Coming from EH, many have questioned my use of hebrew words, in
explanation for why I do so, I am putting an exerpt from Brad Scott
from Wildbranch Ministries as to why it is important to me at
least. I hope that this will bless you.
These next few weeks we will talk about why we use Hebrew words,
terms, and phrases. Many ask why we use these "foreign" words when
all of us speak English. "What does this language have to do with
me?" I am often asked.
So, let's begin with a word we probably use the most. YESHUA! Why
don't we just say Jesus? Well, quite frankly, on this forum I
usually do. This forum is designed to discuss more fundamental
issues and teaching. So I do my best not to clutter up things by
using terms that may not yet be familiar. On our teaching tapes and
seminars we generally use Yeshua. There are many reasons for this,
and I have chosen a few to stop and discuss. The number one reason
is because that is His name. Yeshua is the name that our Lord,
after taking on flesh, was given. In Mattityahu (Matthew) 1:25 it
says, "And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn
son; and he called his name JESUS." The word Jesus is a
transliteration of the Greek word, Iesous which is a
transliteration of his given name in Hebrew, YESHUA. In every day
language that means that Jesus is the best English way to say
Yeshua. But, at the time He was named, Yeshua is what His name was.
In much the same way, the English word "James" is from the Greek
word Iakobos which is from his Hebrew name Ya'akov. So, one might
ask, what difference does it make what we call Him? Well, if you
are well acquainted with what His real name means (Salvation), then
it probably makes a big difference. Let me explain why. (See
editor's note at the end of this article.)
When you read and study the Tenakh (Old Testament) you will soon
notice a verse that contains the name of someone. It also gives you
the reason they called the person by that name in the same verse.
Sometimes it is the verse before or the verse after, but it is
usually there. YHVH has a reason for recording this. Many times it
helps you to understand the immediate text, such as Adam's name
meaning man, red, or ruddy. In B'reshith (Genesis) 2:7 'Elohiym
forms man (adam) out of the dust of the ground (adamah). This
naming gives us much insight into the relationship that man has
with the earth and the ground. You see in this verse a wonderful
play on this word. Adam was taken from the adamah. Then in Chapter
3, verse 19 we are told that because of Adam's sin he will return
to the adamah. There is a very real relationship that man has with
the ground. The adamah also has many of the same commandments as
the man. We are commanded to tithe of the fruit of the ground. We
are also told to rest the land on the seventh year. In the Brit
Chadashah we are told in Romans 8:20 - 22 that the creation itself
is groaning to be delivered. We are told in 1 Corinthians 5:17 that
we are a new (actually the word is renewed) creation. In the book
of Hitgalut (Revelation) we are told that there is also a new
heaven and a new earth to come. I could go on and on, for YHVH
paints many pictures in what He chooses to name things. These
pictures cannot be understood in English or Greek. They must be
taken back to their Hebrew original. I hope we have shown that this
is true concerning what all of the Brit Chadashah says.
Let me give you a mind blowing (idiom!) example of how important it
is to know the meaning behind a particular word in Hebrew. Many who
read or study the Scriptures tend to skip over the dozens of
genealogies, but YHVH has chosen them to reveal the names of Adam
and his children, from Adam to Noach for good reason. As you read
B'reshith chapter 5 in the English you would never be able to pick
up the purpose of these names, but YHVH has a definite purpose, and
the various transliterations from the original lose this purpose.
In the 5th Chapter beginning at verse 4 it reads in the English
transliteration that Adam begot Seth who begot Enosh who begot
Kenan who begot Mahal'alel who begot Jared who begot Enoch who
begot Methu'selah who begot Lamech who begot Noah. Now, what do
these Hebrew names mean? Well, Adam means man, Seth means
appointed, Enosh means mortal, Kenan means sorrow, Mahal'alel means
the blessed God, Jared means to come down or shall come down, Enoch
means teaching, Methu'selah means his death shall bring, Lamech
means the despairing, and Noah means comfort or rest. Now, God also
chose to reveal these names in this particular order as well. Let's
put it all together. MAN APPOINTED MORTAL SORROW (but the) BLESSED
GOD SHALL COME DOWN TEACHING (that) HIS DEATH SHALL BRING THE
DESPAIRING COMFORT! WOW!! The gospel really was preached to Avraham
and way before Avraham. Is this just coincidence? I don't think
so.
Well, that's all for this week. Next week we will continue with
this theme "What's in a name".
Shalom Alecheim!
Editor's note: The reality that we must face is that our LORD's
name in the flesh is Yeshua. The word Iesous and Jesus is a western
attempt to transliterate His given name. Scriptural translators
should be in the business of translating and not transliterating.
There is no reason to transliterate His given name, especially when
the translation or meaning must come from the given name.
Transliterations most generally confuse and pervert the original
meaning. This can be seen in many foreign cultures today. When Coca
Cola is introduced to Japan, they do not attempt to transliterate
the word into their language. Coca Cola, in Japan, is pronounced
Coca Cola! Our Savior's name is Yeshua, so why not call Him
Yeshua?!
