God is referred to by many different names in the Bible. These names reveal aspects of God’s nature, character, and relationship with humanity. Here is an overview of some of the primary names of God found in Scripture:
Yahweh/Jehovah
This is God’s personal name, revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). It comes from the Hebrew verb “to be” and means “the self-existing one.” This name affirms God’s self-existence, eternal nature, and covenant faithfulness. Yahweh is the God who delivers His people and remains in relationship with them.
El/Elohim
These Hebrew names portray God as strong and mighty. El refers to God’s supreme power and strength, while Elohim is a plural name that hints at the Trinity. God’s creative power and sovereignty are seen in these names. Elohim is also combined with other words to reveal aspects of God, such as El Elyon (“God Most High”), El Shaddai (“God Almighty”), and more.
Adonai
This name means “Lord” or “Master” and expresses God’s sovereignty and authority. The plural form is a mark of honor and respect. Adonai affirms that God is both powerful and personal.
El Roi
“God Who Sees” is the name Hagar gave to the Lord after He saw her suffering (Genesis 16:13). It speaks of God’s omniscience and ever-present watchfulness over His children.
Jehovah Jireh
After God provided a sacrifice for Abraham instead of requiring the sacrifice of Isaac, Abraham called Him “The LORD Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14). This name declares God’s faithfulness to supply all of our needs.
Jehovah Rapha
This name means “The LORD Who Heals” and first appears when God promises to heal the Israelites (Exodus 15:26). Jehovah Rapha reveals that God can heal both physical diseases and spiritual brokenness.
Jehovah Nissi
Moses gave this title to the Lord after defeating the Amalekites (Exodus 17:15). It means “The LORD Our Banner” – God is our standard, our rallying point, and the one who leads us into victory.
Jehovah Shalom
This name means “The LORD Is Peace” (Judges 6:24). God gives perfect peace amidst trouble as He reigns in supreme love and steadfastness.
Jehovah Sabbaoth
Translated “The LORD of Hosts,” this name highlights God’s unlimited power and the vastness of His resources (Isaiah 6:1-3). All angelic beings are under His authority to carry out His will.
Jehovah Rohi
Meaning “The LORD My Shepherd,” this name expresses God’s tender guidance and provision for His flock (Psalm 23:1). As a Shepherd, God protects, leads, and supplies all our needs.
Immanuel
Prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 and fulfilled in Christ, this name means “God With Us.” Jesus being “God with us” in human form displayed God’s care, nearness, and understanding of our human plight.
Wonderful Counselor
Another Messianic title, the name Wonderful Counselor portrays Christ’s wisdom, grace, and ability to guide us in God’s truth (Isaiah 9:6). He is the perfect, compassionate advisor.
There are many other names and titles for God throughout the Bible that provide insight into His attributes, promises, and relation to humanity. But these are some of the primary and most significant names of God that unfold His supreme majesty, grace, and provision for His children.
In summary, the names of God reveal who He is and how He relates to us. They display His power, knowledge, presence, salvation, guidance, and steadfast love. The manifold names of God in Scripture provide a fuller revelation of His character and work.
Some key things the names of God demonstrate:
- God is personal and relational – He seeks to be known by humanity
- God is eternal, all-powerful, and sovereign over all creation
- God is actively involved in human affairs and history
- God cares deeply for His people and seeks intimacy with them
- God provides, protects, leads, and shepherds His people
- God is holy, transcendent, and beyond human limitations
- God is a covenant keeper who remains faithful to His promises
Meditating on the names of God leads us into deeper worship, trust, and knowledge of who He is. The representations of God throughout the biblical text teach us about His character and empower us to call upon Him. God’s names are an invitation to experience Him in greater dimensions. They reveal a God who wants to be known by His children.
Some key Bible passages about the names of God:
“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you”” (Exodus 3:14).
“Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God” (Genesis 21:33).
“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:10).
“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10).
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
So in summary, the names of God throughout Scripture progressively reveal His supremacy, faithfulness, compassion, power, and other divine attributes. They display a God who earnestly desires relationship with humanity. The LORD invites us to know Him more fully through the redemptive revelation of His names.
In-depth explanations of key Names of God in the Bible:
Yahweh
The name Yahweh occurs over 6,500 times in the Old Testament and is God’s distinct personal name. It comes from the Hebrew word “hayah” meaning “to be” and was revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). When Moses asked for God’s name, He responded, “I AM WHO I AM” and told Moses to say, “I AM has sent me to you.” This associates God’s name with His eternal nature and ever-present being. Yahweh proclaims that God is self-existent, dependent on nothing outside Himself. The name affirms God’s self-sufficiency.
Yahweh is connected to God’s covenant relationship with Israel. In Exodus 6:2-8, God reminded Moses that He had appeared to the patriarchs as El Shaddai but was now establishing a new covenant to deliver Israel from Egypt. Under this covenant, the people would know God as Yahweh, indicating His personal presence and faithfulness to keep His promises. The name Yahweh reflects God’s redemptive acts on behalf of His people.
When Yahweh is combined with other Hebrew words, it forms “Yahweh-compounds” that reveal other key aspects of God’s character:
- Yahweh-Jireh – The LORD Will Provide (Genesis 22:14)
- Yahweh-Rapha – The LORD Who Heals (Exodus 15:26)
- Yahweh-Nissi – The LORD Our Banner (Exodus 17:15)
- Yahweh-Shalom – The LORD Is Peace (Judges 6:24)
- Yahweh-Raah – The LORD My Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
- Yahweh-Tsidkenu – The LORD Our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6)
The name Yahweh conveys God’s active, covenantal love for His people and His desire to be known by them in intimate relationship. It represents His eternal power and redemption.
El and Elohim
In the ancient Near East, El was a generic term for “god” and referred to power and might. The Bible appropriates this term but applies it specifically to Yahweh as the one true God. El emphasizes God’s supreme strength, sovereignty, and transcendence.
Elohim is the plural form of El, which some understand as referring to the Trinity. Elohim likely expresses the fullness of God’s divine attributes and majesty. The name highlights God’s creative power and total dominion over all. Elohim appears in Genesis 1 as the Creator.
God is also called by compound names using El:
- El Elyon – God Most High (Genesis 14:18)
- El Olam – The Everlasting God (Genesis 21:33)
- El Roi – The God Who Sees Me (Genesis 16:13)
- El Shaddai – God Almighty (Genesis 17:1)
Together, El and Elohim emphasize God’s supreme power, sovereignty, and transcendence. Yet they are often accompanied by Yahweh in the biblical text to also convey God’s personal immanence and covenant care.
Adonai
Adonai comes from the Hebrew word “adon” meaning lord, master, or owner. It denotes God’s sovereign rule and authority over all creation. Adonai also has a plural form, which some view as an expression of honor and majesty.
Adonai appears over 400 times in the Old Testament. It often substitutes for Yahweh, reminding the people of God’s supreme position while avoiding overuse of His personal name. Adonai affirms that God is both transcendent Lord and imminent Heavenly Father.
A special title “Adonai Yahweh” (Lord GOD) appears over 300 times, especially in prophetic writings like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. This name combines God’s covenant name with His sovereign rule to proclaim Him as both personal Redeemer and mighty King.
Immanuel
The name Immanuel means “God with us” and is found in Isaiah 7:14. It prophesies the coming of Jesus Christ – God incarnate in human flesh. The New Testament applies this name to Jesus, affirming His deity and identifying Him as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy (Matthew 1:23).
Immanuel signifies God’s nearness, empathy, and understanding of the human condition. Through Christ, God entered into our suffering and struggles, demonstrating His compassion and care. Jesus as Immanuel reveals God’s heart to draw close to mankind and provide salvation.
This name also anticipates the fullness of Christ’s future reign when God’s dwelling will be forever among His people (Revelation 21:3). Immanuel displays God’s redemptive plan to restore intimate fellowship with humanity through Christ.
Wonderful Counselor
The title Wonderful Counselor appears in Isaiah 9:6 and refers to the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. As Wonderful Counselor, Jesus exhibits the perfect wisdom of God, freely guiding and advising His followers in truth through the Spirit (John 14:26, 15:26).
Wonderful means full of wonder, awe, and amazement. It captures the idea that Christ inspires worship and praise by His miraculous works, sinless life, and the mysteries of His incarnation and atonement. Counselor conveys Christ’s wisdom and ability to counsel, comfort, and care for His people.
Together, these words portray Jesus’ gentle guidance as well as His magnificent glory. We have a Counselor who is supremely wise and worthy of worship, yet cares intimately for His people. Jesus as Wonderful Counselor reflects God’s redeeming grace and zeal to restore humanity.
The various names of God throughout Scripture progressively reveal aspects of His nature and character. While each name displays distinct divine attributes, the names work together to present a complete picture of who God is. The manifold names invite us to worship God in the fullness of His majesty, goodness, and redeeming light.