God has many different names that can help us know Him better. In the Bible, these names reflect different characteristics of God. When I started a study on the names of God I was amazed at how these names have helped change my perception of Him during both trying and good times in my life.
The first name I always think of is Jehovah, which many people use to address God. Jehovah means “Lord”, but not to confuse it with Adonai which also means Lord. Jehovah refers to God as He made the earth and the heaves and who is seeking relationships with His children (Genesis 2:4, Bible). Adonai, on the other hand, is plural and is used to refer to YHWY (YAHWEH) the name of God that according to the Jewish people was to never be spoken. Deuteronomy 3:24 demonstrates this, “O Lord [Adonai] God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your strong hand; for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours (NIV). After these distinctions, I would like to share a few of God's many names.
Many of the names of God start with El which simply means God. To begin with, the name Eloah means God is mighty, strong. or prominent In line with this the name Elohim is the plural form of Eloah and also means God is mighty, strong, or prominent, but reflects more than one. Elohim (in my own opinion, but certainly not everyone) gives reference to the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). Genesis 1:1-2 states, “In the beginning, God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters (NIV). Genesis 1:26 states this plural meaning a bit clearer, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in our own image, after Our likeness (ESV). As I have explained, El (God) has many characteristics. These characteristics give us a better idea of God's love for His children.
El Jireh, or “The Lord with provide” was a name given to God by Abraham when God provided a ram to be sacrificed instead of Abraham's only son Isaac. In Genesis 22:12-14 an Angel of God called out to Abraham saying, “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide (NIV). Today this name also gives us reassurance that the Lord will provide for us when we are in need.
El Rapha, or “The Lord who heals” was first mentioned in Exodus 15:26 when God said, “I am Jehovah who heals you, both in body and soul. In body by preserving from and curing diseases, and in the soul by pardoning iniquities (NIV). Amazingly this verse was prophesying how Jesus, the Son of God and our Savior would give healing to our bodies and forgiveness for our sins. The healing came by the flogging and beating Jesus received before His crucifixion and the forgiveness came by the spilling of His blood as he died on the cross. The perfect Lamb of God was sacrificed. 1 Peter 2: 24 states, "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by his wounds, you have been healed." (NIV).
El Shalom or “The Lord our peace” is a name given to God by Gideon after seeing the Angel of God. Judges 6: 22-24 states, “When Gideon realized that it was the angel of the Lord, he exclaimed, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face! ”But the Lord said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.”So Gideon built an altar to the Lord here and called it The Lord Is Peace (NIV). Today we can still have the assurance of His name, El Shalom. In John 14:27, Jesus stated, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (NIV).
Finally, I will leave you with my personal favorite El Shaddai or God Almighty, the mighty God of Jacob (Israel). God is all-powerful. In Genesis 49:24, El Shaddai is described like this, “his bow remains steady, his strong arms stayed limber because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob (El Shaddai), because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel” (NIV). Today we can rest in the name El Shaddai because God is still our strength and our steady and strong arm. There are many more names that characterize God, and I would recommend you do your own study. Not only will it help you discover God in many new ways, it will give you a better understanding of your relationship with the Creator of all things.
Thank you, Father, for Your many-faceted and all faithful existence!!
Enjoy this music video from Amy Grant "El Shaddai"
