It's Déjà Vu All Over Again!

I recently experienced the above quote, attributed to Yogi Berra. I was doing research and looking through my copy of the WT Bible, The New World Translation, Green Cover, 1970 and on page 1455, at the bottom, there is a most interesting note on Isaiah 1:24 – “the [true] Lord.”

“This is the translation of the Hebrew expression ha-A•dōn´, this being the title A•dōn´ (“Lord; Master”) preceded by the Hebrew definite article ha (the). Although there are many lords or masters, this prefixing of the definite article before the title a•dōn´ LIMITS THE APPLICATION OF THE TITLE TO JEHOVAH GOD.”

Let me paraphrase the above. If you have the word a•dōn´(lord), it can refer to any lord or master (your boss, a judge, royalty, etc.). HOWEVER, if you put the word ha (the) in front of a•dōn and have, ha-A•dōn´ (the Lord) you are now referring to Jehovah God and only Jehovah God.

I remember seeing this word in another WT publication, the Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, purple cover: ha-A•don´ appears in Romans 10:9 on page 722 in footnote ª . Romans 10:9 reads:

"For if you publicly declare that ‘word in your own mouth,’ that Jesus is Lord,ª and exercise faith in your heart that God raised him up from the dead, you will be saved."

The footnote tells you that the English word "Lord" in Greek is Κύριος and in Hebrew is ha-A•dōn´ and as we know, from Isaiah 1:24, this title is limited to JEHOVAH GOD.

Romans 10:9 now reads, with the footnote in mind:

“For if you publicly declare that ‘word in your own mouth,’ that Jesus is Jehovah God, and exercise faith in your heart that God raised him up from the dead, you will be saved.”

Realizing that their own words (in Isaiah 1:24) have condemned their doctrine that, Jesus is not Jehovah God, the WT adds, at the end of the footnote, “Not ‘Jehovah.’” No explanation is given as to why their Isaiah 1:24 rule does not apply. But one can guess why—their doctrine DEMANDS that the term "Jehovah God" apply only to Jehovah and never to Jesus. Therefore, they had to insert “Not Jehovah” to maintain the integrity of their doctrine.

Will the typical door-knocker find this out? Not likely! Remember:

“Avoid independent thinking . . . questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization (WTBTS).” The Watchtower, Jan 15, 1983, p. 22.

Thus, when the WT says “Not Jehovah” the JW absolutely must nod their head in agreement or face disfellowshipping.