This morning I was preparing the texts which I was to post on my other Blog “Daily Bible Reading“ (http://apenisa-naigulevu.blogspot.com/) and I came across some texts which highlights the practical issue of translating versus transliteration of the name of Elohim. The texts were taken out of Exodus 3:11-15 and Exodus 6:2-3 which you would know discusses the conversation between Moses and Yahweh about how Moses will introduce Him to the Israelites who were in bondage in Egypt. I wonder if we can discuss these, but before we do let us see the translation that took place.
The Fijian translations relative to the English and Hebrew words (and English transliteration) of Elohim are as follows:
a) Elohim (Hebrew - אלהים) – English: God – Fijian: Kalou
b) YHWH i.e. Yahweh, Yahveh etc (Hebrew יהוה ) – English: Jehovah or LORD –Fijian: Jiova or TURAGA
c) Adonai (Hebrew - אֲדֹנָי ) – English: Lord – Fijian: Turaga
d) Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh (Hebrew - אהיה אשר אהיה) – English: I am that I am – Fijian: Sa Bula Koi Au Vakai Au
e) Ehyeh (Hebrew - אֶהְיֶה) – English: I am - Fijian: Sa Bula Koi Au
f) El Shaddai ( Hebrew: שַׁדַּי אל) - English: God Almighty – Fijian: Kalou Kaukaua Duadua Ga
Let us think about these and take the translated names of Elohim both in English and in Fijian and consider it seriously against the Hebrew names as I have shown above?
Before that consider this bible text which explains what transpired around the burning bush ; Exodus 3:15
“Elohim also said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites, Yahweh, the Elohim of your fathers — the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac and the Elohim of Jacob — has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation”.
Elohim has outlined his name to Moses and qualified it by saying that it was “His name forever” and also said that “it was the name by which He is to be remembered forever”.
When I consider the crux of the message in the text, it becomes very clear that translating Elohim’s name was not a very good idea after all. Of course there are understandable reasons for translating the names, so that people with different languages might understand the concept of an Elohim. Unfortunately by doing so, we inadvertently equate Yahweh Elohim with the pagan deities of our ancestors. In any case it overlooks the fact that the human mind is such that one can quickly adjust ones thinking to accept new things – and the human mind can distinguish differences between what they learn. It would have been better for people to learn the Names of Elohim directly; instead of using substitutes which we concoct from what we think are the meanings of the original Hebrew names? I think so. For the whole of my life till recently I have known Elohim as TURAGA na Kalou (or LORD God), and I pray to him using those words. However through my work pertaining to a new Fijian Translation of the Bible, I am preoccupied with presently, I have slowly become aware of the true sacred names of Elohim and now it is becoming easier for me to rightly distinguish Yahweh, from the host of other deities the human race worship.
The other point appears in Exodus 6:3 which read “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD, I did not make myself known to them”.
This is strictly speaking not a true reflection of what Yahweh said because it deprives one to see the meaning behind the names he used. The text using the transliterated names of Yahweh is as follows:
“I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as El Shaddai, but by my name Yahweh, I have not made myself known to them”.
The Fijian translations relative to the English and Hebrew words (and English transliteration) of Elohim are as follows:
a) Elohim (Hebrew - אלהים) – English: God – Fijian: Kalou
b) YHWH i.e. Yahweh, Yahveh etc (Hebrew יהוה ) – English: Jehovah or LORD –Fijian: Jiova or TURAGA
c) Adonai (Hebrew - אֲדֹנָי ) – English: Lord – Fijian: Turaga
d) Ehyeh-Asher-Ehyeh (Hebrew - אהיה אשר אהיה) – English: I am that I am – Fijian: Sa Bula Koi Au Vakai Au
e) Ehyeh (Hebrew - אֶהְיֶה) – English: I am - Fijian: Sa Bula Koi Au
f) El Shaddai ( Hebrew: שַׁדַּי אל) - English: God Almighty – Fijian: Kalou Kaukaua Duadua Ga
Let us think about these and take the translated names of Elohim both in English and in Fijian and consider it seriously against the Hebrew names as I have shown above?
Before that consider this bible text which explains what transpired around the burning bush ; Exodus 3:15
“Elohim also said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites, Yahweh, the Elohim of your fathers — the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac and the Elohim of Jacob — has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation”.
Elohim has outlined his name to Moses and qualified it by saying that it was “His name forever” and also said that “it was the name by which He is to be remembered forever”.
When I consider the crux of the message in the text, it becomes very clear that translating Elohim’s name was not a very good idea after all. Of course there are understandable reasons for translating the names, so that people with different languages might understand the concept of an Elohim. Unfortunately by doing so, we inadvertently equate Yahweh Elohim with the pagan deities of our ancestors. In any case it overlooks the fact that the human mind is such that one can quickly adjust ones thinking to accept new things – and the human mind can distinguish differences between what they learn. It would have been better for people to learn the Names of Elohim directly; instead of using substitutes which we concoct from what we think are the meanings of the original Hebrew names? I think so. For the whole of my life till recently I have known Elohim as TURAGA na Kalou (or LORD God), and I pray to him using those words. However through my work pertaining to a new Fijian Translation of the Bible, I am preoccupied with presently, I have slowly become aware of the true sacred names of Elohim and now it is becoming easier for me to rightly distinguish Yahweh, from the host of other deities the human race worship.
The other point appears in Exodus 6:3 which read “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD, I did not make myself known to them”.
This is strictly speaking not a true reflection of what Yahweh said because it deprives one to see the meaning behind the names he used. The text using the transliterated names of Yahweh is as follows:
“I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as El Shaddai, but by my name Yahweh, I have not made myself known to them”.
That is El Shaddai against God Almighty and Yahweh against LORD. Let us revisit some of the points we have covered to consider the name El Shaddai as a name of Elohim.
El
El (Hebrew: אל) is used in both the singular and plural, both for other elohims and for the Elohim of Israel. As a name of Elohim, however, it is used chiefly in poetry and prophetic discourse, rarely in prose, and then usually with some epithet attached, as "a jealous Elohim." Other examples of its use with some attribute or epithet are: El ("Most High Elohim"), El Shaddai ("Elohim Almighty"), El `Olam ("Everlasting Elohim"), El Hai ("Living Elohim"), El Ro'i ("Elohim of Seeing"), El Elohe Israel ("Elohim, the Elohim of Israel"), El Gibbor ("Elohim of Strength"). In addition, names such as Gabriel ("Strength of Elohim"), Michael ("He Who is Like Elohim"), Raphael ("Elohim's medicine") and Daniel ("Elohim is My Judge") use Elohim's name in a similar fashion.
Shaddai
The name Shaddai (Hebrew: שַׁדַּי), which occurs both independently and in combination with El, is used as a name of Elohim chiefly in the Book of Job. According to Exodus 6:2, 3, this is the name by which Elohim was known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In the Septuagint and other early translation it was translated with words meaning 'Almighty'.
The root word "shadad" (שדד) means "to overpower" or "to destroy". This would give Shaddai the meaning of "destroyer" as one of the aspects of Elohim.
An alternative view proposed by Albright is that the name is connected to shadayim which means 'breasts' in Hebrew. It may thus be connected to the notion of Elohim’s fertility and blessings of the human race. In several instances it is connected with fruitfulness: “May Elohim Almighty [El Shaddai] bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers . . .” (Gen. 28:3). “I am Elohim Almighty [El Shaddai]: be fruitful and increase in number” (Gen. 35:11). “By the Almighty [El Shaddai] who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts [shadayim] and of the womb [racham] ” (Gen. 49:25).
It is also given a Midrashic interpretation as an acronym standing for 'Guardian of the Doors of Israel' (Hebrew: שׁוֹמֶר דְלָתוֹת יִשְׂרָאֶל), which is commonly found as carvings or writings upon the Mezuzah, a vessel which houses a scroll of parchment with Biblical text written on it, that is situated upon all the doorframes in a home or establishment.
Does “God Almighty” which is used to translate “El Shaddai” even give us a real picture of the concept of Elohim? I do not think so. I think we need to use the translitered name of Elohim and prevent any further confusion.
Any debate over the names of Elohim can be resolved if we merely revert to the use of Elohim in Hebrew or its English transliteration.
Let me caution though that this is not about the names alone. This is about the worship of Yahweh Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Christianity is a religion which has set its credos and its forms of worship and its holidays and customs and traditions. I have no intention of upsetting the “apple cart” as the saying goes. It reminds me of the story of the prophet Elijah when he confronted the prophets of Baal.
The story is in I King 18 and I begin in verse 20 through to verse 39:
"So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came unto all the people and said, "How long halt you between two opinions? If Yahweh be Elohim, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people answered him not a word. 22 Then said Elijah unto the people, "I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Yahweh, but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks. And let them choose one bullock for themselves and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood and put no fire under it; and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under it. 24 And call ye on the name of your elohims, and I will call on the name of Yahweh; and the Elohim that answered by fire, let Him be Elohim." And all the people answered and said, "It is well spoken." 25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, "Choose you one bullock for yourselves and dress it first, for ye are many; and call on the name of your elohim, but put no fire under it." 26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, "O Baal, hear us!" But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 27 And it came to pass at noon that Elijah mocked them and said, "Cry aloud, for he is an elohim! Either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he sleepeth and must be awakened." 28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves according to their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. 30 And Elijah said unto all the people, "Come near unto me." And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of Yahweh that was broken down. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of Yahweh came, saying, "Israel shall be thy name." 32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of Yahweh, and he made a trench about the altar as great as would contain two measures of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood and said, "Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood." 34 And he said, "Do it the second time." And they did it the second time. And he said, "Do it the third time." And they did it the third time. 35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. 36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "Yahweh Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that Thou art Elohim in Israel, and that I am Thy servant, and that I have done all these things at Thy word. 37 Hear me, O Yahweh! Hear me, that this people may know that Thou art Yahweh Elohim, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again." 38 Then the fire of Yahweh fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and they said, "Yahweh, He is Elohim! Yahweh, He is Elohim!" (Please note that I have substituted the words LORD God with Yahweh Elohim as it should.)
This is an interesting episode in the promotion of Yahweh the one true Elohim creator of the universe. Elijah posed a question to us today and let me repeat it,
“And Elijah came unto all the people and said, "How long halt ye between two opinions? If Yahweh be Elohim, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him." (I King 18: 21)
It is interesting that the name Baal was transliterated but the words Yahweh Elohim was translated to LORD God. It is, I think an unforgivable act; and now needs to be corrected. It is time that we shout out "Yahweh, He is Elohim! Yahweh, He is Elohim!"
Till my next installment please seriously consider Yahweh’s Name the one and only Elohim. Translating Yahweh’s name was not fair really to us all, if we think about this issue seriously.
El
El (Hebrew: אל) is used in both the singular and plural, both for other elohims and for the Elohim of Israel. As a name of Elohim, however, it is used chiefly in poetry and prophetic discourse, rarely in prose, and then usually with some epithet attached, as "a jealous Elohim." Other examples of its use with some attribute or epithet are: El ("Most High Elohim"), El Shaddai ("Elohim Almighty"), El `Olam ("Everlasting Elohim"), El Hai ("Living Elohim"), El Ro'i ("Elohim of Seeing"), El Elohe Israel ("Elohim, the Elohim of Israel"), El Gibbor ("Elohim of Strength"). In addition, names such as Gabriel ("Strength of Elohim"), Michael ("He Who is Like Elohim"), Raphael ("Elohim's medicine") and Daniel ("Elohim is My Judge") use Elohim's name in a similar fashion.
Shaddai
The name Shaddai (Hebrew: שַׁדַּי), which occurs both independently and in combination with El, is used as a name of Elohim chiefly in the Book of Job. According to Exodus 6:2, 3, this is the name by which Elohim was known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In the Septuagint and other early translation it was translated with words meaning 'Almighty'.
The root word "shadad" (שדד) means "to overpower" or "to destroy". This would give Shaddai the meaning of "destroyer" as one of the aspects of Elohim.
An alternative view proposed by Albright is that the name is connected to shadayim which means 'breasts' in Hebrew. It may thus be connected to the notion of Elohim’s fertility and blessings of the human race. In several instances it is connected with fruitfulness: “May Elohim Almighty [El Shaddai] bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers . . .” (Gen. 28:3). “I am Elohim Almighty [El Shaddai]: be fruitful and increase in number” (Gen. 35:11). “By the Almighty [El Shaddai] who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts [shadayim] and of the womb [racham] ” (Gen. 49:25).
It is also given a Midrashic interpretation as an acronym standing for 'Guardian of the Doors of Israel' (Hebrew: שׁוֹמֶר דְלָתוֹת יִשְׂרָאֶל), which is commonly found as carvings or writings upon the Mezuzah, a vessel which houses a scroll of parchment with Biblical text written on it, that is situated upon all the doorframes in a home or establishment.
Does “God Almighty” which is used to translate “El Shaddai” even give us a real picture of the concept of Elohim? I do not think so. I think we need to use the translitered name of Elohim and prevent any further confusion.
Any debate over the names of Elohim can be resolved if we merely revert to the use of Elohim in Hebrew or its English transliteration.
Let me caution though that this is not about the names alone. This is about the worship of Yahweh Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Christianity is a religion which has set its credos and its forms of worship and its holidays and customs and traditions. I have no intention of upsetting the “apple cart” as the saying goes. It reminds me of the story of the prophet Elijah when he confronted the prophets of Baal.
The story is in I King 18 and I begin in verse 20 through to verse 39:
"So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto Mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came unto all the people and said, "How long halt you between two opinions? If Yahweh be Elohim, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people answered him not a word. 22 Then said Elijah unto the people, "I, even I only, remain a prophet of the Yahweh, but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks. And let them choose one bullock for themselves and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood and put no fire under it; and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under it. 24 And call ye on the name of your elohims, and I will call on the name of Yahweh; and the Elohim that answered by fire, let Him be Elohim." And all the people answered and said, "It is well spoken." 25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, "Choose you one bullock for yourselves and dress it first, for ye are many; and call on the name of your elohim, but put no fire under it." 26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, "O Baal, hear us!" But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. 27 And it came to pass at noon that Elijah mocked them and said, "Cry aloud, for he is an elohim! Either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he sleepeth and must be awakened." 28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves according to their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. 29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. 30 And Elijah said unto all the people, "Come near unto me." And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of Yahweh that was broken down. 31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of Yahweh came, saying, "Israel shall be thy name." 32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of Yahweh, and he made a trench about the altar as great as would contain two measures of seed. 33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood and said, "Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood." 34 And he said, "Do it the second time." And they did it the second time. And he said, "Do it the third time." And they did it the third time. 35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. 36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "Yahweh Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that Thou art Elohim in Israel, and that I am Thy servant, and that I have done all these things at Thy word. 37 Hear me, O Yahweh! Hear me, that this people may know that Thou art Yahweh Elohim, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again." 38 Then the fire of Yahweh fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and they said, "Yahweh, He is Elohim! Yahweh, He is Elohim!" (Please note that I have substituted the words LORD God with Yahweh Elohim as it should.)
This is an interesting episode in the promotion of Yahweh the one true Elohim creator of the universe. Elijah posed a question to us today and let me repeat it,
“And Elijah came unto all the people and said, "How long halt ye between two opinions? If Yahweh be Elohim, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him." (I King 18: 21)
It is interesting that the name Baal was transliterated but the words Yahweh Elohim was translated to LORD God. It is, I think an unforgivable act; and now needs to be corrected. It is time that we shout out "Yahweh, He is Elohim! Yahweh, He is Elohim!"
Till my next installment please seriously consider Yahweh’s Name the one and only Elohim. Translating Yahweh’s name was not fair really to us all, if we think about this issue seriously.
