"Do not take the name of God in vain" Which name? Is Yahweh the only one off limits?

Answer 1

In Judaism G-d has 72 names. None of them may be taken in vain. That is why Orthodox Jews usually just use Hashem which translates into the Name.

Also the spelling you are using in your question is a guess nobody really knows how it is said (the Torah has no vowels and the correct pronunciation was lost with the destruction of the first temple).

Answer 2

No human today can be certain how God's name was originally pronounced because Biblical Hebrew was originally written with only consonants,no vowels.When the language was in everyday use,readers easily provided the proper vowels.in time,however,the Jews came to have the superstitious idea that it was wrong to say God's personal name out loud,so they used substitute expressions and in time the original pronunciation of the divine name was lost.
Many scholars favor the spelling "Yahweh",but it is uncertain and there is not agreement among them.On the other hand,"Jehovah" is the form of the name that is most readily recognized,because it has been used in English for centuries and preserves,equally with other forms,the four consonants of the Hebrew Tetragrammaton.
If you know it is wrong to 'take God's name in vain' why would it matter which name it was that was referring to Jehovah God that you used?

Answer 3

Yahweh, is one interpretation of the four constanants that is his name. Jehovah is another interpretation. There are also other lesser known names in the Old Testament as well. So now, what is "vain"? Here's the definition.

1. excessively proud of or concerned about one's own appearance, qualities, achievements, etc.; conceited: a vain dandy.
2. proceeding from or showing personal vanity: vain remarks.
3. ineffectual or unsuccessful; futile: a vain effort.
4. without real significance, value, or importance; baseless or worthless: vain pageantry; vain display

In other words, make his name very important, but not with ridiculous pride. Since each name refers too the "Almighty God", I guess it does'nt make a difference which name is used.

Answer 4

Good question. It seems like He has a million names doesn't it? :-) In my opinion you shouldn't use any of his names in vain. Yahweh, God, Holy One, The One.. etc... Because they all stand for the same God, so I would stay clear of all of them.

Answer 5

Gods name is Jehovah. "God" and "Lord" are titles just like president or prime minister are titles. God's name is mentioned over 7000 times in the original texts. Ps83:18 is one of them. So He obviously He wants us to us it if He included it in the Bible. Another Scripture states "All those calling on the name of Jehovah will be saved"

As for your point to taking it in vain, that is anyway of defaming the name of God, whether you are actually saying His name in a derogatory way or are simply denoting bad things about Him in your speech.

Answer 6

God revealed himself to the Jews as Yahweh. However, when he sent his Son Jesus Christ he let us know that Yahweh was the Holy Trinity, The Father , The Son and the Spirit.
So, every time you say "my G***" or "Je****" or "Ch***" you sin, because you take his holy name in vain.

Answer 7

Too many take this as not swearing.

It also means to live a Christian life instead of just proclaiming you are a Christian. Those who only proclaim are taking the name of Christ in vain.

Answer 8

I would think it would include all of them, and yeah Yahweh is probably off limits too.

Answer 9

Yahweh... and Lou

Fireball's answer is giving me a headache

Answer 10

I read that the unpronounceable name of God is written as
"Yod He-Vau He" perhaps somebody could confirm this?