The Hebrew Names of God Copyright © 2013 by John Abraham Page 1 The Hebrew Names of God Table of Contents Three Primary Names Page 1. Elohim-God 5 2. Jehovah-LORD 7 3. Adonai-Lord 12 Five Secondary Names 4. El’ Shaddai-God Almighty 20 5. El’ Elyon-The Most High God 26 6. El’ Olam-The Everlasting God 31 7. El-Roi-Thou God Seest Me 35 8. El’- Kanah-God Created 37 Four Minor Jehovah Names- Mention Only 9. Jehovah-Hoseenu-- The LORD Our Maker 38 10. Jehovah-El’oheenu-- The LORD Our God 38 11. Jehovah-El’oheka-- The LORD Thy God 38 12. Jehovah-El’ohay-- The LORD My Go 38 Nine Major Jehovah Names 13. Jehovah-Sabaoth-- The LORD of Hosts 40 14. Jehovah-Jireh-- The LORD Will Provide 51 15. Jehovah- Rophe--The LORD Who Heals 61 16. Jehovah-Nissi-- The LORD MY Banner 69 17. Jehovah-M’Qaddishkhem—The LORD Who Sanctifies 81 18. Jehovah-Shalom—The LORD MY Peace 91 19. Jehovah-Rohi—The LORD MY Shepherd 101 20. Jehovah-Tsidkenu—The LORD Our Righteousness 108 21. Jehovah- Shammah—The LORD is There 119 22. Abba - Father 129 Conclusion 139 The Hebrew Names of God Copyright © 2013 by John Abraham Page 2 The Hebrew Names of God By: John Abraham INTRODUCTION This study of the Hebrew names of God is distinct from the NT names of Jesus Christ or titles of God, Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit. However, implicit within this study, because of the eternality in the tri-unity of the Godhead the characteristics of the Hebrew names of God may also be reflected in the characteristics, nature and personality of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. God’s names reveal not only different aspects of His character, but also point to the fulfilment of those aspects in the Person and work of His Son Jesus Christ. EXAMPLE Choose a public figure we all know. Each one of us describes that person with a one word adjective. In this way each name of God spotlights a different facet of His personality, nature, and His character. God Revealed God is revealed in Scripture by His names, His acts, and by the God- inspired statements of men concerning Him. God’s revelation of Himself in the Bible is progressive. The Hebrew Names of God Copyright © 2013 by John Abraham Page 3 He proceeds from the simple to the complex in a gradual unfolding of the truth concerning his personality, character and attributes. To the Believer, the many names of God revealed by himself throughout the Bible are so many windows to throw light on His Infinite nature. As human names are given to convey various characteristics or meaning to a person, in the same way God’s names are also descriptive of Him. Considering each name as a window is an excellent way to throw more light on God’s fuller characteristics. Old Testament Names of God This study will consider five categories: 1. Three Primary names 2. Five Secondary names 3. Four Minor Jehovah names 4. Nine Major Jehovah names. 5. Abba, Father. As much as possible we will follow each name progressively from Genesis forward. There are many names of God. This study will consider perhaps the seventeen major names. No one name or combination of names could express all that He is, or of His forgiveness, grace and mercy toward erring mankind. The Three Primary Names of God: Elohim, God --- Jehovah, LORD — Adonai, Lord The Hebrew Names of God Copyright © 2013 by John Abraham Page 4 The Hebrew Names of God … # 1. Elohim God (El-lo-heem’) Elohim is first in order of use. This is the word used in Gen. 1:1, 2:3. It occurs some 2,550 times in the OT. Meaning of the Name Elohim. Root meaning = to swear; indicates God, under covenant of and oath with Himself to perform certain conditions. Heb. 6:13-14. Name implies: one in Covenant; fullness of might. Elohim is uni -plural, suggesting the tri-unity of the Godhead. Elohim- is a plural noun. El- is the simplified form of Elohim. Elohay- is the singular of Elohim. As it is rendered in the Authorized Version, it means quite simply, God. Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God…” The opening words of Scripture make the meaning clear. They declare Him to be Supreme, Eternal, and Almighty, the Creator of the Universe. It is agreed by most scholars, that the name Elohim signifies the putter forth of power. He is the Being to whom all power belongs. The Hebrew Names of God Copyright © 2013 by John Abraham Page 5 G. Campbell Morgan affirms that “it (Elohim) refers to absolute, unqualified, unlimited energy”. He is The Mighty One. Elohim is alone the Creator, Eternal, the fount and source of all life and being. Note. Genesis 1:26.”And God (Elohim) said, let Us ...” The “Us” and “Our” confirm the idea of plurality. Genesis 1:27. So God (Elohim) said, let “us…” The “His” and “He” confirm the idea of unity; agreement. Elohim then is the uni-plural, strong and faithful creator. NB. Genesis 1:2. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” Genesis 3:22. “The man is become as one of Us.” Genesis 11:7 “Go to, let Us go down” Isaiah 6:8. “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us”. V9. “Then I said, “Here am I send me” Creation is the result of God, (Elohim). Was then creation the work of the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit? The Hebrew Names of God Copyright © 2013 by John Abraham Page 6 The Hebrew Names of God … # 2 JEHOVAH LORD In the King James Version of the Bible the name JEHOVAH is uniformly printed LORD. (all capital letters) It is by far the most frequently used of the names of God, occurring some 6,823 time according to the lexicographers. The precise meaning of this Hebrew name is obscure. It was originally composed of four consonants, YHWH (in the original Hebrew), known to theologians as “the tetragrammaton”. He was and is the covenant God of Israel. Meaning of the Name The primary meaning of the name Jehovah is from the Hebrew word ‘Havah’ showing God is the “self-existent One” or “He that is Who He is”. A secondary meaning of the word ‘Havah”, meaning ‘being’ and is, “to become known”, thereby pointing to a continuous and increasing revelation of Jehovah, and Self-revelation. Dr. G. Campbell Morgan again affirms in relation to the name Jehovah, that… “It’s real significance is the revelation of God becoming what His people need in order to meet that need”. The Hebrew Names of God Copyright © 2013 by John Abraham Page 7 Whatever the crisis, God in His ‘Jehovah’ name, as then, will ever be adequate for His people’s needs today. God’s own exposition of the name makes the meaning clear --- I AM THAT I AM. Ex.3:14. Therefore the name of the LORD, Jehovah, I AM, means “the Self- existent, Self-revealed, Almighty and All Powerful One”. Moses Maimonides, a noted Jewish commentator of the middle ages in reference to this name pointed out; “All the names of God which occur in Scripture are derived from His works except one, and that is Jehovah; and this is called the plain name, because it teaches plainly and unequivocally of the substance of God”. Jehovah, as the name for God, was formed by adding the vowels of His name ‘Adonai’ (Lord) to the consonants of the Hebrew divine name WHWH (or sometimes as WHVH); giving us Yahweh – Jehovah; vowels A, E, I, O, U, and sometimes Y (as in Bicycle), all other letters in the alphabet are consonants. The only exception to this rule is if Yahweh/Jehovah is linked with Adonai (Lord), then the vowels of Elohim (God) are used. The name Jehovah is first used in Scripture in Genesis 2:4. “…the LORD God made the earth and the heavens”. It is first defined in Exodus 3:14-15. In verse 14. The word Jehovah is translated by the words, The Hebrew Names of God Copyright © 2013 by John Abraham Page 8 “I AM THAT I AM and “I AM”. This name “I AM” was and is absolutely sacred to the Jewish people. Imagine the horror the Godly Jew feels over the desecration of that Holy Name. Exodus 6:1-3. Read. In this clear revelation of Himself in the name LORD (JEHOVAH) God is careful to emphasize that this name does not mean another God, but rather the same God under another name. The first clear revelation of God by this name, JEHOVAH, occurs in His message to captive Israel, in His expression of HIS POWER to deliver them. Ex. 3:8, 17. Exodus 3:14-15. “You shall say unto the children of Israel I AM has sent me unto you”. The Elohim (meaning strength or strong one) of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob has sent me unto you. The Jewish people regarded the name as too sacred to pronounce. To them it was the incommunicable name, hence, WHWH or YHVH. In His ‘Jehovah’ character, God had a special relationship to man. Gen.2:7. “…the LORD God formed man” Gen.2:21. “…the LORD God caused a deep sleep” Gen.3:28. “…the LORD God walked in the garden”. The Hebrew Names of God Copyright © 2013 by John Abraham Page 9 Gen.3:9. “…the LORD God called unto Adam”. Gen.3:21. “…the LORD God clothed them”. As LORD He deals with sin and redemption by blood in the garden. Gen. 3:15. He reveals Himself more fully under that name in connection with the redemption of Israel from Egypt by blood and power. Exodus 12:5,7, 13. He ultimately reveals himself in the coming of Jesus Christ to shed His blood, die and rise again in the power of an endless life. “…God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. 2 Cor. 5:19. Jn.1:1, 14. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”. V14. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth”. Finally, God Who had revealed Himself to man as Jehovah in the OT, came in the Person of His Son in the NT, to make Him fully known in –Jesus. The Hebrew Names of God Copyright © 2013 by John Abraham Page 10