The name of God holds an important key to understanding the doctrine of God and the doctrine of revelation. The name of God is a personal disclosure and reveals His relationship with His people. His name is known only because He chooses to make it known. To the Hebrew mind, God was both hidden and revealed, transcendent and immanent. Even though he was mysterious, lofty, and unapproachable, He bridged the gap with humankind by revealing His name.
The truth of God's character is focused in His name. The divine name reveals
God's power, authority, and holiness. This accounts for Israel's great reverence
for God's name. The Ten Commandments prohibited the violation of God's name (Ex.
20:7; Deut. 5:11). Prophets spoke with authority when they uttered God's name.
Oaths taken in God's name were considered binding, and battles fought in the
name of God were victorious. Other nations would fear Israel, not because it was
a mighty nation, but because it rallied under the Lord's name. In the New
Testament, God's name is manifested most clearly in Jesus Christ.
He is called
"the Word" (John 1:1), and
Jesus
himself makes the claim that he has revealed the name of God (John 17:6).
God's
name is His promise to dwell with His people.
God of the Fathers Before Moses' encounter with God in the Midianite desert,
God
was known generally as the God of the Fathers.
Various names were used for God under this conception, most of which were
associated with the primitive Semitic word El.
The word El in the Bible is often a reference to deity as opposed to the
particular historical revelation associated with the name "Yahweh" (see below).
More often than not, however, it is used interchangeably as a synonym for
Yahweh, the God of Israel, and translated God.
One of the most interesting uses of El is its alliance with other terms to
reveal the character of God. Some of these combinations are:
El-Shaddai
"God
of the Mountains" or "The Almighty
God." This term is more closely associated with the patriarchal
period and can be found most frequently in the Books of Genesis and Job. Exodus
6:3 underlines El-Shaddai as the
name revealed to the patriarchs. God used it to make His Covenant with Abraham
(Gen. 17:1-2).
El-Elyon "The Most High God" or "The Exalted One" (Num. 24:16; 2 Sam. 22:14; Ps.
18:13). Melchizadek was a priest of El-Elyon and blessed Abraham in this name
(Gen. 14:19-20), refering to El-Elyon as "Maker of heaven and earth." Canaanites
at Ugarit also worshiped god as El-Elyon. El-Elyon seems to have had close ties
to Jerusalem.
El-Olam "God of Eternity" or "God the Everlasting One" (Gen. 21:33; Isa. 26:4;
Ps. 90:2). God's sovereignty extends through the passing of time and beyond our
ability to see or understand.
El-Berith "God of the Covenant" (Judg. 9:46) transforms the Canaanite Baal
Berith (8:33) to show God alone makes and keeps covenant.
El-Roi "God who Sees me" or "God of Vision" (Gen. 16:13).
God sees needs of His
people and responds.
Elohim A plural form for deity. It is a frequently used term and the most
comprehensive of the El combinations. The plurality of this word is not a hint
of polytheism. It is a plural of majesty. It is a revelation of the infinite
nature of God. In the creation narrative, we read: "Then Elohim said, 'Let us
make man in our image.' " (Gen. 1:26) This name suggests that there is a mystery
to the Creator-God which humankind cannot fully fathom. God is absolute,
infinite Lord over creation and history. The Christian sees in this term a
pointer to the trinitarian reality of creation.
Other Uses The name El is frequently combined with other nouns or adjectives.
Some examples are: Israe-el (One who is ruled by God), Beth-el (House of God), Peni-el (Face of God). In the crucifixion narrative (Mark 15:34),
Jesus employed
a form of El when he cried from the cross, "Eloi, Eloi," "my God, my
God,"
quoting Psalm 22.
The Covenant Name The covenant name for God was "Yahweh." Israel's faith was a
new response to God based on His disclosure. This name was so unique and
powerful that God formed a covenant with His people based upon his
self-revelation.
Yahweh Titles appear in English translations as
Jehovah. .
Yahweh-Jireh "The Lord will Provide" (Gen. 22:14). This was the name given to
the location where God provided a ram for Abraham to sacrifice in the place of
Isaac. This name is a testimony to God's deliverance.
Yahweh-Nissi "The Lord is my Banner" (Ex. 17:15). Moses acribed this name to
God
after a victory over the Amalekites. The name of God was considered a banner
under which Israel could rally for victory. The Lord's name was the battle cry.
Yahweh-Mekaddesh "The Lord Sanctifies" (Ex. 31:13). Holiness is the central
revelation of God's character. God calls for a people who are set apart.
Yahweh-Shalom "The Lord is Peace" (Judg. 6:24). This was the name of the altar
that Gideon built at Ophrah signifying that God brings well-being not death to
His people.
Yahweh-Sabaoth "The Lord of Hosts" (1 Sam. 1:3; Jer. 11:20; compare 1 Sam.
17:45). This can also be rendered, "The
Lord Almighty." It represents God's
power over the nations and was closely tied to Shiloh, to the ark of the
covenant, and to prophecy. The title designates God as King and ruler of Israel,
its armies, its Temple, and of all the universe.
Yahweh-Rohi "The Lord is my Shepherd" (Ps. 23:1).
God is the One who provides
loving care for His people.
Yahweh-Tsidkenu "The Lord is Our Righteousness" (Jer. 23:5-6; 33:16). This was
the name Jeremiah gave to God, the Righteous King, who would rule over Israel
after the return from captivity. He would establish a new kingdom of justice.
Yahweh-Shammah "The Lord is There" (Ezk. 48:35) This is the name of
God
associated with the restoration of Jerusalem, God's dwelling place.
Adon (or Adonai) This is a title of authority and honor. It can be translated
"Lord." It is not exclusively a title for deity because it is used in addressing
a superior, such as a king or master. In this sense, it is used to ascribe the
highest honor and worship to God. Adon or Adonai was often used in conjunction
with Yahweh. In time, Adonai became a substitute for Yahweh. In the postexilic
period, it took on the connotation of God's absolute lordship.
Symbolic Titles A prominent characteristic of Scripture is its use of figurative
language. Many of the names for God are symbolic, illustrative, or figurative.
Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:9,13,22) The picture presented is of an old man who
lived for many years. This, of course, is not a literal description of God, but
a confession that He lives forever and His kingdom is everlasting.
His rule
encompasses the expanses of time. Unlike the portrait presented in other
religions where the gods are bound within time, Yahweh is active in time and
history. He gives history meaning and is drawing it to a conclusion. He is from
"everlasting to everlasting." (Ps. 90:2)
Rock (Deut. 32:18; Ps. 19:14; Isa. 26:4) God is strong and permanent.
Yahweh is
sometimes identified as "The Rock of Israel."
Refuge (Ps. 9:9; Jer. 17:17) God is a haven from the enemy.
Fortress (Ps. 18:2; Nah. 1:7) God is a defense against the foe.
Shield (Gen. 15:1; Ps. 84:11) God is protection.
Sun (Ps. 84:11) God is the source of light and life.
Refiner (Mal. 3:3) God is purifier.
Political Names Many descriptions of God came from political life.
King In the Ancient East, it was common to address gods as king. Kingship
was also ascribed to Yahweh. His covenant people were to obey
Him as a Sovereign. This title is the key to understanding the kingdom of
God, which is
the most frequent title used in Scripture to describe God's rule.
Judge The Judge was the political ruler during the time of tribal
confederacy. Yahweh is the Judge who arbitrates disputes, sets things right, and
intervenes for Israel in its military campaigns.
Shepherd God is frequently described as a Shepherd. This was a nurturing term to
describe the care given to His covenantal people. It also had political or
ruling connotations. Yahweh is the Shepherd King (Ezk. 34). In the New
Testament, the image of God as shepherd is continued in parables (Luke 15:4-7)
and in John's portrayal of Christ as the
Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18).
God the Father In the Old Testament, the word father is used for God to describe
the close kinship that He enjoys with His worshipers. There are many figurative
references to God's fatherhood. "As a father has compassion on his children, so
the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him" (Ps. 103:13).
God is a "father to
Israel" (Jer. 31:9) and speaks of Israel as His "son" (Ex. 4:22; Hos. 11:1).
Father is the distinguishing title for God in the New Testament.
Jesus taught
His disciples to use the Aramaic "Abba,"
a term of affection that approximates our word
Daddy, to address the heavenly
Father.
Father takes on a richer meaning when it is joined with other designations.
Our Father. Jesus taught His disciples to address God in this manner when they
prayed (Matt. 6:9);
Father of mercies (2 Cor. 1:3);
Father of lights (Jas. 1:17);
Father of glory (Eph. 1:17).
When the Father title is juxtaposed with the word Son, the significance of
God's
name in relation to Jesus Christ is understood. Christ's claim to have come in
his Father's name reveals that He was God's unique representative (John 5:43).
He shares the Father's essential authority and works done in his
Father's name
bear witness to this special relationship (John 10:25). Christ has provided a
full revelation of God because He has clearly declared His name (John 12:28;
17:6).
Note: Information above is taken from Holman Bible Dictionary and has been shortened and formatted. After the Bible, a good Concordance like Strong's Exhaustive, and a Bible Dictionary are necessary tools for a Christian We have free Bible downloads and software at our servers site and in our files area. If you want computer Bible software and have checked these links and still haven't found what you wanted go to Quickverse, that's my favorite program. God Bless You and keep studying God's Word. .
I was told our background theme song was wimpy (See Lyrics) and not manly and we should have blues on our Christian M/C site.. If you have listened to this whole song, I think you would agree it is really beautiful and it really speaks to your heart and it honors God, Amen.
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