El Shaddai
"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 (KJV)
Editor's Note:
As there is considerable variance among Bible scholars as to former customs,
usage, and translations of the various names of God in the Bible, the neutrality
and factual accuracy of this article may be disputed. These articles are a
summation of those ideas and conclusions on which most scholars agree.
As discussed in last month's 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.
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.