Mentioning the Names of Other Gods?

[Shoshana]

I've had a bit of a rap on the virtual knuckles today on another network by a hard-core sacred namer for automatically feeding links to my blog which included ideas for studying Ancient Greece.

The relevant scripture is Exodus 23:13 - "And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth." KJV

To what extent should we avoid the names of other 'gods'? Actually, when you look at the origins of words in English, there are a huge number (not only religious words) that are derived from the names of pagan deities. For example, the word "amuse" is from the Greek muses. The same is true of all other languages. The only language that is pure, the lashon haKodesh, is Hebrew, and not even modern Hebrew as spoken in our fallen world can claim to a complete lack of tainting - even the names of some of the tribes of Israel were actually the names of pagan deities (notably Issachar, after Shachar!).

So where should one draw the line?

Surely not studying ancient cultures at all is a step too extreme?

This actually is related to the question of which names to use or not to use for the Most High God, the God of Israel. Should we really stop using the English word God because the word may be derived from a pagan deity?

[Spitfire]

Shoshana,
I don't know how others will feel about this, but for us. Well, we came from a life time of using another name for YHWH. And I just really feel that while He is a jealous G-d (as stated in Deuteronomy 5:7), He is not so insecure that He's going to strike us all with lightening bolts if we forget the sacred name and use the name we've grown up with. He looks at our hearts, and He realizes we're trying to change our language, that we're talking about/to Him, and that this isn't the "worshiping of another god." We also have to be careful that we don't get so adamant about using only YHWH that we offend or cause to stumble someone not yet on this journey we're on. My parents for example get upset when we use the sacred name....so with them we use G-d. He'll look at our hearts, and understand. Yeshua even told us to not be like the Pharisees who were so consumed with the law they forgot the message and heart of the law.

As far as not studying ancient cultures, if we don't do at least some study of them then how do we make sure we aren't repeating their mistakes? If we don't study history, we're bound to repeat it....that was spoken by someone famous and most likely important, but at the moment I can't remember who.....sigh. I would also qualify that by study them while using Torah to ascertain what is meat and what is bones to spit out. Does that make sense? And especially since so much of our modern cultures are based on Greek culture....it seems a little shameful to not study them....again while comparing to what Torah tells us is correct living.

I feel studying ancient cultures and comparing to Torah to see where they made their errors is fine. Studying them to see what cool things you can incorporate into your faith....well, I'd be real careful of that. But when we study the first century church or the life of Yeshua, aren't we studying an ancient culture? Hope that helps. Shalom, Spitfire

[Jody]

Shalom, Many so called "sacred name" ers are overly zealous in regards to the Name. Does that make them wrong? Absolutely not! If you do not study to find out the origins of words, you cannot know that you are using the names of other g-ds. Just using todays calendar etc, is letting the names of other mighty ones come out of your mouth. (I don't use the gregorian calendar) But on the other hand, I also believe we should not "dummy down" our beliefs and language to suit others who are "not yet on the journey we're on." How else are they going to be stirred to find out?
It is the lack of love and patience with many messiantics, and what their particular shtick is. With some it is the Name, and they want to crucify any who do not use it. Others it is the saturn-day sabbath, others it is rabbinic ordinances. I don't believe we should compromise the truth and light we have received, neither do I believe we should try to cram it down someone elses throat!

[John Medwin]

Isa 28:11 Nay, but by men of strange lips and with another tongue will he speak to this people;

The prophets continued to mention the false gods as they exhorted Israel to turn from them. And if we are concerned about pagan roots in our English words, then we will have precious little to say. In Hebrew, it is all about context. And the context of the exhortation was not to speak of them as if they were special to us. After all the word "baal" also means husband. So it's not that there are good words and bad words. It's all a matter of how we use those words.

There are those today who are all hung up on the words. They say that "lord" is a bad word because lord means baal. They feel better using the word master. Yet master means lord, and therefore means baal too! So it's all a matter of word games. Our job is to communicate Gods plan for His people. And He can even use those of a "strange tongue" to do it.

[Shoshana]

Thank-you, John. That was helpful and insightful.

[Shalahyah Hawkins]

Exodus 23:13 - "And in all things that I have said unto you be circumspect:
and make no mention of the "name" of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

This Scripture up above is totally misunderstood by ALL,
who will not study the original ancient Hebrew meaning
of the Hebrew word, that is represented by the English word "name".

Look it up in the Strong's Hebrew Dictionary:
name:H8034
שׁם
shêm
shame
A primitive word (perhaps rather from H7760 through the idea of definite and conspicuous position;
compare H8064); an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality;
by implication honor, authority, character: - + base, [in-] fame [-ous], name (-d), renown, report.

The word "name" is referring to Honor, Authority, And Character.
If we do not have the honor, authority, and character of LORD God,
then we are Mentioning the honor, authority, and character of a Pagan god or gods.

mention:H2142
זכר
zâkar
zaw-kar'
A primitive root; properly to mark (so as to be recognized),
that is, to remember; by implication to mention;
also (as denominative from H2145) to be male:
- X burn [incense], X earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of),
be mindful, recount, record (-er), remember,
make to be remembered, bring (call, come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance,
X still, think on, X well.

We are not to reverence pagan gods.
We must ONLY reverence LORD God, By remembering to observe
and then do the Commandments of the Torah, That is Righteousness!

Deu 12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them,
after that they be destroyed from before thee;
and that thou enquire not after their gods,
saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
Deu 12:31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God:
for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth,
have they done unto their gods;
for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.
Deu 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it:
thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Simply saying the name of a god does NOT mean that you are Worshipping that god!

To learn more about this subject,
go to: http://trumpetsound.faithweb.com