In view of all of this, it is evidently important for us to know what God's name is.
-from hallowed be your name- what name?
I got into a lovely little brouhaha with an witness over the heavenly name game thang.
It went something like this:
me: Why isn't it Yahweh's witnesses?
JW: Because God's name is Jehovah.
me: Well, isn't it true that no one knows God's name?
JW: Jehovah's witnesses know that God's name derived from YHWH is jehovah in english.
me: Yes, but according to the watchtower's own website/materials, nobody knows for sure.
The truth is, nobody knows for sure how the name of God was originally pronounced. - From the Divine name that will endure forever
JW: WE know for sure.
me: But according to the watchtower, nobody knows for sure...
Some—though not all—feel that the Israelites before the time of Jesus probably pronounced God's name Yahweh. But no one can be sure. Perhaps they pronounced it that way, perhaps not. -from the divine name that will endure foreverJW: Well, they are just being cautious. They know it's Jehovah.
me: yes, but I am just repeating what they've printed on the subject.
JW: you are incorrect. They are just being cautious though.
me: well, this says to me that accuracy isn't really that important to them when they admit that Yahweh might actually be closer to god's name.
Nevertheless, many prefer the pronunciation Jehovah. Why? Because it has a currency and familiarity that Yahweh does not have. Would it not, though, be better to use the form that might be closer to the original pronunciation? Not really, for that is not the custom with Bible names. -from the divine name that will endure foreverJW: they know what god's name is, they are just being cautious (he was really big into this caution thang!)
me: So, when I say Yahweh might be closer to the pronunciation, I am wrong, but when they say it, they are just being cautious?
JW: Exactly.
me: hmmmm.
Now, that's not verbatim but that's pretty much the feel for the conversation. I did quote specific passages from their literature as I argued with this guy. Honestly, I really don't particularly care either way. I'm just one of those crazy people who thinks that if they are going to hold the name as so important then they might actually want to use a name that might be closer to accurate than a name that happens to ring a bell with folks. But I'm weird that way.