Michelle Bentham's Original Blog! : Hashem

Yes, The Names of God Bible Study post is back. Read On... Hashem.

In her Bible Study, "The Patriarchs," Beth Moore teaches in the introductory session that the Israelites so revered the name of God that they would not speak it for fear of profaning it. (The Patriarchs, Moore, 2005, Lifeway Publications, p. 10)

Instead of using the Tetragrammaton, YHWH, (pronounced Yahweh) they called God "Hashem" which is a combination of two Hebrew words, ha - translated as a definite article: "the;" and shem - translated as follows from the Hebrew:
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Hebrew Strong's Reference Number: 3084
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Hebrew Word: ‏שֵׁם‎
Transliteration: shēm
Phonetic Pronunciation: shame
Root: a primitive word [perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position
Cross Reference: TWOT - 2405
Part of Speech: n m
Vine's Words: Name
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Usage Notes:

English Words used in KJV: name 832 renown 7 fame 4 famous 3 named 3 named + 2 famous + 1 infamous + 1 report 1 misc 10 [Total Count: 864]
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a primitive word [perhaps rather from (suwm) through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare (shamayim)]; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character :- + base, [in-] fame [-ous], name (-d), renown, report.

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Vine's defines this word in this way: "name; reputation; memory or renown." Cognates of this word appear in Akkadian, Ugaritic, Phoenician, Aramaic, and Arabic. This word appears about 864 times and in all periods of biblical Hebrew.
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It is not always true that an individual's "name" reveals his essence. Names using foreign loan words and ancient words were probably often not understood. Of course names such as "dog" (Caleb) and "bee" (Deborah) were not indicative of the persons who bore them. Perhaps some names indicated a single decisive characteristic of the bearer. In other cases, a "name" recalls an event or mood which the parent(s) experienced at or shortly before the child's birth and/or naming. Other names make a statement about the individual. This sense of a name as an identification appears in Genesis 2:19 (an early occurence of this word): "...And whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof." On the other hand, the names by which God revealed Himself (‘Adōnāy, ‘El, Elōhîm) do reflect something of His person and work.

Šēm can be a synonym for "reputation" or "fame": "Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name; lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the earth" (Gen. 11:4). To "give a name for one" is to make him famous: "and what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to go make a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land..." (2 Sam. 7:23). If a name goes forth for one, his "reputation" of fame is made known: "And thy renown went forth among the heathen for they beauty..." (Ezek. 16:14). Fame may include power: "and he lifted up his psear against three hundred, and slew them, and had the name among three" (2 Sam. 23:18). This sense, "men of reputation," appears in Gen. 6:4: "...mighty en which were old, men of renown.".

This word is sometimes a synonym for "memory" or "reputation" (that which remains): "...And so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth" (2 Sam. 14:7). In this respect "name" may include property, or an inheritance: "Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father" (Num. 27:4).

Šēm can connote "renown" and "continuance" (in those remaining after one): "And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown" (nu. 16:2). This significance is in the phrase "to raise up his name after him": "What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance" (cf. Deut. 9:14; 25:6; Ruth 4:5). [Vines, Thomas Nelson, 1986]

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Okay, I know this is talking about the Angel of the Lord sent to lead and prepare the way for Israel. However, I zeroed in on verse 21: "Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him."

As I thought about the implications of this passage - I considered how it speaks to our reverence for men called to lead by God. When we rebel against the counsel of godly men, men who are called and minister by the Name, Hashem, of God, we in fact are rebelling against God. It should cause us to exercise care and consider the godly wisdom of the called of God whether they are elected officials, ordained officials or lay people who are fulfilling the calling of God through the anointing of His name.

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It also strikes me the protection from the enemy that exists in the NAME of God and those who are called and anointed by His name. From Vine's we learn the the benefits of His name are a part of our inheritance, a part of the blessing of redemption.
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Exodus 20:7 establishes the importance of God's name, Leviticus 24 sets forth the consequences for forsaking that name, blaspheming it. In my mind blasphemy is more than using the name of God as a curse - though that misuse of a name that brings redemption, love, peace and blessing is enough - I think of it even as overusing it - taking it for granted and using it without proper respect, submission and honor. Even allowing His name to be dishonored by our choices and allowing others to be hurt by our actions and choices when we are representing the name of God. If we revered the name of God as the Israelites of old did, I believe we would truly live differently. We would talk, act and be different than we wholly are because of the Holiness that His name represents. The misuse or misrepresentation of the reputation of God is punishable by death. That should weigh on us and bring us to a new depth of not only honor and service before Him, but in relationship to Him.

Our obedience and our walk (public and private) declares something about the God we profess not only to those we immediately influence in our daily lives, but also to the NATIONS. It brings special honor to us to be called by the name of the Lord, reverence and blessing in both our lives and the lives of our children become evident as we pass on a legacy of faith and reverence for the Holy name of God.
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David had such a humilty and love for the name of the Lord he was concerned that the name of the Lord did not have a permanent dwelling placed but instead traveled around among His people in a tent. He even witnessed what happens when those who care for the articles called by His name are misued and mishandled. Because of his orders and the priests mishandling of the transportation of the ark, one of David's men died because he touched it when the load shifted because they transported it by cart and not hand. Anything called by the name of the Lord bears His reputation and the call to holiness and honor that the Lord Himself demands.

His name is worthy of all our praise and worship. Think of that - the utterance of His name, acknowledging who He is is a reason for worshipping and praising. Who He is, not just what He does. Names scream identity and God created us and redeemed us to be a people of His name - to make Him known and so that others could identify with Him through us. One of the ways is by our expressions of love toward Him and His name.
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Those who love and honor the name of the Lord receive the benefit of His presence and His mercy - He is always faithful to care for those who love Him - love His name.
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Again, as we express our love (worship) for the name of God, we will experience His mercy and His presence in profound and healing ways.
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As I read this... I took me to the place of redemption and the power of the Name of Christ in the life of the believer.

Let's look at some New Testament principles related to His Name.

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1. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:13) It is the name of Christ that brings us restoration and redemption. Relationship with God begins by declaring and calling on the name of the Lord as our Savior.

2. Jesus' name trumps every other name. (Philippians 2:9-11) His name, the name of the Lord, is the name above all names. He is exalted. At His very name, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that He not only is the Christ but that He is Lord of all. They will declare Him Lord to the glory of His Father.

3. Jesus has inherited a name, that by adoption became our name as well at Salvation. (Hebrews 1:3-4) Think of that. The name of Jesus that is higher than every created and angelic being is our own. We have it as a co-heir with Him in the Kingdom of God.

4. The judgment against us is removed by a name given that is only known to God. (Revelations 2:17) In the account of Stephen as he was martyred in the book of Acts, Paul (then Saul) is said to have given his approval to the stoning. During those days the Pharisees cast their judgement by standing in a gathering and casting stones in the center. A white stone represented innocence and a dark stone represented guilt. This is the manner by which a Pharisee executed his judgment or approval toward the stoning and punishment of another. God tells us here that there is a white stone given for us that has a new name written upon it known only to him who receives it. This white stone cancels our old identity in the sinful nature and gives us a new identity in Christ who receives us as His own.

5. When we have finished the race and overcome this world through the power of Christ, we will be placed as a pillar in the eternal temple of God - upon us is written His name. The seal or mark of our eternal inheritance and place in the New Jerusalem. (Revelations 3:12) He is our God and on Him will be written our NEW IDENTITIES!

6. Jesus is called by many names in Scripture but this Revelation 19:11-13 picture of our Bridegroom makes my heart soar. His names as identified here are "Faithful and True," and "the Word of God." In verse 12 we also learn that He has a name written upon Him that no one but He Himself knows. A name unspoken by human lips, unprofaned by the wickedness of man's soul... A Name to redeem all names. He is the Lord and we have much to learn about Him - do we not?

HASHEM... The Name.

As you read the following Scriptures consider what they reveal to you about the sacred nature of God's name: