. . . and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God.
Phil 2:11
The seven names before us as suggested by the commentators as the options for “The Name Above Every Name”
KuriosThe Lord Jesus Christ- Adonai ✔
- Ha Shem <–
- YHWH
- LORD
- The Name for both God and Jesus
In this Gem we will look at “Ha Shem”. What is it and why should we consider it? Well firstly, we should consider it because it is in our list of suggestions from the experts, the commentators. I told you in Gem 1942, Ha Shem is The Hebrew word meaning “The Name” signifying the actual Divine Presence. It comes from the Old Testament reference in Psalm 118:26.
Blessed be he that cometh in the name of YHWH: We have blessed you out of the house of YHWH. YHWH is God, and he hath given us light: Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will give thanks unto thee: Thou art my God, I will exalt thee.
Psalm 118:26-28
ברוך הבא בשׁם יהוה
Blessed {the One coming} {in the name} {of the Lord}
baruch ha ba be shem adonai
blessed {the One} coming in {the Name} {of the Lord}
Jesus was in the centre of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Praise God in highest heaven!”
Matt 21:9
Jesus was in the centre of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Blessings on the coming Kingdom of our ancestor David! Praise God in highest heaven!”
Mark 11:9-10
Blessings on the King who comes in the name of the LORD! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!
Luke 19:38
. . . They shouted, “Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Hail to the King of Israel!”
John 12:13
The Greek text behind each one of these New Testament references is ἐν ὀνόματι Κυρίου (in the Name of the LORD).
The Lyrics from Paul Wilbur’s Song Adonai (from Gem 1945)
- Lord of eternity
- The mystery behind the veil
- Lord of heaven and earth
- God of Israel
- Come with your wisdom and power
- Clothed in your honour and strength
- Lord hear the cry of our hearts
- Come O conquering King
- And every eye will see
- Your glory fill the sky
- Adonai Adonai
- Every knew will bow to you Lord most high
- Adonai Adonai
- You alone are God every tongue will cry
- Adonai
- Here Jerusalem waits
- Praises lifted on high
- Here the beautiful gates
- Long to see you arise
- When all of Zion sings
- Baruch ha ba b’shem
- You are Lord over all the earth
- You are Lord over all the earth
The idea behind the words Ha Shem (The Name) is really Kurios or more appropriately Adonai, the substitute name for the unmentionable YHWH. Ha Shem does not have the same force as YHWH or ADONAI. Ha Shem is just simply Hebrew for “The Name”. Some commentators have suggested Ha Shem could be the name we are looking for. In order to be thorough I have included it in our list. It is used as a circumlocution (substitute) word by Jews when they don’t dare to enunciate YHWH. But Ha Shem does not have the same force as either Kurios or certainly Adonai. For that reason I am going to make the decision to remove Ha Shem from our list. I don’t think for a moment that Paul meant for us to think of “Ha Shem” as the Name that is above every name. There are more powerful options yet to be considered. Thus we must come to the conclusion that Ha Shem is not the name we are looking for. Ha Shem is therefore removed from our short list.
In the Name of God stop a moment, cease your work and look around you.
Leo Tolstoy
God has never in the history of mankind allowed his name to go long offended.
David Wilkerson
How small regard is had to the oath of God by men professing the name of God.
George GIllespie
Satan labels you; God names you.
Gloria Gaither