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StudyResources::TheNamesofGodintheOldTestament

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STUDYRESOURCES::TOPICALINDEXES::THENAMESOFGODINTHEOLDTESTAMENT

TheNamesofGodintheOldTestament

Introduction
ElShaddai(LordGodAlmighty)
ElElyon(TheMostHighGod)
Adonai(Lord,Master)
Yahweh(Lord,Jehovah)
JehovahNissi(TheLordMyBanner)
JehovahRaah(TheLordMyShepherd)
JehovahRapha(TheLordThatHeals)
JehovahShammah(TheLordIsThere)
JehovahTsidkenu(TheLordOurRighteousness)
JehovahMekoddishkem(TheLordWhoSanctifiesYou)
ElOlam(TheEverlastingGod)
Elohim(God)
Qanna(Jealous)
JehovahJireh(TheLordWillProvide)
JehovahShalom(TheLordIsPeace)
JehovahSabaoth(TheLordofHosts)
INTRODUCTION

"LetthempraisethenameoftheLORD:forhisnamealoneisexcellenthisglory[is]above
theearthandheaven."Psa148:13
IntheOldTestamenttimes,anamewasnotonlyidentification,butanidentityaswell.Many
timesaspecialmeaningwasattachedtothename.Nameshad,amongotherpurposes,an
explanatory purpose (e.g., Nabal, whose name means "fool," is the target of Abigail's
explanationtoDavid:"Forashisnameis,soisheNabalishisname,andfollyiswithhim:"
1Sa25:25).ThroughoutScriptureGodrevealsHimselftousthroughHisnames.Whenwe
study these names that He reveals to us in the Bible, we will better understand who God
reallyis.ThemeaningsbehindGod'snamesrevealthecentralpersonalityandnatureofthe
Onewhobearsthem.
WhoisGodtoyou?
Is He your Most High God, All sufficient One, Master, Lord of Peace, the Lord Who Will
Provide?IsHeyourFather?WemustbecarefulnottomakeGodintoan"it"ora"thing"to
which we pray. He is our Jehovah Raah, the Lord our Shepherd. God knows us by our
name,shouldn'tweknowHimbyHis?
HallowedbeYourname?
Tohallowathingistomakeitholyortosetitaparttobeexaltedasbeingworthyofabsolute
devotion. To hallow the name of God is to regard Him with complete devotion and loving
admiration.God'snameisoftheutmostimportance(Neh9:5)thereforeweoughtreserveit
a position of grave significance in our minds and hearts. We should never take His name
lightly(Exd20:7Lev22:32),butalwaysrejoiceinitandthinkdeeplyuponitstruemeaning.
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ELSHADDAI(LORDGODALMIGHTY)

(elshaddi')
AllSufficientOne,LordGod
Almighty
UseintheBible:IntheOldTestamentElShaddaioccurs7times.ElShaddaiisfirstused
inGen17:1.
Variantspellings:None
TWOTReference:2333
Strong'sReference:H7706
ElShaddai in the Septuagint:theou saddai God Shaddai pantokratr (for Shaddai)
theAlmighty
MeaningandDerivation:Elisanothernamethatistranslatedas"God"andcanbeusedin
conjunctionwithotherwordstodesignatevariousaspectsofGod'scharacter.Anotherword
much like Shaddai, and from which many believe it derived, is shad meaning "breast" in
Hebrew(someotherscholarsbelievethatthenameisderivedfromanAkkadianwordadu,
meaning "mountain," suggesting strength and power). This refers to God completely
nourishing,satisfying,andsupplyingHispeoplewithalltheirneedsasamotherwouldher
child.ConnectedwiththewordforGod,El,thisdenotesaGodwhofreelygivesnourishment
andblessing,Heisoursustainer.
FurtherreferencesofthenameElShaddaiintheOldTestament:Gen17:1Gen28:3
Gen35:11Gen43:14Gen48:3
ELELYON(THEMOSTHIGHGOD)

(elelyone')
TheMostHighGod
Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament El Elyon occurs 28 times. It occurs 19 times in
Psalms.ElElyonisfirstusedinGen14:18.
Variantspellings:None
TWOTReference:1624g,1624h
Strong'sReference:H5945
ElElyonintheSeptuagint:hotheoshohupsistostheGodmosthigh
MeaningandDerivation:Elisanothernamethatistranslatedas"God"andcanbeusedin
conjunctionwithotherwordstodesignatevariousaspectsofGod'scharacter.Elyonliterally
means "Most High" and is used both adjectivally and substantivally throughout the Old
Testament. It expresses the extreme sovereignty and majesty of God and His highest
preeminence. When the two words are combined ElElyon it can be translated as "the
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mostexaltedGod."(Psa57:2)
FurtherreferencesofthenameElElyonintheOldTestament:Gen14:18Gen14:19
Gen14:20Gen14:22Psa57:2Psa78:35
ADONAI(LORD,MASTER)

(adonoy')
Lord,Master
UseintheBible:IntheOldTestamentAdonaioccurs434times.Thereareheavyusesof
AdonaiinIsaiah(e.g.,AdonaiJehovah).Itoccurs200timesinEzekielaloneandappears11
timesinDanielChapter9.AdonaiisfirstusedinGen15:2.
Variantspellings:None
TWOTReference:27b
Strong'sReference:H136
AdonaiintheSeptuagint:kuriosLord,Master
MeaningandDerivation:AdonaiistheverbalparalleltoYahwehandJehovah.Adonaiis
pluralthesingularisadon.InreferencetoGodthepluralAdonaiisused.Whenthesingular
adon is used, it usually refers to a human lord. Adon is used 215 times to refer to men.
OccasionallyinScriptureandpredominantlyinthePsalms,thesingularadonisusedtorefer
to God as well (cf. Exd 34:23). To avoid contravening the commandment "Thou shalt not
takethenameoftheLORDthyGodinvain"(Exd20:7),sometimesAdonaiwasusedasa
substituteforYahweh(YHWH).Adonaicanbetranslatedliterallyas,"mylords'"(bothplural
andpossessive).
FurtherreferencesofthenameAdonai in the Old Testament: Complete list available
here.
YAHWEH(LORD,JEHOVAH)

(yahweh)
Lord,Jehovah
Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament Yahweh occurs 6,519 times. This name is used
morethananyothernameofGod.YahwehisfirstusedinGen2:4.
Variantspellings:YHWH,Jehovah
TWOTReference:484a
Strong'sReference:H3068
YahwehintheSeptuagint:kuriosLord,Master
despotsLord,Master,denotingtheomnipotenceofGod(TDNT),despot,absoluteruler
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MeaningandDerivation:YahwehisthepromisednameofGod.ThisnameofGodwhich
(byJewishtradition)istooholytovoice,isactuallyspelled"YHWH"withoutvowels.YHWHis
referred to as the Tetragrammaton (which simply means "the four letters"). YHWH comes
fromtheHebrewletters:Yud,Hay,Vav,Hay.WhileYHWHisfirstusedinGenesis2, God
didnotrevealHimselfasYHWHuntilExodus3.Themodernspellingas"Yahweh"includes
vowelstoassistinpronunciation.ManypronounceYHWHas"Yahweh"or"Jehovah."Weno
longer know for certain the exact pronunciation. During the third century A.D., the Jewish
peoplestoppedsayingthisnameinfearofcontraveningthecommandment"Thoushaltnot
take the name of the LORD thy God in vain" (Exd 20:7). As a result of this, Adonai is
occasionally a substitute for YHWH. The following compound names which start with
"YHWH"havebeenshownusing"Jehovah."Thisisduetothecommonusageof"Jehovah"
intheEnglishofthesecompoundnamesintheearlyEnglishtranslationsoftheBible(e.g.,
theGenevaBible,theKingJamesVersion,etc.).
FurtherreferencesofthenameYahwehintheOldTestament:Completelistavailable
here.
JEHOVAHNISSI(THELORDMYBANNER)

(yehhovaw'nissee')
TheLordMyBanner,TheLordMy
Miracle
UseintheBible:IntheOldTestamentJehovahNissioccursonlyonceinExd17:15.
Variantspellings:JehovahNisiJehovahnissi
TWOTReference:None
Strong'sReference:H3071
JehovahNissiintheSeptuagint:kurioskataphugmoutheLordismyrefuge
MeaningandDerivation:Jehovahistranslatedas"TheExistingOne"or"Lord."Thechief
meaningofJehovahisderivedfromtheHebrewwordHavahmeaning"tobe"or"toexist."It
also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" this denotes a God who
reveals Himself unceasingly. Nes (ns), from which Nissi derived, means "banner" in
Hebrew. In Exd 17:15, Moses, recognizing that the Lord was Israel's banner under which
theydefeatedtheAmalekites,buildsanaltarnamedJehovahNissi (the Lord our Banner).
Nesissometimestranslatedasapolewithaninsigniaattached.Inbattleopposingnations
wouldflytheirownflagonapoleateachoftheirrespectivefrontlines.Thiswastogivetheir
soldiers a feeling of hope and a focal point. This is what God is to us: a banner of
encouragementtogiveushopeandafocalpoint.
FurtherreferencesofthenameJehovahNissiintheOldTestament:Exd17:15
JEHOVAHRAAH(THELORDMYSHEPHERD)

(yehhovaw'rawaw')
TheLordMyShepherd
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UseintheBible:IntheOldTestamentJehovahRaah(TheLordmyShepherd)isusedin
Psalm23.
Variantspellings:JehovahRohiJehovahRo'eh
TWOTReference:2185,2186
Strong'sReference:H7462
JehovahRaahintheSeptuagint:kuriospoimaineimetheLordshepherdsme
MeaningandDerivation:Jehovahistranslatedas"TheExistingOne"or"Lord."Thechief
meaningofJehovahisderivedfromtheHebrewwordHavahmeaning"tobe"or"toexist."It
also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" this denotes a God who
revealsHimselfunceasingly.R'ehfromwhichRaahderived,means"shepherd"inHebrew.
A shepherd is one who feeds or leads his flock to pasture (Eze 34:1115). An extend
translation of this word, rea', is "friend" or "companion." This indicates the intimacy God
desires between Himself and His people. When the two words are combined Jehovah
Raahitcanbetranslatedas"TheLordmyFriend."
Further references of the name JehovahRaah in the Old Testament: Gen 48:15
Gen49:24Psa23:1Psa80:1
JEHOVAHRAPHA(THELORDWHOHEALS)

(yehhovaw'rawfaw')
TheLordThatHeals
Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament JehovahRapha (The Lord that Heals) is used in
Exd15:26.
Variantspellings:JehovahRopheJehovahRophechaJehovahRaphah
TWOTReference:2196
Strong'sReference:H7495
JehovahRaphaintheSeptuagint:kurioshoimenossetheLordyourhealer
MeaningandDerivation:Jehovahistranslatedas"TheExistingOne"or"Lord."Thechief
meaningofJehovahisderivedfromtheHebrewwordHavahmeaning"tobe"or"toexist."It
also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" this denotes a God who
reveals Himself unceasingly. Rapha (rp') means "to restore", "to heal" or "to make
healthful" in Hebrew. When the two words are combined Jehovah Rapha it can be
translatedas"JehovahWhoHeals."(cf.Jer30:17Jer3:22Isa30:26Isa61:1Psa103:3).
JehovahistheGreatPhysicianwhohealsthephysicalandemotionalneedsofHispeople.
FurtherreferencesofthenameJehovahRaphaintheOldTestament:Exd15:26

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JEHOVAHSHAMMAH(THELORDISTHERE)

(yehhovaw'shawm'maw)
TheLordIsThere
Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament Jehovah Shammah occurs only once in
Ezekiel48:35.
Variantspellings:JehovahSamma
TWOTReference:None
Strong'sReference:H3074
JehovahShammahintheSeptuagint:estaitoonomaautsthenamethereof
MeaningandDerivation:Jehovahistranslatedas"TheExistingOne"or"Lord."Thechief
meaningofJehovahisderivedfromtheHebrewwordHavahmeaning"tobe"or"toexist."It
also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" this denotes a God who
revealsHimselfunceasingly.ShammahisderivedfromtheHebrewwordsham, which can
betranslatedas"there."JehovahShammahisasymbolicnamefortheearthlyJerusalem.
The name indicates that God has not abandoned Jerusalem, leaving it in ruins, but that
therewillbearestoration.
FurtherreferencesofthenameJehovahShammahintheOldTestament:Eze48:35
JEHOVAHTSIDKENU(THELORDOURRIGHTEOUSNESS)

(yehhovaw'tsidkay'noo)
TheLordOurRighteousness
Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament Jehovah Tsidkenu occurs 2 times. Jehovah
TsidkenuisfirstusedinJer23:6.
Variantspellings:JehovahTzidkaynuJehovahTsidqenuw
TWOTReference:None
Strong'sReference:H3072
JehovahTsidkenuintheSeptuagint:kurioutoutheouhmnelalsenproshmasthe
LordourGodspoketous
MeaningandDerivation:Jehovahistranslatedas"TheExistingOne"or"Lord."Thechief
meaningofJehovahisderivedfromtheHebrewwordHavahmeaning"tobe"or"toexist."It
also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" this denotes a God who
revealsHimselfunceasingly.Tsedek(tseh'dek),fromwhichTsidkenuderived,means"tobe
stiff,""tobestraight,"or"righteous"inHebrew.WhenthetwowordsarecombinedJehovah
Tsidkenuitcanbetranslatedas"TheLordWhoisourRighteousness."
Further references of the name Jehovah Tsidkenu in the Old Testament: Jer 23:6
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Jer33:16
JEHOVAHMEKODDISHKEM(THELORDWHOSANCTIFIESYOU)

(yehhovaw'Mqadash)
TheLordWhoSanctifiesYou,The
LordWhoMakesHoly
UseintheBible: In the Old Testament JehovahMekoddishkem occurs 2 times. Jehovah
MekoddishkemisfirstusedinExd31:13.
Variantspellings:JehovahM'kaddesh
TWOTReference:1990
Strong'sReference:H6942
Jehovah Mekoddishkem in the Septuagint: kurios ho hagiazn humas the Lord that
sanctifiesyou
MeaningandDerivation:Jehovahistranslatedas"TheExistingOne"or"Lord."Thechief
meaningofJehovahisderivedfromtheHebrewwordHavahmeaning"tobe"or"toexist."It
also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" this denotes a God who
revealsHimselfunceasingly.MekoddishkemderivesfromtheHebrewwordqdashmeaning
"sanctify,""holy,"or"dedicate."Sanctificationistheseparationofanobjectorpersontothe
dedicationoftheHoly.WhenthetwowordsarecombinedJehovahMekoddishkemitcan
betranslatedas"TheLordwhosetsyouapart."
Further references of the name Jehovah Mekoddishkem in the Old Testament:
Exd31:13Lev20:8
ELOLAM(THEEVERLASTINGGOD)

(elolawm')
TheEverlastingGod,TheGodof
Eternity,TheGodoftheUniverse,
TheGodofAncientDays
UseintheBible:ElOlamisfirstusedinGen21:33.
Variantspellings:None
TWOTReference:1631a
Strong'sReference:H5769
ElOlamintheSeptuagint:[ho]theos[ho]ainiostheeverlastingGod
MeaningandDerivation:Elisanothernamethatistranslatedas"God"andcanbeusedin
conjunctionwithotherwordstodesignatevariousaspectsofGod'scharacter.Olamderives
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fromtherootword'lm(whichmeans"eternity").Olamliterallymeans"forever,""eternity,"or
"everlasting". When the two words are combined ElOlam it can be translated as "The
EternalGod."
FurtherreferencesofthenameElOlamintheOldTestament:Gen21:33Jer 10:10
Isa26:4
ELOHIM(GOD)

(eloheem')
God,Judge,Creator
UseintheBible::IntheOldTestamentElohimoccursover2000times.Elohimisfirstused
TotalSecurity2015
Pageissafe inGen1:1.

Variantspellings:None
TWOTReference:93c
Strong'sReference:H430
ElohimintheSeptuagint:theosthestandardGreekwordforgod,"atranscendentbeing
who exercises extraordinary control in human affairs or is responsible for bestowal of
unusualbenefits"(BDAG).ItspecificallyreferstothemonotheisticGodofIsrael.
MeaningandDerivation:Elohimistranslatedas"God."ThederivationofthenameElohim
isdebatabletomostscholars.Somebelieveitderivedfrom'lwhich,inturn,originatesfrom
therootword,'wl(whichmeans"strong").OthersthinkthatElohimisderivedfromanother
tworoots:'lh(whichmeans"god")inconjunctionwith'elah(whichmeans"fear").Andstill
otherspresumethatboth'landElohimcomefrom'eloah.
FurtherreferencesofthenameElohim in the Old Testament: Complete list available
here.
QANNA(JEALOUS)

(kannaw')
Jealous,Zealous
Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament Qanna occurs 6 times. Qanna is first used in
Exd20:5.
Variantspellings:Kanna
TWOTReference:2038b
Strong'sReference:H7067
QannaintheSeptuagint:zltsjealous
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Meaning and Derivation: Qanna is translated as "jealous," "zealous," or "envy." The

fundamental meaning relates to a marriage relationship. God is depicted as Israel's
husband He is a jealous God, wanting all our praise for Himself and no one else. (cf.
Exd34:14)
Further references of the name Qanna in the Old Testament: Exd 20:5 Exd 34:14
Deu4:24Deu5:9Deu6:15
JEHOVAHJIREH(THELORDWILLPROVIDE)

(yehhovaw'yireh')
TheLordWillProvide
UseintheBible:IntheOldTestamentJehovahJirehoccursonlyonceinGen22:14.
Variantspellings:None
TWOTReference:None
Strong'sReference:H3070
JehovahJirehintheSeptuagint:kurioseidentheLordhasseen
MeaningandDerivation:Jehovahistranslatedas"TheExistingOne"or"Lord."Thechief
meaningofJehovahisderivedfromtheHebrewwordHavahmeaning"tobe"or"toexist."It
also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" this denotes a God who
reveals Himself unceasingly. JehovahJireh is a symbolic name given to Mount Moriah by
Abraham to memorialize the intercession of God in the sacrifice of Isaac by providing a
substitutefortheimminentsacrificeofhisson.
FurtherreferencesofthenameJehovahJirehintheOldTestament:Gen22:14
JEHOVAHSHALOM(THELORDISPEACE)

(yehhovaw'shawlome')
TheLordIsPeace
UseintheBible:IntheOldTestamentJehovahShalomoccursonlyonceinJdg6:24.
Variantspellings:None
TWOTReference:None
Strong'sReference:H3073
JehovahShalomintheSeptuagint:eirnkurioupeaceoftheLord
MeaningandDerivation:MeaningandDerivation:Jehovahistranslatedas"TheExisting
One" or "Lord." The chief meaning of Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word Havah
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meaning"tobe"or"toexist."Italsosuggests"tobecome"orspecifically"tobecomeknown"
this denotes a God who reveals Himself unceasingly. Shalom is a derivative of shlm
(whichmeans"becomplete"or"sound")Shalomistranslatedas"peace"or"absencefrom
strife."JehovahShalomisthenameofanaltarbuiltbyGideoninOphrah.
FurtherreferencesofthenameJehovahShalomintheOldTestament:Jdg6:24
JEHOVAHSABAOTH(THELORDOFHOSTS)

(yehhovaw'seba't)
TheLordofHosts,TheLordof
Powers
Use in the Bible: Jehovah and Elohim occur with Sabaoth over 285 times. It is most
frequentlyusedinJeremiahandIsaiah.JehovahSabaothisfirstusedin1Sa1:3.
Variantspellings:None
TWOTReference:1865a,1865b
Strong'sReference:H6635
Jehovah Sabaoth in the Septuagint: kurios sabath the Lord of hosts (sabath: Gr.
transliterationofHeb."hosts")
MeaningandDerivation:Jehovahistranslatedas"TheExistingOne"or"Lord."Thechief
meaningofJehovahisderivedfromtheHebrewwordHavahmeaning"tobe"or"toexist."It
also suggests "to become" or specifically "to become known" this denotes a God who
reveals Himself unceasingly. Sabaoth (se b't) means "armies" or "hosts." Jehovah
Sabaoth can be translated as "The Lord of Armies" (1Sa 1:3). This name denotes His
universal sovereignty over every army, both spiritual and earthly. The Lord of Hosts is the
kingofallheavenandearth.(Psa24:910Psa84:3Isa6:5).
Further references of the name Jehovah Sabaoth in the Old Testament: 1Sa 1:11
1Sa 17:45 2Sa 6:18 2Sa 7:27 1Ki 19:14 2Ki 3:14 1Ch 11:9 Psa 24:10 Psa 48:8
Psa 80:4 Psa 80:19 Psa 84:3 Isa 1:24 Isa 3:15 Isa 5:16 Isa 6:5 Isa 9:19 Isa 10:26
Isa 14:22 Jer 9:15 Jer 48:1 Hsa 12:5 Amo 3:13 Mic 4:4 Nah 3:5 Hag 2:6 Zec 1:3
Mal1:6Hab2:13Zep2:9

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