What are the different names of God, and what do they mean?
The Names of God: Revealing His Character and Majesty
Throughout Scripture, God reveals His nature, attributes, and character through His many names. Each name highlights a unique aspect of who God is and how He relates to His creation. These names not only teach us about God’s power, holiness, and love but also provide us with a deeper understanding of His multifaceted nature. Below are some of the most significant names of God, their meanings, and the insights they provide about Him, along with all associated verses in the New King James Version (NKJV).
EL, ELOAH – “God, Mighty and Strong”
The name El signifies power and might, emphasizing God’s omnipotence. It is often used to describe God’s integrity, jealousy, and compassion. Nehemiah 9:17 (NKJV) declares, “They refused to obey, and they were not mindful of Your wonders that You did among them. But You are God, ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, abundant in kindness, and did not forsake them.”
Other references:
Psalm 139:19 (NKJV): “Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.”
Genesis 31:29 (NKJV): “It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, ‘Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad.’”
ELOHIM – “Creator, Mighty and Strong”
The plural form of Eloah, Elohim is used from the very first verse of the Bible to describe God’s superlative power and creative majesty: Genesis 1:1 (NKJV): “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The plural form hints at the doctrine of the Trinity, with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit united in essence.
Other references:
Genesis 17:7 (NKJV): “And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you.”
Jeremiah 31:33 (NKJV): “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”
EL SHADDAI – “God Almighty”
This name underscores God’s ultimate power over all things. Genesis 49:24 (NKJV) says, “But his bow remained in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the Mighty God of Jacob (from there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel).”
Other references:
Psalm 132:2, 5 (NKJV): “How he swore to the Lord, and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob.”
ADONAI – “Lord, Master”
Adonai highlights God’s lordship and authority. It is used in place of YHWH by the Jews out of reverence. Genesis 15:2 (NKJV): “But Abram said, ‘Lord God, what will You give me, seeing I go childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?’”
Other references:
Judges 6:15 (NKJV): “So he said to Him, ‘O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.’”
YHWH (YAHWEH) – “LORD”
YHWH is the proper name of God, often translated as LORD in all capital letters. It signifies God’s self-existence and eternal presence. Exodus 3:14 (NKJV): “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, “I AM has sent me to you.”’”
Other references:
Deuteronomy 6:4 (NKJV): “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!”
Daniel 9:14 (NKJV): “Therefore the Lord has kept the disaster in mind, and brought it upon us; for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works which He does, though we have not obeyed His voice.”
Compound Names of Yahweh
YAHWEH-JIREH – “The LORD Will Provide”
Genesis 22:14 (NKJV): “And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, ‘In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.’”
YAHWEH-RAPHA – “The LORD Who Heals”
Exodus 15:26 (NKJV): “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”
YAHWEH-NISSI – “The LORD Our Banner”
Exodus 17:15 (NKJV): “And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner.”
YAHWEH-SHALOM – “The LORD Our Peace”
Judges 6:24 (NKJV): “So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.”
YAHWEH-TSIDKENU – “The LORD Our Righteousness”
Jeremiah 33:16 (NKJV): “In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the name by which she will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
YAHWEH-ROHI – “The LORD Our Shepherd”
Psalm 23:1 (NKJV): “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
YAHWEH-SHAMMAH – “The LORD Is There”
Ezekiel 48:35 (NKJV): “All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE.”
EL ELYON – “The Most High God”
This name speaks of God’s supreme exaltation and sovereignty. Deuteronomy 26:19 (NKJV): “And that He will set you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken.”
EL ROI – “The God Who Sees”
Hagar, in her distress, recognized God’s omniscience and compassion. Genesis 16:13 (NKJV): “Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, ‘Have I also here seen Him who sees me?’”
Conclusion
Each name of God reveals His character and His relationship with us. By studying these names, we gain a greater understanding of His attributes, such as His power, holiness, love, provision, and righteousness. As believers, we are called to worship and trust this great God, who is both transcendent in majesty and intimate in His care for us. Let us reflect on His names, glorify Him for who He is, and live in obedience to His Word. Psalm 113:3 (NKJV): “From the rising of the sun to its going down, the Lord’s name is to be praised.”
