The name of the Lord

One simple and yet very beneficial thing we can do to understand God better is to study the various names assigned to him throughout scripture. In Romeo and Juliet, the now famous question was asked, “What’s in a name?” Unfortunately, in our society today, the answer to this question is, “very little!” But in the Hebrew and other ancient cultures, a name expressed essence, and to know someone’s name meant you knew their character, their nature, and even their destiny.

Throughout the book of Genesis, the word most often translated “God” is the Hebrew word “Elohim.” Interestingly, this word is the plural form of “Elohah,” which in turn comes from the word “El” – a generic name for any divine or mighty being. Even though this name of God was somewhat generic it still reveals his plurality and the depth of his being. Using names that combined the generic term “El” with more specific words, God revealed different aspects of his character.

For example, “El-Shaddai” means “The God who is mighty, or powerful,” “El-Elyon” means “The Most High God,” “El-Olam” means “God the Everlasting One,” or “God of Eternity,” “El-Berith” means “God of the Covenant,” and “El-Roi” refers to the “God who sees” or “God of vision.” With each new name attributed to God in the book of Genesis, new aspects of his strength and his nature were highlighted.

In Exodus 3:14 Moses asked God what name Moses could refer to him by when he spoke to the Israelites. God’s answer was “I am who I am.” The Hebrew word for this phrase is “YHWH,” which comes from the root Hayah, meaning, “to be.” In this concise yet powerful name, God revealed Himself as the ever-present, timeless One – Not the God who was or the God who will be but the God who IS! God then went on to tell Moses that this was the name by which he would be remembered “to all generations.” Then, in Exodus 6:3, God told Moses, “I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known to them.”

God was here indicating to Moses that He was about to reveal more of Himself to his people than he had before. In essence God’s relationship with his people was growing more intimate, and so He let them see more of himself. Let’s say, for example, that we were to meet the president of the United States. At first we would simply know and refer to him as “Mr. President.” But assuming we were able to spend more time with him and get to know him better, eventually he would probably ask us to refer to him by his name. As God continued to reveal more of Himself to His people through the old covenant, He again added specific words to his Name “YHWH.” As “YHWH -Jireh” God revealed Himself as the One who provides for his people. As “YHWH Nissi” He is a banner of protection over his People. As “YHWH Mekaddesh” He is the one who sanctifies his people. As “YHWH Shalom” He is the one who is peace to his people. As “YHWH Sabaoth” He is the Lord of Hosts, indicating his power over all both the nations and all angelic beings. As “YHWH Tsidkenu He is the One who is righteousness to his people. As “YHWH Rohi” He is the great Shepherd over his people and, as “YHWH Shammah” He is the one who is ever dwelling with his people.

Hopefully reading through these brief descriptions of the names of God has inspired you to study them further. And as you do, may you experience the truth of Proverbs. 18:10:

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous runs into it and is safe.”