Names of God
Adonai
Lord, Master
Like Elohim, this too is a plural of majesty. The singular form means “master, owner.” Stresses man’s relationship to God as his master, authority, and provider.
(Gen. 18:2; 40:1; 1 Sam. 1:15; Ex. 21:1–6; Josh. 5:14)
Elohim
The Creator God
The plural form of EL, meaning “strong one.” It is used of false gods, but when used of the true God, it is a plural of majesty and intimates the trinity. It is especially used of God’s sovereignty, creative work, mighty work for Israel and in relation to His sovereignty.
(Isa. 54:5; Jer. 32:27; Gen. 1:1; Isa. 45:18; Deut. 5:23; 8:15; Ps. 68:7)
El Shaddai
Lord God Almighty
The derivation is uncertain. Some think it stresses God’s loving supply and comfort; others His power as the Almighty one standing on a mountain and who corrects and chastens.
(Gen. 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; Ex. 6:1; Ps. 91:1, 2)
El Elyon
The God Most High
Stresses God’s strength, sovereignty, and supremacy (Gen. 14:18–20; Ps. 9:2; 61:2; 92:1; Dan. 7:18, 22, 25).
El Olam
The Everlasting God
Emphasizes God’s unchangeableness and is connected with His inexhaustibleness.
(Gen. 3:22; 16:13; 21:33; Ps. 90:1–2; 93:2; Isa. 9:6; 26:4; 40:28)
El Roi
The God Who Sees
Points to the fact that God sees us and knows our very thoughts.
(Gen. 16:13; 16:1–16; Ps. 33:18–19)
Yahweh (YHWH)
Lord, Jehovah, The Self-Existent One
Comes from a verb which means “to exist, be.” This, plus its usage, shows that this name stresses God as the independent and self-existent God of revelation and redemption.
(Gen. 4:3; Ex. 6:3 (cf. 3:14); 3:12)
Yahweh Jireh (Yireh) / Jehovah Jireh
The Lord Will Provide
Stresses God’s provision for His people.
(Gen. 22:14)
Yahweh Nissi / Jehovah Nissi
The Lord My Banner
Stresses that God is our rallying point and our means of victory; the one who fights for His people. (Ex. 17:15)
Yahweh Shalom / Jehovah Shalom
The Lord is Peace
Points to the Lord as the means of our peace and rest.
(Gen. 49:10; Jud. 6:23–24; Ps. 4:8; 29:11; Pro. 16:7; Isa. 26:3; 2 Thess. 3:16)
Yahweh Sabbaoth / Tsabbaoth
The Lord of Hosts
A military figure portraying the Lord as the commander of the armies of heaven.
(Isa. 6:3; 1 Sam. 1:3; 17:45; 2 Sam. 6:2, 7:26–27; 1 Chr. 11:9; Haggai 1:5; Rom. 9:29; James 5:4; 2 Cor. 6:18; Rev. 1:8; 4:8)
Yahweh Maccaddeshcem / Mekoddishkem
The Lord Who Sanctifies You
Portrays the Lord as our means of sanctification or as the one who sets believers apart for His purposes.
(Ex. 31:13; Lev. 20:8)
Yahweh Raah / Jehovah Raah
The Lord My Shepherd
Portrays the Lord as the Shepherd who cares for His people as a shepherd cares for the sheep of his pasture.
(Ps. 23; 80:1; 95:7; Isa. 40:11; Jer. 31:10; Ezek. 34:12; 23; Matt. 25:32; John 10:11–27; Heb. 13:20–21; 1 Peter 2:25; 5:4)
Yahweh Tsidkenu / Jehovah Tsidkenu
The Lord Our Righteousness
Portrays the Lord as the means of our righteousness.
(Gen. 15:6; Jer. 23:6; Ps. 4:1; 5:8; 24:5; 31:1; 36:10; 71:15; 89:16; Matt. 6:33; Rom. 4:22; 5:18; 8:10; 10:4; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 3:9)
Yahweh Shammah / Jehovah Shammah
The Lord is There
Portrays the Lord’s personal presence in the millennial kingdom.
(Gen. 28:15; Ezek. 48:35; Ps. 23:4; 46:1; 139:7–12; Jer. 23:23–24; Amos 5:14; Matt. 18:20; 28:20; John 14:16–17; Acts 7:48–49; 17:24–28)
Yahweh Rapha / Jehovah Rapha
The Lord That Heals
Portrays the Lord as our healer.
(Ex. 15:26; 2 Chr. 7:14; Ps. 6:2; 41:4; 103:3; 147:3; Isa. 19:22; 30:36; 57:18–19; Jer. 3:22; 17:14; 30:17; Matt. 8:7; 10:1; Luke 4:18)
