LECTURE XLIV. THE TETRAGRAMMATON, OR INCOMMUNICABLE NAME "I worship not the sun at noon, The wandering stars, the changing moon, The wind, the flood, the flame; I will not bow the votive knee To wisdom, virtue, liberty; There is no god but God for me, JEHOVAH is his name."-MONTGOMERY. "All pure beings, past, present, and to come, were created by the Word, and that Word is-I AM."-ZENDAVESTA. "That sacred place, where three in one, Was soon thy glory to proclaim."-Dunckerley. THE first formal revelation which was made of God's sacred name was to Moses at the burning bush, that it might be a pass-word to induce the Israelites to believe that he had been really sent for their deliverance.1 It was the sublime Word, which the later Jews pronounced ineffable, or incommunicable, and was called the Tetragrammaton, as Gregory Nazianzen explains it-universum id, quod est, in se complectitur, nec principium habens, nec finem habiturus. The Word, as respects the being of God, is indeed ineffable, because it cannot be justly applied to any created thing, although the heathen have impiously assigned it to gods of their own invention.4 "Men serving either calamity or tyranny did ascribe unto stones and stocks the INCOMMUNICABLE NAME."5 As this work is written for the information of Masons, the subject must be considered somewhat in detail." The Word which was communicated to Moses," as a credential necessary to the successful performance of his mission, was EHEIE, which, in our translation, is rendered I AM THAT I AM. Some writers have suggested an im provement, by the substitutic of a more expressive form, viz., Ero qui ero, I shall be that I shall be; others have declared in favour of the past form, which was-and thus it is said of Christ in the Apocalypse-" He which was, and is, and is to come;" including all times, past, present, and future ;10 and this appears to be the most comprehensive phrase. The Septuagint writes it ỏ ŵr, which was, using the present tense only." But it was not uncommon for the Hebrews to use the future instead of the preter tense. However this may be the above name expresses, and was intended to express, the eternity of the Godhead; and points to his unchangeableness, as well as his infinite perfections. The Jewish scriptures contain ten12 several names of the Deity, which are thus brought together by St. Jerome EEL, which signifies strength; ELOHIM and ELOHE, power. These were derived from the former word Eel. SABAOTH, the Lord of Hosts; HELION, high; as God is frequently called in scripture the Most High; EHEIE, because of his perpetual existence, or eternity; ADONAI, Lord; SHADDAI, because he is omnipotent; JAH and JEHOVAH.15 The latter was distinguished by the name of the Tetragrammaton ;16 and the four letters which compose it, viz., jod, he, vau, he, were called literæ flatus et quietus, symbolically referring to the Creator, as the author of breath and life, and the only giver of true rest.17 The Jews are said to have substituted the word Adonai 18 for this incommunicable name;19 but this admits of some qualification. St. Jerome, and after him Bellarmine, doubted the fact, because Jehovah and Adonai were two several names of God, and equally legitimate; and in some instances were appointed to be used in conjunction, as Jehovah Adonai;20 and the Septuagint uses the word voios or xvoios. It is clear, however, that the Jews interpret the text literally-" he that nameth the NAME shall be stoned;" whereas it signified nothing more than that the name should not be taken in vain,2 or used profanely, lightly, or indiscriminately in common conversation, which was forbidden in the third commandment; and therefore our authorized translation is more correct, which interprets the original by the words, "he that blasphemeth the Name shall surely be put to 23 death."25 The word Jehovah was written and pronounced by the high priest on certain solemn occasions. It follows, therefore, that it was not incommunicable. 27 28 It is, however, admitted, that though the high priest persisted in the use of this formula, even until the destruction of the temple by the Romans, precautions were used to prevent its pronunciation, whether right or wrong, from being learned by the people; for during the benediction in which this name appeared, the priests and Levites raised their voices to a louder strain while singing the accompanying service, that no one present might have the advantage of hearing it.29 A most effectual method of burying it in oblivion.so Thus the high priest himself, in subsequent ages, doubted whether he possessed the right pronunciation of this adorable name; until at length a superstitious belief became prevalent throughout the whole nation, that if any person were fortunate enough to attain to its proper pronunciation,3 he might shake heaven and earth,2 work miracles, and penetrate the arcana of heaven. The Talmuds are very severe on any delinquent who endeavours to convert the Tetragrammaton to such a purpose; and it is thought that the angels are debarred from its use. Thus the true pronunciation of this mysterious Word became, as they say, entirely lost during the Babylonish captivity. 36 33 Indeed there seems no agreement in the opinions of ancient writers on the just method of pronouncing this august name at any period.87 Macrobius, Diodorus Siculus, Clemens Alexandrinus, Irenæus, Augustine, Theodoret, and a host of other celebrated names might be adduced in proof of this fact. One says it was Jau, another thinks it was Jaoth, a third JavaS9 others Juba, Jao, Jah, Jehovah, and Jove.40 In a word, the letters of the name are perishable, and the pronunciation of little moment; but the Being himself is ineffable," incomprehensible, and worthy of our utmost veneration. He was called by the Romans Jove or Jah, by the Chaldeans, the Phoenicians, and the Celtæ, Bel or Bul; and by the Indians, Egyptians, and Greeks, Om or On. This name should never be lightly referred to, or used irreverently or profanely. He that sweareth by the throne of God, sweareth by Him that sitteth thereon. In this sense only the sacred name of God is unpronounceable. It is with great propriety that a respect for this sacred name has been introduced into every degree of Freemasonry.43 A knowledge of the Tetragrammaton not only distinguishes the Royal Arch degree," but formed the highest ambition of our ancient Jewish Brethren. They believed this incommunicable Word to be replete with every virtue ; and thought that by its efficacy united with the agency of his wonderful rod, an indispensable appendage to all magical ceremonies, the miracles in Egypt and the wilderness were performed.47 49 48 The Tetragrammaton was indeed the actual author of all the miracles which distinguished the patriarchal and Jewish dispensations. But it is absurd to believe with the heathen, (and it is doubtful whether the Jews also did not entertain a similiar faith,) that inanimate substances, however consecrated and inscribed by the art and science of man, could be endowed with the property which belongs only to Jehovah himself.50 Thus the Jewish Talmud ascribes miraculous powers to the Stone of Foundation,51 because it was inscribed with the sacred hierogram. 54 52 53 It is to be presumed that the Jews, instead of ascribing the miracles to the first cause, imputed them to the second. They were impressed with an idea that all the merit consisted in the disposition of the four letters which composed it. They saw the effect, but were not duly sensible of the cause; although it was constantly before their eyes in the cloudy and fiery pillar, for the veil was on their hearts.56 The Tetragrammaton was Jehovah;57 and Jehovah was Christ; and Christ was the true and awful Words by which all these miracles had been wrought.59 He it was who appeared to the patriarchs; for in the beginning was God. And thus the Logos himself censures those who put their trust in the virtue and efficacy of the name alone, without placing their chief reliance on the Being to whom it belongs:Many will say to me in that day, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy Name? and in thy Name have cast out devils? and in thy Name done many wonderful works ?61 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you; depart from me ye that work iniquity.' The testimonies to the truth of these suggestions are abundant, and contribute to show the futility of any confidence 66 1962 St. except in the Almighty power of God.63 St. John says, "the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us."64 Paul adds, "In Him dwelt the fulness of the Godhead bodily;65 and Christ himself crowns the argument with its concluding evidence by declaring, "I and my Father are ONE.' 1966 NOTES TO LECTURE XLIV. 1 Some think that the name of Jehovah was not known to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, because if Moses was not previously acquainted with it, neither could the patriarchs who preceded him. And the Rabbis, who entertained this opinion, defend it by the angel's reply to Manoah, when he demanded his name "Why askest thou after my name, seeing it is secret ?" It is, however, to be presumed that this name was in some degree familiar to the antediluvian patriarchs; for, at the very commencement of the scripture history, the fact appears to be clearly avouched. The first recorded acts of the human race after the fall are the unhappy differences between Cain and his brother Abel; and the account contains plain indications that the name of God was known to both. We are here told that Cain brought an offering to Jehovah, the triune Elohim— that Jehovah had respect to the offering of Abel-that Jehovah said to Cain; and Cain said unto Jehovah-and Jehovah set a mark on Cain, and Cain went out from the presence of Jehovah. (Gen. iv. 3-17.) After this, it would be against evidence to believe that either of the brothers was unacquainted with this remarkable name of God. And if so, it was known also to all the children and posterity of Adam in both branches 2 "As the word in the first verse of St. John constitutes the foundation, the subject matter, and the great ultimate end of the Christian economy; so does the same word, in all its relations to man, time, and eternity, constitute the very essence of speculative Freemasonry." (Town, Spec. Masonry, p. 154.) 3 The Jewish traditions relate that the angels having spoken of man with some contempt, God told them that Adam was wiser than they; and to convince them of it, he desired them to give names to the several animals, which they were not able to do. God put the same question to the man, who readily executed the task. He then asked his own name, and Adam replied that his name was Jehovah." (R. Moses Haddarshan, in Bereschit Rabbah.) The book of Enoch (lxviii. 19, 20) says-" The principal part of the oath which the Most High, dwelling in glory, revealed to the holy ones. Its name is Beker. He spoke to holy Michael to discover to them the SECRET NAME, that they might understand that secret name, and thus remember the oath; and that those who pointed out every secret thing to the children of men, might tremble at that name and oath." |