The Names of God The Father
One way of learning who God is, is by learning the names by which He has revealed Himself to us in the Bible. Biblical names are much more than nice sounding syllables. Most names found in Scripture reveal the inner character and nature of the one that bears them. The same is true in regards to the names use of God in the Bible. No single name can adequately describe the full nature or character of God. The various names used in Scripture to describe God are literally expressing how God is manifesting Himself at that particular time to His people. The Bible reveals that God has many names and titles. Understanding these names enables us to better understand God and His character. The Basic Names of God can be combined with other words to form Compound Names. When that happens different attributes of God are emphasized. Stern warning is given in the 10 Commandments against taking God’s Name “in vain”; or “misusing” God’s Name. So, we should be careful how we use the Names of God. But, on the other hand, if we can “misuse” God’s Names, we can also “use” them and the power that comes with them. Not in some capricious, presumptuous, or manipulative manner, but rather in relying on the inherent power of God, revealed in His Names, to accomplish His will for us.
1. Basic Names: A. Elohim –Plurality in Unity (Gen 1:1) The first name for God found in Scripture Meaning: "Strength, might, power." Used over 2300 times in Scripture
B. Yahweh / Jehovah – The Eternal One (Ex 6:3)
Jehovah = YHVH Meaning: "LORD." Used approximately 7000 times in Scripture Referred to as the "Tetragrammaton" = "The Four Letters" - from four Hebrew letters: Yud, Hay, Vav, Hay. From the Hebrew verb which means "to be." YHVH emphasizes God's absolute being. YHVH denotes God's utter transcendence. Some pronounce YHVH as Jehovah or Yahweh, Ancient Rabbis would not pronounce the Name; some would not even write it.
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C. Adonai – The Ruler (Gen 15:2)
The rabbinic substitute for the Tetragrammaton. Meaning: "my Lord" An emphatic form of the word “Adon”= "master" or "lord." Usually translated as "Lord." Used approximately 450 times.
D. El – The Strong One (Deut 10:17) A simple form of Elohim Used 200 times in Scripture Often used as compound names
E. Jah – The Independent One (Psa 68:4)
Jah = "YAH" Shortened form of Jehovah = YHVH. It means the same thing as YHVH, Used approximately 40 times in Scriptures Appears primarily in the book of Psalms Also found in the compound word "hallelu-Yah", "praise Yah (the LORD)."
F. Elah– The Awsome One (Dan 2:28)
Used 70 times in Scripture – only in Ezra and Daniel Derived from the word for reverence or fear God of gods (Dan. 2:47) God of Jerusalem (Ezra 7:19) God of Israel (Ez. 5:1) God of Heaven (Ezra 7:23)
G. Eloah – The Adorable One (Ezra 4:34) The singular form of Elohim Used 50 times in Scripture
2. Compound Names of Elohim: A. Elohay Elohim - God Of Gods: (Deut 10:17). B. Elohim Chaiyim - Living God: (Jer 10:10). C. Elohay Chasdi - God Of My Kindness: (Ps 59:11, 18). D. Elohay HaRuchot LeKol Basar - God Of The Spirits Of All Flesh (Num 16:22) E. Elohay Kedem - God of the Beginning: (Deut 33:27). F. Elohim Kedoshim - Holy God: (Lev 19:2, Jos 24:19). G. Elohay Kol Basar - God Of All Flesh: (Jer 32:27). H. Elohay Marom - God Of Heights: (Micah 6:6). I. Elohay Mauzi - God Of My Strength: (Psalm 43:2). J. Elohay Mikarov - God Who Is Near: (Jer 23:23). K. Elohay Mishpat - God Of Justice: (Isa 30:18). 2
L. Elohay Selichot - God Of Forgiveness: (Neh 9:17). M. Elohay Tehilati - God Of My Praise: (Ps 109:1). N. Elohay Tzur - God Of Rock: (2 Sam 22:47). O. Elohay Tz'vaot - God Of Hosts, or Armies: (2 Sam 5:10). P. Elohay Yishi - God Of My Salvation: (Ps 18:47, 25:5).
3. Compound Names of El: A. El Chaiyai - The God Of My Life: (Ps 42:9). B. El Chanun - The Gracious God: (Jon4:2). C. El De'ot - The God Of Knowledge: (1 Sam 2:3). D. El Echad - The One God: (Mal 2:10). E. El Elyon - The Most High God: (Gen 14:18). F. El Emet - The God Of Truth: (Ps 31:6). G. El Emunah - The Faithful God: (Deut 32:4). H. El Gibor - The Mighty God: (Isa 9:6). I. El HaGadol - The Great God: (Deut 10:17). J. El HaKavod - The God Of Glory: (Ps 29:3). K. El HaKadosh - The Holy God: (Isa 5:16). L. El HaNe'eman - The Faithful God: (Deut 7:9). M. El HaShamayim - The God Of The Heavens: (Ps 136:26). N. El Kana - The Jealous God: (Deut 4:24). O. El Olam - The God Of Eternity/The Universe: (Gen 21:33). P. El Rachum - The God Of Compassion: (Deut 4:31). Q. El Rah'ee - The God Who Sees: (Gen 16:13). R. El Shaddai - God The All Sufficient: (Gen 17:1). S. El Sali - God Of My Rock: (Psa 42:10). T. El Simchat Gili - God The Joy Of My Exaltation: (Ps 43:4) U. El Tzadik - The Righteous God: (Isa 45:21). V. El Yeshuati - The God Of My Salvation: (Isa 12:2). W. El Yeshurun - The Righteous God: (Deut 33:26). X. El Yisrael - The God Of Israel: (Psa 68:36). Y. Immanu El - God Is With Us: (Isa 7:14).
4. Compound Names of Jehovah: A. Jehovah-Elohim – The Majestic, Omnipotent God (Zech 13:9) B. Jehovah-Hoseenu – The Lord Our Maker (Ps 95:6) C. Jehovah-Jireh – The Lord Our Provider (Gen 22:14) D. Jehovah-Rophi – The Lord Our Healer (Ex 15:26) E. Jehovah-Nissi– The Lord Our Banner (Ex 17:15-16) F. Jehovah-M’Kaddesh – The Lord Our Sanctifier (Ex 31:13) G. Jehovah-Eloheenu – The Lord Our God (Deut 6:4) H. Jehovah-Eloheka – The Lord Your God (Ex 20:2) I. Jehovah-Elohay – The Lord My God (Jud 6:15) J. Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord Our Peace (Judg 6:24) 3
K. Jehovah-Tseaioth – The Lord Of Host (1 Sam 1:3) L. Jehovah-Rohi – The Lord My Shepherd (Ps 23:1) M. Jehovah-Tsidkenu – The Lord Our Righteousness (Jer 23:5-6) N. Jehovah-Makkeh – The Lord Who Smites (Ezek 7:9) O. Jehovah-Gmolah – The Lord Of Recompense (Jer 51:56) P. Jehovah-Shammah – The Lord Is There (Ezek 48:35)
5. New Testament Greek Names used for God: A. Theos –The one, true God (Gal 4:8-9) B. Kurios – The Supreme Master (2 Cor 10:17) C. Abba –Father, in the sense of expressing warm affection – i.e. “Daddy”. (Gal 4:6) D. Soter – A Savior, Deliverer, Preserver (Luke 1:47) E. Pater– Father: 1. God the Father (2 Tim 1:2) 2. Father of Mercies (2 Cor 1:3) 3. Father of Sprits (Heb 12:9) 4. Father of Lights (Jam 1:17) 5. God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph 1:3) 6. God our Father (Eph 1:2) 7. A Father (2 Cor 6:18)
6. Titles of God:
Ancient of Days (Dan 7:9, 13) Angel (Gen 48:16) Arm Of The Lord (Isa 53:1) Awesome (Ps 111:9 NIV) Branch (Zech 6:12) Cornerstone (Ps 118:22) Covenant To The People (Isa 42:6) Creator (Ecc 12:1) Creator Of Israel (Isa 43:15) Crown and Diadem (Isa 28:5) Deliverer (Ps 144:2) Fortress (Ps 18:2) God of Heaven (Rev 11:13) Governor (Ps 22:28) Hiding Place (Ps 32:7) Husband (Isa 54:5) Jealous (Ex 34:14) King (Ps 5:2) King Of Glory (Ps 24:7) King Of Israel (Zep 3:15) King (Isa 6:5) Launderer’s Soap (Mal 3:2) 4
Light (Ps 27:1) Light Of Israel (Isa 10:17) Light To The Nations (Isa 42:6) Lord of all the Earth (Mic 4:13) Maker (Ps 49:2) Messenger Of The Covenant (Ma 3:1) Most High (Deu 32:8) My Cup (Ps 16:5) My Portion In The Land Of The Living (Ps 142:5) Name (Lev 24:16) Our Dwelling Place (Ps 90:1) Portion Of My Inheritance (Ps 16:5) Potter (Isa 64:8) Redeemer (Isa 47:4) Redeemer of Israel (Isaiah 49:7) Refiner’s Fire (Mal 3:2) Refuge (Ps 91:2) Reverend (Ps 111:9) Rock (Ps 18:2) Ruler In Israel (Mic 5:2) Savior (Isa 45:15) Shelter (Ps 61:4) Shepherd Of Israel (Ps 80:1) Shepherd (Gen 49:24) Shield (Ps 3:3) Shiloh (Gen 49:10) Star: (Num 24:17) Stone of Israel (Gen 49:24) Stone (Ps 118:22) Strength (Ps 46:1) Stronghold (Ps 18:2) Sun (Ps 84:11) Tent Peg, Bow Of Battle (Zech 10:4) Tower Of Strength (Ps 61:3) Upright One (Isa 26:7) Wall of Fire (Zech 2:5)
Now What? Stimulate your intellect – Pick up a good book or read a well-written article on the Names of God. Here are a few suggestions: Could You Not Tarry One Hour – by Larry Lea All The Doctrines of the Bible – by Herbert Lockyer The Names of God – by Andrew Jukes
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