THE SACRED NAMES

Yahuah and Yahusha: Restoring the Name Above All Names

TRUTH CARRIERS EDUCATION SYSTEM
Torah Foundations Series - Adult Core

ABOUT THIS WORKBOOK

Introduction: The divine name YHWH (יהוה) appears approximately 6,828 times in the Hebrew Scriptures—making it the MOST frequently occurring name for Elohim. Yet most English Bibles replace it with "LORD." This workbook examines the linguistic, historical, and scriptural evidence for the sacred names, exploring why Jews stopped pronouncing the Name, how "Jehovah" was created, and the scholarly case for "Yahweh" or "Yahuah" as the original pronunciation.

What You Will Learn:

Key Scripture Themes:

Sacred Names Used: Yahuah (Creator), Yahusha (Messiah/Son), Elohim (God)

Target Audience: Adults seeking biblical truth about the divine names

Study Time: 8-10 hours (8 comprehensive lessons)

Scholarly Balance: This workbook presents evidence fairly. Scholarly consensus favors "Yahweh" based on Greek transcriptions and Samaritan tradition. "Yahuah" has proponents based on theophoric name evidence. Both are infinitely superior to "Jehovah" (a medieval hybrid) or generic "LORD" (title substitution). The key is knowing HIS NAME exists and should be honored, regardless of minor pronunciation uncertainty.

Opening Prayer: "Father in heaven, reveal Your true Name to us. Open our eyes to see what has been hidden by tradition. Give us understanding of the Hebrew language, the historical evidence, and most importantly, the heart to honor You by Your actual Name, not substitutes created by man. In Yahusha's name, amen."

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. The Tetragrammaton (YHWH) - Four Letters, 6,828 Times
  2. Exodus 3:14-15 - "I AM WHO I AM" Becomes YHWH
  3. Pronunciation Evidence - The Scholarly Debate
  4. "Jehovah" - A Medieval Hybrid Mistake
  5. The History of Name Substitution - How We Lost It
  6. The Third Commandment - What It Really Says
  7. The Son's Name - Yeshua/Yahusha, Not "Jesus"
  8. Practical Application - Living with the Sacred Names

THE TETRAGRAMMATON

יהוה

(Read right to left: Yod-Hey-Waw-Hey)

Hebrew Letter Name Sound
י Yod /y/ (as in "yes")
ה Hey /h/ (aspirated)
ו Waw/Vav /w/ or /v/
ה Hey /h/ (final)

HOW TO USE THIS WORKBOOK

The Truth Carriers Learning Method — 6 Rs

This workbook uses the 6 Rs Learning Method designed for deep understanding and long-term retention. Each lesson includes all six components:

1. RECEIVE
Read the teaching content carefully. Take notes. Look up Scripture references.
2. REFLECT
Complete fill-in-blanks, multiple choice, true/false, and discussion questions.
3. RECALL
Close the book and write everything you remember. Check what you missed.
4. RECITE
Teach what you learned to someone else. Teaching deepens understanding.
5. REVIEW
Use the spaced review tracker. Review at Day 1, 3, 7, 21, and 60.
6. RESPOND
Apply what you learned. Do something with this knowledge this week.

For Best Results:

LESSON 1: THE TETRAGRAMMATON (YHWH) - FOUR LETTERS, 6,828 TIMES

Understanding the Four Letters

The most frequently occurring name for the Creator in Scripture is the Tetragrammaton—four Hebrew letters that spell the divine name.

Hebrew: יהוה (Read right to left)

Transliteration: YHWH or YHVH

Letters: Yod (י) + Hey (ה) + Waw (ו) + Hey (ה)

How Often Does YHWH Appear?

The Tetragrammaton appears approximately 6,828 times in the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh)—making it the MOST frequently occurring name for Elohim in the entire Bible.

Yet most English Bibles replace it with "LORD" in all capitals.

The Meaning from Exodus 3:14

Exodus 3:14-15
And Elohim said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" Moreover Elohim said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'YHWH 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, and this is My memorial to all generations.'"

Hebrew: אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה (Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh) = "I AM WHO I AM" or "I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE"

Connection to YHWH: The name YHWH comes from the Hebrew verb הָיָה (hayah, "to be"). It expresses eternal self-existence, covenant faithfulness, and the One who causes all things to be.

Fill in the blanks:

1. The Tetragrammaton consists of ________ Hebrew letters.


2. YHWH appears approximately ________ times in the Hebrew Scriptures.


3. Exodus 3:14 says "I ________ WHO I ________"


4. YHWH comes from the Hebrew verb meaning "to ________"


5. Exodus 3:15 says "This is My name ________"
True or False:




Discussion Question:
Why do you think the name that appears 6,828 times was replaced with a title ("LORD") in most Bibles?

Multiple Choice

1. How many times does the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) appear in the Hebrew Scriptures?

○ A) About 500 times   ○ B) About 2,000 times   ○ C) About 6,828 times   ○ D) About 10,000 times

2. What Hebrew verb is YHWH derived from?

○ A) Amar (to say)   ○ B) Hayah (to be)   ○ C) Qadash (to sanctify)   ○ D) Shamar (to keep)

3. In Exodus 3:15, what does Elohim say about His name?

○ A) "This is My name for this generation"   ○ B) "This is My name forever"   ○ C) "This name must be kept secret"   ○ D) "This name should be replaced"

📖 SCRIPTURE MEMORY: Exodus 3:15

"Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: YHWH Elohim of your fathers... has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations."

Day 1: Read aloud 5 times

Day 2-3: Practice reciting

Day 3: Write from memory

Day 7: Recite to someone

Day 21: Review

Write from memory:

📝 RECALL EXERCISE

Close this workbook. Write everything you remember about the Tetragrammaton: how many letters, how many times it appears, its meaning from Exodus 3:14, and its connection to "to be."

Items I need to review:

🗣️ TEACH-BACK CHALLENGE

Explain to someone what the Tetragrammaton is, how often it appears in Scripture, and what Exodus 3:14-15 reveals about its meaning.

Person I taught: Date:

One question they asked:

🎯 APPLICATION STEP

Before the next lesson, complete ONE of the following:

Search your Bible for how it renders the Tetragrammaton (LORD vs. YHWH)
Practice writing the four Hebrew letters: י ה ו ה
Share with someone that YHWH appears 6,828 times in Scripture
Other:

What I did:

LESSON 2: EXODUS 3:14-15 - "I AM WHO I AM" BECOMES YHWH

The Divine Self-Revelation

Exodus 3:13-15 (Detailed Analysis)
Verse 13: Then Moses said to Elohim, "Indeed, when I come to the children of Israel and say to them, 'The Elohim of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they say to me, 'What is His name?' what shall I say to them?"

Moses asked a specific question: "What is His NAME?" Not "What should I call you?" but "What is Your NAME?"

The Hebrew Text of Exodus 3:14

Hebrew: אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה

Transliteration: Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh

Word-by-word:

The Grammatical Shift to Third Person

In verse 14, Elohim speaks in the first person: "I AM" (Ehyeh)

In verse 15, the name shifts to third person: "HE IS" or "HE WILL BE"

Person Hebrew Form Meaning
First Person (God speaking) אֶהְיֶה (Ehyeh) "I AM" / "I WILL BE"
Third Person (we speaking) יהוה (YHWH) "HE IS" / "HE WILL BE"

This is why YHWH means "He who is" or "He who causes to be"—it's the third-person form of what Elohim declared about Himself in first person.

Covenant Significance

Key phrase from verse 15:
"This is My name forever (לְעֹלָם/l'olam), and this is My memorial to all generations (לְדֹר דֹּר/l'dor dor)."

לְעֹלָם (l'olam, Strong's H5769) = forever, perpetually, to the age, everlasting

זִכְרִי (zikhri) = "My memorial" (from זָכַר/zakhar, "to remember")

לְדֹר דֹּר (l'dor dor) = "from generation to generation"

Fill in the blanks:

1. Moses asked "What is His ________?"


2. אֶהְיֶה (Ehyeh) is the ________ person form meaning "I AM"


3. יהוה (YHWH) is the ________ person form meaning "HE IS"


4. Exodus 3:15 says this name is for ________


5. The name is a memorial to all ________
Discussion Question:
Why is it significant that Elohim answered Moses's question "What is Your NAME?" with a specific name rather than just a title?

Multiple Choice

1. What Hebrew phrase means "I AM WHO I AM"?

○ A) Elohim Echad   ○ B) Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh   ○ C) Adonai Elohim   ○ D) El Shaddai

2. What does "l'olam" (לְעֹלָם) mean in Exodus 3:15?

○ A) Temporarily   ○ B) For this age only   ○ C) Forever/Everlasting   ○ D) Conditionally

3. What grammatical form is YHWH compared to Ehyeh?

○ A) Both are first person   ○ B) Ehyeh is 1st person, YHWH is 3rd person   ○ C) Both are third person   ○ D) YHWH is 1st person, Ehyeh is 3rd person

📖 SCRIPTURE MEMORY: Exodus 3:14

"And Elohim said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' And He said, 'Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: I AM has sent me to you.'"

Day 1: Read aloud 5 times

Day 2-3: Practice reciting

Day 3: Write from memory

Day 7: Recite to someone

Day 21: Review

Write from memory:

📝 RECALL EXERCISE

Close this workbook. Write the connection between "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh" (I AM) and YHWH (HE IS). Include what "l'olam" and "l'dor dor" mean.

Items I need to review:

🗣️ TEACH-BACK CHALLENGE

Explain to someone the grammatical connection between "I AM" (Ehyeh) and YHWH (He IS), and why Exodus 3:15 says this name is "forever."

Person I taught: Date:

One question they asked:

🎯 APPLICATION STEP

Before the next lesson, complete ONE of the following:

Memorize the Hebrew phrase "Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh"
Look up "l'olam" in a concordance and find other places it's used
Share Exodus 3:14-15 with someone and discuss its meaning
Other:

What I did:

LESSON 3: PRONUNCIATION EVIDENCE - THE SCHOLARLY DEBATE

The Problem: No Vowels in Ancient Hebrew

Ancient Hebrew was written with consonants only. The four letters יהוה tell us the consonants (Y-H-W-H), but the original vowels were passed down orally—until Jews stopped pronouncing the Name around the 3rd century BCE.

The Masoretic Vowel Points

Between the 6th-10th centuries CE, Jewish scribes called Masoretes added vowel points (dots and dashes) to preserve pronunciation of Hebrew Scripture.

Critical fact: When they came to יהוה, they deliberately added the vowels from אֲדֹנָי (Adonai, "Lord") to signal readers to say "Adonai" instead of the actual Name.

This created the impossible hybrid: יְהֹוָה = YHWH consonants + Adonai vowels = never meant to be pronounced

Evidence for "Yahweh" Pronunciation

Scholarly Consensus: Yahweh (יַהְוֶה)

1. Greek Transliterations

Greek "Iaoue" = Yah-weh (Greek lacks 'h' sound, uses vowels to approximate)

2. Samaritan Tradition

Samaritans (who separated from Jews before pronunciation was lost) preserved pronunciation as "Yahweh" or "Yabe"

3. Modern Linguistic Analysis

The qal imperfect form of הָיָה (hayah, "to be") in third person would be pronounced yihweh → contracted to Yahweh

Evidence for "Yahuah" Pronunciation

Alternative View: Yahuah (יַהוּאַה)

1. Theophoric Name Suffixes

Biblical names ending in -YAHU (יָהוּ) suggest the divine name included "Yahu":

2. Elephantine Papyri

5th-4th century BCE Jewish documents from Egypt show the divine name as YHW (pronounced "Yaho" or "Yahu")

3. Full Three-Syllable Form

Some argue the name was three syllables: Ya-hu-ah, with theophoric names preserving the first two syllables

Scholarly Balance

Consensus: "Yahweh" has the strongest scholarly support based on Greek transcriptions and Samaritan tradition.

Alternative: "Yahuah" has proponents based on theophoric name evidence (the -yahu suffix pattern).

Certainty: The short form YAH (יָהּ) is virtually certain—it appears in Psalm 68:4, Exodus 15:2, and forms "Hallelu-YAH" (Praise Yah).
Fill in the blanks:

1. Ancient Hebrew was written without ________


2. The Masoretes added vowels from ________ to YHWH


3. Clement of Alexandria wrote the name as ________


4. Theophoric names like Eliyahu end with the suffix ________


5. The short form ________ appears in "Halleluyah"
Discussion Question:
Based on the evidence presented, which pronunciation do you find more convincing, and why? Or does the uncertainty matter?

Multiple Choice

1. What did the Masoretes add to the Hebrew text?

○ A) New words   ○ B) Vowel points   ○ C) Translations   ○ D) Chapter numbers

2. What vowels did the Masoretes put under YHWH?

○ A) The actual YHWH vowels   ○ B) Vowels from Adonai   ○ C) Greek vowels   ○ D) No vowels

3. Theophoric names ending in "-yahu" (like Eliyahu) suggest the Name starts with:

○ A) Je-   ○ B) Ya-   ○ C) Yo-   ○ D) Ah-

📖 SCRIPTURE MEMORY: Psalm 83:18

"That they may know that You, whose name alone is YHWH, are the Most High over all the earth."

Day 1: Read aloud 5 times

Day 2-3: Practice reciting

Day 3: Write from memory

Day 7: Recite to someone

Day 21: Review

Write from memory:

📝 RECALL EXERCISE

Close this workbook. Write the evidence for "Yahweh" pronunciation and the evidence for "Yahuah." Include what theophoric names teach us.

Items I need to review:

🗣️ TEACH-BACK CHALLENGE

Explain to someone why the original pronunciation of YHWH was lost and what evidence scholars use to reconstruct it.

Person I taught: Date:

One question they asked:

🎯 APPLICATION STEP

Before the next lesson, complete ONE of the following:

Look up theophoric names in your Bible (Elijah, Isaiah, Zechariah) and note the "-yahu" pattern
Practice pronouncing both "Yahweh" and "Yahuah"
Research the Elephantine Papyri online
Other:

What I did:

LESSON 4: "JEHOVAH" - A MEDIEVAL HYBRID MISTAKE

How "Jehovah" Was Created

The Hybrid Explained

Step 1: YHWH consonants (יהוה) = Y-H-W-H

Step 2: Add vowels from Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) = a-o-a

Step 3: Combine = YaHoWaH → Jehovah (with Latin J and V)

Result: A name that NEVER EXISTED in Hebrew

Imagine if someone took the consonants from "Smith" (SMTH) and added vowels from "Jones" (o-e) to create "Smoth"—that's exactly what happened with "Jehovah."

The Timeline of "Jehovah"

Date Event
c. 1100-1270 CE First hybrid form appears in medieval Latin manuscripts
1518 CE Petrus Galatinus popularizes "Iehovah" in De Arcanis Catholicae Veritatis
1611 CE King James Bible uses "Jehovah" in 4 places (Exodus 6:3, Psalm 83:18, Isaiah 12:2, 26:4)
1872 CE Charles Taze Russell founds what becomes Jehovah's Witnesses, popularizing the form
1952 CE Revised Standard Version removes "Jehovah" entirely, using "LORD" instead

Why "Jehovah" is Linguistically Impossible

1. The Shewa Vowel Problem

The first vowel under Y in יְהֹוָה is a shewa (ְ) = short "e" sound, creating "Yeh-"

But this vowel came from Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), which begins with an aleph. When aleph takes a shewa, it's pronounced; when yod takes a shewa, it's silent or very short.

Result: No Hebrew word begins with "Yeh-ho-" using these vowel patterns

2. No Historical Manuscript Evidence

Zero ancient Hebrew manuscripts, inscriptions, or rabbinical texts pronounce the name as "Jehovah"—it only appears after medieval Christian scribes misunderstood the Masoretic vowel pointing system.

Scholarly Verdict

Encyclopedia Britannica: "Jehovah, artificial Latinized rendering of the name of the God of Israel... The pronunciation 'Jehovah' was unknown until 1520."

Jewish Encyclopedia: "Jehovah—a mispronunciation of the Hebrew YHWH the name of God. This pronunciation is grammatically impossible."

Catholic Encyclopedia: "Jehovah is a false reading... the true pronunciation of the name was never lost."
Fill in the blanks:

1. "Jehovah" was created by combining YHWH ________ with Adonai ________


2. The form "Jehovah" first appeared around ________ CE


3. Petrus Galatinus popularized the form in ________ CE


4. "Jehovah" is linguistically ________ in Hebrew


5. The pronunciation "Jehovah" was unknown until ________
True or False:




Discussion Question:
If "Jehovah" is a medieval mistake, why do you think it became so popular, especially among certain religious groups?

Multiple Choice

1. "Jehovah" is a hybrid combining YHWH consonants with vowels from:

○ A) Elohim   ○ B) Adonai   ○ C) El Shaddai   ○ D) The actual YHWH vowels

2. When was "Jehovah" first popularized in print?

○ A) 500 BCE   ○ B) 100 CE   ○ C) 1518 CE   ○ D) Ancient times

3. The 1611 King James Bible uses "Jehovah" in how many places?

○ A) Throughout   ○ B) 4 places   ○ C) Never   ○ D) 100+ places

📖 SCRIPTURE MEMORY: Isaiah 42:8

"I am YHWH: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to graven images."

Day 1: Read aloud 5 times

Day 2-3: Practice reciting

Day 3: Write from memory

Day 7: Recite to someone

Day 21: Review

Write from memory:

📝 RECALL EXERCISE

Close this workbook. Write how "Jehovah" was created, including the timeline (when and by whom it was first used).

Items I need to review:

🗣️ TEACH-BACK CHALLENGE

Explain to someone why "Jehovah" is a medieval hybrid mistake, not the original pronunciation of the Creator's name.

Person I taught: Date:

One question they asked:

🎯 APPLICATION STEP

Before the next lesson, complete ONE of the following:

Look up the 4 places "Jehovah" appears in the KJV (Exodus 6:3, Psalm 83:18, Isaiah 12:2, 26:4)
Research the Jehovah's Witnesses and their use of this form
Share this history with someone who uses "Jehovah"
Other:

What I did:

LESSON 5: THE HISTORY OF NAME SUBSTITUTION - HOW WE LOST IT

When Did Jews Stop Pronouncing the Name?

By the 3rd century BCE, Jews began avoiding pronunciation of YHWH out of extreme reverence and fear of violating the Third Commandment.

The Septuagint (LXX) - 3rd Century BCE

When 70 Jewish scholars translated the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek in Alexandria, Egypt (c. 285-246 BCE), they replaced YHWH with Κύριος (Kyrios, "Lord").

This established the pattern of title substitution that continues to this day.

Timeline of Name Substitution

Time Period Development
3rd century BCE Septuagint translators use "Kyrios" (Lord) instead of YHWH
1st century CE Mishnah (Sanhedrin 10:1) states pronouncing the Name forfeits the World to Come
6th-10th century CE Masoretes add Adonai vowels to YHWH as pronunciation reminder
1000 CE onward Original pronunciation becomes increasingly uncertain among Jews
1611 CE King James Bible uses "LORD" for YHWH (except 4 instances of "Jehovah")
Modern era Most Bible translations continue "LORD" substitution

The Substitutes Used

In Hebrew:

In Greek:

In English:

Jeremiah's Prophetic Warning

Jeremiah 23:27
"Who attempt to make My people forget My name by their dreams which everyone tells his neighbor, as their fathers forgot My name for Baal."

Critical insight: The Hebrew word בַּעַל (Ba'al) means "lord, master, owner."

By replacing YHWH with "Lord," are we fulfilling Jeremiah's warning—forgetting His Name for a title that also means "lord"?

Fill in the blanks:

1. Jews began avoiding YHWH pronunciation by the ________ century BCE


2. The Septuagint replaced YHWH with the Greek word ________


3. Observant Jews often say ________ ("The Name") instead of YHWH


4. In English Bibles, "________" in all capitals substitutes for YHWH


5. Ba'al means "________" in Hebrew
True or False:




Discussion Question:
Do you think replacing YHWH with "Lord" fulfills or contradicts Jeremiah 23:27? Why?

Multiple Choice

1. When did Jews begin avoiding pronunciation of YHWH?

○ A) At Mount Sinai   ○ B) By the 3rd century BCE   ○ C) In the 6th century CE   ○ D) In 1611 CE

2. What Greek word does the Septuagint use to replace YHWH?

○ A) Theos   ○ B) Kyrios   ○ C) Christos   ○ D) Pneuma

3. According to Jeremiah 23:27, what have the prophets caused the people to forget?

○ A) The Torah   ○ B) The Sabbath   ○ C) My name   ○ D) The Temple

📖 SCRIPTURE MEMORY: Jeremiah 23:27

"Who think to cause My people to forget My name by their dreams... as their fathers have forgotten My name for Baal."

Day 1: Read aloud 5 times

Day 2-3: Practice reciting

Day 3: Write from memory

Day 7: Recite to someone

Day 21: Review

Write from memory:

📝 RECALL EXERCISE

Close this workbook. Write the timeline of name substitution: when it began, the Septuagint, the Masoretes, and modern Bibles.

Items I need to review:

🗣️ TEACH-BACK CHALLENGE

Explain to someone the history of how YHWH was replaced with "LORD" in our Bibles, and what Jeremiah 23:27 says about forgetting the Name.

Person I taught: Date:

One question they asked:

🎯 APPLICATION STEP

Before the next lesson, complete ONE of the following:

Count how many times "LORD" appears in one chapter of Psalms
Read Jeremiah 23:25-27 in context and reflect on its meaning
Research "Baal" and how it also means "lord"
Other:

What I did:

LESSON 6: THE THIRD COMMANDMENT - WHAT IT REALLY SAYS

The Traditional Understanding

Exodus 20:7 (Traditional Translation)
"You shall not take the name of YHWH your Elohim in vain, for YHWH will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."

Most interpret this as: "Don't use God's name as a curse word or in profanity."

But is that what the Hebrew actually says?

The Hebrew Text

Hebrew: לֹא תִשָּׂא אֶת־שֵׁם־יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ לַשָּׁוְא

Transliteration: Lo tissa et-shem-YHWH Eloheikha lashav

Word-by-word breakdown:

What Does "Tissa" (תִשָּׂא) Mean?

The Hebrew verb נָשָׂא (nasa) means:

This is NOT a verb about speaking—it's about BEARING or CARRYING

What Does "Lashav" (לַשָּׁוְא) Mean?

The Hebrew word שָׁוְא (shav, Strong's H7723) appears 53 times in Scripture:

Meaning: Emptiness, worthlessness, falsehood, deceit, vanity

The True Meaning of the Third Commandment

Correct Translation

"You shall not BEAR the name of YHWH your Elohim in EMPTINESS/FALSEHOOD"

Meaning: Don't claim to represent YHWH while living a lie. Don't carry His Name while your life contradicts His character.

Biblical Examples of Violating This Command

What the Command Does NOT Say

The Third Commandment is NOT:
❌ A prohibition against speaking the Name
❌ A prohibition against pronouncing YHWH
❌ A command to substitute titles for the Name

The Third Commandment IS:
✅ A prohibition against bearing the Name while living in falsehood
✅ A prohibition against claiming to represent YHWH while contradicting His character
✅ A warning against hypocrisy and false witness
Fill in the blanks:

1. The Hebrew verb תִשָּׂא (tissa) means "to ________"


2. The word לַשָּׁוְא (lashav) means "________, vanity, falsehood"


3. The Third Commandment is about ________ the Name, not speaking it


4. Swearing ________ by YHWH's Name violates this commandment


5. The command prohibits ________ (claiming to represent YHWH while living contrary)
Discussion Question:
How does understanding the Third Commandment as "don't bear the Name in vain" change your perspective on using the sacred names?

Multiple Choice

1. What does "lo tissa" (לֹא תִשָּׂא) literally mean?

○ A) Don't say   ○ B) Don't bear/carry   ○ C) Don't write   ○ D) Don't remember

2. What does "lashav" (לַשָּׁוְא) mean?

○ A) Aloud   ○ B) Falsely/emptily/in vain   ○ C) Publicly   ○ D) Secretly

3. The Third Commandment primarily prohibits:

○ A) Ever speaking the Name   ○ B) False oaths and empty use of the Name   ○ C) Writing the Name   ○ D) Teaching the Name

📖 SCRIPTURE MEMORY: Exodus 20:7

"You shall not take the name of YHWH your Elohim in vain; for YHWH will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain."

Day 1: Read aloud 5 times

Day 2-3: Practice reciting

Day 3: Write from memory

Day 7: Recite to someone

Day 21: Review

Write from memory:

📝 RECALL EXERCISE

Close this workbook. Write what "lo tissa" and "lashav" mean, and how the Third Commandment addresses false oaths rather than pronunciation.

Items I need to review:

🗣️ TEACH-BACK CHALLENGE

Explain to someone the true meaning of the Third Commandment—"bearing the Name falsely/emptily" rather than "don't say the Name."

Person I taught: Date:

One question they asked:

🎯 APPLICATION STEP

Before the next lesson, complete ONE of the following:

Study Exodus 20:7 in multiple translations
Look up "nasa" (Strong's H5375) and "shav" (Strong's H7723) in a concordance
Share the true meaning of the Third Commandment with someone
Other:

What I did:

LESSON 7: THE SON'S NAME - YESHUA/YAHUSHA, NOT "JESUS"

The Original Hebrew Name

Hebrew: יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua)

Full Form: יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua) = Joshua

Meaning: "YHWH is salvation" or "YHWH saves"

Historical Evidence for "Yeshua"

1. Biblical Evidence

2. Archaeological Evidence

3. First-Century Usage

During the Second Temple period (538 BCE - 70 CE), the shortened Aramaic-influenced form Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ) was the common pronunciation, not the full "Yehoshua."

What About "Yahusha"?

Claim: Some Sacred Name groups prefer "Yahusha" to preserve the "Yahu" element from YHWH.

Scholarly verdict: Dr. Michael L. Brown (Ph.D. in Semitic languages) states: "There is absolutely no support for this pronunciation—none at all."

Evidence: The form "Yahusha" does not appear in any historical manuscripts, Dead Sea Scrolls, inscriptions, or rabbinical texts prior to the 1900s. It first emerged in Sacred Name Movement circles in the 1930s.

The Meaning: "YHWH Saves"

Matthew 1:21
"And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name YESHUA, for He will save His people from their sins."

Greek Text: καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun), αὐτὸς γὰρ σώσει (sōsei, "He will save")

Hebrew Connection:

Numbers 13:16 - Moses Renamed Him

Numbers 13:16
"And Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun, Yehoshua."

Moses changed Hoshea (הוֹשֵׁעַ, "salvation") to Yehoshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, "YHWH is salvation") by adding the first letter י (yod) from the Tetragrammaton.

Talmud (Sotah 34b): "May Yah save you from the counsel of the spies."

The Evolution from Yeshua to Jesus

Language Form Explanation
Hebrew (full) יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua) Original full form = Joshua
Hebrew (short) יֵשׁוּעַ (Yeshua) Common 1st-century shortened form
Greek Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Greek has no "sh" sound; masculine nouns end in -ους
Latin Iesus Jerome's Vulgate (4th century)
English (old) Iesus Letter J didn't exist yet
English (modern) Jesus After J/I distinction (c. 1600-1640)

Greek Linguistic Limitations

Why the changes occurred:

When the Letter J Was Invented

The letter J did not exist in ancient times:

Does the Name Matter Theologically?

Acts 4:12
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

Two perspectives:

1. The meaning matters greatly: "YHWH saves" encapsulates the Gospel. Understanding the Hebrew roots enriches faith.

2. Pronunciation across languages is acceptable: The New Testament was written entirely in Greek using Ἰησοῦς with no indication this was problematic. Mexicans say "Hay-soos," Germans say "Yay-zoos," Israelis say "Yeshua"—all calling on the same Lord.

Balance: Identity vs. Legalism

The person matters more than phonetic precision. However, knowing the Hebrew name Yeshua connects us to His Jewish heritage and the meaning "YHWH saves."

Using "Yeshua" is beautiful and historically accurate. Condemning those who say "Jesus" crosses into legalism not supported by Scripture.

Fill in the blanks:

1. The Hebrew name יֵשׁוּעַ is pronounced ________


2. Yeshua means "________ is salvation" or "________ saves"


3. The Greek form Ἰησοῦς became ________ in English


4. The letter J was invented around ________ CE


5. Acts 4:12 says there is no other ________ by which we must be saved
Discussion Question:
After learning the Hebrew origin of the Messiah's name, do you prefer "Yeshua" or "Jesus"? Why? Can both be acceptable?

Multiple Choice

1. What does "Yeshua" (יֵשׁוּעַ) mean?

○ A) Lord   ○ B) King   ○ C) YHWH is salvation   ○ D) Holy One

2. The name "Jesus" came through what linguistic path?

○ A) Hebrew directly to English   ○ B) Hebrew → Greek (Iesous) → Latin (Iesus) → English   ○ C) Aramaic to English   ○ D) Greek directly

3. "Yeshua" is the same name as what Old Testament figure?

○ A) Moses   ○ B) David   ○ C) Joshua   ○ D) Isaiah

📖 SCRIPTURE MEMORY: Acts 4:12

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Day 1: Read aloud 5 times

Day 2-3: Practice reciting

Day 3: Write from memory

Day 7: Recite to someone

Day 21: Review

Write from memory:

📝 RECALL EXERCISE

Close this workbook. Write how "Yeshua" became "Jesus," including the Greek and Latin steps. Include what the name means.

Items I need to review:

🗣️ TEACH-BACK CHALLENGE

Explain to someone the Hebrew origin of the Messiah's name and how "Yeshua" became "Jesus" through transliteration.

Person I taught: Date:

One question they asked:

🎯 APPLICATION STEP

Before the next lesson, complete ONE of the following:

Compare "Joshua" and "Jesus" in your concordance - they're the same name
Practice writing and pronouncing "Yeshua" (יֵשׁוּעַ)
Share with someone that "Jesus" is the English form of the Hebrew name Yeshua
Other:

What I did:

LESSON 8: PRACTICAL APPLICATION - LIVING WITH THE SACRED NAMES

Why Use the Sacred Names?

Key Scriptures:

Exodus 3:15: "This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations."

Psalm 83:18: "That they may know that You, whose name alone is YHWH, are the Most High over all the earth."

Joel 2:32: "Whoever calls on the name of YHWH shall be saved."

John 17:6, 26: Yahusha said "I have manifested Your name... I have declared Your name."

Reasons to Use the Sacred Names

1. Scriptural Obedience

YHWH appears 6,828 times—He clearly wants us to know His Name, not just titles.

2. Avoiding Jeremiah's Warning

Jeremiah 23:27 warns against causing people to "forget My name for Baal" (which means "lord").

3. Honoring the Messiah's Hebrew Identity

Yeshua was a 1st-century Jewish rabbi—using His Hebrew name connects us to His actual heritage.

4. Precision and Meaning

"LORD" is generic; "Yahuah/Yahweh" is specific. "Jesus" is transliterated; "Yeshua" preserves the meaning "YHWH saves."

5. Restoration of Truth

Centuries of tradition substituted the Name—restoration movements seek to recover what was lost.

How to Use the Sacred Names

In Prayer:

In Study:

In Worship:

Answering Common Objections

Objection 1: "God knows who I mean"

Response: Yes, He does—but He also gave us a specific name and said it's His name "forever" (Exodus 3:15). Would you prefer people call you by a title (e.g., "Employee") or your actual name?

Objection 2: "The apostles used Greek"

Response: True—they used Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous), the Greek equivalent of Yeshua. That supports transliteration across languages. But it doesn't support replacing YHWH with generic "Lord" when the Greek had "Kyrios" specifically to represent the Tetragrammaton.

Objection 3: "This is legalism"

Response: Legalism is adding requirements for salvation. Using sacred names is about honoring what Scripture reveals, not earning salvation. Romans 10:13 says "whoever calls on the name of the Lord [YHWH] shall be saved"—calling on His name in faith matters, whether you say "Yahweh," "Yahuah," or "Jesus" in sincerity.

Objection 4: "You're dividing the body"

Response: Truth always divides (Matthew 10:34-36). But we should teach with grace, not condemnation. Those who use "Jesus" in faith are our brothers and sisters. We simply believe using the Hebrew names restores accuracy and meaning.

Balance: Conviction vs. Condemnation

Important Warnings

✅ DO: Use the sacred names in your personal worship, prayer, and study

✅ DO: Teach others about the Hebrew roots and meanings

✅ DO: Gently correct when people are receptive

❌ DON'T: Condemn believers who use "Jesus" or "God" in sincere faith

❌ DON'T: Claim salvation depends on pronunciation

❌ DON'T: Become prideful or legalistic about your knowledge

Colossians 3:17
"And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Master Yeshua, giving thanks to Elohim the Father through Him."

Practical Steps for Your Journey

1. Start using the names in private prayer - Get comfortable with pronunciation

2. Study Hebrew word meanings - Deepen your understanding of Scripture

3. Find like-minded fellowship - Connect with Torah-observant or Messianic communities if desired

4. Be patient with others - Remember your own journey and extend grace

5. Focus on relationship, not rules - The goal is knowing Him, not just correct pronunciation

Fill in the blanks:

1. Exodus 3:15 says the name YHWH is for ________


2. John 17:6 says Yeshua ________ the Father's name


3. Joel 2:32 says whoever ________ on the name of YHWH shall be saved


4. Using sacred names should be done with conviction, not ________


5. The goal is ________ with the Father, not just correct pronunciation
Personal Reflection:
After completing this workbook, will you begin using the sacred names (Yahuah/Yahweh and Yeshua) in your personal worship and study? Why or why not?
Action Plan:
List 3 specific ways you will apply what you've learned about the sacred names:

Multiple Choice

1. According to Joel 2:32, "whoever calls on the name of _____ shall be saved."

○ A) LORD   ○ B) YHWH   ○ C) Jesus   ○ D) God

2. What does Philippians 2:9-10 say about Yahusha's name?

○ A) It's one of many names   ○ B) It's the name above every name   ○ C) It should be kept secret   ○ D) It's only for Israel

3. What does John 17:6 say Yahusha did with the Father's name?

○ A) Hid it   ○ B) Manifested/declared it   ○ C) Changed it   ○ D) Forgot it

📖 SCRIPTURE MEMORY: Joel 2:32

"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of YHWH shall be delivered."

Day 1: Read aloud 5 times

Day 2-3: Practice reciting

Day 3: Write from memory

Day 7: Recite to someone

Day 21: Review

Write from memory:

📝 RECALL EXERCISE

Close this workbook. Write why the sacred names matter: Joel 2:32, Acts 4:12, Philippians 2:9-10, John 17:6. Include practical ways to use the names.

Items I need to review:

🗣️ TEACH-BACK CHALLENGE

Give someone a complete summary of this workbook: What is the Tetragrammaton? Why was pronunciation lost? What's wrong with "Jehovah"? What does "Yeshua" mean? Why does it matter?

Person I taught: Date:

One question they asked:

🎯 FINAL APPLICATION

Complete at least TWO of the following:

Begin using "Yahuah" or "Yahweh" in your prayers
Practice using "Yahusha" or "Yeshua" when referring to the Messiah
Share this workbook's teachings with at least 3 people
Study how the Name was used in early manuscripts
Other:

My commitment going forward:

📅 SPACED REVIEW TRACKER

Instructions: After completing each lesson, return to review at these intervals for maximum long-term retention.

Lesson Completed Day 1 Day 3 Day 7 Day 21 Day 60
1. The Tetragrammaton___/___/___
2. Exodus 3:14-15___/___/___
3. Pronunciation Evidence___/___/___
4. "Jehovah" Problem___/___/___
5. History of Substitution___/___/___
6. Third Commandment___/___/___
7. Yeshua/Yahusha___/___/___
8. Why It Matters___/___/___

Why Spaced Repetition Works

Studies show reviewing material at increasing intervals dramatically improves long-term retention. Without review, we forget 80% within a month. With spaced review, retention can exceed 90%.

"Precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." — Isaiah 28:10

ANSWER KEY

Lesson 1: The Tetragrammaton

Fill in the blanks:

  1. four
  2. 6,828
  3. AM / AM
  4. be
  5. forever

True or False: T, F, T, F

Multiple Choice (6Rs): 1-C, 2-B, 3-B

Lesson 2: Exodus 3:14-15

Fill in the blanks:

  1. name
  2. first
  3. third
  4. forever
  5. generations

Multiple Choice (6Rs): 1-B, 2-C, 3-B

Lesson 3: Pronunciation Evidence

Fill in the blanks:

  1. vowels
  2. Adonai
  3. Iaoue
  4. -yahu
  5. Yah

Multiple Choice (6Rs): 1-B, 2-B, 3-B

Lesson 4: "Jehovah" - A Medieval Mistake

Fill in the blanks:

  1. consonants / vowels
  2. 1100-1270 (or 1100s-1200s)
  3. 1518
  4. impossible
  5. 1520

True or False: F, T, F, T

Multiple Choice (6Rs): 1-B, 2-C, 3-B

Lesson 5: History of Name Substitution

Fill in the blanks:

  1. 3rd (or third)
  2. Kyrios
  3. HaShem
  4. LORD
  5. lord / master

True or False: F, T, T, T

Multiple Choice (6Rs): 1-B, 2-B, 3-C

Lesson 6: The Third Commandment

Fill in the blanks:

  1. bear / lift up / carry
  2. emptiness
  3. bearing
  4. falsely
  5. hypocrisy

Multiple Choice (6Rs): 1-B, 2-B, 3-B

Lesson 7: The Son's Name

Fill in the blanks:

  1. Yeshua
  2. YHWH / YHWH (or Yahuah / Yahuah)
  3. Jesus
  4. 1524 (or 1600s for full distinction)
  5. name

Multiple Choice (6Rs): 1-C, 2-B, 3-C

Lesson 8: Practical Application

Fill in the blanks:

  1. forever
  2. manifested / declared
  3. calls
  4. condemnation / legalism
  5. relationship / knowing Him

Multiple Choice (6Rs): 1-B, 2-B, 3-B

Final Blessing

Numbers 6:24-27

"YHWH bless you and keep you;
YHWH make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
YHWH lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace."

"So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them."