Names in the ancient world did more than simply distinguish one person from another, they often conveyed the essential nature and character of a person. The same is true when it comes to the names of God. In this article we will briefly explore a few of them along with their basic meanings.
Hebrew Names of God
There are three most common Hebrew names for God in the Old Testament:
Yahweh, Elohim, and Adonai.
Yahweh
Yahweh in Hebrew is Jehovah in English. It is translated LORD.
In most bibles you will see Lord and LORD. This is so that they can show the difference between referring to Yahweh and other people.
Wherever you see LORD, that’s Yahweh the Bible is talking about.
Yahweh is God’s personal. And it is also His covenant name to the Israelites (Exodus 6:2-8).
Adonai
Adonai means the name. Over time, the Israelites stopped using God’s personal name Yahweh out of reverence.
They preferred to say the name instead of Yahweh.
Where LORD is referring to Yahweh, Adonai is translated Lord in Scripture.
Adonai means master and owner. It is used to refer to God’s power,
Elohim
Elohim means The Powerful Creator. In Genesis 1:1, the word God is Elohim. It can also mean The Strong One.
Sometimes Elohim is shortened in Scripture. The word El is used instead and often forms a part of another word.
For example, names of people like Daniel (El Is My Judge) or names of places like Bethel (House of El).
El is also used to form many names of God as you will see.
The compound names of God
Most other names of God are formed from combinations of these three (Yahweh, Elohim, and Adonai) with other words making compound names.
The Hebrew names of God take shape as believers experience Him in the circumstances of their lives.
If you study them in detail, you will see that many of these names have a story behind them.
God is given these compound names based on what He says, what He does, and how He consistently behaves towards those whom He allows to get to know Him intimately.
This is how the compound names are formed. Compound names have a general formula:
God’s name + what He does or who He is.
God’s names (whether Jehovah or El) is first in the formula to identify which God they are referring to because there were so many different gods being worshipped by the other nations around Israel.
The second part of the formula highlights some very specific things about God.
So these compound names reveal very specific aspects of the nature and character of God as He reveals himself to those who believe.
The lists that follow are compound names based on Jehovah and El. One or two Scriptures have been included for your study.
Compound names of Elohim
El Shaddai is translated as God Almighty. It means the All-Sufficient One. (Genesis 17:1)
El Roi is translated as God who sees or God who looks. However, it has a more personal ring: the God who sees me. (Genesis 16:14-15)
El Elyon is translated God Most High or the Most High God. It means the highest and most supreme God. (Genesis 14:20; Psalm 97:9)
El Olam is translated God Eternal or God Everlasting. (Genesis 21:33)
El Gibhor is translated God who is powerful or strong. It means Mighty God. (Isaiah 9:6)
El sali is translated God my rock. It means the Lord is my strength or God of my strength. (Psalm 42:9)
El Hakkavod is translated God of Glory. It refers to the majesty and magnificence of God. (2 Chronicles 5:14)
El nose is translated God who forgives. (Psalm 99:8)
El rachum is translated God who is compassionate or God who is merciful. (Exodus 34:6-7; Deuteronomy 4:31)
’El ’emunah is translated the God who is faithful or the faithful God. (Lamentations 3:22-23;
Deuteronomy 32:4)
Compound names of Jehovah
Jehovah Nissi is translated the Lord my banner. (Exodus 17:15)
Jehovah Shammah is translated the Lord is there. (Ezekiel 48:35)
Jehovah Tsidkenu translates the Lord our righteousness. (Jeremiah 23:6, 33:16)
Jehovah Rapha translates the Lord who heals. (Exodus 15:26, Psalm 30:2)
Jehovah Jireh translates the Lord who provides. (Genesis 22:14)
Jehovah meqaddesh is translated the Lord who sanctifies. (Leviticus 20:7-8, Exodus 13:13)
Jehovah Rohi is translated the Lord my shepherd. (Psalm 23:1)
Jehovah shalom is translated the Lord is peace. (Judges 6:24)
Final words on the names of God in the Bible
I pray this was helpful and inspiring for you. Take this list of God’s names and focus on one over 21 days.
You can even use them to do a 21-day prayer focus. See how it transforms your spiritual life as you get to know God better.
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