For the past ten years I have been captivated by the information, inspiration and revelation I have encountered regarding the magnificent, marvelous and unmatchable name of our heavenly Father. For the last two years, I have shared what I have learned in the hopes that my brothers and sisters in the faith would be spurred on to study this amazing name for themselves – a name found 6,828 times in the pages of Hebrew Scripture. In fact, I have encouraged those who have read and heard the information I have presented to compare and contrast it with the vast amount of differing thought that exists regarding this name and its pronunciation. I have always tried to stay positive and polite with those who have differing opinions about this important topic, especially when it comes to the issue of pronunciation possibilities of this powerful, profound (and unfortunately prohibited) Hebrew name.

I have enjoyed studying and interacting both with lay people and scholars as we examined the possibilities for pronunciation. I have decided to settle on the pronunciation as Yehovah (Ye – ho – vah’) a transliteration of the original written Hebrew name, which I have seen for myself in three of the most important existing Hebrew manuscripts: The Aleppo Codex, The Leningrad Codex and the Cairo Codex of the Prophets. These three witnesses contain the Masoretic vowel pointings, accents and notes, and have provided me with a level of confidence on pronunciation unmatched by any other witness of which I am aware. Nevertheless, I have been satisfied to simply present this information as “another witness” not feeling the need to discount, marginalize or disrespect those whose perspectives differ from mine.

I was recently invited by one of our many “Ambassadors” of His Name to enroll in the Torah Resource Institute online class entitled The Sacred Name: Escaping the Maze of Misinformation. I was really excited to see that this topic was being taught by Tim Hegg, founder of Torah Resource Institute. I registered, received my password and sat down to listen to the video presentation. My excitement turned to surprise when I heard my name mentioned along with that of my friend and colleague, the distinguished Hebrew scholar, Nehemia Gordon. My surprise soon morphed into shock when I saw that Tim Hegg had dedicated a major section of his class presentation to focusing on answering a question titled “The Original Pronunciation Recovered?” He then called us out by name and went on to say:

“Recently Keith Johnson and Nehemia Gordon have claimed to have recovered the original pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton by looking at photographs of the Leningrad and Aleppo Codices.”

For the next 17 PowerPoint slides, Tim Hegg attempted to discount, marginalize and disrespect my work and that of my distinguished colleague Nehemia Gordon. After going to great lengths to interact with a disproportionately small segment of the evidence found in our work and in the witness of these three Hebrew manuscripts, he concluded:

“. . . The claim of Keith Johnson and Nehemia Gordon to have recovered the original pronunciation of the divine Name rests on faulty data and speculation.”

As I listened to his presentation, I soon realized that the very crux of his argument bolsters the conclusions that Nehemia and I have reached. But don’t take my word for it, do your own independent study. That is precisely why I wrote His Hallowed Name Revealed Again; to help you interact with the information without the agenda of traditional interpretation!

What concerns me more than debating the pronunciation issues were two of Professor Hegg’s class applications:

1. “Since we simply cannot be certain about the original pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton, it is foolish to adopt a pronunciation that is based on a guess, even if it might be a good guess.”

2. “We should follow the pattern established from antiquity, a tradition followed by Yeshua and His Apostles, to substitute Adonai or Elohim, or another biblically warranted circumlocution (i.e. Almighty, Father in heaven, etc.)”

Anyone who has read my book or listened to any of my DVD or live presentations understands why this is so disheartening. I have offered to send him a complimentary copy of my book with the hopes that he will review it and revise his class presentation and applications. Instead of meeting down in the valley of “foolishness and tradition” with those who disagree with me, I will stay on the wall of my call and keep working.

“…I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop and leave it and go down to you?” Nehemiah 6:3

I am resolved to live by biblical truth rather than by man made traditions. I will continue to defend those of you who are simply trying to live out the Hebrew Scriptures, proclaiming the most important name ever given to humankind. My colleague, Nehemia Gordon, and I will continue to “Stand Against the Ban” and search out the remnant who desire to be “Ambassadors” and to provide them with information, inspiration and revelation so that we can stand together and call upon His holy Name!

I have been blessed and encouraged by the many “Ambassadors” around the world who are being set free from the shackles of tradition and are raising their voices in unity to call upon the name Yehovah the one true God whose name is to be praised and proclaimed. In this spirit, Nehemia and I prayerfully call upon you to join us in our quest to dismantle this unholy ban. To symbolize our commitment, we created this logo for you!

I have learned based on the biblical precedent set in the book of Nehemiah, that when you are building something that may threaten a power base there are certain things that you can count on taking place before you can declare victory. First they ignore you until you get their attention (Nehemiah 2:10). Then they ridicule you in hopes of causing discouragement (Nehemiah 2:19, 4:5). If that doesn’t work, they sometimes get angry and want to fight you (Nehemiah 4:7-9). If you are making real progress, they may even conspire against your work (Nehemiah 6:1:-14). But in the end, if you stay on the wall of your call, and continue inviting Yehovah to the battle you will win (Nehemiah 6:15-16).

It seems that my call to provide people of faith with access to information, inspiration and revelation about the name of our heavenly Father continues to catch the attention of those who may be a bit uncomfortable with my mission. I suggest, rather than calling me out by name, they should actually read my book before engaging in a battle. If they don’t have time to do that, I invite them to at least take the time to read the Forward of my book written by an accomplished Hebrew scholar. In the end, maybe they will respond like those in the book of Nehemiah and lose their will to fight (Nehemiah 6:16). In the meantime, I invite both them and you to join me in an amazing act of worship by learning to call upon our heavenly Father’s unique name!

“O magnify Yehovah with me, you people, and let us exalt his name together.” Psalms 34:3

If you are interested in becoming an “Ambassador” of His Name sign up for our newsletter and let’s build together!

After receiving such a huge response to the Stand Against the Ban Video we were inspired to create this logo. The time has come to gather those who are willing to use their biblical hammers to crush the ban against speaking the name of our heavenly Father! We are prayerfully preparing for an international initiative in 2012 that will no doubt cause a stir amongst the ranks of the religious police. Are you ready to break some boxes, cross some borders and bust some bans together! We are looking for a remnant group of people to communicate with in a strategic manner through our “Ambassadors” newsletter. Sign up in the lower right-hand box at www.hishallowedname.com. We want to keep you updated with information, inspiration and revelation that will equip you to be an effective witness in these prophetic days! Indeed, all the nations will know that His Name is being proclaimed again! “But, indeed, for this reason I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth.” Exodus 9:16.

“The Greeks made decrees to eradicate Israel, ordering them to deny the kingdom of heaven, to declare that they have no portion with the God of Israel, and not to mention the name of God on their lips.”

Scholion on Megilat Ta’anit, 3rd of Tishrei

It took one Israelite man and his five sons to stand-up against the pagan king and his unholy commands and to call a remnant of their countrymen to stand with them against the unholy ban. Through three years of desperate fighting, Judah the Maccabee led this remnant in liberating Israel from the iron grip of their Greek persecutors. Their cleansing of the Temple in 165 B.C. was celebrated as the first Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication. The dedication of the new altar was accompanied by the biblical practice of calling on the name of the God of Israel. This dated back to the time of the Patriarchs who “built an altar there and called on the name of Yehovah” (Genesis 26:25).

This video presentation posted here is for all who are ready, willing and able to “stand against the ban” that continues in synagogues and churches around the world regarding the prohibition of proclaiming God’s unique name. This program is a part of a 12-episode television series entitled His Hallowed Name that aired on a Christian television station at the beginning of 2011, but has since been canceled after this 6^th episode was shown to the world. Since the cancellation of the rest of the series and the ban from the stations bookstore of the accompanying book, His Hallowed Name Revealed Again; the proclamation of the information, inspiration and revelation of our heavenly Father’s name has continued to go forth around the world.

The digital version of His Hallowed Name Revealed Again is now available as an iBook in  iTunes stores in Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland, the United Kingdom and of course in the United States! The international “stand against the ban” movement is gaining momentum!

Therefore My people shall know My name; Therefore in that day I am the One who is speaking, ‘Here I am.’Isaiah 52:6

Become an “Ambassador” of His name by subscribing to our website newsletter www.hishallowedname.com on the lower right side banner and join with those around the world who have decided to Stand against the Ban!

For many years I have been praying, fasting, studying, writing, preaching, and teaching about the revelation I received in Israel about God’s holy name. All the work has finally sparked such a movement that even the religious police are not able to stop the momentum! With the help of hundreds of people around the globe, the groundbreaking book His Hallowed Name Revealed Again is now in the hands of thousands of people from diverse religious, economic, and ethnic backgrounds. In fact, the first edition has sold out and we are now distributing the updated second edition. The book has been enhanced with even more information and a Foreword by Israeli Hebrew scholar Nehemia Gordon who testifies how the book has touched his life in a most unexpected way. We’ve also added a scripture index that witnesses to more than 600 verses that undergird this amazing topic of study.

On the very same day the second edition rolled off the presses we received some much-anticipated news that adds even more momentum to the worldwide awakening about His hallowed name being proclaimed again. A man named Michael, whose name in Hebrew means who is like EL, was inspired after reading the first edition of the book. Michael, an engineer who implements software programs for defense systems for NASA, has created a cutting-edge interactive eBook. He has embedded audio, video, photos, and hyperlinks directly into the electronic pages of the book, and has incorporated many of the 80 different Hebrew names and descriptions from the inspirational CD! After 11 months and more than 200 revisions, the digital publication of His Hallowed Name Revealed Again has passed the rigorous Apple quality control process and is now available as an iBook on iTunes Bookstores in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Australia! Somebody say, “Worldwide momentum!”

With a simple click of a button people all over the world are now able to read, hear, and interact with the information and inspiration about our Heavenly Father’s holy, precious, and powerful name! Anyone who owns an iPad, iPhone, or iTouch can now download a free sample from iTunes and get a taste of the incredible buffet of revelation found in His Hallowed Name Revealed Again. People can either download the entire iBook on iTunes or order the physical book and CD at hishallowedname.com where they can also order the highly recommended 12 episode television series that is now available on DVD! You now have access to the information that will inspire you to honor, sanctify and proclaim His holy name!

Therefore behold I am going to make them know-this time I will make them know My power and My might; and they shall know that My name is the Lord. Jeremiah 16:21

I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that “the Lord” is not His name. The good news is that His unique Hebrew name, found more than 6,800 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, has been revealed again. The time has come to move out of the way and get behind the momentum that is calling people to become ambassadors of His holy name!

Therefore My people shall know My name; therefore in that day I am the One who is speaking, ‘Here I am’. Isaiah 52:6

Now let those who have been revived, rise-up with the information in their hands, and the inspiration in their hearts, and become ambassadors of His profound and powerful name! Then we shall not turn back from you; Revive us and we will call upon Your name. Psalms 80:18

Keith Johnson is author of His Hallowed Name Revealed Again and co-author of A Prayer to Our Father: Hebrew Origins of the Lord’s Prayer.

My radical change started with a dream at the time of Passover in 2002. I have decided to honor the anniversary of this very important time in my life, by releasing a 2-hour special, which aired on God’s Learning Channel as the inaugural episode of La Luz Del Suroeste, the Spanish version of Light of the Southwest. In this bi-lingual episode I testify to what caused my “conversion” in English and Dr. Dennis Otero provides a running Spanish translation. Because of circumstances beyond my control, this episode has been banished to the GLC archives after only being aired once. However, I am pleased to announce that I have found a copy of what I call: The Lost Episode: Confessions of a Converted Methodist Preacher.

In this two-part episode I explain, in the best way I can, what a Methodist preacher is doing “hanging out” and studying Hebrew with a Karaite Jew. The first part focuses on my background, my divine invitation to Jerusalem, my encounter with an ancient Torah Scroll and introduction to Nehemia Gordon. The second part focuses on our joint study of the Hebrew origins of the Lord’s Prayer and the revelation of our Heavenly Father’s Name found in ancient Hebrew manuscripts. I should confess that there is a section where I challenge the religious authorities, especially the Pope, who has recently banned the pronunciation of this Name. If this video suddenly disappears don’t be surprised if it ends up in the Vatican Secret Archives.

If after viewing the “Lost Episode” you would like to learn even more about my radical change that came as a result of three special encounters in Israel, you can read and download the entire first chapter of my book His Hallowed Name Revealed Again.

If you have any difficulties viewing the videos go directly to vimeo for Part 1 or Part 2

I have been struggling in prayer about what my response would be to the authors of the Aramaic letter who have charged me with teaching from two important Hebrew manuscripts. For those who do not know, I have written a book titled His Hallowed Name Revealed Again and I was invited to produce a twelve episode series as a companion to the book for God’s Learning Channel. In a surprising move, the show was canceled after airing only seven episodes. The reason given for the cancellation was that the Hebrew manuscripts I used as two witnesses on pronunciation of the name of God, had been called into question by some folks who believe strongly in Aramaic primacy over the Masoretic texts of the Hebrew Bible.

Even though I address the basis for my use of these texts in my book, the “Aramaic primacists” did not read the book, watch the program or address their questions to me. Rather, they were able through their “Aramaic letter” to convince the station to cancel the series unless I could convince Nehemia Gordon to agree to a two-hour taped television debate.

I have been grieved by the cancellation of the series primarily because of the many people who were learning new information and being inspired to dig deeper into their bibles. As I was struggling over how to respond to the Aramaic challenge and the cancellation of the series, there was a ground swell of people that wanted to judge for themselves the information I was going to present on television.

There have been calls from friend and foe alike for the episode about the two Hebrew manuscripts to be aired. Rather than wait for an unscheduled recorded televised debate before people are able to interact with the information, I have been led to post this episode for your review. This episode was presented with the idea that it is a companion to my book His Hallowed Name Revealed Again and not an exhaustive treatment on the history or primacy of these two manuscripts. I provide much more information on those issues in my book. I look forward to your comments!

This video was taped on location in Israel at a recently discovered ancient biblical site. The Fortress of Elah is the place where David made the decision to face Goliath. My prayer is that you will be encouraged like I have, to be like David, who called upon the name of the God of Israel as he faced the challenge of the Philistine giant (1 Samuel 17:45). Enjoy!

Light of the Southwest 11-16-2010 Part 1 from Daniel LeFebvre on Vimeo.

Light of the Southwest 11-16-2010 Part 2 from Daniel LeFebvre on Vimeo.

Over the next few days, people around the world will celebrate the biblical holiday called Yom Kippur. When Yom Kippur was celebrated at the Temple in Jerusalem, the High Priest would stand and proclaim the Name in a loud voice and the people would bow their heads and hearts in humility. Since the destruction of the Temple, the Name has been hidden under layers of tradition and translation. In honor of the time when the name was proclaimed and in anticipation of when it will be proclaimed again, here are ten of the variations of His hallowed name found in the Hebrew Bible for you to see and hear. What is your response?

For more information on Yom Kippur, Nehemia Gordon has written an informative article.