How HIS Name Became JESUS

Did you know Jesus original name was actually YEHOSHUA?

In Hebrew, Jesus's name was pronounced Yeshua (יֵשׁוּעַ). This is a shorter form of Yehoshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ), which is the Hebrew name we know as Joshua. The name Yeshua, meaning "Yahweh is salvation," reflects the belief that Jesus's purpose was to save his people from their sins. While the New Testament was written in Greek, the name used for Jesus in the Greek text is Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς), which is a transliteration of the Hebrew name. The name "Jesus" evolved from the Hebrew name "Yehoshua" (or the shortened form "Yeshua") through a series of transliterations across languages. The process involved changes in pronunciation and spelling as the name moved from Hebrew to Greek, then to Latin, and finally to English.

THE PROCESS:

1. Hebrew (Yehoshua/Yeshua): The original name, meaning "Yahweh is salvation," existed in both a longer form, Yehoshua, and a shorter form, Yeshua.

2. Greek (Iēsous): When the Hebrew scriptures were translated into Greek (the Septuagint), Yehoshua was rendered as Iēsous. This was a phonetic transliteration, as Greek lacked some Hebrew sounds like "sh".

3. Latin (Iesus): As Christianity spread, the Greek name Iēsous was transliterated into Latin as Iesus.

4. English (Jesus): During the Middle Ages, the Latin Iesus evolved into the English form Jesus. Initially, the "J" sound was still represented by the letter "I." Eventually, the letter "J" became distinct from "I," and the name solidified as Jesus in English.

5. Scriptural context: The New Testament was primarily written in Greek, and the name "Iesous" is consistently used to refer to Jesus throughout its pages.

Therefore, the name "Jesus" is not a direct translation of "Yeshua," but rather a result of its transliteration through different languages and writing systems over time.

But what about Matthew 1:23?

Matthew 1:23 states, "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." But then Matthew 1:25 states, "And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus."

WHY?

Jesus was named "Jesus" because that was the name given to him by the angel in the New Testament, and it's the name that Joseph and Mary used. While "Immanuel" is a significant title referring to Jesus as "God with us," it was not the name given to him at birth. The name "Immanuel" (or Emmanuel) comes from Isaiah's prophecy (Isaiah 7:14 states, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."), where it describes the Messiah as one who would be God dwelling among his people. The name "Jesus" and the title "Immanuel" refer to the same person, Jesus Christ, but have different meanings. "Jesus" is the given name, while "Immanuel" is a prophetic title meaning "God with us". The name Jesus is a Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Yeshua, meaning "God saves". Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would be called "Immanuel," and Matthew's Gospel identifies Jesus as that fulfillment, emphasizing his divine nature and presence with humanity. The Bible indicates that while Jesus was prophesied to be called Immanuel, meaning "God with us," his given name was Jesus, which means "The Lord saves". The name Immanuel was not intended as a formal given name, but rather a description of Jesus's identity and mission.

More Info:

"Jesus" is the given name: In Matthew 1:21, an angel instructs Joseph to name the child "Jesus" because he will save his people from their sins.

"Immanuel" is a title: The name "Immanuel," meaning "God with us," is derived from Isaiah 7:14, where the prophet speaks of a sign that would be given to the house of David, and Matthew interprets this as a prophecy fulfilled by Jesus.

The prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: Matthew uses the prophecy of Isaiah about "Immanuel" to highlight that Jesus, while named Jesus, also embodies the concept of "God with us".

Not a contradiction: The angel's instruction to name him Jesus is consistent with the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy about Immanuel, as Jesus's very presence as the Messiah embodies God being with his people.

Connection: The angel instructs Joseph to name the child Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy of Immanuel, demonstrating that Jesus is both the savior and God dwelling with humanity.

Not a Middle Name: While some may mistakenly think of Immanuel as a middle name, it's not a personal name like a surname. It's a descriptive title that reveals Jesus's divine identity.

Matthew's Narrative: The Gospel of Matthew uses the name "Jesus" but frames its narrative with the Immanuel motif, emphasizing that Jesus's life, death, and resurrection demonstrate God's presence with his people.

No Disobedience:

There was no disobedience in naming the child Jesus. The prophecy of Immanuel was fulfilled through the significance of Jesus's life and identity, not by giving him that name as his formal name.

But why does Jesus' Name Change, but my Name is the Same in Every Language?

Jesus' name changes across languages, while yours likely remains the same, due to a combination of historical linguistic evolution, cultural adaptations, and differences in the way names are handled in translation.

1. Linguistic evolution and transliteration

Original Hebrew/Aramaic: Jesus' original name was likely Yeshua or Yehoshua in Aramaic/Hebrew, meaning "God is salvation". This name was commonplace in the region during Jesus' time.
Greek Adaptation: When the Gospels were written in Greek, the Hebrew/Aramaic name was transliterated into Greek. There was no exact equivalent for the "sh" sound in Greek. This resulted in "Iesous" (pronounced Yay-soos), which also included a standard Greek masculine name ending "-ous".
Latinization and the "J": Later, as the New Testament was translated into Latin, "Iesous" became "Iesus" (pronounced Yay-soos or Hee-sus). The letter "J" as known today, with its specific sound, only emerged later in the 16th century in typography, initially as a stylistic variant of "I." It wasn't until the 17th century that "J" and "I" became consistently distinct, leading to the name "Jesus" with the familiar English pronunciation.
Impact on other languages: Many languages adopted their versions of the name from the Greek or Latin forms. This led to a variety of spellings and pronunciations, each influenced by the phonology and grammar of the receiving language. For example, Jesus is called "Jesús" in Spanish (pronounced Heh-soos).

2. Cultural adaptation and translation practices

Accommodation of language: Christianity has a long history of translating religious texts and names into local languages to reach a wider audience. This has resulted in the adaptation of names, like Jesus, to fit the phonetic and grammatical structures of different languages.
Impact of missionaries: Historically, missionaries have often transliterated or adapted names from one language to another based on the sounds and structures available in the receiving language. This practice further contributed to variations in names like Jesus across different linguistic groups.

3. Your name

Names are typically preserved through transliteration rather than translation.
Modern naming conventions and personal identification systems (passports, legal documents) generally prioritize phonetic consistency of names across languages to ensure accurate identification.
However, even for individuals with names rooted in languages with different writing systems or sound structures, transliteration may involve some degree of adaptation to fit the conventions of the target language.

In conclusion, the difference between the variations of Jesus' name and the relative stability of a name across languages reflects the historical evolution of names, religious translation practices, and modern conventions for personal identification.

The Sacred Name Movement

The Sacred Name Movement is a religious movement primarily concerned with the use of the Hebrew name of God, YHWH, and sometimes other names like Adonai. It's a belief that these names are important and should be used instead of the more common English translations. This emphasis is often linked with the observance of Jewish festivals and holy days.

Core Belief: The central tenet of the Sacred Name Movement is the belief that God's personal name, YHWH (often transliterated as Yahweh or Jehovah), is sacred and should be used instead of generic terms like "God" or "Lord".
Influence of Clarence Orvil Dodd: The movement is heavily influenced by Clarence Orvil Dodd, who advocated for the use of God's name and the observance of Jewish festivals.

Jewish Influence: The movement draws inspiration from Jewish tradition, where the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) was considered too sacred to be pronounced. This led to the substitution of other names like Adonai when reading the scriptures.

Distinction from Oneness Pentecostalism: While both movements may be associated with a focus on specific names, the Sacred Name Movement is distinct from Oneness Pentecostalism, which emphasizes the oneness of God and the deity of Jesus Christ. Oneness Pentecostals also sometimes use the name "Yeshua" for Jesus, but the focus is on the nature of God rather than just the names, according to Wikipedia.

Emphasis on Observance: Some members of the Sacred Name Movement also observe Jewish holy days and festivals, believing that these were intended to be observed by all believers.

The Sacred Name Movement (SNM) is a group within Adventism that emphasizes the importance of using the Hebrew names of God (Yahweh) and Jesus (Yeshua or Yahshua). While sharing some beliefs with mainstream Christianity, SNM also differs significantly, particularly in its rejection of the Trinity and its adherence to many Old Testament laws and practices.

Core Beliefs and Practices:

Hebrew Names:. SNM members believe that using the Hebrew names of God and Jesus is essential, unlike the common practice of using "God" and "Jesus" in English.

Old Testament Observance: .They often adhere to Old Testament laws and customs, including observing the Sabbath on Saturday, celebrating Jewish festivals, and following dietary laws (kashrut).

Rejection of Trinity: .SNM generally does not believe in the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as one God), a core doctrine in most Christian denominations.

Relationship with Christianity:

Shared Heritage: SNM shares a common origin with Christianity in the Bible, specifically the Old Testament, which is also a sacred text for Jews.

Divergent Interpretations: SNM differs from mainstream Christianity in its interpretation of scripture, particularly regarding the nature of God and the importance of Old Testament law.

Internal Divisions: The movement itself is diverse, with varying interpretations of doctrine and practices, leading to internal disagreements and divisions.

Emphasis on Unity: Despite divisions, SNM holds annual unity conferences to foster fellowship and dialogue among its members.

I feel it is safe to say that because the Sacred Name Movement (SNM) does not believe in the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) shows that we do not have the same faith, and therefore do not follow their beliefs. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, and you believe in the Trinity then SNM goes against those beliefs. This is something that people of Judaism may believe, but not for the US that believe in the Trinity.

The Sacred Name Movement does not get that that Jesus did not come to enforce Judaism or the Old Covenant. Jesus came to fulfill (complete) the Old Covenant (finished) and establish the New Covenant (Faith in Jesus Christ). Jesus' death and resurrection fulfilled the Law and freed us from its demands. (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:15). The Old Covenant was but a shadow (Hebrews 8).

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