In the pursuit of genuine biblical faith and adherence to the Torah, a modern debate has emerged that, while rooted in sincerity, often creates an unnecessary paradox for sincere believers: the emphasis on specific biblical names in their original languages. While a reverence for the Hebrew roots of our faith is commendable, the mission given to us by God takes precedence over linguistic particulars.

The core of our duty is found not in the meticulous use of transliterated names, but in the faithful proclamation of God’s commandments and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Supremacy of the Commandment

The modern conversation often centers on the use of “Yeshua” instead of “Jesus” or “Yahweh” instead of “Lord.” Proponents of strict linguistic usage argue that using the original Hebrew forms prevents a “stumbling block” or better honors God’s identity.

Yet, this position inadvertently creates the very confusion it seeks to avoid. The Bible’s central focus, and the unwavering call of the prophetic message, is on obedience to the Ten Commandments and the good news of the coming Kingdom. This is the truth that must be clearly communicated.

The apostles preached and wrote in the common languages of their day—Koine Greek and Aramaic—to reach the maximum number of people. The Bible itself has been translated into thousands of languages, a process God clearly sanctioned to fulfill the Great Commission. To insist that a single Hebrew word is the only acceptable form, while accepting the translation of entire books of Scripture and fundamental titles like “God” (instead of ‘Elohim’) and “Lord” (instead of ‘Adonai’), presents a logical inconsistency.

The objective is clarity and truth, not the imposition of a linguistic litmus test.

---

The Reversal of Babel at Pentecost

The question of language and the mission of the Gospel finds its clearest answer in the book of Acts, chapter 2, on the day of Pentecost.

The confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11) was a judgment that scattered mankind; the miracle at Pentecost was a divine act to re-gather them through a common, clear message.

The King James Version of Scripture makes this point with perfect clarity:

“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.” — Acts 2:4–6 (KJV)

The focus is not on the Apostles suddenly being able to speak flawless Hebrew or Aramaic (languages already common in Jerusalem), but on Galileans—men whose very accent was distinct—suddenly speaking the languages of: Parthians, Medes, Elamites, Egyptians, Romans, Cretes, and Arabians.

The crowd’s reaction underscores the miracle:

“And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? We do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.” — Acts 2:8, 11 (KJV)

This event confirms the divine strategy for the last days: The wonderful works of God—the Gospel and the Torah’s principles—must be proclaimed in a manner that bypasses every linguistic and cultural barrier. God’s priority is that every man hears the truth in the language he was born in, ensuring the message of The Lord’s Return is clear and accessible to all nations.

---

Preaching the Gospel in Every Tongue

The prophet Ezekiel received a charge from God that speaks directly to our modern mission:

“Son of man, go, get thee unto the house of Israel, and speak with my words unto them.” (Ezekiel 3:4, KJV)

Ezekiel was commanded to speak to his audience in a way they could understand. The purpose was to deliver God’s message, not to teach a new dialect. Similarly, the mission of those awaiting The Lord’s Return is to deliver the message of the everlasting Gospel and the restoration of God’s law to a world of diverse languages.

The language that best facilitates the teaching of the Torah’s principles is the one we should use. Whether one uses “Jesus,” “Iesus,” or “Yeshua,” the person being referenced is the same. The focus must be on His nature, His sacrifice, and the principles He commanded us to live by, especially the Ten Commandments. The priority is the message, not the medium.

A Pure Language to Come

This freedom in language is temporary, as Scripture indicates. The prophet Zephaniah speaks of a future day when linguistic purity will be fully restored:

“Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.” (Zephaniah 3:8–9, KJV)

This future restoration of a “pure language” is a promise of God, not a task for man to enforce prematurely. Until that day, our marching orders are clear: preach the Gospel and the commandments in the language best understood by the hearers, preparing the world for the literal and imminent return of the Lord.