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‘Yahweh’ not to be used in liturgy, songs and prayers, Cardinal Arinze says
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.- The Hebrew name for God is not to be used or pronounced in liturgical celebrations, songs and prayers, Cardinal Francis Arinze, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, has said in a letter addressed to the bishops’ conferences of the world. The letter concerns the use of the “Tetragrammaton,” the name which uses the four Hebrew letters YHWH. In English the name is pronounced “Yahweh.” Cardinal Arinze’s letter teaches that the Tetragrammaton is to be translated as the equivalent of the Hebrew title “Adonai” or the Greek title “Kyrios.” He lists as examples five acceptable translations of the title in five European languages: Lord, Signore, Seigneur, Herr, and Señor. Regarding translations in the liturgical context, the letter instructs, “Adonai” is to be translated in English as “Lord” and the Tetragrammaton YHWH is to be translated as “God.” “The words of sacred Scripture contained in the Old and New Testament express truth which transcends the limits imposed by time and place,” the letter explains. “They are the word of God expressed in human words, and by means of these words of life, the Holy Spirit introduces the faithful to knowledge of the truth whole and entire, and thus the word of Christ comes to dwell in the faithful in all its richness.” Cardinal Arinze, citing the instruction Liturgiam Authenticam, explains that translators must use the “greatest faithfulness and respect” regarding the name of God. He describes the YHWH as “an expression of the infinite greatness and majesty of God,” which he says “was held to be unpronounceable and hence was replaced during the reading of sacred Scripture by means of the use of an alternate name: Adonai, which means Lord.” This translation tradition has importance for understanding Christ, the cardinal explains, since the title “Lord” in fact “becomes interchangeable between the God of Israel and the Messiah of the Christian faith.” Cardinal Arinze particularly cites St. Paul’s writings in the Letter to the Philippians, in which he wrote: “God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name… every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Bishop Arthur Serratelli, chairman of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Divine Worship, said in a note to U.S. Bishops that the instructions do not force any changes to “official liturgical texts” but might result in “some impact on the use of particular pieces of liturgical music in our country as well as in the composition of variable texts such as the general intercessions for the celebration of the Mass and the other sacraments.” To fulfill the directive, songs with phrases such as “Yahweh, I know you are near” will need to be modified. Subscriber comments:
Published by: Kate
NSW 11/26/2009 03:14 AM EST
NO wonder the church is to stop using the name Yahweh.....it might encourage people to think! The tetragrammatan was written in Hebrew. Therefore-the name "Yahwwh" (God's Holy name) is actually Hebrew, not English. The English version of "Yahweh" is Jehovah.
All bibles in their acknowledgements (in the first few pages) admit that this precious name has been removed. Much older bibles have the name in them over 7,00o times. Ponder over Psalm 83:18. "Lord" is merely a title as is "God", "judge", "counsellor" or "saviour".
Published by: John
New York 10/25/2009 11:50 AM EST
God is very clear how He wants us to address Him... look at Exodus 3:15
And G-d said unto Moses: 'Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel: YHWH, the G-d of your fathers, the G-d of Abraham, the G-d of Isaac, and the G-d of Jacob, hath sent me unto you;
***this is My name for ever, and this is My memorial unto all generations***.
Published by: Liza
Saudi Arabia 09/25/2009 04:16 AM EST
Thanks for this site. I actually search for the meaning of Yahweh word.Because just last night I've been to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in our catholic religious community.As I layed hands to the participant I spoke in tongues and at the end I noticed that I kept shouting the name YAHWEH!Many times as I reached my hand above.Because of that experienced truly I confirmed that Yahweh is the name of God. Aside from Yahweh I had also an experienced shouting the name Eloi many times during tongues. So for me no need to argue with this,these words means God or Father.
Published by: James
stilwell, OK. USA 09/12/2009 12:49 PM EST
Since our Heavenly Father has given His Son a name above every name and it is now "the most holy name" does this mean we must stop pronouncing it as well?
Published by: Gavin Young
Beaverton, OR, USA 06/11/2009 02:17 PM EST  Rate: Good
The leader of the Catholic Church goes by titles of "Pope" (which means "Papa") and "Holy Father" and now he instructs that the name of God the Father not be pronounced in Church services. To me it sounds like he is trying to receive the glory that belongs only to Yahweh God the Father! Revelation 13:6, 8 describes a wild beast which blasphemies God and the name of God and who causes people to worship the wild beast. It sound to me that the Pope is putting is putting himself into a very dangerous position. He needs to repent.
Published by: Fred Freddy
USA 05/18/2009 05:14 PM EST
The logic of sinful humans is truly saturated by the ruler of this world. To debate the pronuncation is silly. Did not the Creator confuse ALL languages? When my little boys called me Da it was the most beautiful thing in the world. I did not chastise them for a simple mispronunciation. Surely our Father who's name is sacred, will be well pleased at our best attempts to praise his name. Even proclaim it from the roof tops if needed. Look at the consonants YHVH. Now try to pronounce the letters. Do you really need a vowel? Is debating or banning (Da's) name santifying or making it Holy? Silly little dust specks need to add water of truth and let the potter mold the clay!
Published by: Jocelyn
Boise Idaho USA 04/21/2009 06:45 PM EST
hey why not Yahweh...it's nice...it beats the heck out of Baal.....Ya!!!!
Published by: Sarah
Lansing, MI 04/02/2009 01:17 PM EST
Do you have an close relationship with someone without knowing their name? I don’t think so! A name is personal and should be used. Jehovah wanted His name to be known, to be used without disrespect, not to be uttered around, to get personal with Him, and get closer to Him. Read Isa. 12:4 and John 17:26. If Jehovah too high to use, why stop using Jesus? Just do what I say and not what I do! I understand, it’s the Devils world. Jehovah wanted us study the truth and let Him be your God, to challenge the Devil is a liar! Will you accept Jehovah?
Published by: gregory samuel
singapore 03/07/2009 06:04 AM EST Rate: Good
Besides... YHWH isn't Jehovah - that's a remarkably bad transliteration. I would be much more irked if someone would mispronounce my name over and over and over again...
Of course, it doesn't mean we have to burn our precious Jerusalem Bibles - but we get to read it the same way the Early Fathers (esp. the Jewish converts) read their manuscripts: pronouncing "the Lord" at each instance of Yahweh. this IS recorded tradition - an ancient one, preserved among our Jewish brethren. Lastly, the pronouncement of a name verbally is considered an act of power over the named object/person - another ancient practice - which still makes sense today: do you not pronounce a person's name unusually well (and even in full) when you want to order that person around? God is close to us in the human person of Jesus, which is why that name remains in common (and hopefully, equally RESPECTFUL) use. No there is no contradiction... Jesus is not the name of the Triune God, but the name of the Son made flesh; who may have a mysterious divine name unknown to us too. Its appearance in ancient manuscripts doesn't mean that King David "pronounced" the Tetragrammaton - it was written as a sort of "placeholder" for liturgical usage. Verbal pronouncement is quite different from the literal representation. Of course, scrupulosity won out and newer scripts simply replaced YHWH with "adonai/elohim". There's much to learn about God... but there's a lot we mix up about our own history to begin with!
Published by: gregory samuel
singapore 03/07/2009 05:46 AM EST
The comments i see here are astounding in their lack of support or even attempt to understand the Magisterium's pronouncement... is everyone here non-catholic?
As a catholic, if one's views clash with the established orthodoxy, one ought to be discerning: am i right? Do i know something which the Magisterium does not? Most likely, at this point, one would realise the need to read further and understand the Magisterium's pronouncement better - are these full-timers (who spend their entire lives on theology, no less) missing something which little-ol'-me has happily discovered? Are they really so stuck in their ivory towers that they really have no idea? If so... how would making some irked reactionary comment on the internet help? The parallel between Mr/guy's name and God/YHWH is a bit difficult to immediately grasp, isn't it? The reality of God's experience is definitely far removed from the individual human mortal's. Is it necessary that while i may feel a little insulted being called "Mister" instead of my own name (which is odd in itself... is that really an insult??), does it automatically follow that God would feel insulted being called "God" instead of "YHWH"? Perhaps a more worthwhile parallel would be that of calling a King by his name - especially by his lowliest subjects. No peasant would gaily saunter up to a great King and simply yell, "Hey Phil!"
Published by: James Alexander
London, UK 01/26/2009 06:17 AM EST Rate: Good
'Yahweh' or 'Jehovah' are not names as such. This comes from a lack of knowledge of biblical Hebrew. When God appeared to Moses and told Moses to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt, Moses asked who was speaking to him. God replied with the cryptic YHWH. Now most Hebrew scholars agree this translates literally as 'I am whatever I shall be' or 'I am that which I am'. As such, it is not a name, but rather the reply that God gave Moses to denote he has no name. It serves to show the awesomeness and mysterious nature of an ever transcendent God - that he has no name and no form which the human mind immediately understands.
YHWH was never a name. It was God's smart reply to Moses when he asked for a name.
Published by: Wayne
Hopewell, VA, USA 01/21/2009 03:53 AM EST
I wonder if Yahweh concerns Himself with what we call Him as much as He concerns Himself with WHETHER we call Him.
Published by: Linda E
New York USA 01/08/2009 02:48 PM EST Rate: Very Good
What poppycock!!! Jehovah is the rightful sovereign of the universe and wants us to know him and use his name. Many say they know God but if they can't even acknowledge and use his name how well do they really know him. Shame on YOu!!! Psalms 83:18 clearly states Jehovah's name. We all like to be called by our names. I would be insulted if someone just called me Mrs. as Jehovah is insulted by the use of God, Lord etc.
Published by: arturo
Trinidad and Tobago 12/18/2008 02:17 PM EST
I was inspired to create music from psalm 23 and 91.I used Yahweh as a chorus line in one of the psalms.I'm going to record it. My intention is not to offend but it was a blessing to me at the time and I can hide it from the world.
Published by: M Calderon
North Carolina 12/09/2008 11:56 PM EST Rate: Good
Yet again, another twisted teaching of the Catholic Church. In the original scriptures, Romans 10:13 tells us that all who call on the name of "Jehovah" will be saved. Jesus said, "Let your name be sanctified" (Mat 6:9,10) Jesus said, "I have made your NAME known to them and will make it known, in order that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in union with them." (John 17:26). And, my favorite: Psalms 83:18, "That MEN MAY KNOW that you, whose name is JEHOVAH, you are the Most High over all the Earth." What an invasion of Jehovah's property! He writes a book, with HIS thoughts, using HIS name as many times as HE wishes, and certain humans take it upon themselves to EDIT God's word and make "necessary changes" that God apparently overlooked? Um, hello? And then they BAN the use of His name Jehovah because they think it's way too holy to use? This makes Jehovah look very inconsistant. He encourages all to USE his name respectfully, and then all of a sudden, his name is BANNED? All those who proudly proclaim Jehovah's name know that He will not only let his name be sanctified, he will also VINDICATE it very soon!
Published by: Lee August
Miami, Florida 12/07/2008 03:21 AM EST
I have watched and read all of your statement and i must say that the real point is missing. The name of Elohim( Yahweh ) is very important to him, just like our names are important to us.
Imagine for one moment that everyone you know begin to call you by their on invention, How would that make you fill? now this is just us; mortals. Can we imagine how the father fills; first they change the saviors name and now they don't want the father's name to be even mention in prayer, well revelation 12;9 is indeed correct; the whole world is drunk with the wine of Babylon and we are all deceived. Yahweh is eternal and Yahshua ( the savior) not Iesus, Jesus or none of those names given by man can save any soul. Solomon asks a question in proverbs 30;4. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fits? who hath bound the waters i n a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell? scripture says it is those that lead my people Israel that cause them to stumble. Please brothers and sisters read prayerfully for your self. HallelluYah.
Published by: Ed Chezick
Troy MI USA 11/24/2008 03:39 PM EST
Well, since most of the songs that use the name are from the charmatic renewal I suspect that this is a way to put an end to that movment in the church.
Published by: Nick Batchelor
Honolulu, Hawaii USA 11/01/2008 10:19 PM EST
Sean O'Mannion, You said that "Yahweh" has no roots in the Catholic faith? What about the Jerusalem Bible that has "Yahweh" in it almost 7,000 times! It is approved as an official Bible in Europe for liturgy usage as well. I also ask: "Did not your Jewish brothers and sisters say God's name in songs and prayer as noted in Scripture?"
If you want to discuss this further feel free to write me directly: nickhawaii@gmail.com Nick Batchelor
Published by: Nick Batchelor
Honolulu, Hawaii USA 10/19/2008 09:04 PM EST
To All Who Love God's Name:
The new directive from the Vatican to stop using the Divine name YHWH (Yahweh) in songs and prayers has no authorization from Scripture. The truth is, no one knows the exact pronunciation of even the Hebrew name "Jesus" which was most likely "Yeshua." This doesn't keep us from expressing the name of God's Son does it? It goes without saying we must have deep reverence for God but where in Scripture are we authorized to pluck out God's name? We can't point to the traditions of the Jews because Jesus said they made the word of God "invalid" because of their man-made traditions. (Matthew 15:1-6) Jesus, on the other hand, came to make God's name known. (John 17:26) He knew the third commandment tells us not to use God's name "disrespectfully" not to stop using it. Beyond that, there are many Bible examples in the Bible of God's servants of old, like Abraham and David, using and saying God's name frequently in song and prayer. Apparantly the angels felt it was fine to praise God using his name. Hallelujah actuall means "praise Jah" Jah being an abbreviated form of Jehovah. (Revelation 19:1) The LXX had God's name, YHWH, all over it before it was eventually removed. This can easily be seen by comparing LXX early manuscripts with later ones. The big question is. Where were scribes given permission to do this? They weren't but did anyway. The Vatican should reexamine their decision to hide this most wonderful name that reig
Published by: Orestes
Miami, Florida USA 10/18/2008 02:49 PM EST
I don't believe this is anything other than an attempt by Vatican bureaucrats to appease orthodox jews who do not use the word Yahweh. I don't believe there is any reason on the planet why the Catholic church should ban the use of this word. We are not jews, we are Christians. We need to concern ourselves with teaching Christian doctrine and not appeasing other faiths who may not agree with us. To me this is just a political accomodation to appease the orthodox jews.
Published by: Pat Taylor
West Palm Beach, FL 10/04/2008 10:03 AM EST
The name of God has been in the Bible for centuries, but man had input as to what has been placed into the Bible. God knows all, and teaches us well, what Man does with it impacts us all! I think we need to ask the Pope on this one! But remember, The Pope is the closest thing to God on this Earth,but he too is a Man and capable of making mistakes! We each need to take the Bible in hand and read up on the subject. I do feel as a human being that no one should be named after any deity, just for this reason! I find it insulting to call a human being by the Lord's name in any form, so in that respect I stand with Cardinal Francis Arinze.
Published by: Douglas Boyd, AoY
Mobile, Alabama USA 10/01/2008 12:20 PM EST
Considering Jeremiah 44:26 and Ezekiel 20:39 I see how the ban on using the sacred name is justified - compare Psalm 50:16. To be sure the righteous will learn and always remember the Name in their prayers and thoughts.
Referring to Yahweh as Lord (Adonay) or Elohim is correct but not as "God"; "God" is the name of an idol and is prohibited by Yahweh in Isaiah 65:11.
Published by: Aine Nichols
Fairland, In, USA 09/27/2008 10:04 AM EST
Who created all languages? When God confused the languages of all people at the Tower of Babel, He created each language; therefore, he understands each language. He understands the translations into other languages. If he did not want us to know his name, he would never have put it in the Bible. To say so, implies that God made a mistake and that man is qualified to correct his mistakes. Regarding the argument of using the proper name of a parent; I call my father dad when I speak to him personally, but when I speak to others about him, I have often called him by his first name. That's not uncommon and certainly not disrespectful. But, I never call or refer to my father by his title, Mr., which is what God is to Jehovah or Yahweh. That is disresptful. God is what Jehovah is, not who he is. Also, if we are to speak to God using the term Father only, how does he know we are talking to him, since Catholics are required to call so many in the Catholic religion Father also. Sounds like someone is putting too much importance on themselves and not the God who created them.
Published by: Rob
Colorado Springs, CO, USA 09/26/2008 11:40 AM EST
A core tenet of Catholicism is the Trinity doctrine. If indeed Jesus IS God, then the *same* rules *must* apply to using the name JESUS as using YHWH or a derivative! Per the Vatican's own logic the name Jesus is *equally* demeaning, or for that matter using *any* proper/personal name.
I respectfully submit to those that argue that using God's 'proper' name is disrespectful, that if they believe the Trinity then using the name Jesus would be hypocritical. Nowhere in scripture are we told to NEVER use God's personal name, commonly recognized as Jehovah in English. If God didn't want us to USE His name at all, what possible reason would he have to TELL us what it was? If God didn't want YHWH in the Bible, why did HE put it in there? Is the Vatican unaware of Rev 22:19? The Cardinal forgot the end of the verse in Philippians: "to the glory of GOD the FATHER". That verse doesn't SUPPORT the Vatican's decision, it condemns it. Jesus' life course on earth proved that his Father's way of ruling is RIGHT; that's WHY he was 'exalted'! See the context. Jesus said of the Father at John 17:26, "I have made your NAME known to them." If the Vatican is correct, then JESUS SINNED. The Vatican is at odds with Jesus himself. A review of John 7:47,48 is warranted. Critically, this verse in Philippians doesn't make ANY reference whatsoever to GOD's name (and banning it), it talks only about JESUS's name.
Published by: Joey George
Mason City Ia 09/25/2008 08:41 PM EST
What a feeble attempt to discredit the only organization that champions Jehovah's name. A substantial number of Jehovah's people are former Catholics. Also yaweh is a hebrew pronunciation like yehoshua instead of joshua. In english its Jehovah. Lastly the hebrew language had NO VOWELS IN ANY WORD. Is their whole language deemed unpronounceable? That is a helenistic view of God's name.
Published by: M .Squirrell
United Kingdom 09/24/2008 07:36 AM EST
Is the Church to ban the use of Halleluyah or Hallelujah which mean Praise Yahweh or Jehovah.
The Greek Septuagint in use in 1st Century uses the Divine Name as have dozens of translation since . One wonders at the motive to suppress the true identity of God as revealed in scripture.
Published by: Rev. S. J. K.
Chicago/IL/USA 09/12/2008 12:32 PM EST
This is very important and timely move. I hope, the US bishops will follow, by calling Hollywood to respect the Name of Jesus in their new productions.
Published by: Chris
Halifax NS Canada 09/10/2008 12:45 PM EST
Just another in what is going to be a long series of ridiculous Vatican adjustments to the liturgy.
Jehovah is a mistranslation of Yahweh.In german j substituted for the Y and v for the w
Published by: Noel C
Ireland 09/08/2008 02:52 PM EST Rate: Excellent
I am really surprised at this, dident Jsus tell us pray 'Our Fathe priase beyou name' How can you praise it if it is not used?. Papa is a title not a name. Also Jesus said to the religious leaders of his day 'You have made Gods word invalid becase of your tradition'. One of those tradition was to avoid using Gods Name YHWH (Yahweh or in english Jehovah). Also reasoning that we don't exactly know how to pronouce so don't use it, was to be accepted, how do we know how to exactly pronounce Jesus or Mary's name? we don't yet of course we use their names.
Published by: Kelly Carney
Appleton, WI USA 09/08/2008 01:12 PM EST Rate: Excellent
God inspired the Bible writers to include the divine name (YHWH) 7,000 times in the scriptures. Abraham, Moses & others deemed faithful used it freely. Jesus made God's name known (John 17:26) Clearly God wants us to know & use his divine name. We must abide by GOD'S wishes.
Published by: Christopher Savarimuthu
Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia 09/04/2008 04:41 AM EST Rate: Regular
Even Jesus taught us to pray "Our Father in heaven, holy be your name.... Children naturally call their own fathers papa, daddy, abba and so forth. So it would be naturally disrespectful to call God the Father by his very own holy name. Yes, I totally agree with the Vatican on this although it is late in coming. "How glorious your name, O Lord".
Published by: Tony
NY USA 09/03/2008 09:14 PM EST
Jesus told us to call God "Father" (the word, of course, conotates "daddy" in the Aramaic. But we shouldn't be calling Goid "dad" although that's how we are to view Him). In our language there needs to be respect because while God is our Father, He is alos the Transcendant Other before Whom we fall prostrate. Besides, although my earthly fahter is also my "dad," I don't refer to him by his proper name. He would remind me: My name is not Anthony to you, it's "Dad" (by the way, because my father is not the Transcendant God I can call him "dad.). Let's obey the Church - the new Israel - and not pronounce the proper Name of God.
Published by: Fr. Sean O'Mannion
Springfield, Mass., USA 09/03/2008 07:09 PM EST Rate: Regular
I think it's a very good move. First off, addressing God as "Yahweh" is not something that has deep roots in our Catholic faith. Secondly, we don't know for certain what the vowels sounds in the Tetragrammaton are (is it "Yahwheh?" what happened to "Jehovah?"). Last, but certainly not least, I think it shows a modicum of respect toward our Jewish brothers and sisters.
Published by: paul zerovnik
lancaster ohio 09/03/2008 11:10 AM EST Rate: Good
I respectfully disagree with Cardinal Francis Arinze. the use of my pa pa's name yaweh should not be interferd with. for what strikes me more as a religious and bureaucratic edict.
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