A Living Translation of God's Word

Conclusion of HONORING THE NAME OF GOD

For true Christians, Jehovah's name has great significance.  The appendix of the 2013 revision of the New World Translation contains updated information on  this matter.  The New World Translation Committee understands that the name reflects the causative form of the Hebrew verb ha-wah,' meaning "He Causes to Become."  Our publications had previously  connected this meaning with Exodus 3:14, which says: "I Will Become What I Choose to Become."   This led to the view expressed in the 1984 edition that the name means He "causes himself to become the Fulfiller of promises."  However, Appendix A 4 of the revised edition of 2013 explains:  "While the name Jehovah may include this idea, it is not limited to what he himself chooses to become. It also includes what he causes to happen with regard to his creation and the accomplishment of his purpose."

Jehovah causes his creation to become whatever he chooses. In line with the meaning of his name, God caused Noah to be an ark builder, Bezalel to be a master craftsman, Gideon to be a victorious warrior, and Paul to be an apostle to the nations. Yes, God's name has great meaning to his people. And the New World Translation Committee would never undermind the name's significance by omitting it from the Bible.   

Over 130 language editions of the New World Translation honors God's name by including it where it belongs in the sacred text.  (Read Malachi 3:16) In contrast, the current trend in Bible translation is to omit the divine name substituting a title such as "Lord" or the name of a local god. This is a prime reason why the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses had given priority to making available  to as many people as possible a Bible that honor s God's name.  

Note: While it is correct that the Jehovah's Witnesses, unlike other religions/churches etc, do teach what God's Words do say in the Bible, I have observed/noticed that they have taken out words, which by God's rule, should have been taken out.  And some added that should not have been added.  I know this, because I have read the whole Bible word for word from Genesis to Revelation, many, many times and studied it.  When I mentioned it to someone. All they said, was that there was a good reason. There is never a good reason to mess with God's words in his Book the Bible.  None shall be added and none shall be taken away. 

Next time: A Living Translation of God's Word/CLEAR, ACCURATE TRANSLATION

From The Watchtower magazine