[GCFL-discuss] The Name of G-d

[gcfl-discuss at gcfl.net]

I don't want to answer a question for greenBubble, but since I haven't
seen what he says, let me throw in my own guess.

Taking an initial out of the word G-d is probably a reflection of the
Biblical prohibition against taking the Lord's name in vain. Originally,
this did not refer to swearing, but to the literal requirement that the
Name of God was so holy that it should never be uttered aloud, and most
people didn't know exactly what it was. The letters JHWH were used as a
reference, and at various times were pronounced Jehovah or Yaweh or some
other things that were never recorded and that we may never know.

Old Testament references to "the Lord" or in the original, Adonai, were a
way of referring to the deity without using the Name. Personally, I had
not thought to leave anything out of the word "God," because its a
general reference, not the name, but someone who wanted to be VERY
consistent might do exactly that.

Siarlys


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