WHY? Does YHWH really not want us to use his name? Did He give His name to Moses but intend it to be too holy to utter as the rabbis say it is? If so, why would He tell us over and over to call upon His name? If He repeatedly identified Himself by His name of YHWH, wouldn't that mean He mean for us to know Him by that name?
"Out of a [misguided?] reverence for the Sacred Name, ancient Hebrew scribes replaced the Name of 'Yahweh' (Hebrew YHWH) a total of 134 times with the Hebrew word 'Adonai,' meaning, 'my master.' The way this was done was to take the "vowels" from one word and add them to the "consonants' of the other word, making a new word, which is then substituted each time the Name of the Creator is encountered. Again, this was done so that His name would not be misused. It can be argued, though, that because it is never used, that is just as scandalous.
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Names_of_G-d/Adonai/adonai.html for more detailed information on "Adonai".
The following are all instances where this occurred: Gen. 18:3, 27, 30, 32; 19:18; 20:4; Ex. 4:10, 13; 5:22; 15:17; 34:9, 9; Num. 14:17; Josh. 7:8; Judg. 6:15; 13:8; 1Kings 3:10, 15; 22:6; 2Kings 7:6; 19:23; Isa. 3:17, 18; 4:4; 6:1, 8, 11; 7:14, 20; 8:7; 9:8, 17; 10:12; 11:11; 21:6, 8, 16; 28:2; 29:13; 30:20; 37:24; 38:14, 16; 49:14; Ez. 18:25, 29; 21:13; 33:17, 29; Amos 5:16; 7:7, 8; 9:1; Zech. 9:4; Mic. 1:2; Mal. 1:12, 14; Ps. 2:4; 16:2; 22:19, 30; 30:8; 35:3, 17, 22; 37:12; 38:9, 15, 22; 39:7; 40:17; 44:23; 51:15; 54:4; 55:9; 57:9; 59:11; 62:12; 66:18; 68:11, 17, 19, 22, 26, 32; 73:20; 77:2, 7; 78:65; 79:12; 86:3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 12, 15; 89:49, 50; 90:1, 17; 110:5; 130:2, 3, 6; Dan. 1:2; 9:3, 4, 7, 9, 15, 16, 17, 19, 19, 19; Lam. 1:14, 15, 15; 2:1, 2, 5, 7, 18, 19, 20; 3:31, 36, 37, 58; Ezra 10:3; Neh. 1:11; 4:14; Job 28:28. For additional information, refer to The Companion Bible, Appendix 32."
In fact, in the Hebrew Bible, He reveals His name to Israel as YHWH over 6,700 times.
I know it goes against Jewish tradition to use the sacred name. I know that in some circles those who say and use His sacred name would be ostracized, ridiculed, and barred from fellowship. I know that those who speak the name of YHWH out loud in a synagogue in casual conversation would be asked to leave. BUT where does the Torah command this? Is there BIBLICAL evidence for changing the name of our Abba to something other than what He called Himself? Are there directives NOT to use His name?
Yeshua said, “Whatever you ask in My name….” (John 14:13). We consider His name the key to approaching His Father, to any authority He gave to us in many capacities, including prayer and intercession, and banishing demons or evil forces. We ourselves have no power on our own. The authority and power is in Yeshua’s name. Pretty much everything we do in Christianity is “in His name.” If Yeshua’s name is so important, could using His Father’s name be any less important? How much have we, as believers, or as Israel, limited His power to work through us because we’ve been deceived into thinking the name of YHWH is off limits, too holy to be spoken? How can we call upon His name if we have rendered it unspeakable, changed it, hidden it?
If His name was not to be used, why would Scripture promise, “As for me, I shall call upon my God (Elohim), and YHWH will save me”. Psalm 55:16
It is true that we do find the commandment not to MISUSE His name. Number three of the Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20:7, simply says: Do not misuse the name of the LORD your God, because the LORD will not leave anyone unpunished who misuses His name.
What does "misuse" mean? Dennis Prager of Prager University explains it so well:
<<<<<The worst sin is committing evil in God’s name.
How do we know?
From the third of the Ten Commandments. This is the only one of the ten that states that God will not forgive a person who violates the commandment.
... It is most commonly translated as, “Do not take the name of [YHWH] thy God in vain. For He will not hold guiltless” — meaning “will not forgive” — whoever takes His name in vain.”
Because of this translation, most people understandably think that the commandment forbids saying God's name for no good reason. So, something like, “God, did I have a rough day at work today!” violates the third commandment. (my note: that also would have to mean that "God" is His name and not YHWH... which is a whole other rabbit trail...)
But that interpretation presents a real problem. It would mean that whereas God could forgive the violation of any of the other commandments — dishonoring one’s parents, stealing, adultery or even committing murder — He would never forgive someone who said, “God, did I have a rough day at work today!”
Let’s be honest: That would render our God and the Ten Commandments morally incomprehensible.
As it happens, however, the commandment is not the problem. The problem is the translation. The Hebrew original doesn’t say “Do not take;” it says “Do not carry.” The Hebrew literally reads, “Do not carry the name of YHWH, thy God in vain.” (emphasis mine)
This is reflected in one of the most widely used new translations of the Bible, the New International Version, or NIV, which uses the word “misuse” rather than the word “take:”
“You shall not misuse the name of YHWH, your God.”
This is much closer to the original’s intent.
What does it mean to “carry” or to “misuse” God's name? It means committing evil in His name.
And that God will not forgive.
Why not?
When an irreligious person commits evil, it doesn’t bring [YHWH] and religion into disrepute. But when a religious person commits evil in God's name he destroys the greatest hope for goodness on earth — belief in a God who demands goodness, and who morally judges people. >>>>>>
So, while it is not respectful in any way to "take the name of the LORD, God, YHWH in vain" as in the commonly understood translation, it is even more egregious to MISUSE YHWH's name to commit acts that He and His Word forbid! Prager uses the example that the Nazi's committed unspeakable acts, all the while saying they were doing it with God's blessing. This was an epic misuse of His Name. Many would argue that there are whole denominations, who call themselves Christian, who daily misuse
Now, let us look at BIBLICAL evidence that indicates we are SUPPOSED to speak, utter, use, exclaim, sing to and shout His Glorious Name, YHWH!!
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
Isaiah 52:6 Therefore my people shall know my name. Therefore in that day they shall know that it is I who speak; here am I.”
Isaiah 42:8 I am YHWH; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.
Psalm 83:18 That they may know that you alone, whose name is YHWH, are the Most High over all the earth.
Psalm 68:4 Sing to YHWH, sing praises to His Name; lift up a song to Him who rides through the deserts; His Name is YHWH; exult before Him!
Psalm 61:8 So will I ever sing praises to your Name, as I perform my vows day after day.
Jeremiah 16:21 “Therefore, behold, I will make them know, this once I will make them know my power and my might, and they shall know that my name is YHWH.”
Exodus 3:13-15 Moses said to God, “Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you;’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ What should I tell them?” YAH said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and he said, “You shall tell the children of Israel this: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” YAH said moreover to Moses, “You shall tell the children of Israel this, ‘YHWH, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and this is my memorial to all generations.
Psalm 5:11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.
This is just a SMALL number of the verses that exhort and command and remind us to USE His name.! YHWH also warns us not to make up our own rules or follow our own directives and desires.
He says the heart is deceitful above all things! Jeremiah 17:9
Deuteronomy 4:2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.
Deuteronomy 12:32 Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it.
Proverbs 30:6 Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.
Revelation 22:18-19 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, YAH will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, YAH will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
2 Samuel 22:50 Therefore, I will give thanks to You among the nations, O YHWH, And I will sing praises to Your name.
Psalms 69:30 Therefore I will give thanks to You among the nations, O YHWH, And I will sing praises to Your name.
Psalm 18:49 ...and for the Gentiles to glorify YAH for His mercy; as it is written, "Therefore I will give praise to you among the gentiles, and I will sing to your name".
I am YHWH, that is my name. Isaiah 42:8
I am YHWH, I do not change. Malachi 3:6