NAMES OF GOD
From Adonai to Yahweh, God has many facets. However, they all attest to His
nature, character, and relationship to us. Though not exhaustive, this list will give our readers a better insight into our Creator.
ADONAI
Adonai is a variation of the Hebrew word Adon and is transliterated in English as “the Lord.” The word stresses God’s relationship to man as God being the master, authoritarian provider. As God’s servants, we can expect Him (Master) to rule over us as we give Him our complete obedience. By allowing Him this position, we can expect provision for our needs without worry.
EL AND ELOHIM
The most common name for God in the Hebrew Bible is EL. Derived from the Semitic language is used over 200 times in the Old Testament. The root meaning of EL is “might, strength, and power.” Elohim is the earliest name of God in the Old Testament. Jesus is quoted as using a form of the name on the cross.
EL ELYON
Most High God. The term Elyon comes from the Hebrew root “al” and means to climb or ascend. The term often appears as just Elyon and is used by itself as a name for God.
EL SHADDAI
Lord God Almighty/All Sufficient One— Also El Shadday. The term is usually translated as “God Almighty” and is the name that occurs most commonly in the Bible.
JEHOVAH
The Self-Existent One— Another name for God; an approximation of the holiest name of God in Hebrew (the name was held so sacred that it was never written or spoken, and scholars are not sure exactly how it should be pronounced).
JEHOVAH NISSI
The Lord My Banner—mighty warrior, victory. A banner for the Israelites was a pole that often had an insignia attached, representing a rallying point for the soldiers going into battle. They used this as a point of focus for hope and encouragement. Just as with the Israelites, God is our focal point, and we are to always look to Him for our encouragement.
JEHOVAH RAPHA
The Lord That Heals— Rapha in Hebrew means to restore or heal. God is our Great Physician and can heal us of all things. God not only heals us emotionally and physically, but His Word tells us He will heal our “land.”
JEHOVAH JIREH
The Lord Will Provide— God is our constant provider. The Lord commanded Abraham to go to Mt. Moriah and offer his son, Issac, as a burnt offering, but the Lord provided a ram in the thicket in lieu of Issac because Abraham was willing to give God all he held dear. Abraham named the place The Lord Will Provide.
JEHOVAH SHALOM
Lord of Peace. One of our greatest desires is to have peace, but we can truly only have peace when we are in a relationship with God and, in turn, have peace with God.
JEHOVAH SABAOTH
The Lord of Hosts— Sabaoth means armies or hosts. God is the Lord of Hosts over every spiritual and earthly army.
YAHWEH – (YHWH)
He is, or He exists— Jewish tradition holds that the name of God was too holy to pronounce (they stopped saying this name in the third century and only wrote His name) and used the name Adonai in place of YHWH. Pronunciation of YHWH has since long been lost. Naturally, God would not have referred to Himself as “He is or He exists,” thus He told Moses, “I AM.”
ANCIENT OF DAYS
This name for God implies that He has been in place and enthroned from the beginning of time.
THE ALPHA AND OMEGA
This title tells us God is the First and the Last. From A-Z, He is the beginning and the end.
GOD
The history of the name “God” is not known. It was not used in ancient manuscripts either. Our word “God” supposedly goes back to Germanic origins and means “invoked one.” Nevertheless, we use it as a name for Supreme Being, Creator, The Eternal One. His name is Holy.
I AM THAT I AM, or I AM
God used this name at the burning bush to identify Himself to Moses. God is independent of any source or other existence, so I AM. He was, in essence, telling Moses that He was self-sustaining and the Creator, that He was Supreme and the Eternal One. When God says, “I AM,” He is referring to Himself in the first person, and He is attributing a more personal, self-identifying name to Himself.
GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB
Why did God choose to associate Himself with three men who were no different from you and me? Certainly, there is a very deep meaning here, but in a nutshell, He chose these men and used them as examples to show us how He wants to use his children to accomplish His will. These men served as examples of obedience and faithfulness and had willing hearts to do what God commanded. God made a covenant with Abram, and promises were made to be fulfilled for him/his descendants if God’s commands were satisfied. God’s promises are also for you, but as with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, their fulfillment is based on our execution of obedience to His requirements to receive them.
Here are several more titles for God:
Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6
Messiah – John 4:25
Immanuel – Isaiah 7:14
Lion of the Tribe of Judah – Revelation 5:5
The Bright and Morning Star – Revelation 22:16
Horn of Salvation – Luke 1:69
A Star Out of Jacob – Numbers 24:17
King of Kings and Lord of Lords – Revelation 17:14, 19:16
