The Names of God

When it comes to naming babies, some unusual choices have been picked out by parents and confirmed by government records. You expect to hear about babies named Sophia, Jackson, Olivia, and Lucas—but you’ll also find names like Happy, Famous, Beauty, and Success.

Then there are parents who love certain locations in the world so much that they have picked the name of a city or country for their child’s name— including Tokyo, Nazareth, Arabia, and Zealand. Some have even added a touch of royalty to their child, scrunching together names like Sirjames, Kingjosiah, and Siranthony.

You probably won’t learn much about the babies above through their names, although you might learn a few things about their parents. But when it comes to the names of God in the Bible, you will discover the different qualities of His character. During the time the Bible was written, names were important and revealed the character of a person.

The Hebrew names El and Elohim tell us about God’s divine power and reveal Him as a strong and mighty One (Genesis 1:1; Exodus 20:2). El Elyon means “God Most High” and emphasizes His exalted status (Genesis 14:18–20). Adonai is the name “Lord” and describes the ruling power of God (Isaiah 6:1). These names show us the majestic character of God.

Other names for God reveal His desire to be in a relationship with His people. For instance, El Shaddai means “God Almighty” and presents Him as the source of comfort and blessing (Exodus 6:3). The name Yahweh, strictly speaking, is a proper name for God. It’s often translated as Jehovah or Lord with capital letters. It teaches us that God is present and near to those who call on His name.

Apply It:

Can you think of any other names for God in the Bible? Use a Bible dictionary or look online and discover a few more names for the Lord.

Dig Deeper:

Exodus 20:7; Psalm 7:17; Acts 2:21