There is no “J” in Hebrew and there is no text before the year 1530 that uses the spelling “Jesus”. We must remember that the Messiah was a Torah Observant Yehudim (Jew). His correct Name is spelled with the Hebrew letters yod-hay-waw-shin-ayin, which would be pronounced Yahushua (yah-who-SHOO-ah, ), which literally means ‘Yah is our salvation’. God’s true Name is Yahweh, so we can see that the root is Yah in both sacred Names - YAHweh the Father, and YAHushua the Son. Jesus’ Hebrew Name, Yahushua, is frequently shortened to Y’shua, or Yeshua, which are not improper, but not quite as complete as Yahushua. It is not wrong to call Him Yeshua (yeh-SHOO-ah), but it may be ‘technically more right’ to call Him Yahushua, which is what I prefer to do. Below is “Yahweh” in modern Hebrew:
Below is Yahushua in modern Hebrew. Note, when reading right to left, the first three letters are the same – Yod-Hay-waw – and spell the word “Yah”.
What’s the big deal about getting the Name right? Since there is no letter “J” in the Hebrew language, and though it is ‘christianized tradition’ many devout scholars think it does not make sense to call the Messiah “Jesus”. There is no authoritative source which claims that the name Jesus or Iesous was the original name of the Hebrew Messiah. The word “Jesus” bears striking similarities to the names of pagan deities. “Jesus” is really a Latinization based on the Greek. Some scholars believe the name is directly related to the name Ieso who was the Greek goddess of healing, and is intimately related to sun god worship. Ieso was related to Apollo the sun god.
The Geneva Bible (which pre-dated the King James translation, was the Bible used by Shakespeare, and was actually taken on the Mayflower to America) spelled the Messiah’s Name IESUS. The Greek abbreviation for Iesous is IHS, which is found on many inscriptions made by the church during the Middle Ages. IHS was the mystery name for Bacchus, another sun-deity. IHS is related to pagan sun worship, thereby identifying the Saviour with mythical sun deities.
Names were Hellenized (Greek-afied) in the Scriptures, and this has been corrected by many modern scholarly Bible translations, though the Name of the Messiah has remained Hellenized. The ending “sus” definitely refers to Zeus, as it does in many other Greek names such as Tarsus, Pegasus, and Dionysus. Zeus was the Greek god of sky and thunder and was considered to be the king of the gods. Therefore, in Greek, the Name “Jesus” can mean “hail Zeus” or “son of Zeus” but it means nothing in Hebrew.
The Saviour would have never heard anyone call Him "Jesus”. When His mother beckoned him, she would have said “Yahushua, come to dinner” or perhaps “Y’shua”. The closest the word “Jesus” comes to any Hebrew Word is “hey-horse” because “soos” is Hebrew for “horse”. Only the Torah puts forth the correct Names of “God” and “Jesus”.
Unconverted Jews are still waiting for their Messiah, who – from the Torah – they know will be named “YHWH their Salvation” (Yahushua). Yet, the Christian Church for centuries has been presenting Jews with a Greek Messiah named “Jesus”. There is absolutely no connection between these names. Yahweh, our Creator, established the Hebrew language as a special language and He revealed His Name in Hebrew. Ancient Hebrew is the language He wrote with His own finger when He inscribed the Ten Commandments on stone. It is the only language on earth handed down to us by the Creator Himself. It is in Hebrew that He revealed His true Name.
Why do I think this is a big deal?
1. Because referring to Messiah, the Apostle Peter said: “ there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved” Acts 4:12.(Salvation and the Name are linked.)
2. Because Messiah Himself said “Whatever you ask in My Name, that will I do… If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:13,13. (answers to prayer and the Name are linked.)
3. Because Messiah Himself said “And these signs will accompany those who believe: in My Name they will cast out demons…” (Mark 16:17) (Divine power and the Name are linked)
4. Because "at the name of Jesus every knee will bow." Philippians 2:10. (worship and the name are linked)
5. Because the 3rd Commandment says Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. (how often is the Name of the Creator taken lightly and spoken in an unholy manner!)
It is evident that the sacred Names are very powerful. It makes sense to get Them right, to revere Them, and to make no substitutions for Them. Do I think people will go to Hell if they call the Creator “God” or His Son “Jesus”? Of course not! I believe Yahweh appreciates our efforts and knows Who we are referring to when we use these names. Many prayer requests have been granted in the Names of God and Jesus. However, it has become extremely important to me personally to know the accurate sacred Names and to respectfully apply Them in prayer and worship. I believe Yahweh will honor those efforts.
I submit that names are truly important to Yahweh the Creator. Even those on earth who remain obedient will one day receive a special name. “To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.' ( Rev. 2:17) I think we should look forward to receiving our new names, don’t you?
