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The Names Of God In The Bible And Where They’re Used
Modified: January 9, 2024
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Learn the names of God in the Bible today! Ask God Himself how He wants His people to call Him and know the truth behind His many names that exist today.
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There are many names of God in the bible and are mentioned multiple times. Each of these names has a significant meaning and each tells us something about the multiple characteristics He has. Most will argue that using any name for God won’t make much of a difference as long as we have faith in Him. However, this is not the case. All God’s names, over 20 different ones that are used in the Bible, tells us something important about God and His relationship with us.
Take a moment to think about your name and if it adequately describes who you are to people who have never met you. This is the same for God and His names. His names describe who He is, how He loves, what He offers, and more. By knowing the meaning of His names, we can observe that God’s character, God’s name remains the same through all generations. He is fully trustworthy, always powerful, forever loving, and constantly present with us. When we study His Word, we get closer to Him and understand Him more. In this article, we will discuss the names of God popularized by religions around the world and the names of God which are explicitly mentioned multiple times in the Bible.
Christians All Over The World And Their Gods
Believing in God does not end the discussion. On the surface, it might seem that every Christian religion is the same. However, if we look closely, we can see how different they are in terms of doctrines and practices. And one of those differences is the name of God they believe in.
YHWH, Yahweh, And Adonai
At the beginning of time, God revealed His name to Moses and wrote it in the Bible. Concluding from the ancient manuscripts such as Codex Sinaiticus, the romanized name of God Moses talked to was YHWH. Since the versions available to us these days are translated from ancient Hebrew or Greek, no one knows what is the correct pronunciation or even to articulate. Other religious sectors supplied the vowels for Tetragrammaton (YHWH), hence the name Yahweh.
On the other hand, the Jewish culture considered it a taboo to pronounce a name as it is written. For that reason, Judaists use the word Adonai which means Lord or someone to serve.
Elohim
The name Elohim is another famous term in Judaism. In the Hebrew Bible, Elohim means heavenly beings and was used that way in most verses. However, in some verses, it was used as a reference to God and was uniquely considered as a singular noun.
Elohai
Another name used in Judaism is Elohai. It means ‘My God’ or ‘God of’ and is commonly used as something to point out ownership in Bible characters such as Abraham. For example, the term God of Abraham can be translated as Elohai Avraham.
Jehovah
Jehovah is the other articulation for the Tetragrammaton YHWH. As mentioned above, some of the religions supplied the vowels for YHWH but some religions like Jehova’s witnesses and Judaist didn’t just add some letters to the ancient writing but also Latinized it. So YHWH was converted to JHVH. The name Jehovah was adopted in the 14th century.
Some other variations of this name are Jehovah Jireh(God Will Provide), Jehovah Nissi (The Lord is my banner), Jehovah Raah (caring God), Jehovah Rapha (God that heals), Jehovah Sabaoth (God of hosts), Jehovah Shalom(God is our peace), Jehovah Shammah (Lord is there), Jehovah Tsidekenu (Lord our righteous savior), and Jehovah Mekoddishkem (God who sets you apart).
Read more: Where Does The Name Baptist Come From
How To Adress God
The Bible has an answer to every question concerning our faith. With all the religions and some even debunking each other’s claim of what God should be called, how can we know that we are addressing Him in the way He wants to be addressed?
1 Corinthians 4:16
Brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself as examples for you. I did this so that you could learn from us the meaning of the words, “Follow what the Scriptures say.” Then you will not brag about one person and criticize another.
In this verse, we can see how the Bible spoke of contrasting ideas in terms of religions and what should we do to resolve it; By following what the Scriptures said. And when it comes to His name, shouldn’t it be right that we based it on what He said in the first place?
God Will Not Do Everything
Nothing is permanent in this world except for 2 things; God and His words. As long as we believe in Him, we should also trust His words. However, trusting in Him is not the same as assuming that there is nothing He can not do. According to the Bible, there are 2 things that God will not do; lie and change His ways towards us.
Hebrews 6:18:
“It is impossible for God to lie.”
Titus 1:2:
“In hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.”
Malachi 3:6:
“For I am the Lord, I do not change.”
Biblical Names Of God
Despite all the existing names of God that the religions established, there are names that God Himself approved of. We believe the Bible is true and God cannot lie, therefore the things it said are all true. Here are the names of God directly mentioned in the Bible.
I Am
Exodus 3:14
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.’”
Jealous
Exodus 34:14
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
God Of Hosts
Amos 5:27
Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the Lord, whose name is The God of hosts.
Ancient Of Days
I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
Holy
Isaiah 57:15
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Redeemer
Isaiah 63:16
For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name.
Name Of Other Gods
God prohibits us to worship other Gods as He is A jealous God. But another thing that He wants us to avoid using or even saying the names of other Gods besides Him.
Exodus 23:13
Exodus 20:7
Deuteronomy 18:20, 22
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Describing God with adjectives that our heart dictates is not sinful. God is an ever-understanding and compassionate to all His creatures, much more, towards humanity. However, inventing something out of context without any basis from His words is something that God forbids us to do. His name holds more power than anything in this world. This is why we should be meticulous on what we will call Him, when and how we will use His name. By knowing all His names, it creates deeper intimacy, trust, and understanding in our relationships with Him. Know God’s names and call upon Him today!
