Most people call me by my nickname, Butch.  No, that isn’t my given name, but when people who know me use that name, both people know who they are discussing.  My name really isn’t a description of who I am.  Rather, it is simply a label.  The names given to God in the Bible, however, are often descriptions of his attributes.  God’s character, personality and attributes are revealed to us throughout scripture.

God has MANY names in scripture.  In this article, I will discuss just a few of the names of God, their meaning and, perhaps more importantly, their meaning to me.

The first name I want to discuss is the first name of God listed in scripture.  This name is Elohim and it is found in Genesis 1:1.  Here it is:

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth

The Hebrew word translated as “God” here is key.  In the English language, this word “God” is singular.  However, in the Hebrew, there is a golden nugget to be gleaned.  You see, Elohim is a word that is a plural form of the word Eloha.   This is a reference to God as more than a singular person.  In other words, the word Elohim identifies the Creator God as the entirety of the Godhead.  God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  Three persons and, yet, one God.  I don’t claim to understand the true nature of what we call the Trinity, but I believe this is a clear statement indicating that God is more than one part.  Elohim is God the Triune Creator.  

Many of you are likely familiar with the name Yahweh or Jehova.  This name is used over 6500 times in the Old Testament.  It simply means “God” or “Lord”.  In the Old Testament, the name Jehova is often combined with other words to create a complete name.  When I think of this name of God, I have to recognize that to allow him to be Jehova to ME, it must be Him that is in control.  That is to say, if He is MY Jehova, he must rule my life in the same way a “Lord” is in charge.  This means that I must allow Him to be my guide in the sense that it is His will I must follow.  That isn’t always easy, because of my own sense of pride and self-worth, but if I call him Jehova, it is necessary.

Another name given to God in the Old Testament that you are likely familiar with is El Shaddai.  There are a couple of interpretations for the meaning of these words in the old Hebrew.  The first of these is “Lord God Almighty” and the second is “All-Sufficient One”.  When I think of these definitions, I think of a God who is powerful beyond description.  He is sufficient in and of Himself and does not need to draw from anything else to maintain his status as the “Lord God Almighty”.  In my own mind, this is a name that really defines Him AS God.  This name is first used in Genesis 17:1, as God is speaking to Abram in order to establish His covenant with Abram.  The Complete Jewish Bible offers this text:

When Avram was 99 years old Adonai appeared to Avram and said to him, “I am El Shaddai.  Walk in my presence and be pure-hearted”

Here is the same verse in the NIV:

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; Wall before me faithfully and be blameless.”

Another name we will talk about is the name Adonai, but the purpose of God giving his name as El Shaddai to Abram was to let him know that he was talking to the Almighty God.  You see, it was important from the beginning for Abram (and us) to understand that there is NO power that is higher or greater than that of God.  Abram understood this from the name God used.  I love the fact that although God describes himself as “All-sufficient” and “Almighty”, He showed interest in forming a unique bond with mankind.  This conversation was initiated by God and indicates a special interest on the part of God to be involved with us.  He (God) doesn’t NEED this relationship to be the all-powerful God that he is.  He DESIRES it.  It is nearly impossible for me to even comprehend why God would even want to be a part of my life, but it is clear that He does.  Another take on the name El Shaddai suggests that God is completely nourishing and satisfying in His desire to supply all the needs of His people.  He is, of himself, completely self-sustaining and he desires to satisfy ALL our needs by His own power.  He, indeed, is a God who can supply our EVERY need.  As I am thinking of this name, I am reminded of the old song by Amy Grant.  You can find that song here.  Indeed, “[I] will praise and lift You high, El Shaddai.”

One final name that I want to discuss is the name used over 400 times in the Old Testament.  This name Adonai.  This word, like the word Elohim, is plural.  The singular name is “adon”.  Again, by the nature of the name, it is clear that God, our Adonai, is not singular, but encompassed by the entirety of the Godhead.  The essence of the word is similar to the name Jehova with a component that makes it possessive.  In other words, the best translation to English for this word is “my lords”.  By using this name for God, we are acknowledging that we are His in terms of His lordship and he is ours in terms of we are accepting his rule in our lives.  For me, it is THIS name that I like the most.  It is, to me, the best name to identify who I am in God and who He is to me.

I have discussed a few of the names God gave Himself as he reveals Himself in his word.  There are MANY, MANY more names that reveal various truths about his personality and nature.  I would encourage you to do some research on your own and discover for yourself just who God is to you.  After all, God seeks to be involved in your life.  Do you need a Father figure?  Do you need a Lord of Peace?  Do you need a Provider?  Do you need a Shepherd?  Do you need a Healer?  Whatever your need, God can provide that need.  As the Psalmist said in Psalm 148:5

Let them praise the name of the LORD…

Please leave comments below and share your thoughts.  As much as I enjoy writing out my own thoughts, I am anxious to hear from those who read these posts.

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