCC.

If I understand correctly, it was an ecumenical impulse that motivated Benedict, as he cited respect for the Rabbinic tradition of not pronouncing the Tetragrammaton.

That Rabbinic Tradition of men, has not been helpful for those who seek to know God by name.

Thankfully, Karaite Jews do not recognize that prohibiiton, and render the name as "Yehovah".

I'll have to look into that Pope John Paul II edition of the Bible. Also, some Catholic scholars have used the name "Yahweh" in their works. Not sure if they still do.