Names of God Bible Study by Rev. Linda Smallwood Table of Contents [Updated 28 August 2007] Introduction How many times does God's Word reference the use of His name? YHWH / Jehovah Adonai / Elohim El / Eloah / Elohim El Shaddai El Elyon / El 'Elyon Other "El" Compound Names Yahweh-Nissi / Yahweh-Shalom Yahweh-Jireh / Yahweh-Shammah Yahweh-Rohi / Yahweh-Rophe Yahweh-M'Kaddesh Yahweh-Tsid'Ke-nu Yahweh-Tzva'ot Disclaimer, Sources of Reference, and Copyright Notice Inspiration, News, and Names of God Study — May 2006 Inspiration, News, and Names of God Study — June 2006 Inspiration, News, and Names of God Study — July 2006 Inspiration, News, and Names of God Study — August 2006 Inspiration, News, and Names of God Study — September 2006 Inspiration, News, and Names of God Study — October 2006 Inspiration, News, and Names of God Study — November 2006 Inspiration, News, and Names of God Study — January 2007 Inspiration, News, and Names of God Study — February 2007 Inspiration, News, and Names of God Study — March 2007 Inspiration, News, and Names of God Study — May 2007 Inspiration, News, and Names of God Study — June 2007 News, Inspiration, Humor, and Names of God Study — August 2007 News, Inspiration, Humor, and Names of God Study — September 2007 Final Forthcoming Article/Study Yahweh Yeshua (Y'shua or Yesha) — The Fullness and Perfection of the Eternal God

Introduction "Let them praise the name of the LORD: for His Name alone is excellent; His glory [is] above the earth and heaven." (Psalm 148:13) Isn't God's name "God" or "Lord" or "Lord Almighty"? No, "God" and "Lord" are not His name; they are titles. The God of the Bible — the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (later changed by God to Israel) — is the God of many gods, the Lord of many lords. What difference does it make what name I use? In the Bible, a name was more than just a label; it was an identity, a selfness, an exactness. For example... The name Jacob meant "over thrower" or "deceiver". Genesis 27:36a: "And he said, 'Is not he rightly named Jacob? for he hath supplanted me these two times:' " Later, God changed Jacob's name to Israel, which means "princely contender with God". Genesis 32:28: "And he said, 'Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.' " The name Nabal meant "fool". 1 Samuel 25:25: "For as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him." The name Jabez meant "pain" or "sorrowful". 1 Chronicles 4:9: "...his mother called his name Jabez, saying, 'Because I bare him with sorrow.' " Therefore, the names God uses for Himself in the Bible reveal His characteristics — who He is, what He is, and what He does. When the Bible uses the phrase "the name of God" or "in the name of the Lord", it refers to His total person — all that He is. God's name is excellent and majestic, as in Psalm 8:1: "Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who has set your glory above the heavens!" As you get to know God by His names, your view of Him will change. He will become bigger, more majestic, more holy, more able to meet every one of your deepest needs, and more worthy of your heartfelt devotion and worship. God knows each of us by name. Shouldn't we know Him by His? "Hallowed be Your name..."? "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Your name..." (Matthew 6:9) To hallow God's name means to set it apart, to exalt it as being worthy of absolute devotion and reverence. Nehemiah 9:5b: "Stand up and bless Yahweh your God from everlasting to everlasting; and blessed be your glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise." Exodus 20:7: "You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." Leviticus 22:32: "You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be made holy among the children of Israel. I am Yahweh who makes you holy." Back to Table of Contents

How many times does God's Word reference the use of His name? Is God's name really that important? I mean, really... who cares? God cares! During the course of my regular Bible studies I became aware of phrases referencing, not God's name, but the use of God's name. So, I thought it worthwhile to investigate just how many times God's Word talks about His name. In so doing, I gained even greater insight into how God feels about His name — and I discovered that He's quite serious about how, when, where, and why His name is used. In the Old Testament, the Bible references God's "name" more than 175 times. God wants people to know Him by knowing His name! At least 16 times God says that His reason for doing certain things was so people would "know [His] name", "fear [His] name", or that His name would be "declared": Exodus 9:16: "but indeed for this cause I have made you stand: to show you My power, and that My name may be declared throughout all the earth;" Psalm 9:10: "Those who know Your name will put their trust in You, for You, Yahweh, have not forsaken those who seek You." Jeremiah 16:21: "Therefore, behold, I will cause them to know, this once will I cause them to know My hand and My might; and they shall know that My name is Yahweh." Malachi 4:2: "But to you who fear My name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings. You will go out, and leap like calves of the stall." See also 1 Kings 8:42-43; 2 Chronicles 6:33; Nehemiah 1:11; Psalm 61:5, 83:18, 86:11; Isaiah 52:6; Jeremiah 29:3; Ezekiel 20:44, 36:23, and 39:7. God cares deeply about where and in whom His name dwells! More than 50 times God refers to a place for His "name to dwell" or His name being in a person or place: Exodus 23:21: "Pay attention to him, and listen to his voice. Don't provoke him, for he will not pardon your disobedience, for My name is in him." Deuteronomy 16:11: "and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your God . . . in the place which Yahweh your God shall choose, to cause His name to dwell there." Nehemiah 1:9: "but if you return to Me . . . yet will I . . .bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause My name to dwell there." 2 Chronicles 7:14: "if My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." See also Exodus 20:24; Numbers 6:27; Deuteronomy 12:11, 14:23, 16:2, 16:6, 26:2; Ezra 6:12; 2 Samuel 7:13; 1 Kings 5:5, 8:16-19, 8:29, 9:3, 11:36; 2 Kings 21:4, 21:7, 23:27; 1 Chronicles 22:8-10, 28:3; 2 Chronicles 6:5-10, 6:33, 7:16, 7:20, 33:4, 33:7; Numbers 1:9; Isaiah 43:7, 63:19, 65:1; Jeremiah 7:10-14, 7:30, 14:9, 15:16, 25:29, 32:34, 34:15; Daniel 9:18-19; and Amos 9:12. God cares about His name's reputation! At least 19 times God references doing something for the sake of His name: 1 Samuel 12:22: "For Yahweh will not forsake His people for His great name's sake, because it has pleased Yahweh to make you a people to Himself..." Psalm 23:3: "He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake." Ezekiel 20:22: "Nevertheless I withdrew My hand, and worked for My name's sake, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I brought them forth." See also 1 Kings 8:41; 2 Chronicles 6:32; Psalm 25:11, 31:3, 79:9, 106:8, 109:21, 143:11; Isaiah 48:9, 66:5; Jeremiah 14:7, 14:21; Ezekiel 20:9, 20:14, 20:44, and 36:22. God cares about how His name is used! More than 30 times God says, not only that He is holy, but that His name is holy or worthy of glory: 1 Chronicles 16:10: "Glory you in his holy name; Let the heart of them rejoice who seek Yahweh." Psalm 29:2: "Ascribe to Yahweh the glory due to his name. Worship Yahweh in holy array." Psalm 111:9: "He has sent redemption to His people. He has ordained His covenant forever. His name is holy and awesome!" Isaiah 57:15: "For thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite." See also Leviticus 20:3, 22:2, 22:32; 1 Chronicles 16:29, 16:35, 29:16; Nehemiah 9:5; Psalm 30:4, 33:21, 97:12, 99:3, 103:1, 105:3, 106:47, 138:2, 145:21, 148:13; Isaiah 12:4, 47:4; Ezekiel 20:39, 36:20-22, 39:7, 39:25, 43:7-8; and Amos 2:7. And finally, God simply cares about people knowing His name! The phrases "My name" and "Your name" (apart from the other more specific verses already provided) appear at least 58 times: Exodus 3:15: "God said moreover to Moses, "You shall tell the children of Israel this, 'Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and this is my memorial to all generations." Leviticus 19:12: "'You shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name of your God. I am Yahweh." 2 Samuel 7:26: "Let Your name be magnified forever, saying, Yahweh of hosts is God over Israel..." Isaiah 42:8: "I am Yahweh, that is My name; and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to engraved images." 1 Chronicles 17:24: "Let Your name be established and magnified forever, saying, Yahweh of Hosts is the God of Israel..." 2 Chronicles 14:11: "...help us, Yahweh our God; for we rely on You, and in Your name are we come against this multitude..." See also Exodus 6:3; Numbers 6:27; Deuteronomy 18:19-20; 2 Samuel 22:50; 1 Kings 8:33-48, 2 Chronicles 6:20-38, 14:11, 20:8-9; Psalm 89:24, 91:14; Isaiah 29:23, 41:25, 43:7, 48:11, 49:1, 52:5-6, 65:1; Jeremiah 12:16, 14:14-15, 23:25-27, 27:15, 29:9, 29:21-23, 34:16, 44:26; Zechariah 5:4, 13:9; Malachi 1:6, 1:11, 1:14, 2:2, and 2:5. It's obvious that these aren't mere casual references to God's name, but that He cares deeply about how, when, where, and why His name is used. As Christians, shouldn't we care just as much about how we address and worship the Most High God? Still don't understand why it's important to know God's names? The purpose of man — the reason we were created — is to worship and glorify God. "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31). In order to truly worship and glorify God, we must not only know about Him, but we must know Him personally based on what we know about Him. The word "glory" in the Greek New Testament is "doxa", which means an opinion, estimation, or reputation in which one is held. It refers to all that we give to God as praise, thanksgiving, obedience, reverence, and service — because of who He has revealed Himself to be and what He does (past, present, and future. The many names God gives us about Himself in the Bible impart to us revelations of His character, His works, and His relationship to us. It's in the knowing and understanding of these names that we gain greater insight, love, respect, and reverence for who He is. The Messiah has a name: Jesus (Y'shua). So, also, the God of the Old Testament has revealed Himself by a name. I believe, as Bible Scholar T. E. McComiskey so rightly wrote, "a blessing is lost when no attention is paid to the difference in usage of a title and the actual name of the God of Israel." Back to Table of Contents

YHWH / Jehovah The name YHWH is used more than any other name in the Bible. Of all the names of God, the one which occurs most frequently in the Biblia Hebraica (Hebrew Bible) is the Tetragrammaton (from the Greek: "word with four letters"), which is spelled (in the Hebrew alphabet) (yodh) (heh) (vav) (heh) or, reading right-to-left, (YHWH). It is the distinctive personal name of the God of Israel. YHWH (written as "LORD" in most English Bibles) means "the self-existent one" and denotes God's personal name and His eternality ("I AM"). It is often used in relationship to God as a personal Redeemer and Covenant-keeper. (Interestingly, "Yodh" is the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, and it always and only refers to YHWH.) Most litterateurs agree that the Tetragrammaton is a form of the Hebrew root "Havah" ("to be" or "to exist"). Thus, YHWH becomes "He who brings into being" (compare Exodus 3:12 and 14: "I will be with you" and "I will be who I will be"). According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, the Tetragrammaton appears 6,828 times in the Biblia Hebraica. Other Bible scholars say the name appears approximately 5600 times in the Hebrew Scriptures, while yet another source claims the name is used more than 7000 times in the Old Testament and 1000 times in the New Testament. Regardless of which numbers are correct, we cannot overlook the fact that God obviously wants us to know His name, most likely for what it reveals about who He is! Used more than any other name in the Bible, YHWH is first seen in Genesis 2:4: "This is the history of the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that YHWH God made earth and the heavens." However, God did not reveal Himself to mankind as YHWH until Exodus 3:14 when God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM," and "You shall tell the children of Israel this: 'I AM has sent me to you.' " Then later in Exodus 6:2-3, He said to Moses: "I am YHWH; and I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty; but by My name YHWH I was not known to them." From the choice of words in the above-referenced Scriptures, it's obvious that God desires us to understand the manner of His character; that He wants us to know, not only His name, but to know Him through His name! Exodus 14:4 further supports the view that the name YHWH embodies aspects of God's character. It says: ". . . and the Egyptians will know that I am YHWH." It isn't likely that God intended in this declaration that they would simply learn the name of the Hebrew God. There is a strong element of Divine self-disclosure within it. The modern spelling includes vowels to assist in pronunciation. Many pronounce YHWH as "Yahweh" (Yä-wá) or "Yahveh" (Yä-vá); but the exact pronunciation has been lost to us for several centuries. Some people render the four-letter name as "Jehovah". God's personal name was so sacred to most Jews that they didn't want to write or even speak it for fear of violating the commandment "You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain," (Exodus 20:7) and "You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be made holy among the children of Israel. I am Yahweh who makes you holy." (Leviticus 22:32) Thus, the Jewish practice was to read "Adonai" (Hebrew "Adonay"), meaning "Lord", in place of "YHWH" (Adonai means master or sovereign ruler and generally denotes authority and position). And they often read "Elohim" in place of the Hebrew compound name "YHWH Adonay" to avoid the duplication of Adonay (Elohim means mighty one or strong one"; it denotes the power and pre-eminence [conspicuous glory] of God). To remind the reader that he was not to pronounce "YHWH" but instead was to read the word as "Adonay", they placed the vowels of Adonay (a-o-a) under the Tetragrammaton YHWH, thus creating . The first English translators who transcribed God's name into English had no reason to believe that the vowel points of might be incorrect, so they transcribed "YaHoWaH" into English just as it was written. Today the English transcription "Jehovah" is used by many English-speaking Protestant Christians and also by Jehovah's Witnesses. Most modern scholars, however, believe that "Jehovah" is an implausible rendering, based on their belief that the written form (read normally, "Yehovah") was only intended to indicate to the reader of the Bible in Hebrew to pronounce it "Adonai". The American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible uses the name "Jehovah" 5818 times, whereas most other English versions, unfortunately, continue to translate "YHWH" as "LORD" (capital letters), not to be confused with "Lord" (Adonai/Adonay). The King James Version of the Bible uses the word "LORD" 5557 times. The only English Bible I've found that uses the name "Yahweh" consistently (5794 times) is the online World English Bible, which I use for most of my Scripture references. Regardless of the editorial decision of substituting "LORD" for "YHWH" or of using the name "Yahweh" or "Jehovah", we must keep in mind that Yahweh or YHWH is the name that God used in revealing Himself to His ancient people. In reading the text of the Old Testament, it is my hope that we would develop an affection for usage of the name itself over such usages as "God" or "Lord" (see Exodus 3:15; Psalm 102:15-16; Psalm 113:1-4; Psalm 135:1-6; Psalm 148:13). Back to Table of Contents

Adonai..&..Elohim Did you know that Adonai and Elohim are plural Hebrew nouns? Two common names of God in the Biblia Hebraica (Hebrew Bible) are "Adonai" which is Hebrew for "Lord", and "Elohim" which expresses concepts of divinity (i.e., "God"). Technically, the word "Adonai" is the plural form of "Adon", meaning "my lord"; and the name "Elohim" is the masculine plural form of "Eloah". The singular Adon was used by the Phoenicians for their pagan god Tammuz and is the origin of the Greek name Adonis. The ordinary feminine singular word "Eloah" refers to the pagan polytheistic notion of multiple gods, or to powerful men or judges (Exodus 21:6 "...then his master [Eloah] shall bring him to God, and shall bring him to the door or to the door-post, and his master [Eloah] shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him for ever."). Since Adonai and Elohim are written in the plural form, many Christians have used this as a foundation on which to build the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. However, while these names are written in the plural form, they regularly employ singular verbs in Hebrew grammar and are singular in usage. Therefore, acting as singular nouns with singular verbs, many believe these names represent a plural of majesty, perhaps pointing out that this one God embodies all the attributes of the many pagan gods worshipped by other peoples. (For a more detailed discussion of the name "Elohim", see the article titled "El — Eloah — Elohim" below) Adonai (Hebrew: Adonay) was used as a substitute for the name Yahweh (YHWH). Earlier in this study we learned that the Tetragrammaton YHWH appears approximately 6000 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. To avoid violating the commandment "You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain" (Exodus 20:7), sometimes Adonai was used as a substitute for Yahweh (YHWH) or the vowels "a-o-a" were inserted between the letters "YHWH" to remind people to not pronounce the name "Yahweh". Adonai (Lord) means "master", "owner", or "sovereign ruler" and generally denotes the authority and position of God. Adonai is first used in Genesis 15:2 where Abram asked, "Lord Yahweh [Adonai], what will You give me, seeing I go childless...?" The word Adonai, in reference to God, occurs 300 times in the Old Testament — especially in Isaiah, Ezekiel (200 times), and Daniel (10 times in the 9th chapter). It is usually written "Lord" in most English Bibles, "Jehovah" in the American Standard Version (ASV) of the Bible, and "Yahweh" or "Lord" in the online World English Bible. Primarily, the name Adonai stresses man's relationship to God as his Master, Authority, and Provider. Some examples of where the name "Adonai" is used... Genesis 18:1: Yahweh [Adonai] appeared to him (Abraham) by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day. Joshua 5:14: He said, "No; but as prince of the host of Yahweh [Adonai] am I now come." Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship..." 1 Samuel 1:15: Hannah answered, "No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I poured out my soul before Yahweh [Adonai]." Psalm 68:32: Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth! Sing praises to the Lord [Adonai]! Selah. Isaiah 6:1-4: In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord [Adonai] sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and His train filled the temple . . . One called to another, and said, "Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Hosts! The whole earth is full of His glory!" The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of Him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. See also Exodus 4:10; Judges 6:15; 2 Samuel 7:18-20; Psalm 8, 114:7, 135:5, 141:8, 109:21-28. The name "Elohim" is the first of God's names used in the Bible. Elohim is the name of God that occurs first in Scripture in Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth." The name occurs 2,570 times in the Old Testament: 32 times in Genesis; and almost exclusively in Ecclesiastes, Daniel, and Jonah. Elohim was often used in place of "YHWH Adonai" to avoid duplication of the name "Adonai" whenever the Hebrew compound name "YHWH Adonai" appeared in Scripture. The name "Elohim" is used in Scripture when emphasizing God's might, His creative power, and His attributes of justice and rulership. It denotes the power and pre-eminence (conspicuous glory) of God and is especially used in relation to God's sovereignty, creative work, and mighty works for Israel. Variations of this name include "El", "Eloah", "Eloahi" (my God) and "Eloahynu" (our God). In the Pentateuch the name "Elohim" portrays God as the transcendent Being, the Creator of the universe. Some examples where the name "Elohim" is used... Deuteronomy 5:24: ...Yahweh our God [Elohim] has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the midst of the fire... Deuteronomy 8:15: [Elohim]...led you through the great and terrible wilderness, in which were fiery serpents and scorpions, and thirsty ground where was no water; who brought you forth water out of the rock of flint; Psalm 68:1: Let God [Elohim] arise! Let His enemies be scattered! Let them who hate Him also flee before Him. Isaiah 6:8-11: I heard the Lord's [Elohim's] voice, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here I am. Send me!" He [Elohim] said, "Go, and tell this people, 'You hear indeed, but don't understand; and you see indeed, but don't perceive." . . . Then I said, "Lord [Elohim], how long?" He answered, "Until cities are waste without inhabitant, and houses without man, and the land becomes utterly waste..." Isaiah 45:18: For thus says Yahweh [Elohim] who created the heavens, the God who formed the earth and made it, who established it and didn't create it a waste, who formed it to be inhabited: "I am Yahweh; and there is no one [Elohim] else." Isaiah 54:5: "For your Maker is your husband; Yahweh of Hosts is his name: and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; the God of the whole earth [Elohim] shall He be called." Jeremiah 32:27: "Behold, I am Yahweh, the God [Elohim] of all flesh: is there anything too hard for Me?" See also Genesis 17:7, 6:18, 9:15, 50:24; I Kings 8:23; Isaiah 40:1; and Jeremiah 31:33. Back to Table of Contents

El — Eloah — Elohim While preparing to launch into a study of the root name "El" as it's used in compound names such as El-Elyon, El-Shaddai, El-Gibhor, etc., I soon recognized the importance of continuing to explore and understand the name "Elohim", which I introduced in the article titled "Adonai & Elohim above. Apart from the name "Yahweh", it may be argued that the name "Elohim" says more about the God of Israel than any other name. Certainly, all that the name embodies deserves more deliberation. The name "Elohim" contains the concept of creative and governing power, of omnipotence and sovereignty. When God is presented in relation to His creation and to the peoples of the earth — especially in the Pentateuch — the name "Elohim" is used most often. In the name "Yahweh", on the other hand, are represented the high moral attributes of God which are revealed only to humankind and the angels. The root word "El" or "Eloah" In order to gain a greater understanding of the meaning of the name "Elohim", it's important to first examine its origin and usage. Unfortunately, the precise development of the word "Elohim" is unknown. There are many theories, but most Bible scholars believe it is derived from the shorter word "El" (meaning mighty, strong, or prominent) or the Hebrew form "Eloah". The use of "Eloah" is rare, occurring only in poetry and late prose, mainly in Job. The word "El", however, is itself translated "God", "God Almighty", and "Mighty God" approximately 250 times and frequently in circumstances which especially indicate the great power of God. For instance... It is the name "El" under which God made His great promises to Abraham in Genesis 17:1 — "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty [El]. Walk before Me, and be blameless," and to Jacob in Genesis 35:11 — "God said to him, 'I am God Almighty [El]...' " It is also one of the names given to the promised Messiah in Isaiah 9:6 — "For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God [El], Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." See also Genesis 7:1, 28:3, 35:11; Numbers 23:22; Joshua 3:10; 2 Samuel 22:31-32; Nehemiah 1:5, 9:32; Isaiah 9:6; Ezekiel 10. "Elohim" is a designation as well as a proper name "Elohim" is more than just a proper name for God. It's also an appellative or designation of all that the name embodies. For example, in the frequent expression, "LORD your God" (or "Yahweh your God"), LORD (Yahweh) functions as the proper name, while God functions as the designation of deity. Throughout the first two chapters of the Bible, Elohim is used most often as a proper name. After Exodus 3 the name begins to occur with increasing frequency as a designation, that is, "the God [Elohim] of," or "your God [Elohim]". The word denotes God as the supreme deity of a person or people. More about the plurality of "Elohim" In the article titled "Adonai & Elohim above, we looked at the fact that Elohim is a plural word, possibly denoting more than one entity or being. However, in that study I barely scratched the surface of all that can be said concerning the plurality of "Elohim". As mentioned above, when referring to the God of the Bible, the plural name "Elohim" is always accompanied by singular verbs, adjectives, and pronouns. For instance... Deuteronomy 32:39 — "See now that I, even I, am He [Elohim], there is no god [Elohim] with Me." (If the plural word "Elohim" used plural verbs and pronouns, the verse would read: "See now that We . . . are Elohim, there are no Elohim with Us.") Isaiah 40:28 — "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God [Elohim], Yahweh, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint, neither is weary; there is no searching of His understanding." (If using plural verbs and pronouns along with the plural "Elohim", the verse would read: "...The everlasting Elohim, Yahweh, the Creators . . . do not faint, neither are weary; there is no searching of their understanding." See also II Kings 19:4, 16; Psalm 7:9, 57:2; Isaiah 45:5, 45:22. Some Bible scholars object to the idea of the Trinity in the word "Elohim" and they suggest that the plural is only a plural of majesty, such as used by rulers and kings. However, apart from God intentionally referring to Himself as more than One (Genesis 1:26, Genesis 3:22, Isaiah 6:8), there's no record of any earthly king speaking of himself as "we" or "us" 4000-6000 years ago. Thus, it's highly improbable that the original Hebrew texts would employ such usage in the name "Elohim". Other scholars call it a plural of intensity. They argue that the Hebrews often expressed a word in the plural to give it a stronger meaning (such as in Isaiah 6:3 with "Holy" being expressed three times). But as one theologian points out, the use of the plural "only implies (even in the plural of majesty) that the word in the singular is not full enough to set forth all that is intended." Thus, whether plural of majesty... plural of intensity... or implying a Triune God... the plural word "Elohim" teaches us that no finite word can adequately define the infinite personality of God. As Nathan Stone wrote: "There is blessing and comfort in this great name of God signifying supreme power, sovereignty, and glory on the one hand . . . and on the other hand signifying a covenant relationship which He is ever faithful to keep. Thus He says to us, "I will be to you Elohim," that we may say, "My Elohim; in Him will I trust." (Psalm 91:2)." Back to Table of Contents

El Shaddai As discussed in the previous study, "El" is sometimes translated "God", "God Almighty", and "Mighty God" approximately 250 times in the Old Testament and frequently in circumstances which especially indicate the great power of God. The name "El" is also used in conjunction with other words/names (i.e., El Shaddai, El Elyon, El Olam, etc.) to further designate certain aspects of God's character. In this study, we'll take a closer look at the best-known of the "El" compound names, El Shaddai. The name "El Shaddai" (pronounced "el shad-dy") means The All-Sufficient One and is usually translated in English Bibles as "God Almighty" or "the Almighty". The exact derivation of the word "Shaddai" is not known. According to my research, all of the following words have been used at various times in the development of the name: The Hebrew word "dai" (meaning "sheds forth", "pours out", or "to heap benefits") suggests provision, sustenance, and blessing. Thus, God is the The All-Sufficient, The All-Bountiful (Genesis 42:24-25). The Hebrew word "shad" or "shadayim" (meaning "breast" or "breasts") occurs 24 times as "Shaddai" and signifies One who nourishes, supplies, and satisfies (Isaiah 60:16, 66:10-13). Connected with the word for God, "El", it then becomes the "One mighty to nourish, satisfy, supply". The Hebrew root word "shadad" (meaning "to overpower" or "to destroy") suggests absolute power. While Elohim is the God who creates, in the name "Shaddai" God reveals Himself by special deeds of power and as the God who compels nature to do what is contrary to itself. He is able to triumph over every obstacle and all opposition; He is able to subdue all things to Himself. An acronym of "Shomer Daltot Yisrael" (meaning "Guardian of the Doors of Israel") suggests protection. An Akkadian word "Šadu" (meaning "mountain"), suggests great strength. All of these names — whether individually or collectively — naturally would be intensified when combined with "El" and would refer to Yahweh as the One who mightily nourishes, satisfies, protects, and supplies His people. El Shaddai is our All-Sufficient Sustainer. It is God as "El" who helps, and it is God as "Shaddai" who abundantly blesses with all manner of blessings. As Nathan Stone wrote: "...the idea of One who is all-powerful and all-mighty is implied . . . for only an all-powerful One could be all-sufficient and all-bountiful. He is almighty because He is able to carry out His purposes and plans to their fullest and most glorious and triumphant completion. . . . So He is able to save to the uttermost. And He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think." The name "Shaddai" itself occurs 48 times in the Old Testament, 31 times in Job alone, and is translated "Almighty". In fact, the name "Shaddai" is the one written on the mezuzah scroll. The first appearance of "El Shaddai" is in Genesis 17:1: "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said to him, 'I am God Almighty [El Shaddai]. Walk before Me, and be blameless.' " Further passages in the Old Testament that use the name Shaddai or El Shaddai: Genesis 28:3 — May God Almighty [El Shaddai] bless you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, that you may be a company of peoples, Genesis 35:11 — God said to him, "I am God Almighty [El Shaddai]. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations will be from you, and kings will come out of your loins." Exodus 6:3 — (God spoke to Moses...)"and I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty [El Shaddai]; but by my name Yahweh I was not known to them." Ruth 1:20-21 — She said to them, "Don't call me Naomi, call me Mara; for the Almighty [El Shaddai] has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and Yahweh has brought me home again empty; why do you call me Naomi, seeing Yahweh has testified against me, and the Almighty [El Shaddai] has afflicted me?" Job 33:4 — The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty [Shaddai] gives me life. Job 34:12 — Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty [Shaddai] pervert justice. Psalm 91:1 — He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty [El Shaddai]. See also Genesis 17:1, 43:14, 48:3, 49:24,25; Job 5:17, 6:14, 8:3,5, 11:7, 13:3, 15:25, 22:17,26, 23:16; 27:2,10-13, 31:2, 33:4, 34:10, 35:13, 40:2; Isaiah 60:15,16, 66:10-13. It's important to note here that to experience God's sufficiency, we must realize our own insufficiency. To experience God's fullness as He has revealed Himself through His names, we must first empty ourselves — that is, make ourselves empty vessels which God can then fill and use. Back to Table of Contents

El Elyon / El 'Elyon The name "Elyon" is sometimes translated as "'Elyon" (with an accent mark before the "E"). For the purpose of clarity only — and not to dispute which representation is correct — I have arbitrarily chosen to use "Elyon" (without the accent mark). The word "Elyon" (pronounced 'El-yn) is an adjective and derives from the Hebrew root 'lh, meaning to "go up" or "ascend". It is used to describe the height of objects (II Kings 15:35, 18:17; Ezekiel 41:7), the prominence of persons (Psalm 89:27), and the prominence of Israel as a nation (Deuteronomy 26:19, 28:1). In each case in which the adjective occurs, it denotes that which is highest or uppermost. When applied to God, the name "Elyon" stresses His strength, extreme sovereignty, and highest supremacy. When the two names "El" and "Elyon" are combined, the resultant name can be literally translated as "the extremely exalted, sovereign, high God", as in Psalm 57:2: "I cry out to God Most High [El Elyon], to God [Elohim] who accomplishes my requests for me." The Name "Elyon" Standing Alone The single name "Elyon" appears in the Scriptures 34 times — many in poetic passages, especially in the Psalms. It appears in Moses' final song in Deuteronomy 32:8: "When the Most High [Elyon] gave to the nations their inheritance, when He separated the children of men, He set the bounds of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel." Further passages in the Old Testament that use the single name "Elyon": Numbers 24:16 (as a separate name parallel to El) — "He says, who hears the words of God, knows the knowledge of the Most High [Elyon], who sees the vision of the Almighty [El], falling down, and having his eyes open..." 2 Samuel 22:14 — Yahweh thundered from heaven, the Most High [Elyon] uttered His voice. Psalm 7:17 — I will give thanks to Yahweh according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of Yahweh Most High [Elyon]. Psalm 83:18 — That they may know that You alone, whose name is Yahweh, are the Most High [Elyon] over all the earth. Psalm 91:1 — He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High [Elyon] will rest in the shadow of the Almighty [El]. Psalm 97:9 — For you, Yahweh, are most high [Elyon] above all the earth." See also Deuteronomy 32:8; 2 Samuel 22:14; Psalm 9:2, 18:13, 21:7, 46:4, 47:2, 50:14, 73:11, 77:10, 78:17, 82:6, 87:5, 91:9, 92:1, 97:9, 107:11; Isaiah 14:13–14; Lamentations 3:35,38; Daniel 4:17, 24-25, 32, 34, 7:18, 22, 25, 27; Hosea 7:16, 11:7. The Compound Name "El Elyon" The compound name "El Elyon" (translated "God Most High" or "Most High God") occurs 12 times in the Old Testament. It first occurs 4 times in Genesis 14:18–22: "Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was priest of God Most High [El Elyon]. He blessed him, and said, 'Blessed be Abram of God Most High [El Elyon], possessor of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High [El Elyon], who has delivered your enemies into your hand.' Abram gave him a tenth of all. Abram said to the king of Sodom, 'I have lifted up my hand to Yahweh, God Most High [El Elyon], possessor of heaven and earth,'." Further passages in the Old Testament that use the compound name "El Elyon": Psalm 78:35 — They remembered that God [Elohim] was their rock, the Most High God [El Elyon] their redeemer. Psalms 78:56 — Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God [El Elyon], and didn't keep His testimonies;" Daniel 3:26 — Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace: he spoke and said, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God [El Elyon], come forth, and come here." Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came forth out of the midst of the fire. See also Psalm 9:2; Daniel 3:26, 4:2, 5:18, 21 Back to Table of Contents

Other "El" Compound Names Throughout Scripture, "El" and "Eloah" are combined with other words to describe certain characteristics of Yahweh. We've already looked at a few of these compound names in previous studies: El Shaddai, Elohim, and El Elyon. In the course of this particular study, I found more than 35 other "El" compound names/attributes. However, several of those names could not be verified by two or more Bible scholars. Therefore, I am only presenting the 25 compound names for which I found two or more scholarly sources. (Note: Names are listed in alphabetical order, not in order of importance or usage.) El De'ot: The God of Knowledge De'ot means "all-knowing" in Hebrew. God is omniscient; that is, He has perfect knowledge of all things, as seen in... 1 Samuel 2:3 — "Talk no more so exceeding proudly; don't let arrogance come out of your mouth; for Yahweh is a God of knowledge [El De'ot], by Him actions are weighed." El Echad: The One God Echad means "one" in Hebrew, as seen in... Malachi 2:10a — "Don't we all have one Father? Hasn't one God [El Echad] created us?" El Chaiyim (El Chaiyai): Living God or God of My Life Chayim means "life", as seen in... Jeremiah 10:10 — "But Yahweh is the true God; he is the living God [El Chaiyim], and an everlasting King: at His wrath the earth trembles, and the nations are not able to abide His indignation." Psalm 42:2 — "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God [El Chaiyim]. When shall I come and appear before God? See also Deuteronomy 5:26; Joshua 3:10; 1 Samuel 17:26, 36; 2 Kings 19:4, 16; Psalm 42:8, 84:2; Isaiah 37:4, 17; Jeremiah 23:36; Daniel 6:20,26; Hosea 1:10 El Emet: The God of Truth Emet means "firmness", "faithfulness", and "reliability", as seen in... Psalm 31:5 — "Into Your hand I commend my spirit. You redeem me, Yahweh, God of truth [El Emet]." Isaiah 65:16 — ...so that he who blesses himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth [El Emet]; and he who swears in the earth shall swear by the God of truth [El Emet]; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from my eyes. El Gibhor (Gibbor): The Strong and Mighty God Gibhor means "strong" or "mighty". Combined with "El", it exclaims to us that Yahweh is The Strong and Mighty God, as declared in... Jeremiah 32:17-18 — "Ah Lord Yahweh! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm; there is nothing too hard for You, who show loving kindness to thousands, and recompense the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them; the great, the mighty God [El Gibhor], Yahweh of Hosts is His name". See also Isaiah 10:21 El HaGadol (El Haggadol): The Great God Gadol means "great", "grand", "awesome", as revealed to us in... Deuteronomy 10:17 — For Yahweh your God, He is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God [El HaGadol], the mighty, and the awesome, who doesn't regard persons, nor takes reward. Nehemiah 8:6 — and Ezra blessed Yahweh, the great God [El HaGadol]. All the people answered, "Amen, Amen," with the lifting up of their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshiped Yahweh with their faces to the ground. See also Ezra 5:8; Daniel 2:45b El HaKadosh (Hakkadosh, Elohim Kedoshim, El Kadosh): The Holy God or The Holy One Kadosh means "holy" and appears in the Old Testament 51 times. The most frequent use of El HaKadosh is found in Isaiah where the prophet uses the expression "the Holy One of Israel" 30 times (Isaiah 1:4, 5:16,19,24, 10:17,20, 12:6, 17:7, 29:19,23, 30:11-12,15, 31:1, 37:23, 40:25, 41:14,16,20, 43:3,14-15, 45:11, 47:4, 48:17, 49:7, 54:5, 55:5, 60:9,14). Other Scripture verses in which inspired writers use the name El HaKadosh are... 1 Samuel 6:20 — The men of Beth-shemesh said, "Who is able to stand before Yahweh, this holy God [El HaKadosh]? And to whom shall he go up from us?" Joshua 24:19 — Joshua said to the people, "You can't serve Yahweh; for He is a holy God [El HaKadosh]; He is a jealous God [El Kanno]; He will not forgive your disobedience nor your sins." See also 2 Kings 19:22; Job 6:10; Psalm 10:20, 16:10, 71:22, 78:41, 89:18; Proverbs 9:10, 30:3; Jeremiah 50:29, 51:5; Ezekiel 39:7; Daniel 4:13,23, 8:13; Hosea 11:9,12; Habakkuk 1:12, 3:3 El HaKavod: The God of Glory Kavod means "glory", "weight", and "honor". Combined with "El", it points to Yahweh as the Most Glorious God, as seen in... Psalm 29:3 — Yahweh's voice is on the waters. The God of glory [El HaKavod] thunders, even Yahweh on many waters. El HaNe'eman (El Hanne'eman): The Faithful God This name is derived from aman, which means "to support and nourish", as seen in... Deuteronomy 7:9 — Know therefore that Yahweh your God, He is God, the faithful God [El HaNe'eman], who keeps covenant and loving kindness with them who love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations. El HaShamayim (Elah Sh'maya): The God of the Heavens Shamayim (Sh'maya) refers to the abode of God, as seen in... Nehemiah 1:4-5 — It happened, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven [El HaShamayim], and said, "I beg you, Yahweh, the God of heaven [El HaShamayim], the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love Him and keep His commandments." Psalm 136:26 — Oh give thanks to the God of heaven [El HaShamayim]; For His loving kindness endures forever. See also Genesis 24:3,7; 2 Chronicles 36:23; Ezra 1:2, 5:11-12, 6:9-10, 7:12,21,23; Nehemiah 2:4,20; Daniel 2:18-19,37,44; Jonah 1:9 El Kanno (Qanna): The Jealous God Kanno (Qanna) suggests a marriage relationship between Yahweh and ourselves. God is a jealous God, wanting all our praise for Himself and no one else, as stated in... Exodus 20:5 — you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God [El Kanno]... Zechariah 1:14 — So the angel who talked with me said to me, "Proclaim, saying, 'Thus says Yahweh of Hosts: "I am jealous [El Kanno] for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy."'" See also Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24, 5:9, 6:15; Joshua 24:19; Zechariah 8:2; Nahum 1:2 El Kedem: God of the Beginning or Eternal God, as seen in... Deuteronomy 33:27 — The eternal God [El Kedem] is your dwelling-place, underneath are the everlasting arms. He thrust out the enemy from before you... El Mauzi: God of My Strength, as seen in... Psalm 43:2 — For You are the God of my strength [El Mauzi]. Why have You rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? El Mishpat: God Of Justice, as seen in... Isaiah 30:18 — Therefore will Yahweh wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy on you: for Yahweh is a God of justice [El Mishpat]; blessed are all those who wait for Him. Malachi 2:17 — You have wearied Yahweh with your words. Yet you say, "How have we wearied Him?" In that you say, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of Yahweh, and He delights in them;" or "Where is the God of justice [El Mishpat]?" El Olam: The God of Everlasting Time (Eternity) or The Everlasting God Olam derives from the root word 'lm and literally means "forever", "eternity", or "everlasting". When combined with "El", the name denotes the Everlasting God Who Never Changes, as seen in... Psalm 90:1-2 — Lord, You have been our dwelling place for all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God [El Olam]. Isaiah 26:4 — Trust in Yahweh forever [El Olam]; for in Yah, Yahweh, is an everlasting Rock. See also Genesis 21:33; Psalm 93:2; Isaiah 40:28;Jeremiah 10:10 El Rachum (El Rechem): The Merciful God Rechem means "womb", which suggests the compassion a mother has for her child, as seen in... Deuteronomy 4:31 — ...Yahweh your God is a merciful God [El Rachum]; He will not fail you, neither destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them. Nehemiah 9:31 — Nevertheless in Your manifold mercies You did not make a full end of them, nor forsake them; for You are a gracious and merciful God [El Rachum]. El Ro'i (El Rah'ee, El Rot): The God Who Sees Me, as seen in... Genesis 16:13 — She called the name of Yahweh who spoke to her, "You are a God who sees [El Ro'i]," for she said, "Have I even stayed alive after seeing Him?" El Sali: God of My Strength or God my Rock Sali means "cliff" or "rugged rockface", as seen in... Psalm 42:9 — I will ask God, my rock [El Sali], "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" Psalm 43:2 — For You are the God of my strength [El Sali]. Why have You rejected me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? Habakkuk 1:12 — Aren't You from everlasting, Yahweh my God, my Holy One [El Kadosh]? We will not die. Yahweh, You have appointed him for judgment. You, Rock [El Sali], have established him to punish. El Selichot: God of Forgiveness, as used in... Nehemiah 9:17 — ...neither were mindful of Your wonders that You did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But You are a God ready to pardon [El Selichot], gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn't forsake them. El Tehilati: God of My Praise, as used in... Psalm 109:1 — God of my praise [El Tehilati], don't remain silent El Tsadik (El T'sadik): The Righteous God Tsadik (T'sadik) means "just" or "righteous". When combined with "El", it stresses that there is no higher authority to compare with Him, as seen in... Isaiah 45:21 — Declare you, and bring it forth; yes, let them take counsel together: Who has shown this from ancient time? Who has declared it of old? Haven't I, Yahweh? And there is no God else besides Me, a just God [El Tsadik] and a Savior; there is no one besides Me. El Tzur (El Zur): God Our Rock, as used in... Deuteronomy 32:4 — The Rock [El Tzur], His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice: A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and right is He. 2 Samuel 22:47 — Yahweh lives; Blessed be my rock [El Sali]; Exalted be God, the rock [El Tzur] of my salvation. Isaiah 26:4 — Trust in Yahweh forever [El Olam]; for in Yah, Yahweh, is an everlasting Rock [El Tzur]. See also Deuteronomy 32:15,18,30-31; 2 Samuel 23:3; Isaiah 30:29 El Yerush'lem: God of Jerusalem, as used in... 2 Chronicles 32:19 — They spoke of the God of Jerusalem [El Yerush'lem], as of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men's hands. Ezra 7:19 — The vessels that are given you for the service of the house of your God, deliver you before the God of Jerusalem [El Yerush'lem]. El Yeshuati (El Yishi): The God of My Salvation Yeshuati is derived from yeshuah, which means "salvation", "deliverance", and <"victory", as used in... Isaiah 12:2 — Behold, God is my salvation [El Yeshuati]. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Yah, Yahweh, is my strength and song; and He has become my salvation [El Yeshuati]." Psalm 25:5 — Guide me in Your truth, and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation {El Yeshuati], I wait for You all day long. See also Psalm 18:46, 27:9, 51:14, 62:7, 88:1; Micah 7:7; Habakkuk 3:18 El Yisrael (Elah Yisra'el, Elohe Israel): The God of Israel. The name El Yisrael appears 199 times in the Old Testament, the most frequent use being in Jeremiah where the prophet uses the expression "the God of Israel" 48 times. Other Scripture verses in which inspired writers use the name El Yisrael include... Genesis 33:20 — He erected an altar there, and called it El Elohe Israel. Ezra 1:3 — Whoever there is among you of all His people, his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Yahweh, the God of Israel [El Yisrael] (He is God), which is in Jerusalem. Psalm 68:35 — You are awesome, God, in Your sanctuaries. The God of Israel [El Yisrael] gives strength and power to His people. Praise be to God! See also Exodus 24:10; Numbers 16:9; Joshua 7:19-20; Judges 4:6; Ruth 2:12; 1 Samuel 5:7-8,10-11; 2 Samuel 7:27; 1 Kings 8:15,17,20,23,25-26; 2 Kings 22:15,18; 1 Chronicles 15:12,14; 2 Chronicles 6:4,7,10,14,16-17; Ezra 4:1,3; Psalm 68:8,35; Isaiah 21:10,17; Jeremiah 29:4,8,21,25, 32:14-15,36, 35:13,17-19; Ezekiel 10:19-20; Zephaniah 2:9; Malachi 2:16 Of course, this study would not be complete without including other proper names that incorporate the name "El". For instance.... Bethel: House of El (God). The name "Bethel" occurs 61 times in the Old Testament. For example.... Genesis 12:8 — He left from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to Yahweh, and called on the name of Yahweh. See also Genesis 13:3, 28:19, 31:13; Joshua 7:2, 8:9,12; Judges 1:22-23; 1 Samuel 7:16; 1 Kings 12:29-33; 2 Kings 23:4,15-19; 1 Chronicles 7:28; 2 Chronicles 13:19; Ezra 2:28; Nehemiah 7:32; Jeremiah 48:13; Hosea 10:15; Amos 3:14; Zechariah 7:2 Daniel: My Judge Is Elohim (God) or Elohim (God) Is My Judge. The name "Daniel" occurs 71 times in the Old Testament, most frequently, of course, in the book of Daniel where it appears 65 times. Other instances of the name include.... Ezekiel 14:14 — "though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness," says the Lord Yahweh. See also 1 Chronicles 3:1; Ezra 8:2; Nehemiah 10:6; Ezekiel 14:20, 28:3 Ezekiel: God Will Strengthen or God Strengthens. The name "Ezekiel" occurs only twice in the Old Testament, both times in the book of Ezekiel.... Ezekiel 1:3 — the word of Yahweh came expressly to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, in the land of the Chaldeans by the river Chebar; and the hand of Yahweh was there on him. Ezekiel 24:24 — "Thus shall Ezekiel be to you a sign; according to all that he has done shall you do: when this comes, then shall you know that I am the Lord Yahweh." Gabriel: Strong Man of God. From the Hebrew name "Gavri'el", Gabriel is one of the seven archangels in Hebrew tradition. The name appears four times in both the Old and New Testaments.... Luke 1:19 — The angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. See also Daniel 8:16, 9:21; Luke 1:26 Immanuel (Emmanuel): God Is with Us. From Hebrew "Emmanu" meaning "with us" and "El" meaning "God", the name "Immanuel" occurs only twice in the Old Testament.... Isaiah 7:14 — Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel. Isaiah 8:8 — "and it shall sweep onward into Judah; it shall overflow and pass through; it shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of its wings shall fill the breadth of your land," Immanuel. (Yahweh speaks this prophetically to the Messiah, in whom the faithful will be comforted and who will not suffer His Church to be utterly destroyed.) Israel (Yisrael, Yisra'el): God Contended For. The name "Israel" occurs more than 2000 times in the Old Testament. For example.... Genesis 33:20 — He erected an altar there, and called it El Elohe Israel. Exodus 40:38 — For the cloud of Yahweh was on the tent by day, and there was fire in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys. Numbers 8:17 — "For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are Mine, both man and animal. On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified them for Myself." Deuteronomy 10:12 — "Now, Israel, what does Yahweh your God require of you, but to fear Yahweh your God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve Yahweh your God with all your heart and with all your soul," Joel: Yahweh Is God or Jehovah is God. The name "Joel" occurs 20 times in the Old Testament.... Joel 1:1 — The Word of Yahweh that came to Joel, the son of Pethuel. See also 1 Samuel 8:2; 1 Chronicles 4:35, 5:4,8,12, 6:28,33,36, 7:3, 11:38, 15:7,11,17, 23:8, 26:22, 27:20; 2 Chronicles 29:12; Ezra 10:43; Nehemiah 11:9 Michael: Who Is Like God?. From the Hebrew name Mika'el, this is the name of one of the seven archangels in Hebrew tradition and the only one identified as an archangel in the Bible. The name "Michael", referring to the archangel of Heaven, appears only once in the Bible.... Jude 1:9 — But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, "May the Lord rebuke you!" He is referenced four other times, not by name but as "the archangel" in 1 Thessalonians 4:16, an angel having special charge of the nation of Israel in Daniel 10:13 and 21, and as the leader of the angelic armies in Revelation 12:7. So exalted are the position and offices ascribed to Michael, that many think they refer to the Messiah, not as God, but as the highest angel of God. Samuel (Shemu'el): Name of God or God Has Heard. the name "Samuel" occurs 109 times in 1 Samuel alone and 9 times in other books of the Old Testament, as in.... Psalm 99:6 — Moses and Aaron were among His priests, Samuel among those who call on His name; They called on Yahweh, and He answered them. Jeremiah 15:1 — Then said Yahweh to me, "Though Moses and Samuel stood before Me, yet My mind would not be toward this people: cast them out of My sight, and let them go forth." See also 1 Chronicles 6:28,33, 9:22, 11:3, 26:28, 29:29; 2 Chronicles 35:18 Back to Table of Contents

Yahweh-Nissi / Yahweh-Shalom As we continue our study of the names God used in revealing Himself to us in His Word, we must never lose sight of the fact that God's names are to be revered and treated as absolutely holy at all times. It is no insignificant matter to God how we use His names. Remember the command: "You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." (Exodus 20:7, Deuteronomy 25:7) This month, we're going to review two of the Yahweh/Jehovah compound names. As discussed in the earlier study of the names Yahweh (YHWH) and Jehovah (Yehova), the Hebrew Tetragrammaton, (yodh) (heh) (vav) (heh), is rendered (reading right-to-left, YHWH or YHVH). And many scholars today believe "Yahweh" is a more accurate transliteration and that the rendering "Jehovah" derives from incorporating the vowel points of "Adonai" into the Tetragrammaton, thus creating "YaHoWaH". Whether one uses the name "Yahweh" or "Jehovah" is, more or less, a personal editorial decision. As somewhat a literalist, for the purpose of these studies I will be using the name "Yahweh". Yahweh-Nissi — Yahweh Is My Banner or Yahweh Is My Refuge Pronounced Yä-wá' (or Yä-vá') Nis-see', the name appears in the Old Testament only once in Exodus 17:15: "Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Yahweh our Banner [Yahweh-Nissi]." Moses built the altar to memorialize that Yahweh was Israel's banner under which they had defeated the Amalekites. The name "Nissi" derives from the Hebrew "Nes" (nês), which means "banner" or "flee for refuge". "Nes" is also sometimes translated as a pole with an insignia attached. In battle, opposing nations would fly their own flag on a pole at each of their respective front lines. This was to give their soldiers a feeling of hope and a focal point. Combined with Yahweh, the name becomes "Yahweh Is My Banner" or "Yahweh Is My Refuge". This is what God is to us: a banner of encouragement to give us hope and a focal point. In addition to the single employment of the compound name in Exodus 17:15, the word "nissi", meaning "banner", appears in... Psalm 60:4 — You have given a banner [nissi] to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. Song of Solomon 2:4 — He brought me to the banquet hall. His banner [nissi] over me is love. Isaiah 5:26 — He will lift up a banner [nissi] to the nations from far, and He will whistle for them from the end of the earth. Behold, they will come speedily and swiftly. Yahweh-Shalom — Yahweh Is Peace or The Name of God Is Peace Pronounced Yä-wá' (or Yä-vá') shaw-lome', the compound name appears in the Old Testament only once in Judges 6:24: "Then Gideon built an altar there to Yahweh, and called it Yahweh-shalom: to this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites." The Hebrew name "Sh'lomo literally means "peace". Since the Talmud translates "Yahweh-Shalom" as "The Name of God is Peace", it is considered to be so sacred that one is not permitted to greet another with the word "shalom" in unholy places such as a bathroom. The word "shalom" can also be translated as "absence from strife". Although the compound name appears only once in the Old Testament, the word "shalom" itself appears some 70 times, meaning "whole", "finished", "fulfilled", or "perfected" as pertaining to wellness or welfare. Shalom means that kind of peace that results from being a whole person in right relationship to God and to one's fellow man, as seen in... Deuteronomy 27:6-7 — You shall build the altar of Yahweh your God of uncut stones; and you shall offer burnt offerings thereon to Yahweh your God; and you shall sacrifice peace [shalom] offerings, and shall eat there; and you shall rejoice before Yahweh your God. Genesis 26:29 — " '...that you will do us no harm, as we have not touched you, and as we have done to you nothing but good, and have sent you away in peace [shalom].' You are now the blessed of Yahweh." See also Genesis 24:21, 28:21; Leviticus 3:1-9, 4:31,35, 7:11,14,20-21,29, 9:4, 10:3, 17:5, 19:5, 22:21; Numbers 6:14,17,26; Judges 6:23, 11:31, 18:6; 1 Samuel 20:13,21,42; 1 Kings 2:33, 5:12, 22:17,28; 2 Kings 2:3,5, 20:19; 2 Chronicles 18:16,27; Psalm 4:8, 29:11, 85:8, 125:5; Proverbs 16:7; Isaiah 9:7, 26:12, 39:8, 42:19, 45:7, 48:22, 54:10,13, 57:19, 62:6, 64:12, 66:12; Jeremiah 4:10, 12:12, 14:13, 16:5, 23:17, 28:9, 29:7,11, 30:5, 34:5; Ezekiel 13:16; Micah 3:5; Haggai 2:9; Zechariah 1:11, 6:13, 8:19 Back to Table of Contents

Yahweh-Jireh / Yahweh-Shammah Most of God's compound names arise out of some historic incident, and portray God in some aspect of His character meeting human needs. Naturally, all of these names are significant because of their relation to the name Yahweh. As we've already learned, the name Yahweh reveals God as the Covenant-Keeping Eternal I AM, The Self-Existent One, The Holy God, and The God of Revelation. It isn't enough that we simply know these names as some sort of rote learning exercise. We must study their significance in the historical settings in which they're given. Only then, may we even come close to grasping all that the Elohim of Heaven and Earth wants us to know about Him. Yahweh-Jireh (Yireh) — Yahweh Sees / Yahweh Provides / Yahweh Will Provide Pronounced Yä-wá' (or Yä-vá') Yir-eh', the name appears in the Old Testament only once in Genesis 22:14 by Abraham to memorialize God's intervention in the sacrifice of Isaac by providing an animal substitute for the sacrifice of his son: "Abraham called the name of that place Yahweh-Jireh. As it is said to this day, 'In Yahweh's mountain (Mount Moriah) it will be provided.' ". The word "jireh" is a transliteration of a Hebrew word which means "to see" or "to foresee". In the Hebrew Bible, it is translated "to see" or "to appear", and it is often used to refer to certain men who could foresee — prophets — as in... 1 Samuel 9:9 — (In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he said, Come, and let us go to the seer [jireh]; for he who is now called a Prophet was before called a Seer [Jireh].) 2 Kings 17:13 — Yet Yahweh testified to Israel, and to Judah, by every prophet, and every seer [jireh], saying, "Turn you from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets. 1 Chronicles 9:22 — All these who were chosen to be porters in the thresholds were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer [jireh] did ordain in their office of trust. See also 1 Samuel 9:11,18-19; 2 Samuel 15:27, 24:11; 1 Chronicles 21:9, 25:5, 26:28, 29:29; 2 Chronicles 9:29, 12:15, 16:7,10, 19:2, 29:25,30, 35:15; Amos 7:12 Obviously, there might be some confusion as to how the word "to see" can then also be translated to "provide", unless we consider the nature of Almighty God [El Shaddai]. As the 19th Century Anglican pastor H. W. Webb-Peploe wrote in "The Titles of Jehovah": "...with God, to see is also to foresee. As the One who possesses eternal wisdom and knowledge, He knows the end from the beginning. . . . From eternity to eternity He foresees everything. . . . Thus with God foreseeing is prevision. As the Jehovah of righteousness and holiness, and of love and redemption, having prevision of man's sin, and fall, and need, He makes provision for that need. For provision, after all, is merely a compound of two Latin words meaning "to see beforehand". And we may learn from a dictionary that "provide" is simply the verb and "prevision" the noun of seeing beforehand. Thus to God prevision is necessarily followed by provision, for He certainly will provide for that need which His foreseeing shows Him to exist. With Him prevision and provision are one and the same thing." (emphases added) Thus, "Yahweh Sees" becomes "Yahweh Provides" or "Yahweh Will Provide". In the circumstance of the compound name in Genesis 22:14, Yahweh-Jireh is significant because it commemorated a great deliverance. Naming the place Yahweh-Jireh served as a perpetual reminder of the marvelous, awe-inspiring grace of God. Yahweh-Shammah (Samma) — Yahweh Is There Pronounced Yä-wá' (or Yä-vá') shawm'-maw, the compound name appears in the Old Testament only once in Ezekiel 48:35 to portray Yahweh's presence in the coming millennial kingdom: "It shall be eighteen thousand reeds round about; and the name of the city from that day shall be, Yahweh Is There [Yahweh-Shammah]." The name "Yahweh-Shammah" may very well be the most exciting and comforting name God has given us. Why? Because in "Yahweh-Shammah" is the promise and pledge of God completing the work He began in us at creation, to bring us to our final rest and glory; for as the Catechism says: "The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever." The word "shammah" is derived from the Hebrew word "sham", which means "there". Yahweh-Shammah is the last name God revealed through His Old Testament prophets. In the historic setting in which it's given, this name reassured Israel that God had not abandoned them during their 70-year period of Babylonian captivity, and that there would eventually be a restoration of Jerusalem and the Temple. As Ezekiel had prophesied 25 years earlier that Jerusalem and the Temple would be utterly destroyed — and the people's hopes of one day returning were declining — this prophesy was a promise to them that God was indeed in Jerusalem: Yahweh-Shammah! There are several beliefs concerning the fulfillment of this promise: Orthodox Judaism believe this has a strictly literal interpretation that will be fulfilled in the restoration of the Temple and the sacrificial system, following which time the Messiah will come to reign in Jerusalem as the Son of David. Then, "Yahweh-Shammah" will be realized. Other Bible scholars interpret the name solely in a spiritual sense with no fulfillment in an earthly Jerusalem. A third group of scholars combine the two interpretations and believe it has both a literal and a spiritual fulfillment. I believe the third theory to be more accurate, if one considers the entire Scripture, both Old and New Testaments. As Bible scholar Nathan Stone wrote in "The Names of God": "It has been seen that the fulfillment of this name was limited in the Old Testament both in its manifestation and scope. Every manifestation of God's presence in the midst of His people, though real, could only be but a shadow of a glorious reality to come. As to its scope, it was limited to the nation Israel. "In the New Testament dispensation it has a wider scope in that it is more spiritual than symbolic, and more personal rather than national. For now it has been fulfilled ideally in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. "As man, and representing the human race, 'the whole fullness of God was pleased to dwell in Him' (Colossians 1:19, marg.). He was the effulgence of God's glory and the very image of His substance (Hebrews 1:3, ASV). 'The Word became flesh and tabernacled among us,' says John, 'and we beheld his glory' (John 1:14, ASV). Thus He became 'God with us,' the Immanuel of Isaiah 7:14, the Child, the Son, the mighty God, the everlasting Father of Isaiah 9:6. "The One who in the Old Testament came in occasional, mysterious appearances as the Angel of Jehovah, the Angel of His Presence, the Angel of the Covenant, the Angel in whom is Jehovah's name, became in Christ both the Presence itself and the Temple in whom the Presence resided so that in Him and of Him it could be said Jehovah-Shammah, Jehovah is there. "This Presence is now in believers as living temples of God. 'Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you' (I Corinthians 3:16, ASV)." What an excellent name is this Yahweh-Shammah: The LORD is There.... The LORD is Here.... The LORD is in Me.... The LORD is in You....!! As you meditate on that, remember what we learned in the second study in this series: God is very serious about where His name abides! Oh, praise His holy name! Yahweh, the Covenant-Keeping God of the Universe, has chosen for His name — His very essence — to abide in me and in you! Knowing that He is always with us should bring immediate comfort, an infusion of courage, and a sense of confidence to endure. Hallelu YAH! Back to Table of Contents

Yahweh-Rohi / Yahweh-Rophe Yahweh-Rohi (Ro'i, Ro'eh) — Yahweh Is My Shepherd / Yahweh Is My Friend Pronounced Yä-wá' (or Yä-vá') Ro-ee', the compound name first appears directly and personally in Psalm 23 wherein the psalmist refers to the Lord in the most intimate figurative language possible: "Yahweh is my shepherd..." This beloved psalm is so familiar to many of us that one might be tempted to give it little more than a cursory glance. Don't! It's important that we take time to consider all that this name reveals about Yahweh and our relationship with Him — or better yet, His desired relationship with us. Before we delve into the specifics of the name, "Yahweh Is My Shepherd", please consider more closely the relationship of the shepherd to his sheep. Following is Harriet-Louise Holland Patterson's observation about shepherding: "Shepherding does not change much in Palestine, where wild beasts may descend still upon unprotected sheep and suddenly destroy them. The Palestine shepherd lives night and day with his animals. He establishes a degree of intimacy with them which is touching to observe. He calls them all by their names and they, knowing his voice and hearing his only, heed. He protects the sheep from thieves and preying animals who would devour them at night, by sleeping in the opening of the often makeshift sheepfold and they, sensing his watchfulness, fear 'no evil.' He provides pasture and water even in the wilderness and the presence of enemies and they, casting all their anxiety upon him, are fed. There is a singular communion between the shepherd and his sheep which, after one has visited Palestine and observed it, makes the symbol of the good Shepherd peculiarly apt and the Twenty-third Psalm strangely moving." ["Around the Mediterranean with My Bible"] The Hebrew word "rohi" (or "ro'i" or "ro'eh") means "shepherd" or "to pasture". An extended translation of the word is also "friend" or "companion". This indicates the intimacy God desires between Himself and His people. The word "rohi" alone first appears in Genesis 37:2: "...Joseph . . . was feeding the flock [rohi] with his brothers..." A more direct reference to the role of shepherding appears in Genesis 47:3-4 when Joseph's brothers told Pharaoh, "...Your servants are shepherds [rohi], both we, and our fathers . . . We have come to live as foreigners in the land, for there is no pasture [rohi] for your servants' flocks..." However, the word "rohi" was not limited to shepherding flocks. In the Old Testament, it was also sometimes used... to represent the relationship between a political or religious leader and the people, as in... 2 Samuel 5:2 — In times past, when Saul was king over us, it was you who led out and brought in Israel; and Yahweh said to you, "You shall be shepherd [rohi] of My people Israel, and you shall be prince over Israel." Jeremiah 3:15 — "and I will give you shepherds [rohi] according to My heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding." See also Isaiah 44:28; Ezekiel 34:2, 8, 10 with regard to folly and judgment, as in... Proverbs 15:14 — The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, But the mouths of fools feed [rohi] on folly. See also Isaiah 44:20; Hosea 12:1; Ezekiel 34:16 to express companionship or friendship, as in... Exodus 33:11a — Yahweh spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend [rohi]. Judges 11:38 — He said, "Go." He sent her away for two months; and she departed, she and her companions [rohi]... Thus, the word "rohi" symbolizes "to associate with", "take pleasure in", and "to cherish". Combined with the name Yahweh, the above relationships find their most affectionate and exalted verbal expression — Yahweh, the Shepherd of His people — as in... Psalm 80:1 — Hear us, Shepherd [Rohi] of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock, You who sit above the cherubim, shine forth. Isaiah 40:10-11 — Behold, the Lord [Adonai] Yahweh will come as a mighty one . . . He will feed His flock like a shepherd [rohi], He will gather the lambs in His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and will gently lead those who have their young. Ezekiel 34:11-16 — For thus says the Lord [Adonai] Yahweh: "Behold, I Myself, even I, will search for My sheep, and will seek them out. As a shepherd [rohi] seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so will I seek out My sheep; and I will deliver them . . . I will feed [rohi] them with good pasture; and on the mountains of the height of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie down in a good fold; and on fat pasture shall they feed on the mountains of Israel. I Myself will be the shepherd [Rohi] of My sheep, and I will cause them to lie down," says the Lord [Adonai] Yahweh. "I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick..." Notice that last verse: He will "seek that which was lost".... "bring back that which was driven away".... "bind up that which was broken." No other revealed name of God denotes such caring intimacy as the name Yahweh-Rohi. As author Nathan Stone wrote in "The Names of God": "Everything that the shepherd is to the sheep, Jehovah is to His people. If there can exist such a tender intimacy between a man and sheep, how much more so between Jehovah and the spirits He has created and redeemed; and what a marvelous thing that God should offer Himself for such a relationship. He had said, 'I will dwell among the children of Israel' (Exodus 29:45), and the word dwell is the word Shekinah, denoting His glorious presence. Jehovah as Shepherd offers His people the intimacy of His presence. He may be as intimately known as the shepherd is of the sheep. . . . The intimacy of the shepherd is the most precious privilege and possession of the sheep, and this the Lord's people, as His sheep, should cultivate and enjoy. But it comes only by long and constant association and abiding in His presence." Referring back to Psalm 23, Yahweh-Rohi isn't only the Shepherd of His people. He is my Shepherd. As sheep of His fold, you and I can rest in the sure knowledge that we are precious to Him and that our God cares about every one of our needs. We need not fear, nor doubt, nor wonder. Yahweh is my Shepherd.... Yahweh is your Shepherd.... Oh, praise His most holy name! Yahweh-Rophe (Rapha, Rophecha) — Yahweh Heals / Yahweh Who Heals Pronounced Yä-wá' (or Yä-vá') Roh-fee', is the second name which God uses in Scripture to reveal Himself to His people. It arises out of one of Israel's earliest experiences in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt when God tells them in Exodus 15:26: "If you will diligently listen to the voice of Yahweh your God, and will do that which is right in His eyes, and will pay attention to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Yahweh Who Heals you [Yahweh-Rophe]." The Hebrew word "rophe" (or "rapha" or "rophecha") means "to restore", "to heal", or "to make healthful". Although the compound name "Yahweh-Rophe" appears only once in the Old Testament, the word "rophe" alone, in reference to Yahweh, appears more than 60 times, as in... Psalm 103:2-3 — Praise Yahweh, my soul, And don't forget all His benefits; Who forgives all your sins; Who heals [rophe] all your diseases; Isaiah 30:26 — Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that Yahweh binds up [rophe] the hurt of His people, and heals [rophe] the stroke of their wound. Isaiah 61:1 — The Spirit of the Lord [Adonai] Yahweh is on me; because Yahweh has anointed me to preach good news to the humble; He has sent me to bind up [rophe] the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; Jeremiah 3:22— "Return, you backsliding children, I will heal [rophe] your backsliding." Behold, we are come to you; for you are Yahweh our God [Elohim]. Jeremiah 30:17a — "For I will restore health [rophe] to you, and I will heal [rophe] you of your wounds," says Yahweh; See also Numbers 12:13; Deuteronomy 32:39; 2 Kings 20:5,8; 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 6:2, 41:4; Ecclesiastes 3:3; Isaiah 19:22, 57:18-19; Jeremiah 3:22, 17:14, 30:17, 33:6; Lamentations 2:13; Hosea 5:13, 6:1, 7:1, 14:4; Zechariah 11:16 From the above Scriptures, we may thus conclude that Yahweh is the Great Physician who not only heals the physical needs of His people, but also our emotional and spiritual needs. What great comfort, peace, and blessed hope there is in embracing the names "Yahweh-Rohi" and "Yahweh-Rophe". The great Elohim of the universe isn't far off and disinterested in His creation. Rather, He desires to have the kind of intimate relationship with us that the shepherd [rohi] has with his sheep — one by which He calls us each by name, and we may abide in complete safety and peace. And the Great Physician [Yahweh-Rophe] loves us so much that He willingly and purposely turned His back to be scourged and offered His body to be crucified in order to fully heal us — spirit, soul, and body: "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5 KJV) Back to Table of Contents

Yahweh-M'Kaddesh Yahweh-M'Kaddesh (Mekeddeshem, Mekadesh, Mekoddishkem) -- Yahweh Who Sanctifies You / Yahweh Who Makes Holy It may be argued that no other name more accurately expresses the character of God and the requirements He places on His people than the name "Yahweh-M'Kaddesh". Pronounced Yä-wá' (or Yä-vá') M-qa'dash, the compound name itself appears only twice in the Old Testament: Exodus 31:13 -- Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, "Most assuredly you shall keep my Sabbaths: for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am Yahweh who sanctifies you [Yahweh-M'Kaddesh]." Leviticus 20:7,8 -- "Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am Yahweh your God. You shall keep my statutes, and do them. I am Yahweh who sanctifies you [Yahweh-M'Kaddesh]." The word "m'kaddesh" derives from the Hebrew word "qâdash" and is translated "sanctify", "holy", "dedicate", "consecrate", "sanctuary", or "hallow" -- but primarily by the word "holy", as in "the Holy [M'Kaddesh] One". Sanctification is the separation of an object or person to the dedication of the holy. The word "m'kaddesh" alone first appears in Genesis 2:3 when God sanctified the Sabbath: "God blessed the seventh day, and made it holy..." The word isn't mentioned again until Exodus 13:1,2: "Sanctify to Me all of the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of animal. It is Mine." Yahweh our God is holy! Before we examine the Bible's use of the single word "m'kaddesh", let's consider the awe-inspiring holiness of Yahweh. For as Himself the Holy One, Yahweh is separate from and exalted above all else in the universe: Deuteronomy 4:35 -- To you it was shown, that you might know that Yahweh He is God; there is none else besides Him. 1 Samuel 2:2 -- There is none holy as Yahweh; For there is none besides You, Neither is there any rock like our God. Isaiah 44:6 -- Thus says Yahweh, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, Yahweh of Hosts: "I am the first, and I am the last; and besides Me there is no God." Isaiah 45:21b -- "...there is no God else besides Me, a just God and a Savior; there is no one besides Me." The most fundamental, solemn, and impressive of all the attributes of Yahweh is His holiness. As author Nathan Stone quoted in "The Names of God": "It is this holiness of which an old Scottish divine writes: 'It is the balance . . . of all the attributes of Deity. Power without holiness would degenerate into cruelty; omniscience without holiness would become craft; justice without holiness would degenerate into revenge; and goodness without holiness would be passionate and intemperate fondness doing mischief rather than accomplishing good." It is this holiness which gives to God grandeur and majesty, and more than anything else constitutes His fullness and perfection.'" Yahweh our God is holy! This was the first truth Israel learned about Yahweh: "Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one: and you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might." (Deuteronomy 6:4) All the Law and the awe-inspiring incidents that followed on Mt. Sinai and in the wilderness were intended to indelibly impress upon Israel the truth of the holiness of their God. It is this holiness of which God is so jealous: "for you shall worship no other god: for Yahweh, whose name is Jealous [El Kanno], is a jealous God." (Exodus 34:14) His holiness is so pure, so intense, that He cannot abide the worship of another god among His people: "You shall have no other gods before Me." (Exodus 20:3) God's people are to sanctify Him, not only in their actions, but in their hearts: "Yahweh of hosts, Him shall you sanctify; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread." (Isaiah 8:13); and we are to "worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." (1 Chronicles 16:29, Psalm 29:2) It is the glory and beauty of His holiness that Yahweh wishes to impart.... ....when He tells us, "You shall be holy; for I Yahweh your God am holy" (Leviticus 19:2) or "I am Yahweh who sanctifies you" (Exodus 31:13, Leviticus 20:8). As people inevitably become like the god(s) they serve, it follows then that the Holy God would require holiness in His people. As Nathan Stone wrote: "A God separate from all that is evil, too pure to behold evil, the very antithesis of all evil, requires that the people He chooses be also separate from all evil and separated to the purpose for which He chose them." In its different translations, the word "m'kaddesh" appears ±685 times in the Old Testament. Whatever seeming differences the various English words may suggest (above), the primary idea of separating or setting apart is common to them all. It is used to... ...set apart specific days for worship, rest, or celebration, as in... Exodus 20:8,11 -- Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy [m'kaddesh]. . . the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. . . . therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy [m'kaddesh]. Numbers 29:12 -- On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation [m'kaddesh]; you shall do no servile work, and you shall keep a feast to Yahweh seven days. See also Exodus 12:16, 31:15, 35:2; Numbers 28:18,25-26, 29:1,7,12; 1 Samuel 21:5; 1 Kings 8:8; Nehemiah 8:9-11; Isaiah 58:13. ...emphasize the difference between the Holy God of the Bible and the many detestable pagan deities: Ezekiel 36:23 -- "I will sanctify [m'kaddesh] My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in the midst of them; and the nations shall know that I am Yahweh," says the Lord Yahweh, "when I shall be sanctified [m'kaddesh] in you before their eyes." Isaiah 29:23 -- "But when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify [m'kaddesh] My name; yes, they shall sanctify [m'kaddesh] the Holy One of Jacob, and shall stand in awe of the God of Israel." ...set aside certain articles for service to the Lord: 2 Samuel 8:11 -- These also did king David dedicate [m'kaddesh] to Yahweh, with the silver and gold that he dedicated [m'kaddesh] of all the nations which he subdued; Exodus 40:9 -- You shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tent, and all that is in it, and shall make it holy [m'kaddesh], and all its furniture: and it will be holy [m'kaddesh]. See also Exodus 28:2 & 4; Zechariah 14:21. ...set apart individuals or even an entire nation through whom all the peoples of the world would be blessed: Exodus 19:6 -- "...'and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests, and a holy [m'kaddesh] nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel." Exodus 32:29 -- Moses said, "Consecrate [m'kaddesh] yourselves today to Yahweh, yes, every man against his son, and against his brother; that He may bestow on you a blessing this day." See also Exodus 13:2, 28:36; Deuteronomy 7:6; Jeremiah 1:5. ...designate a particular place as holy: Exodus 25:8 -- "Let them make Me a sanctuary [mikdash], that I may dwell among them." Zechariah 8:3 -- Thus says Yahweh: "I have returned to Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called 'The City of Truth;' and the mountain of Yahweh of Hosts, 'The Holy [m'kaddesh] Mountain.'"