The Names of God
“Let not the wise man glory is his wisdom,
let not the mighty man glory in his might,
nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
but let him who glories glory in this,
that he understands and knows Me.”
(Jeremiah 9:23, 24)
Biblically, a name reveals one’s character. God reveals Himself through various names in order to reveal the different aspects of His wonderful nature.
The Covenant Names of God
Yahweh
Our Covenant Father
(Genesis 12:1, Genesis 2:4-7; 15:1-6)
Yahweh is translated “LORD” (all in uppercase) in English translations following the Jewish tradition; a translation choice explained in the translation’s preface notes. When we see LORD (in capital letters), we are supposed to read, Yahweh.
The name Yahweh is God’s chosen name, used 6,827 times in the Scriptures, a name wrapped in covenant and nested in parental language. See Yahweh Unveiled: Origin & Revelation.
Other names related to YAHWEH…
“I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14)
In this seminal statement, Yahweh reveals the verb form of His name, the Being in whom all beings find their being: Ehyeh asher Ehyeh.
As only God can say, I Am in this way, Yahweh is the noun form of the verb, allowing us to use His name: The One Who Is. See Yahweh Unveiled: Origin & Revelation.
Yahweh JIREH, Our Covenant Provider (Genesis 22:14, 3 John 2)
Yahweh ROPHE, Our Covenant Healer (Exodus 15:26, Isaiah 53:3-5)
Yahweh TSIDKENU, Our Covenant Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6, 2 Corinthians 5:21)
Yahweh SHALOM, Our Covenant Peace (Judges 6:24, Isaiah 9:6)
Yahweh SHAMAR, Our Covenant Keeper (Psalm 121:5, Job 10:12)
Yahweh ROEH, Our Covenant Shepherd (Psalm 23:1, John 10:11)
Yahweh TSADDIQ, Our Covenant Justifier (Lamentations 1:18, Romans 8:33)
Yahweh MKADESH, Our Covenant Sanctification (Ezekiel 20:12, 1 Corinthians 1:30)
Yahweh SHAMMAH, Our Covenant Presence (Ezekiel 48:35, Ezekiel 36:26, 27)
Yahweh QANNA, Our Covenant Lover (Exodus 34:14, Deuteronomy 4:24)
Yahweh NISSI, Our Covenant Protector (Exodus 17:15, Psalm 18:2)
Yahweh GAAL, Our Covenant Redeemer (Isaiah 63:16, Psalm 78:35)
Yahweh SABAOTH, Our Covenant Deliverer (1 Samuel 17:45, Zechariah 4:6)
This word is translated “LORD of hosts” (Yahweh, God of a mighty army) in the NKJV and “the LORD Almighty” in the NIV.
The General Names of God
ELOHIM
The Mighty Creator
(Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:26-28)
Elohim is the general or category term for God. It appears 2,603 times in the Scriptures.
Other names related to Elohim…
El Shaddai, The All-Sufficient One (eg. Psalm 91:1, Genesis 28:3, Exodus 6:3)
This word is translated “Almighty” in the NKJV, NIV and NLB.
El Elyon, The Most High (eg. Psalm 91:1, Genesis 14:18-20)
El Roi, The All-Seeing God (Genesis 16:13, Genesis 31:42)
El Olam, The Eternal God (Isaiah 40:28, 1 Timothy 1:17)
The Sovereign Name of God
ADONAI
The Lord
(Deuteronomy 10:17, Isaiah 46:9)
This word is used 441 times. When it is combined with Yahweh, it is translated “Sovereign LORD” in the NIV and NLB, and “Lord GOD” in the NKJV (eg. Isaiah 61:1).
This is the title applied to Jesus in the profession of faith, Jesus is Lord.
The Titles of Jesus
In the Old Testament
“Seed” (Genesis 3:15)
“The Star and Sceptre” (Numbers 24:17)
“Prophet” (Deuteronomy 18:18)
“Commander of the Lord’s army” (Joshua 5:15)
“Beloved” (Song of Solomon 1:16)
“Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)
“Righteous Servant” (Isaiah 53:11)
“Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:22)
“Messiah the Prince” (Daniel 9:25)
“Sun of Righteousness” (Malachi 4:2)
In the New Testament
“Immanuel…God with us” (Matthew 1:23)
“Lord of the Harvest” (Matthew 9:37)
“Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8)
“The Dayspring [The Morning Dawn]” (Luke 1:78)
“Bread of Life” (John 6:48)
“Light of the World” (John 8:12)
“Door of the Sheep” (John 10:7)
“Good Shepherd” (John 10:11)
“The Resurrection and the Life” (John 11:25)
“The Way, the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6)
“The True Vine” (John 15:1)
“Head of the Church” (Ephesians 1:22)
“Firstborn over all creation” (Colossians 1:15)
“Hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27)
“King Eternal” (1 Timothy 1:17)
“The Righteous Judge” (2 Timothy 4:8)
“Captain of our salvation” (Hebrews 2:10)
“The Apostle and High Priest” (Hebrews 3:1)
“Author and Finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2)
“Lord and Saviour” (2 Peter 3:18)
“Advocate” (1 John 2:1)
“Son of God” (1 John 4:15)
“Faithful Witness” (Revelation 1:5)
“Firstborn from the dead” (Revelation 1:5)
“Alpha and Omega” (Revelation 1:8)
“Beginning and End” (Revelation 1:8)
“Almighty” (Revelation 1:8)
“First and Last” (Revelation 1:11)
“Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5)
“Root of David” (Revelation 5:5)
“Lamb of God” (Revelation 5:12; John 1:29)
“Lord God Omnipotent” (Revelation 19:6)
“Faithful and True” (Revelation 19:11)
“King of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:16)
“The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13; John 1:1-4)
“The Root and Offspring of David” (Revelation 22:16)
“Bright and Morning Star” (Revelation 22:16)
Although the above list is fairly comprehensive, it is not an exhaustive list. If you’d like to point out a name or title I have missed, please drop me a line via the contact form.