An anthropomorphic Yahweh holds greater religious value than a remote Absolute in Buddhism or Brahmanism, unifying philosophy and harmonizing cosmology but not vital to religious development. [1] Yahweh, believed to have created both good and evil, represents the evolving understanding of God in the Jewish scriptures recounted by Jesus. [2]
The eruptions of Mount Horeb instilled fear of Yahweh in the Bedouins, who later revered him as their supreme god. [3] The Syrians believed in Yahweh as well as their own gods, based on guidance from their prophets. [4] More than 100 Arabian tribes worshiped Yahweh, while a modified version of the old Yahweh ritual was practiced by Hebrew captive slaves. [5]
The growth in concept of Yahweh's beauty and glory is reflected throughout the Scriptures from Samuel to Isaiah, emphasizing religious instruction and spiritual guidance over historical accuracy. [6] The completed concept of Yahweh is designated by the term Jehovah, emerging fifteen hundred years after Jesus. [7] The concept of Yahweh evolved into the idea of the Universal Father, remaining unchanged in name throughout Jewish history. [8] The enduring Jewish religion, though flawed in many aspects, has preserved moral values through its clear-cut, personal concept of the supreme Yahweh. [9] The Jews did not change the name of Yahweh throughout the evolution of their concept of God. [10]
Moses proclaimed Yahweh as an expanded concept of Deity, combining influences from El Shaddai and El Elyon, learned from his parents and father-in-law. [11] Moses compromised by adopting the olden symbol of the golden calf as Yahweh for his followers. [12] Samuel proclaimed Yahweh as the unchanging embodiment of divinity and perfection. [13] King David's defeat of the Philistines enabled him to make the worship of Yahweh official for his kingdom and impose tribute on neighboring tribes. [14] In the times of Isaiah, the evolving concept of Supreme Yahweh as a Universal Creator replaced previous ideas of Deity. [15]
The transformation of the jealous and cruel spirit god of the Sinai volcano, Yahweh, was accomplished through the evolution and elevation of Mosaic teaching, leading to the exalted and supernal concept of the loving and merciful Father of all mankind. [16] Jesus primarily referred to Deity as God and Father, avoiding the term Yahweh used for the tribal God of the Jews. [17]