We often refer to God, the creator of the universe, using general terms like God or Lord. You will gain a better understanding of God and His attributes by researching and meditating on the names.
God’s names reveal His essence and character. What else should we call God besides the Lord?
What is the meaning of God’s name?
In the Old Testament and New Testament, there are more than 100 names of God. This article will focus on the 10 Old Testament Names of God.
Translation is important. Some names are Hebrew translations; others are “God,” followed by a characteristic, creating an intimate, more personal expression.
The most common names for God are:
- Elohim
- Yahweh (YHWH)
- Jehovah is the English translation of YHWH
- Adonai
These names also have variations that describe different characteristics of God.
- El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty)
- El Elyon is the Most High God
- El Olam (the everlasting God)
- Jehovah Raah (the Lord, my Shepherd)
- Jehovah Rapha (the Lord who Heals)
- Jehovah Jireh (the Lord provides)
Practicing the Names of God
We’ll look at the names of God and some scriptures where they appear. Please take this and make it personal. Apply it to your relationship with your creator. I encourage you to focus on the meaning of God’s names when praying and what they reveal about Him.
When you pray Elohim, you acknowledge that He is God supreme and the creator of the universe.
Prayer: I bow down before you, Elohim, Creator of the universe. You are the supreme ruler of all the Earth. Your creation, your work, and the clay in your hands, I am. You are a great person.
YHWH (yah-WEH)
YHWH, the name of God that is most sacred to Jews, is not spoken out of fear of offending it. This is described in Exodus 20, verse 7.
The Lord will not excuse anyone who inappropriately uses his name.
Ha-Shem, which means “the name,” is used instead.
It appears 6,519 different times in the Old Testament. The first time it appears is in Genesis 2:4.
The Lord God created the heavens and Earth.
In the presence of the YHWH, the heavens and Earth shake. You are aware of me. Who am I that the Most Holy of All welcomes me to His Presence? I am humbled before you and ask that my request be made known.
Jehovah (ye-ho-VAW)
Jehovah is also known as the “Lord Existing One.” Also, it means “to be” or “to know.” God continues to reveal himself to us.
Jehovah was created by combining YHWH (the consonant-only name) with the vowels Adonai.
God said to Moses: “Tell the Israelites that the Lord, God of your forefathers, the God Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has sent me to them.”
When you pray the name Jehovah, it reminds you that God desires to be known by his children. He wants to be known by us.
I want to know you better as my God, my creator. You will respond as I search for you. You want me to draw near to you, and your artwork shows that you are eager to know about me. You want to be revealed to those who are seeking you. You are to expose yourself to me.
Gideon exclaimed, “Alas! Sovereign God!” when he realized it was an angel of the Lord. I have seen the Angel of the Lord face-to-face!” (Judges 6.22)
El-Shaddai (el-shad-DI)
El-Shaddai, or God El, is one of the most well-known names in the Christian community.
El-Shaddai is a Hebrew word that means “God the Almighty” or “the Overpowerer,” highlighting God’s supreme strength and power. The first use of the word is in Genesis. It appears frequently throughout Job.
Abram was 99 years old when the Lord appeared and told him, “I Am God Almighty. Walk before me faithfully, and be blameless. Genesis 17:1
El-Shaddai, I know that you are more powerful than any god I have put before you. Break down all my idols and be the only God in my life.
El Elyon (el-el-YONE)
El Elyone is translated as “the highest one.” The word emphasizes God’s power, sovereignty, and supremacy.
Melchizedek, the king of Salem, then brought out wine and bread. He was a priest of God Most Holy, and he blessed Abram by saying:
In a world filled with false gods and religious beliefs, it’s important to declare the one true God. He is the only one who deserves our praise and devotion. The one who is superior to all others.
El Elyon, I praise you for being great. Only you are worthy of praise. By your strength, you destroy your enemies. Take down the barriers in my life and protect me from those who would harm me.
Isn’t knowing the eternal God comforting? Unchanging, ever-present, stable, secure, the one true God. He was there in the beginning and has been working on His children’s lives for thousands of years.
El Olam: It is difficult for me to comprehend what eternal means. You existed even before you created this world. After all the suffering and pain of this world has passed, I know you will remain and your children with you forever. Keep my mind on the eternal and tell me that sufferings in this world are temporary.
Jehovah-Raah (yeh-ho-VAW raw-AW)
Raah is derived from roeh, which means shepherd. From ro-eh, another word is rea. It means “friend” and “companion”. This shows that God wants to have a more personal relationship, not just as a sheep-herder would.
David knew God so intimately. David was not only familiar with God’s strength and power but also with a God who gently cared for and fed each of his sheep. The same God who brought down the walls in Jericho also feeds every little sparrow.
We can have a closer relationship with God when we pray Jehovah Raah.
You are God, the creator of everything, yet you come when I am in need. You are able to hear every prayer and wipe out each tear. You are glad when I rejoice, and you are heavy when I weep.
