Name (Strong's #8034): "In our modern western culture a name is nothing more than an identifier, really no different than being assigned a number. The Hebrew word for a name is שם (shem) But, in the Ancient Hebrews culture the 'shem' is much more than just a name it is the 'breath' of the individual. To the Hebrews the breath is more than just the exchange of air in the lungs it is his "character," the internal qualities of an individual that make him unique. This idea of the word shem meaning character can be seen in 1 Kings 4:31, 'and his fame (shem) was in all the nations round about.' Here, the word "fame" is understood as his 'character.'"

The command "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain." may be translated "You shall not take the breath of the LORD your God in vain."

Consider each or yourselves respectively Adam and Eve. The Lord breathes life into us all, his light sustains us from moment to moment. Don't take this breath in vain.

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Strong's #430: "The Hebrew word אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) is the plural form of אֱלוֹהַּ (elo'ah) literally meaning "strength" and "power" and is usually translated as God or god. The שם is the masculine plural suffix and when added to this word becomes אֱלֹהִים (elohiym) which is usually translated as gods or judges as they are strong and powerful ones."

You could take this to mean *one* God of a plurality of powers and authorities, or it could mean Gods as in a plurality of rulers. The Hebrews are credited for a monotheistic religion, and it is true that only one being deserves worship, yet Joseph described many rulers in heaven given authority over the earth and its inhabitants, accountable to the one being we worship. The monotheistic Hebrew bible supports such an interpretation.