I-Am-Who-I-Am
-hebraicstudies.net-
Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I may use any of
three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), three brilliant versions, However, the
JPS-1917 is my preferred version!
Colour coded details of
our beloved TaNaKh:
1. Torah =
History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books -
Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or
Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of
Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history
of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please
Note: Some alterations or
(additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God),
having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the
following truth from our beloved Torah!
“Ye
shall NOT ADD
TO THE WORD which I command
you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT,
that ye may keep the commandments of אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim -
Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).
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The Real
Meaning of Elohim’s Sacred Name
With Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
The phrase - אֶהְיֶה
אֲשֶׁר
אֶהְיֶה - “I Am Who I Am” is found in Exodus Chapter 3,
verse 14, where אֱלֹהִים - Elohim identifies
Himself to Moses during their encounter at the ‘burning bush’ on ‘Mount Horeb’.
This foundational verse that is sometimes interpreted as, “I will be what I
will be”, serves as a declaration of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s ‘existence’
and ‘eternal nature’.
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When we the Hebrew people were enslaved in
Indeed, we Hebrews, having languished under the whips of our oppressors, did not need to know that אֱלֹהִים exists. And we needed to know that He was present with us. And that is precisely what אֱלֹהִים announced to Moses and memorialized in His Name יְהוָה, as defined by the verb ‘ehyeh’.
The
Meaning of אֱלֹהִים’s Name at the
Burning Bush:
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim explained the meaning of His Name יְהוָה - ‘Yod-Hey-Vav-Hey’ - ‘Y-H-V-H’ - the LORD and this was given while commissioning Moses at the burning bush. And there He instructed Moses.
Let us read Exodus 3:14-15. (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh)
“And אֱלֹהִים said unto Moses: ‘I AM
THAT I AM’; and He said: ‘Thus shalt thou say unto the children of
אֱלֹהִים - Elohim explained the meaning of יְהוָה by placing it in parallel with the similar-sounding Hebrew term “I am” (ehyeh, from the root hayah). יְהוָה is אֱלֹהִים’s personal Name.
His words was so closely identified with His
being, however suddenly long after Hebrews had been using the Sacred Name for
centuries in prayer and during studies, etc, when priests and rabbis suddenly decided
that the Name must never be used again, instead we had to use the words
(Instead of His blessed Name) and now use ‘HaShem’ (‘the Name) or ‘Adonai’ (‘Lord’).
The question was that what had our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim wanted? The truth is that there
are a number of chapters with verses that say the complete opposite to these priests!
It is no wonder that אֱלֹהִים cursed these priests,
who were followed by rabbis.
Let
us read Malachi chapter 2, verses 1 to 3.
“And now, this commandment is for you, O ye priests. If ye will not hearken, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto My Name, saith the LORD of hosts, then will I send the curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; yea, I curse them, because ye do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will rebuke the seed for your hurt, and will spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your sacrifices; and ye shall be taken away unto it”.
Remember what we read before in Exodus 3:15, and then there is even more:
“And אֱלֹהִים said moreover unto Moses: 'Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel: יְהוָה - the LORD, the אֱלֹהִים of your fathers, the אֱלֹהִים of Abraham, the אֱלֹהִים of Isaac, and the אֱלֹהִים of Jacob, hath sent me unto you; this is My Name forever, and this is My memorial unto all generations”.
Psalm
105:1:
Scripture explicitly commands active use of the Divine Name unto others:
“O give thanks unto יְהוָה - the LORD, call upon His Name; make known His doings among the peoples”. (This verse is repeated similarly in 1 Chronicles 16:8).
Isaiah
12:4:
We are instructed to actively invoke and declare His identity!
“Give thanks unto יְהוָה - the LORD, proclaim His Name, declare His doings among the peoples, make mention that His Name is exalted”.
Joel 2:5: אֱלֹהִים promises deliverance to those who
explicitly invoke Him:
“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Name of the LORD shall be delivered”.
Psalm
116:13: The Psalmist resolves to use and invoke the Name in prayer and
offerings:
“I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the Name of יְהוָה - the LORD”.
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אֱלֹהִים has many titles in our beloved Scripture, such as “Elohim”, “Father,” “Almighty,” “King,” and “Saviour”. Each of his titles reveals another of his many roles and attributes. But “יְהוָה” is not a title, it is His blessed Name!
It is so vital for us to understand our אֱלֹהִים of our Tanakh. For it reveals to us not just that אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim exists, but also that He is near to His people in love!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be
He, said the following through a via of our
prophets...
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Please Note: “hebraicstudies”
links are located down the page!
This site was originally created, for those
who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work
on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and
always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance,
for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He!
However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of
studies!
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“The More Torah,
the More Life”,
For Elohim is the One who gave us our ... “Life!”
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom =
Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD
of hosts, be with you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat,
as well as the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and
continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before
food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
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