O LORD, our Lord, How majestic is Your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:9)
“And those who know Your name will put their trust in you.” (Psalm 9:10)
How familiar are you with God? His nature? His essence/heart?
Mere knowledge about God falls short. It is by delving into His biblical names that you can established a deep and intimate connection with Him. As you grasp the significance of God's names, you will unlock insights into His character and the depths of His compassion. He earnestly desires you to comprehend Him, yearning for a profound and personal relationship with you.
1. Elohim (God)
God is Elohim—He is your Creator.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
Have you given much thought to the power God used to create the universe? How about God’s insanely creative imagination as He designed planet earth?
God never ceases to amazed me each morning I rise to see a new beautiful sunrise or the beauty and variety of the flowers and differant colors of the trees changing seasons are breathtaking. Whether sitting outside in the evening sunset or watching the moon peak through the trees there’s no denying that nature is one way to connect with Elohim.
“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)
What about the intricacies and beauty of the human body?
Do you ever feel worthless? Unlovable? You are supremely valuable for one primary reason. You have been created in the image of God. He loves and cherishes you more than you can fathom because you are His image bearer.
“I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” (Psalm 139:14a)
2. Elohim Chayim (The Living God)
God is Elohim Chayim—He is the Living God.
“Today you will know that the living God is among you.” (Joshua 3:10)
“Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-7)
There is not one religion that exists other than Christianity that can boast of having a god that is alive and active in the lives of its followers. Every faith founder that once walked the earth is dead and gone. Every stone or wooden god that was worshiped never took a breath of air. You can only have a personal relationship with the living God—Elohim Chayim.
“Then the angel spoke to the women, Don’t be afraid! He said. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.” (Matthew 28:5-6)
3. Abba (Father)
God is Abba—He is your Father.
“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)
I personally known a couple that adopted a baby into their family. As friends of this family we watch them give this child not only their name, but love and care. As the child has grown through-out the years we notice her mannerisms that she is part of their family.
When you place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, God adopts you into His forever family. You bear His name—Christian. And you are known as one of His children by your behavior. How wonderful to be able to call God such an intimate name—Abba.
4. Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
God is Jehovah-jireh—the Lord will provide.
“When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. At that moment the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven…Don’t lay a hand on the boy! Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Jehovah-jireh (which means the LORD will provide). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: On the mountain of the lord it will be provided.” (Genesis 22:9-12; 13-14)
The drama and significance of this event in Abraham’s life was a test to prove his faithfulness to God and God’s faithfulness to Abraham. He wanted to see if Abraham would trust Him with the promise, He had fulfilled for him in giving him a son in his old age. Abraham passed the test and the ram proved that God is Jehovah-jireh.
Just a short distance from where God provided a ram in Isaac’s place, He provided the ultimate sacrifice in our place, the Lamb of God, Jesus, who took away the sins of the whole world.
5. Jehovah-Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)
God is Jehovah-shalom—the Lord is Peace.
“When Gideon saw he was the angel of the Lord, he said, ‘Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel face to face. The Lord said to him, Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die. Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and named it The LORD is Peace.” (Judges 6:22-24)
There is a peace that only God can give. It is a peace that the world cannot understand. When in the midst of tests and trials the peace of God that passes all understanding can overwhelm us and bring us to a place of great comfort. Only a serious Christ-follower can truly understand the mystery of the workings of the Holy Spirit in this way. This is a peace that the world can’t understand, a peace that only Jehovah-shalom can give.
Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
6. El Elyon (The Most High God)
God is El Elyon—He is your Sovereign.
There will be times in life that we face things that we will never understand. Some painful events will lead us to ask God why? After many of my closes family member transition, I was asked, how do you feel about God for allow this to happen? My answer is, “Because I believe in His Sovereignty, He is so real in my life especially during hard times. I also begin to understand, He’s in control of my life and all things, He has the right as God Almighty to do as He pleases.” “All the years He allow me with them, was a gift from Him, during that time as I grew spiritually, I were building a solid spiritual foundation with the Lord to help me to trust Him implicitly. I believe that His Word is true.”
El Elyon is Sovereign over my life and I’m grateful.
7. El Kanna (The Jealous God)
God is El Kanna—The Jealous God.
“You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.” (Exodus 34:14)
How is Christianity different than any other pagan religion? God is in relentless pursuit of you. He wants nothing to take His place in your life or in your heart. Idolatry runs rampart in hearts today, anything from material possessions to personal relationships. If Satan can distract you from what is most important—an intimate relationship with God—then he thinks he can win the battle to be lord in your life. So beware of what you spend your time on, what consumes your thinking, and what your hobbies and habits are.
“For, I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.” (Exodus 20:5)
El Kanna’s affection for you runs deep.
8. El Roi (The God Who Sees)
God is El Roi—He sees you.
“Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the LORD, who had spoken to her. She said, You are the God who sees me. She also said, have I truly seen the One who sees me?” (Genesis 16:13)
Have you felt like God has forgotten you? Do you feel like you’re wading through the muck and mire of life, and nobody even knows or cares?
Hagar probably experienced similar feelings. Unloved as a servant she became pregnant by her master and then mistreated by her mistress. She finally ran away only to be found by an angel of the LORD who was no doubt eager to tell her that God had heard her cry of distress (Genesis 16).
El Roi sees you and He cares.
9. Jehovah Roi (God the Shepherd)
God is Jehovah Roi—He is your Shepherd.
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
The English countryside is breathtaking. The green pastures and grazing sheep are picturesque. It’s easy to imagine what it must have been like to walk the earth while shepherds watched their flocks at night. Sheep without a shepherd quickly go astray.
They may even lose their way.
What about you?
Do you find yourself feeling alone? Like you’re wandering around in life with no guidance or direction, kind of like a sheep without a shepherd? Well, Jesus is your good shepherd, and He is always with you and always watching over you. And even when you don’t think you can continue to go on in your own strength. He is there to carry you through when you need Him most. He is your Jehovah Roi.
10. Jehovah Nissi (The Lord, Our Banner)
God is Jehovah Nissi—He is my banner.
“Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means ‘the LORD is my banner’).
“Banners were not foreign to the people of Israel and were often attached to bare poles or standards. The banner represented deliverance and salvation. When Moses held up his hands, the people of Israel relied on God for their assurance and their victory. Though God is called Yahweh Nissi only once in the Bible, His work is seen throughout scriptures. We learn that the Lord will fight for us, the battle is His, and He is a God of deliverance.
“And those who know Your name will put their trust in you.” (Psalm 9:10)
How familiar are you with God? His nature? His essence/heart?
Mere knowledge about God falls short. It is by delving into His biblical names that you can established a deep and intimate connection with Him. As you grasp the significance of God's names, you will unlock insights into His character and the depths of His compassion. He earnestly desires you to comprehend Him, yearning for a profound and personal relationship with you.
1. Elohim (God)
God is Elohim—He is your Creator.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
Have you given much thought to the power God used to create the universe? How about God’s insanely creative imagination as He designed planet earth?
God never ceases to amazed me each morning I rise to see a new beautiful sunrise or the beauty and variety of the flowers and differant colors of the trees changing seasons are breathtaking. Whether sitting outside in the evening sunset or watching the moon peak through the trees there’s no denying that nature is one way to connect with Elohim.
“So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27)
What about the intricacies and beauty of the human body?
Do you ever feel worthless? Unlovable? You are supremely valuable for one primary reason. You have been created in the image of God. He loves and cherishes you more than you can fathom because you are His image bearer.
“I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made…” (Psalm 139:14a)
2. Elohim Chayim (The Living God)
God is Elohim Chayim—He is the Living God.
“Today you will know that the living God is among you.” (Joshua 3:10)
“Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said. He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-7)
There is not one religion that exists other than Christianity that can boast of having a god that is alive and active in the lives of its followers. Every faith founder that once walked the earth is dead and gone. Every stone or wooden god that was worshiped never took a breath of air. You can only have a personal relationship with the living God—Elohim Chayim.
“Then the angel spoke to the women, Don’t be afraid! He said. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.” (Matthew 28:5-6)
3. Abba (Father)
God is Abba—He is your Father.
“So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15)
I personally known a couple that adopted a baby into their family. As friends of this family we watch them give this child not only their name, but love and care. As the child has grown through-out the years we notice her mannerisms that she is part of their family.
When you place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, God adopts you into His forever family. You bear His name—Christian. And you are known as one of His children by your behavior. How wonderful to be able to call God such an intimate name—Abba.
4. Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord Will Provide)
God is Jehovah-jireh—the Lord will provide.
“When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. At that moment the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven…Don’t lay a hand on the boy! Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. Abraham named the place Jehovah-jireh (which means the LORD will provide). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: On the mountain of the lord it will be provided.” (Genesis 22:9-12; 13-14)
The drama and significance of this event in Abraham’s life was a test to prove his faithfulness to God and God’s faithfulness to Abraham. He wanted to see if Abraham would trust Him with the promise, He had fulfilled for him in giving him a son in his old age. Abraham passed the test and the ram proved that God is Jehovah-jireh.
Just a short distance from where God provided a ram in Isaac’s place, He provided the ultimate sacrifice in our place, the Lamb of God, Jesus, who took away the sins of the whole world.
5. Jehovah-Shalom (The Lord Is Peace)
God is Jehovah-shalom—the Lord is Peace.
“When Gideon saw he was the angel of the Lord, he said, ‘Alas, O Lord GOD! For now I have seen the angel face to face. The Lord said to him, Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die. Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and named it The LORD is Peace.” (Judges 6:22-24)
There is a peace that only God can give. It is a peace that the world cannot understand. When in the midst of tests and trials the peace of God that passes all understanding can overwhelm us and bring us to a place of great comfort. Only a serious Christ-follower can truly understand the mystery of the workings of the Holy Spirit in this way. This is a peace that the world can’t understand, a peace that only Jehovah-shalom can give.
Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
6. El Elyon (The Most High God)
God is El Elyon—He is your Sovereign.
There will be times in life that we face things that we will never understand. Some painful events will lead us to ask God why? After many of my closes family member transition, I was asked, how do you feel about God for allow this to happen? My answer is, “Because I believe in His Sovereignty, He is so real in my life especially during hard times. I also begin to understand, He’s in control of my life and all things, He has the right as God Almighty to do as He pleases.” “All the years He allow me with them, was a gift from Him, during that time as I grew spiritually, I were building a solid spiritual foundation with the Lord to help me to trust Him implicitly. I believe that His Word is true.”
El Elyon is Sovereign over my life and I’m grateful.
7. El Kanna (The Jealous God)
God is El Kanna—The Jealous God.
“You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about his relationship with you.” (Exodus 34:14)
How is Christianity different than any other pagan religion? God is in relentless pursuit of you. He wants nothing to take His place in your life or in your heart. Idolatry runs rampart in hearts today, anything from material possessions to personal relationships. If Satan can distract you from what is most important—an intimate relationship with God—then he thinks he can win the battle to be lord in your life. So beware of what you spend your time on, what consumes your thinking, and what your hobbies and habits are.
“For, I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.” (Exodus 20:5)
El Kanna’s affection for you runs deep.
8. El Roi (The God Who Sees)
God is El Roi—He sees you.
“Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the LORD, who had spoken to her. She said, You are the God who sees me. She also said, have I truly seen the One who sees me?” (Genesis 16:13)
Have you felt like God has forgotten you? Do you feel like you’re wading through the muck and mire of life, and nobody even knows or cares?
Hagar probably experienced similar feelings. Unloved as a servant she became pregnant by her master and then mistreated by her mistress. She finally ran away only to be found by an angel of the LORD who was no doubt eager to tell her that God had heard her cry of distress (Genesis 16).
El Roi sees you and He cares.
9. Jehovah Roi (God the Shepherd)
God is Jehovah Roi—He is your Shepherd.
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)
The English countryside is breathtaking. The green pastures and grazing sheep are picturesque. It’s easy to imagine what it must have been like to walk the earth while shepherds watched their flocks at night. Sheep without a shepherd quickly go astray.
They may even lose their way.
What about you?
Do you find yourself feeling alone? Like you’re wandering around in life with no guidance or direction, kind of like a sheep without a shepherd? Well, Jesus is your good shepherd, and He is always with you and always watching over you. And even when you don’t think you can continue to go on in your own strength. He is there to carry you through when you need Him most. He is your Jehovah Roi.
10. Jehovah Nissi (The Lord, Our Banner)
God is Jehovah Nissi—He is my banner.
“Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-nissi (which means ‘the LORD is my banner’).
“Banners were not foreign to the people of Israel and were often attached to bare poles or standards. The banner represented deliverance and salvation. When Moses held up his hands, the people of Israel relied on God for their assurance and their victory. Though God is called Yahweh Nissi only once in the Bible, His work is seen throughout scriptures. We learn that the Lord will fight for us, the battle is His, and He is a God of deliverance.