When we read a passage in the Bible, it is common for doubts to arise.What are the names of God and their meaning?, since by meeting them, we will feel much closer to him; That is why today here, we will tell you what they are and what they mean.
God in the Bible
Before we start talking about the names of God and their meaning; we would like to recommend you this wonderful article where a prayer of praise to honor the name of God; sure it will help you connect with our lord.
Since the moment of creation, God has revealed himself to us in many ways, as he has gone to great lengths to show us his nature. Our God does not hide from us; in fact, he has always exposed himself to humanity through his works and his words.
The names of God, his attributes or indicators of his presence are introduced to us in the Bible from the first verse; these allow us to know in depth the nature of God, and what is his plan for us.
It is important to remember that in biblical times, the name was something that was given great importance; in fact, the name that would be given to the children was meditated in depth; this was so, because the name was considered to reflect the nature, character or trade of a person.
For this same reason, when God called Moses to free the Hebrew people from slavery; he insisted that God tell him what he should call him. Moses wanted to make sure that he could show the people of Israel his "accreditation."
- But Moses insisted: Suppose I stand before the Israelites and say, "The God of your ancestors has sent me to you." What do I answer if they ask me: "And what is his name?" I AM THAT I AM, God replied to Moses. And this is what you have to say to the Israelites: "I AM has sent me to you." Furthermore, God told Moses: Tell the Israelites this: “The LORD, the God of his ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my eternal name; this is my name for all generations.” (Exodus 3:13-15)
As we can appreciate, in this story God is presented to Moses as "YHWH"; name that is understood as “LORD; I AM WHO I AM". It can be said then, that this is the name of God; because as he himself said “this is my eternal name; this is my name for all generations.”
But, in the bible we are going to find that on many occasions, God when presenting himself, emphasized one of his characteristics; He sought that with his name, his purpose of bringing us confidence and peace would be known. An excellent example of this, we have it in Exodus 6, when God confirms his promise to Moses; God mentions that when appearing before Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, he did so as "El Shaddai", which means "Almighty God".
- I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob under the name of Almighty God, but I did not reveal my true name, which is the LORD. (Exodus 6:2-3)
Without a doubt, God is greatness, and there is no name or language in the whole world that can define it in its entirety; but, we can get to know it a little more if we study its names and the characteristics that they reveal. To do this, here we are going to present some of the names of God in the Bible and their meaning; as well as the importance that these have in our lives.
The main names of God and their meaning
Certainly, God appeared before us using different names with different meanings; but, when reading the bible it is possible to notice that the most frequent names were "Elohim", and the previously mentioned "YHWH"; Let's look at them in more depth.
Elohim
"He" is understood etymologically as "power"; In the Bible, we find on several occasions the name "El" and many others that begin with this root. This was due to the fact that the term "El" was the most used in the Middle East to refer to a divinity.
The most effective way to distinguish the divinity that was spoken of was by using the root "El" together with other words. An example of this is seen in Genesis 33:20, when Jacob built an altar for God and called it "El-'Elohê-Israel”; We can understand this phrase as “God, the God of Israel” or “Mighty is the God of Israel”; In this way, it was possible to identify in honor of whom said altar had been erected, "the God of Israel, who is a mighty God."
Likewise, the root "El" is related to other qualities, such as integrity (Numbers 23:19), zeal (Deuteronomy 5:9) and compassion (Nehemiah 9:31); but, the meaning of "powerful" is the one that is taken as main.
The term "Elohim" appears for the first time in the Bible in Genesis 1.1, and means "Creator God". This is the plural of "eloah"; when it is used, it is to imply both the sense of the triune God or God in three persons; as the diversity of characteristics that our Creator and Almighty God possesses.
YHWH
As we already mentioned, this is one of the most common names with which God is recognized in the Bible, and he himself means "I AM WHO I AM, the LORD"; This was the name that God chose to present himself to Moses and is used only in the Bible. This is the only proper name of God, and in the Spanish Bibles it has been translated as "Jehovah" or "LORD", written in capital letters to distinguish it from "Adonai", which means "lord".
Until now, we do not know what the exact pronunciation is for "YHWH", since out of respect, the name has been kept without vowels; also, the Hebrews affirm that this is so, because the name of God is too sacred to say it. But, “YHWH” means that God is present, accessible and close to all those who ask for his closeness; as well as deliverance from him, forgiveness and guidance from him.
It was in the second book of Genesis, when the name "YHWH" was presented to us for the first time; let's see:
- This is the story of the creation of the heavens and the earth. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens… (Genesis 2:4)
In this passage, it can be seen that "YHWH" and "Elohim" are presented together; It is possible that this was written in this way, to emphasize his presence at the time of creation and to point out that "YHWH" is indeed the name of the creator God.
Other names of God and their meaning
Those mentioned above are the most used names in the Bible to call God; but, in this we are also going to find many other names with which reference has been made to God our Lord; which offer us the possibility of better knowing its nature, and in this way getting closer to it. Let's look at some of those other names and their meaning.
adonai
As we mentioned in the previous section, the Hebrews considered that the name "YHWH" was too sacred to be pronounced, therefore, they began to use the name "Adonai" instead; this is understood as "lord" or "master" and he himself is used to convey the idea of "God as Lord and Master, the owner of everything".
By means of this name in the bible one speaks both of God as authority, and of the position that he occupies with respect to his people; since this is the one that possesses the authority to reward those who obey him and punish those who disobey him.
- Then Moses bowed to the ground and prayed to the Lord as follows: Lord, if I really have your favor, come and stay among us. I recognize that this is a stubborn people, but forgive us our iniquity and our sin, and take us as your inheritance. "Look at the covenant I make with you," answered the LORD. In the sight of all your people I will do wonders that have not been done before any nation in the world. The people among whom you live will see the awesome works that I, the LORD, will do for you. (Exodus 34:8-10)
Abba
In this case, the name "Abba" is understood as father or dad; he himself expresses the paternal love that God feels towards his people. God not only created us, but he also wants to establish a close relationship with each one of us; in the same way that a father establishes a relationship with his son.
As we were shown in 1 John 4:8, God is love and treats us all in this way, with love and compassion. God created us and accompanies us at all times, attentive to the needs of all his children; let's give ourselves the time to feel his father's love and give it back.
- "Father of orphans and defender of widows is God in his holy abode." (Psalm 68:5)
- See what great love the Father has given us, that we be called children of God! And we are! (1 John 3:1a)
YHWH-Rapha
As we have seen, God is called by various names with different meanings; but, the main one turns out to be "YHWH", therefore it should not be surprising that it is used in conjunction with other words. In this case, "YHWH-Rapha" is understood as "the LORD who heals" or "the LORD your healer."
God wants the best for all his children, he wants well-being and health to extend to all aspects of our lives; the LORD is a healer, and his power reaches our spirit as well as our soul and body. God wants us to heal both the diseases of the soul and those of the body; because of this, healing is an important characteristic of hers.
- “He said to them, 'I am the LORD your God. If you listen to my voice and do what I think is right, and if you keep my laws and commandments, I will not bring any of the diseases that I brought on the Egyptians. I am the LORD, who restores them to health.'” (Exodus 15:26)
- Certainly he bore our sicknesses and endured our pains, but we consider him wounded, beaten by God, and humiliated. (Isaiah 53:4)
YHWH-Shalom
God is not only love and health, he is also peace; peace that he gives to all his children equally, and this is just the meaning of this name "the LORD is peace". For many people, the peace that God gives us is illogical, since the peace that he professes to us is not based on circumstances or the lack of wars; in fact, the peace of God is based on the blind trust that he always accompanies us; that he fills us fully.
- Don't worry about anything; rather, on every occasion, with prayer and supplication, present your petitions to God and give him thanks. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
- Peace I leave you; I give you my peace. I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not be distressed or cowered. (John 14:27)
YHWH-Rohi
Continuing with the variations of the name "YHWH" and its meaning, we find "YHWH-Rohi", which means "the LORD is my shepherd"; What is sought to be expressed in the Bible by means of this name is that God is the shepherd who takes care of each of his sheep and guides them along the path of life.
God is always very attentive, prepared at all times to defend his children from the enemy, who is always looking for ways to attack us and steal us from his fold; likewise, the LORD is an excellent shepherd, and he always attends to the needs of his flock.
- I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. (John 10:11)
- I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep, and they know me, just as the Father knows me and I know him, and I give my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this fold, and I must bring them also. So they will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd. (John 10:14-16)
- The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing; in green pastures he makes me rest. Beside still waters he leads me. (Psalm 23:1-2)
YHWH-Sabaoth
God has various names, but their meaning will always refer to his greatness; as in this case, where "YHWH-Sabaoth" means "the LORD of hosts", although in some cases, this name is translated as "the LORD Almighty".
Our LORD has all power, and is the ruler of the armies of heaven, earth and the entire universe; God commands both the armies we see and those we don't. This name is a clear expression of his enormous majesty, authority and power; Likewise, it makes us feel sure that we are indeed in the best hands.
- The LORD Almighty is with us; our refuge is the God of Jacob. (Psalm 46:7)
- Who is this King of glory? The LORD, the strong and brave, the LORD, the valiant warrior. Raise, doors, the lintels of it; Rise up, ancient gates, for the King of glory is about to enter. Who is this King of glory? He is the LORD Almighty; he is the King of glory! Selah. (Psalm 24:8-10)
The Shaddai
As we have just seen, one of the translations made to the name "YHWH-Sabaoth" is "the LORD Almighty"; but being strict, we say “Almighty God”, when we call him “El Shaddai”. This term is used to refer to God as the one who possesses all strength and power.
There is no doubt that the LORD is the only invincible being; who also gives us all the care and protection we need. For some, the figure of God is represented as a mountain or a great solid mount, in which we can take shelter; likewise, it is important to note that this is the name that God used to introduce himself to Abraham.
- When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, I am God Almighty. He lives in my presence and be blameless. (Genesis 17:1)
- Woe to that day, the day of the Lord, which is drawing near! It will come as devastation from the Almighty. (Joel 1:15)
- He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High welcomes himself in the shadow of the Almighty. I say to the LORD: "You are my refuge, my fortress, the God in whom I trust." (Psalm 91:1-2)
We hope that by knowing some of the names of God and their meaning, you will feel a little closer to our LORD; likewise, by way of synthesis and to expand a little the information that we have placed here, we are going to leave you a short video where we talk about the compound names of God and its meaning.