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City Hall in Gdańsk
God's Name in Tricity
God's Name in Tricity
Here I would like to tell you about one of the most interesting motifs that can be found in Polish churches and synagogues. We are talking about God's name, which in Hebrew is written with four letters: יהוה (JHWH). This name has a rich history and meaning, as well as many interesting facts related to its pronunciation and usage.
God's name comes from the Hebrew verb hawah (יהוה), which means "to become." Many biblical scholars believe that the Name means "He causes to become." This name therefore expresses the idea that God is the one who causes all things to become and fulfills his purposes. This name is unique to the true God and distinguishes him from the false gods of human religions. The name of God occurs over 7,000 times in the original texts of the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), which shows that God wanted to reveal Himself to people as a personal being, not as an impersonal force or energy.
However, many people do not know how to pronounce God's name correctly. This is because the ancient Hebrew language used only consonants without vowels. When the Israelites read the Scriptures aloud, they added vowels according to oral tradition. However, over time, the Jews found God's name too sacred and forbade it to be spoken aloud. Instead, they used the title Adonai (Lord) or Elohim (God). Thus the original pronunciation of God's name was forgotten.
Various scholars have tried to reconstruct the correct pronunciation of God's name by comparing it with other Semitic languages or by adding the vowels of the title Adonai to the consonants of YHWH. This is how various forms of the name were created, such as Yahweh or Jehovah. However, we do not know for sure which form is closest to the original. However, it is more important to use God's name with respect and love than how exactly we pronounce it.
The name of God has not been forgotten by Christians or by sacred artists. In Poland, you can find many examples of the representation of God's name in architecture, painting, sculpture and religious graphics.
In the Middle Ages and modern times, the divine name YHWH was often used by Christians as a decorative element in various art forms. In Europe, you can find many examples of this name on sacred and secular buildings and on everyday objects.
Tricity is no exception to this rule. Many churches and other buildings have inscriptions or symbols on their façades or insides that contain the divine name IEHOVA or JEHOVA. Some of them are:
Cathedral Basilica in Gdańsk-Oliwa - on the altar of St. Michael the Archangel shows the Tetragrammaton surrounded by sunbeams. The divine name also appears at least nine times elsewhere in the basilica.
St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral John the Baptist in Kamień Pomorski - the inscription JEHOVAH is placed above the organ.
The National Museum in Gdańsk - the museum's collection includes coins from the 17th century with the inscription Iehova Deus et Rex and medallions with biblical scenes containing the Tetragrammaton.
Plymouth Square in Gdynia
St. Mary's Basilica in Gdańsk
The epitaph quotes Ezekiel 37:4-6 with the name Jehovah three times. In addition, the Tetragrammaton occurs in at least 9 other places in this church.
These are just a few examples of the presence of God's name YHWH in the Tricity. There are much more of them and it is worth discovering them while visiting this beautiful region of Poland. God's name is part of our history and culture and reminds us of a God who loves people and wants to have a close relationship with them.
I hope you found this post interesting and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me.
If you are planning to visit the Tricity in Poland and would like to take advantage of the guided tour "Following the Name of Jehovah", please contact the local pioneer of Jehovah's Witnesses.
Imię Jehowa w filmie "Indiana Jones i ostatnia krucjata" (fragment)
Imię Jehowa w filmie "Indiana Jones i ostatnia krucjata" (fragment)
Jehowa - imię Boga w filmie Indiana Jones i ostatnia krucjata.mp4Google Sites
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