The Bible uses different names for God to convey specific, personal meaning and identity. There is great power in a name. That says who we are is what we are known by to everyone around us. And there is nothing more powerful than the name of our Lord God. The Bible says that the name of the Lord is like a strong tower; the righteous can run there and be saved. In a world that often seems chaotic and filled with fear, His name is one to keep close.
The character of God and the name of God remain the same throughout all generations. He is fully trustworthy, ever powerful, ever loving, and ever present with us. Studying what God’s Word says about all that He is can help us better understand His nature and character.
If you need a little extra comfort today, find hope in His mighty name. He is the God of miracles and nothing is impossible for him. He parted the seas and delivered his people from one end to the other, far from all their enemies. He offered his protection during the days of the wilderness and lovingly led them through the wilderness to the promised land. He has provided a way for us to be saved through His Son Jesus Christ, and He has given us His Spirit to help us today. Don’t believe the lie that God is distant, too busy, doesn’t care about you, or is just waiting for you to mess up so he can tell you everything you’ve done wrong. It’s not what its name suggests.
We hold the promise that His love is everlasting, His mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness is great. Jesus told us to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your mind and with all your strength…” A good way to do this daily is to know the very character of God through the power of His name.
Pray these truths to Him, focus on one each day, or write them down in a place where you can constantly remind yourself of His awesome presence in your life.
1. Elohim – “God”
Elohim means “God” – This name refers to the incredible power and might of God. He is the One and Only God. He is Supreme, the true God in a world that promotes many false gods and religions. It is He on whom we can fully rely, He is Sovereign, It is He in whom we can fully trust. He is the Mighty One over all nature, this world and the heavens above, our creator God who has worked wonders by his hands. God reminds us that He is Elohim every day. His incredible power is at work in every sunrise and sunset, in the way he holds the stars in the sky and guides his people through difficult times. You can rest assured, you are held by an Almighty God, you never have to fear, God’s hands are strong and sure.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. » Genesis 1:1
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and their extent tells of the work of his hands. » Psalm 19:1
The name Elohim appears over 2,250 times in the Bible. Elohim [yihla] (God), a plural of Eloah [;H/la]appears over 2,250 times, sometimes with an addition such as “God of Abraham/Israel”, but most of the time it stands alone. After Lord (Yahweh), Elohim is the major designation of God. Elohim refers to “divinity” but virtually becomes a name for the true God. Elohim summarizes what is meant by “god” or the divine.
From the first sentence of the Bible, the superlative nature of The power of God is evident when God (Elohim) brings a world into existence (Genesis 1:3 Genesis 1:6 Genesis 1:9). Her actions also demonstrate her power, allowing infertile women like Sarah and Rebecca to conceive (Genesis 18:10 Genesis 18:14 ; 25:21), bringing out of Egypt an oppressed people (Exodus 20:2), and with increased power Jesus Christ from the dead (Rom 1:1-4). Believers, Peter writes, are “protected by The power of God“(1 Peter 1:5). In the name Elohim is the fullness of divine power.[[Evangelical Bakers’ Dictionary]
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2. Yahweh – “The Lord”
Yahweh means “The Lord” – Yahweh is derived from the Hebrew word for “I AM”, it is the proper name of the divine person, coming from the verb which means “to exist”, “to be”. When God told Moses to go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses was afraid. He needed to be reassured, he needed to know that God was bigger than this problem, that He would help them get through it, that even if people didn’t listen to him, they would listen to the One who sent him. Because his name carried so much respect and honor. He said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ So what should I tell them? God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” This is what you should say to the Israelites: “I AM has sent me to you.” ” Exodus 3:13-14
God’s name, Yahweh, is a name of authority. He is someone who wields great power and who says to all who hear: “I AM the One, the true God, follow me. » God is always the “Great I AM”, because He never changes. We can trust His loving leadership in our lives, just like Moses. He calls us for His specific purposes, reminding us that He knows our path and has a plan.
Yhwh, the tetragrammaton because of its four letters, is strictly speaking the only proper name of God. It is also the most frequent name, appearing 6,828 times in the Old Testament (nearly 700 times in the Psalms alone). Yah is an abbreviated form that appears fifty times in the Old Testament, including forty-three occurrences in the Psalms, often in the admonition “hallelu-jah” (lit. praise to Jah). English Bibles represent the name yhwh by the title “Lord” (written in capital letters to distinguish it from “lord”).
In the postexilic period, the Jews, for reasons of reverence, did not pronounce the name but substituted the word adonai (lord), and in written form attached these vowels to the tetragrammaton. The resulting mispronunciation of the name yhwh as a three-syllable word, Y [J]ehovah, continued in English translations of the Bible into the early 20th century. Evidence for Greek usage in the Christian era points to the two-syllable pronunciation “Yahweh.”
The theological meaning attached to the name yhwh is multiple. Judging by the etymology, but more particularly by the context in which the name is revealed (Exodus 3:12, 14; 6:2-8), the name means “presence.” God is “with”, he is near and among his people. This connotation of presence is reiterated in the name of the desert structure as “tabernacle” and in the promised name of Immanuel (“God with us”, Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). Yahweh is present, accessible, close to those who invoke him (Psalm 145:18) for deliverance (107:13), forgiveness (25:11) and guidance (31:3). Yahweh is dynamically close, but as God (Elohim) he is also paradoxically transcendent.
The name yhwh defines it as being involved in human struggle. The name of Yahweh is forever linked, through the event of the exodus, to salvation and liberation (Exodus 15:1-13; 20:2-3). The promise of salvation given in Exodus 6:6-8 ” is broad, including intimacy with God and the blessings of abundance, but is decidedly bracketed first and last with “I am Yahweh.” The name yhwh figures prominently in the oracles of salvation (Zep 3:14-17) and in petitions (Psalm 79:59; 86:1). The saving dimension of the name returns in the announcement of the incarnation: the one born must be called “Jesus” because (echoing the name yhwh) “he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). In the name of Yhwh the character of God as the savior of a people is revealed.
Theologically, the name Yahweh resonates with the covenant, in part because in the explanation of the name in Exodus 6:6-8 the formula of the alliance is invoked (“I will be your God and you will be my people”). The name Yhwh is a name that Israel can particularly boast of. In the covenant, issues such as justice (Isaiah 61:8) and holiness (Lev 19:2) enjoy very great notoriety.
The name yhwh is anything but empty. The name carries connotations of presence, salvation defined as deliverance and blessing, covenant bond and wholeness.[[Evangelical Bakers’ Dictionary]
3. Abba – “Father”
Abba means “Father” – Abba is the innermost form of God’s name, showing us His character as a loving Dad. He is the One who can be fully trusted, the One on whom we can lean, the One who cares about all that concerns us. Just as the presence of a divine father in our daily lives is one of protection, security, and unconditional love, the constant presence of our Heavenly Father is what gives us the strength and covering we need for this life’s journey. It’s one of my favorites names of God because he transmits his heart there for each of us, as his children. He gives us the privilege of being called his own sons and daughters. He provides us with the means of calling Him and the assurance, without doubt, that He hears and will answer. In life’s most difficult, even painful times, we can crawl into our Heavenly Father’s lap and know that He is for us and that His arms will keep us safe.
“Because you are his sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who cries, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6
The name Abba Father is the word for God in the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:2) The epithet is surprisingly frequent in John (108 times) and also in Matthew (forty times). The range of meanings includes those of authority and discipline, but also those of compassion, care, protection and provision.
4. El Elyon – “Most High God”
Means “Most High God” – El Elyon is a name used in the Old Testament revealing that God is above all gods, that nothing in life is more sacred. He is indeed the Lord Most High, the One who reigns supreme. He is greater than any force of darkness in this world, He is greater than any problem we might face in this life. In the struggles and battles of daily life, sometimes we just need to be reminded that God is always in control. He will never lose his power and might, even if the world seems dark many days, he has conquered death and sin. He is Powerful. He is Lord. He is exalted over all things.
“I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high. » Psalm 7:17
The name El Elyon derives from the root “to rise”, “ascension”, so that El Elyon can be considered spatially as the highest. Closely linked to temple services, twenty of its forty-five occurrences are found in the Psalter. Sometimes the compound is interpreted as a noun: “It is good to make music for your name, O Most High” (Psalm 9:1). El ‘Elyon denotes exaltation and prerogative and belongs to “monarchical theology” because it speaks of the absolute right to lordship. In the same vein, we can find the question: “Who is like you?” » (Psalm 35:10).[[Evangelical Bakers’ Dictionary]
5. El Roi – “God who sees”
El Roi means “The God Who Sees” – I love the kindness and caring that this name evokes as it evokes the character of God. He is the one who pursues us, who follows us with kindness. He is the one who sees us when we feel alone, alone, or when we simply need to be reminded that God is near. The name El Roi tells us that God watches over everything, that he sees people’s affairs and knows when we feel lost and unloved.
When Hagar fled to a deserted place, away from those who hurt and betrayed her, we see God surround her with so much grace and care. He didn’t leave her alone in her troubles. Nor will He leave us to fend for ourselves in difficult times. This story of God’s name reminds us that He is always near, that He sees us when we feel no one else does, and that He cares.
“She gave this name to the LORD, who said to her, “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “Now I have seen Him who sees me.” » Genesis 16:13
6. El Shaddai – “Almighty God”
El Shaddai means “God Almighty” – God’s name, El Shaddai, reminds us that He is omnipotent, He is the Almighty, He is 9-1-1 (Psalm 91:1) to run towards. And we can find refuge and rest in his shadow. This is comforting in a world where we face many battles every day. Sometimes it’s hard to know who we can trust; we may feel unsafe or uncertain about the circumstances around us. We want to know that our loved ones are protected and covered by His care, especially when they are far from us. This verse and God’s reminder that He is the Almighty gives us the security and assurance that nothing else around us can provide. He is the God who sees all, knows all, and has the power to go before us, to walk with us daily, and to cover us behind. Remaining in the presence of God gives us refuge and rest.
“He who dwells under the protection of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. » Psalm 91:1
God appears to Abraham as God Almighty, El Shaddai (Gen 17:1). The designation “Shaddai,” believed by some to be the oldest divine name in the Bible, appears forty-eight times, including thirty-one times in Job. The traditional rendering “God Almighty” is debated. A consensus of sorts holds that “shaddai” should be attributed not to Hebrew, but to an Acadian word meaning “mountain,” so that the expression produces a meaning like “‘El, he of the mountains.” If so, El Shaddai highlights the invincible power of God. Or, the name can designate its symbolic home. The juxtaposition of El Shaddai and El ‘Elyon (Numbers 24:16; Psalm 91:1) may suggest that El Shaddai is a God who is the head of the heavenly council, whose residence was sometimes largely associated with the mountains (Hab 3:3). [Bakers Evanglical Dictionary]
7. Yahweh Yireh – “The Lord will provide”
Yahweh Yireh means “The Lord will provide” – God will provide for our needs. Each of them, He is faithful, He is capable, nothing is too difficult for Him. Sometimes His timing is different from ours, maybe we feel like He forgot and didn’t hear our prayers. Sometimes we confuse our “needs” and our “wants,” and other times He knows what is best for us than we do ourselves.
We can trust Him, that His timing is perfect and that anything is possible for Him, even when we can’t see a way out. Abraham found this to be true. Alone with his son Isaac in the desert, he knew and trusted that God would provide a sacrifice in place of his only child. He believed in the character of God and knew that He was faithful, loving, and the God who would provide. It often seems like God is testing our hearts like He did Abraham that day. He wants to know what we are willing to lay before Him before He opens the doors of provision and blessing. May we be found faithful.
“So Abraham called this place the LORD will provide. And to this day it is said, “In the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.” Genesis 22:14
8. Yahweh Nissi – “The Lord is my banner”
Yahweh Nissi means “The Lord is my banner” – It is the name of God who proclaims his protection, guidance and deliverance for his people. Just as God provided divine protection to the Israelites from their enemy, the Amalekites, He offers us today protection and deliverance from the enemies we may face in this life. While Joshua and the people fought their enemy, Moses stood on top of a hill with the staff of God in his hand. The Bible records that although Moses grew weary when his hands were raised by his supporters, the Israelites won, and when his hands were lowered, the Amalekites won. It was clear to everyone who had given them victory that day.
Sometimes we spin our wheels trying to get through our tough days in our own strength. We get tired, we get upset, we get angry and we end up losing it. God’s reminder is that He is our banner, our protector, the One who is able to guide us and give us supernatural victory against the forces and obstacles that oppose us. If we allow Him to take control, He will do more for us than would ever be possible on our own.
“Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my standard.” Exodus 17:15
9. Jehovah Rapha – “Healer”
Jehovah Rapha means “Healer, the Lord who heals you” – This name brings so much comfort and hope to many of us who have prayed for healing and deliverance from illness, brokenness, or painful circumstances. It reminds us that God knows we need help, understands we need healing, and promises to redeem every broken place in our lives. He never leaves us alone, left to our own devices. Without Him, we could not hope for true freedom and healing, but just as God has brought miraculous deliverance from all types of sickness and hardship throughout His word, He promises to act on behalf of His people even today. Sometimes healing doesn’t happen on schedule or in the way we would choose, and that can be difficult. But as believers, we still have this hope and assurance: we will live forever free in heaven, far from the burdens we have carried here in this life. Jesus promises to make all things new and God will wipe away every tear.
He said, “If you will listen carefully to the LORD your God, and do what is right in his eyes, and pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his decrees, I will not bring upon you any of the diseases that I brought upon the Egyptians, for I am the LORD who heals you. » – Exodus 15:26
10. Yahweh Shalom – “The Lord is peace”
Yahweh Shalom means “The Lord is peace” – God is the only one able to give us the peace that surpasses all our understanding. Gideon knew this well from the time he and his people were surrounded by a fierce enemy. There was nothing about that time that seemed “peaceful.” And yet God stood strong on their behalf, was faithful, and brought deliverance throughout those fear-filled days. Perhaps this is why Gideon felt so led to build an altar to the Lord and call it “The Lord is peace.” In his darkest moments, he had seen how true this was.
God’s peace often makes no sense to a world that tells us to hurry up and worry. A world that seems hard some days, and often full of struggles. In the midst of it all, He reminds us that He is our true peace and so we never need to be afraid. No matter what we face.
“Then Gideon built there an altar to the LORD, and he called it The LORD is peace.” Judges 6:24
15 More Biblical Names of God and Jesus Christ
“I am” ~ Exodus 3:14, John 8:58
God said to Moses, “I am who I am. » And he said: “Say this to the children of Israel: ‘I have sent myself to you.’ »
Jesus said to them, “Verily, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am. »
“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” ~ Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be on his shoulder, and his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
“Alpha and Omega“~ Revelation 1:8
“I am Alpha and Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and was, and is to come, the Almighty.”
“The Word” ~ John 1:1, John 1:14
In the beginning was the Wordand the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, glory as of the only Son of the Father, full of grace and truth.
“Our justice” ~ Jeremiah 23:6
In his time, Judah will be saved and Israel will dwell in security. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”
“Creator” ~ Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
“King of kings, Lord of lords” ~ Revelation 19:16
On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written: King of kings and Lord of lords.
“Redeemer” ~ Isaiah 44:6, Isaiah 41:14
Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and their Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no god.
Do not be afraid, worm of Jacob, men of Israel! It is I who help you, declares the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
“Shepherd” ~ John 10:11, Psalm 23:1
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.
A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I wouldn’t want to.
“Emmanuel” ~ Matthew 1:23
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (meaning God with us).
“Messiah” ~ John 1:41
He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (meaning Christ).
What is your favorite name for God in the Bible and why? Let us know in the comments section!
Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor’s wife, mother of three extraordinary children (and many pets). Join her every morning on Fresh Day Ahead’s Facebook page, for daily encouragement to live a strong, free and fulfilled life of hope.
Photo credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Rasica, Video credit: InVideo
Originally published on Friday September 9, 2022.
