The Divine Names Page 12

To the last spheerah on the column of Mercy, that of Resplendence, is assigned the previous name, YHWH, coupled with the plural noun TzBAWT ('tza-ba-OTE' = 'host', 'army'). This term is usually translated as 'the Lord of Hosts', and it is commmon to most versions of the Divine Names.21 Moving to the left-hand column, the Column of Strength, whose names are derived form the root AL, we first find the spheerah of Understanding. To it is given the name ALH ('el-AH', a form of 'god'), which, because the final H indicates the feminine singular, is sometimes translated as 'goddess'. Accordingly, the Qabbalists often called this spheerah the Divine Mother. This epithet is in line with religious and occult tradition around the world, according to which the left side is universally believed to be feminine.22 To the second spheerah down this column, the column's namesake—Strength—the Qabbalists ascribe the name ALHYM ('el-oh-HEEM' = 'god'). This word is thought to be God's title, as opposed to his name, which is YHWH. The word ALHYM is very likely related to the much earlier Akkadian word 'alahhinu', an appellation used of city officials.23 Finally, to complete the list of names for this column, the name given to the spheerah Glory is, like its counterpart on the right column, the name of the preceding spheerah coupled with the noun TzBAWT. This gives us the name ALHYM TzBAWT ('el-oh-HEEM tza-ba-OTE'), the God of Hosts.

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