In Bible lands, names have had (and continue to have), significance of meaning in relation to the word of God. In the study of the names of God, we can learn many things about God in His revelation about Himself.
God is not the subject of scientific investigation. God is the subject of revelation. If God does not reveal Himself, then no amount of scientific endeavor will ever prove anything about Him. The Lord does not subject Himself to the depraved stupidity of educated sinners. After all, “God is a spirit.” We never have to worry about the scientists, astronomers, physicists, psychiatrists, and physiologists getting ahead of us in matters of knowledge about God. Any man who has the word of God is always considerably ahead of these kinds of people—always has been and, of course, naturally, always will be. In Theology, we are dealing with spiritual things which cannot be seen or tested with a microscope or a telescope—we are dealing with God’s revelation of Himself to man. MAN is the object of GOD’S scrutiny—not vice versa.
The names of God found in the Bible are found in three forms:
1. Primary names.
2. Compounds with the Hebrew word, “el.”
3. Compounds with the “tetragrammaton” in them, which is called “Jehovah.”
In the Hebrew language, the Massoretic “vowel points” for the word “Jehovah” are “Adonai,” making the word unpronounceable from the standpoint of the English language, since no one speaking the English language has ever heard the name pronounced. The name was considered too sacred to be pronounced, so we have transliterated it properly in the Old Testament as “Jehovah.” This is translated in the King James Bible as “Lord.” Many times it refers to God the Father, and many times, of course, it refers to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the “Jehovah of Jehovahs,” according to Revelation 19:16 (“LORD OF LORDS,” in the Authorized Version ). The “King of kings” is called the “LORD OF LORDS.” In the primary title, we have one word only, such as “el,” “ela,” or “eloi’’ (or “Jehovah,” “Adon,” “Adonai,” “God,” or “Lord”). Then we have compounds—two words used together —such as “Almighty God,” which is “El Shaddai.” We have “the most high God.” We have “the everlasting God.” And compounded with “Jehovah,” we have “Jehovah Rapha,” “Jehovah Nissi,” and so on.
We will now list fourteen names of God used in the Old Testament—first, from the Hebrew Old Testament text, and then, from the English translation.
1. “Elohim.” אֱלֹהִ֖ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) This name is found in Genesis 2:4, and is the most common name for God in the Old Testament. It is a compound word, and clearly points out the Godhead as Father, Son, and Spirit “Elohim”—a PLURAL word. It can also be translated as “gods” when dealing with the gods that oppose the true God (God the Father), and it is very significant to know that the Lord said, “The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens” (Jer. 10:11). The Lord Himself said, “I am the Lord, and there is none else, there is no God beside me” (Isa. 45:5). There is no other Saviour. The Christian who has doubts about these things should spend time studying Isaiah chapters 41 through 48. This first name for God, “Elohim,” means, “One who is mighty” or “The Lord who creates.”
2. “El elyon.” עֶלְי֔וֹן (‘el·yō·wn) This name is found in Genesis 14:22, and means, “The One who is supreme” or “The Lord who owns.”
3. “Adonai.” אֲדֹנָ֤י (’ă·ḏō·nāy) This name for God is found in Genesis 15:2 and means, “The Lord our Master” or “The One who is ruling.”
4. “El olam.” עוֹלָֽם׃ (‘ō·w·lām) This name for God is found in Genesis 21:33 and means, “The Lord who reveals Himself” or “The One who is mysterious.”
5. “Jehovahjireh.” This name for God is found in Genesis 22:14 and means, “The Lord who provides.”
6. “Jehovah rapha,” from Exodus 15:26, means, “The One who heals.”
7. “Jehovahnissi,” from Exodus 17:15, means, “The Lord our Banner.”
8. “El Shaddai,” from Genesis 17:1, means, “The All-sufficient One.”
9. “Jehovahshalom,” from Judges 6:24, means “The Lord our Peace.”
10. “Jehovah sabaoth,” from 1 Samuel 1:3, means, “The Lord of hosts.”
11. “Jehovah tsidkenu,” from Jeremiah 23:6, means “THE Lord OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
12. “Jehovah shammah,” from Ezekiel 48:35, means, “The One close by” or “The One present.”
13. “Jehovah elyon,” from Psalm 7:17, means, “The One who is blessing” or “The Lord our Blesser.”
14. “Jehovah raah,” from Psalm 23:1, means “The Lord our Shepherd.”
There are fourteen names for God in the Old Testament. They all apply to Jehovah God and to the Trinity, which is manifest as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They do not represent fourteen different “gods” from outer space, flying around in flying saucers, who don’t have enough sense to blow their nose on a windy day.
Hope this may be a blessing to the readers.
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