Haven’t done one of these posts answering Bible contradictions in a while. If you are interested in our other posts dealing with Bible contradictions see our Collection of Posts Responding to Bible Contradictions.
For today’s post will tackle the question the Skeptic Annotated Bible asked: What is God’s name?
Here are the four answers which the skeptic believes shows a Bible contradiction:
Jehovah
“God spoke further to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord; 3 and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as [a]God Almighty, but by My name, Lord, I did not make Myself known to them.’” (Exodus 6:2-3)
Jealous
“for you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God—” (Exodus 34:14)
Jah
“To shoot [a]from concealment at the blameless; Suddenly they shoot at him, and do not fear.” (Psalm 64:4)
I am
God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14)
(All Scriptural quotation comes from the New American Standard Bible)
Here’s a closer look at whether or not there is a contradiction:
- When dealing with skeptics’ claim of Bible contradictions it seems one can never be reminded enough of what exactly is a contradiction. A contradiction occurs when two or more claims conflict with one another so that they cannot simultaneously be true in the same sense and at the same time. To put it another way, a Bible contradiction exists when there are claims within the Bible that are mutually exclusive in the same sense and at the same time.
- Logically speaking one can have more than one name. So there’s not necessarily a Bible contradiction merely from observing that someone has more than one name per se.
- Technically multiple names would only be a contradiction if the names are contradictory with one another in the sense that one name necessitate excluding the other. But even then as we look closer that’s not the case.
- The name “Jah” or Yah in the Hebrew is not a contradiction with Jehovah or Yahweh in the Hebrew. They are not contradictory because Yah in the Hebrew is a shortened form of Yahweh. To say Yah is a contradiction with Yahweh makes as much sense as saying the name Theodore contradicts with Ted.
- Jehovah (Hebrew “Yahweh”) also does not contradict with “I am” in Exodus 3:14. Yahweh is derived from the account in Exodus 3:14. So if Yahweh is derived from the Hebrew “I am” it makes no sense to say Yahweh/Jehovah and “I am” is a contradiction.
- Also if “Yahweh/Jehovah” is not a contradiction with “I am,” then the title “I am” does not contradict with “Yah/Jah” since “Yah/Jah” is a contracted form of “Yahweh/Jehovah.”
- Finally the title “Jealous” in Exodus 34:14 does not contradict with neither three of the other titles. In the Hebrew of Exodus 34:14 the word “Lord” is literally “Yahweh.” So literally Exodus 34:14 is saying that Yahweh’s name is also Jealous and thus it is not a contradiction.
- This is a ridiculous claim of a contradiction. Its like saying Theordore Roosevelt’s names are a contradiction and then providing the example of Theodore, T.R, Ted, Teddy and Bull Moose. But that’s how low the Skeptic Annotated Bible are willing to go.
Jehova is indeed contradiction according to many Jews scholars..the real meaning of it’s I WAS and of them say it actually measn, I was, I am and I will be…I some how have doubt on english translation to I am
Interesting point. I translation “I am” does seem older than the English, the Greek translation of Exodus 3:14 is ἐγώ εἰμι which often is translated as “I am.” But I see your point about God always being God, if I’m correct with what you are saying?
you are correct…i think Greek is somewhat weak in this sense..since it’s more modern than Hebrew, Hieroglyphics, Sumerian and other tribal languages related in Genesis…
Very smart sir!
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks for reblogging this
You’re very welcome Brother 😎
I haven’t seen anyone infer his name to actually be “jealous” before. Interesting translation! 🙂
Thanks, Jimmy. Yeah, the Skeptic Annotated Bible is really reaching on this one!
Yeah they are trying too hard and they probably have that on their website just to make it look like the Bible have many contradictions. That’s poor scholarship on their part. For the Christian this is such an example of Romans 1.
Just to be clear, the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit is the Lord Jesus Christ. That is why Matthew 28 :19 and Acts 2 : 38 do not contradict each other. Jesus said I come in my father’s name (John 5:43 ). Please note the following scriptures Hebrews 2:12; John 14 : 26 ; John 17:12; Philippians 2:09; Colossians 3:17 plus many others.
Yep. That’s heresy, buddy. Read the creeds!
[…] What is God’s name? […]
[…] What is God’s name? […]
Jehovah is the only true God. He is the Creator. His name implys that He will do any and everything to insure that His will shall take place. Whatever He intends to do will take place.
Amen!
[…] What is God’s name? […]
[…] Sometimes two individuals can have the same name. See “How long did Jehoash reign?” and “When was King Jabin killed?” Yet other times an individual can have more than one name. See “Who were the sons of David born in Hebron?” and “What is God’s name?” […]
Your example with Teddy Roosevelt is good in refuting this skeptic
[…] What is God’s name? […]
This one is ridiculous I’m sure the author of the Skeptic Annotated Bible has known someone name “Dick” and “Richard” before
The atheist lack imagination. People can have more than one name and title
[…] What is God’s name? […]
Its funny they think “Jah” is a contradiction with Jehovah; that is like saying someone’s name is contradictory because he’s called Sam and Samuel
Going to be sending my parishioners to your blog
Gotta say the Skeptic Annotated Bible is really is butchering it on this one! Even I can answer this!
[…] the most ridiculous is What is God’s name? Here the skeptics even think that a shortened form of God’s name means its a contradiction […]
[…] the most ridiculous is What is God’s name? Here the skeptics even think that a shortened form of God’s name means its a contradiction […]
You solved this puzzle which the atheist hyped