There are two views on the addition-subtraction rule of the Bible based on Deuteronomy 4:2, Deuteronomy 12:32, Proverbs 30:6, Revelation 22:18-19:
1. Literal addition-subtraction to the word of God that will cause a change in the context or message being imparted (Proverbs 30:6, Revelation 22:18-19). Example: The serpent added the word “not” in Genesis 3:4 to God’s consequence for disobedience (Genesis 2:17). However, the transliteration or translation from the original language to another does not violate the commandment provided that the context or message is not changed.
2. Disobedience to the commandments of God (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32). It would be perilous to neglect the commandments of God, that is, to “DIMINISH.” It is also deceitful to entertain superstitions, philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ (Colossians 2:8, Mark 7:8), that is, to “ADD”.
Scholars and linguists added letters to the original text of the Scripture for the purpose of vocalization, or they add words and arrange them for the translation to another language so as to be grammatically correct.
As an example, in vocalizing “ehyeh” or "hayah" (Genesis 3:14) as “I AM” in English, calling Him "The Great I AM", Yahweh, Jehovah, El, Elohim, Adonai, The Lord Who Heals, The Lord our Banner, etc., it doesn’t violate the Biblical addition-subtraction rule, provided that it still refers to the Lord our God, the Self-Existent One. On the other hand, it is blasphemous to emphatically say that God is Baal just because of transliteration or vocalization into Yahweh or Jehovah, based on man's opinion, internet articles or archeological findings. "Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any," says the Lord (Isaiah 44:8). When we mention the name of the Lord our God, let us give our full reverence to Him. "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain" (Exodus 20:7).
We are not teaching a dogma of a denomination and we do not rely on man's opinions, internet articles or archeological findings. In teaching the Word of God, we do not please men. We are diligent to present ourselves approved to God, workers who do not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
Bible Verses:
Deuteronomy 4:2 (KJV), "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you."
Deuteronomy 12:32 (KJV), "What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it."
Proverbs 30:5-6 (KJV), "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."
Revelation 22:18-19 (KJV), "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
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