God Knows Our Name:
Shouldn't We Know Him By His?
BIBLE STUDY, OLD TESTAMENT
In the Bible, naming not only served the purpose of identification, but also expressed the identity of the person. There is a multitude of naming or also name changes in the Old and New Testaments.
When Jesus called Simon to follow Him, He gave him the name Peter. The Greek name Peter as well as his Aramaic name Kefas mean „rock.” Jesus did not give him the name because it’s pretty, but because it expressed Peter’s (new) identity. He was not only to be called the rock from now on, but he would be the rock.
Who is God (for you)?
God reveals Himself, His identity, through His names. Sometimes He introduces Himself with a name that describes Him. Other times He reveals Himself to people who experience Him for who He is and then give God a name that expresses that quality.
How have you experienced God? Who is He for you?
17 Names of God
Exodus 3:4-5 (NIV)
When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses!” And Moses said, “Here I am.”
“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
YAHWEH is used 6,519 times in the Old Testament, making it by far the most used name for God in the Bible.
The name is considered too sacred to be pronounced in the Jewish faith, so Yahweh was shortened to YHWH. In the 3rd century AD, the Jews stopped using the name YHWH altogether for fear of taking God’s name in vain (Exodus 20:7).
ADONAI means Lord and often serves as a substitute for the holy name YHWH.
Adonai is plural and Adon is singular. Interestingly, Adon refers to an earthly God, while Adonai refers to Yahweh. Our God is triune – He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Adonai is used 434 times in the Old Testament. Mainly in Isaiah, Ezekiel and occasionally in Daniel.
EL OLAM means „the eternal God.“ El translates as God and is used in combination with other words to describe God’s nature.
The Hebrew word olam means „eternity.“ God has always been and He will always be.
ELOHIM is used over 2000 times in the Old Testament. The name also means God and describes Him as judge and creator.
El ROI is „the God who sees me.“ El Roi only occurs in Genesis 16:13. Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid, became pregnant by Abraham (Sarah’s husband) to bear the promised son. Sarah is so mean to Hagar (even though the whole thing was her idea) that Hagar flees into the desert. As she wanders there helpless and pregnant with a son, God sees the hardship of this Egyptian woman and promises her hope (you can read the whole story in Genesis 16). Our God is not blind, He does not cover His sight – He sees.
EL SHADDAI means „the Almighty God.“ The first time this name occurs is when God himself introduces himself to Abraham as the Almighty (Genesis 17:1). El Shaddai is used 7 times in the Old Testament.
EL ELYON means „the Most High God.“ It is first used when the king and priest of the Most High, Melchizedek, meets Abram (Genesis 14:18-20).
JEHOVAH NISSI means „the Lord, my Banner.“ The name is used only once in the Bible after the victory over Amalek (Exodus 17:15). Moses built an altar and symbolically named it Jehovah Nissi to memorialize that God was Israel’s banner in the battle against Amalek.
In battles, the opposing nations usually had a banner on the front line. The banner served to give the soldiers a focal point and hope.
God is our hope.
JEHOVAH-RAAH means „the Lord, my Shepherd.“ God is the Good Shepherd who protects and nourishes His sheep.
JEHOVAH RAPHA means „the Lord who heals.“ The Hebrew word rapha means „to restore“ or „to heal.“ God is the Healer who restores His creation.
JEHOVA JIREH means „Yahweh will provide.“ The name occurs only in Genesis 22:14. Abraham symbolically gave this name to Mount Moriah where he was to sacrifice his son Issac, when God provided the burnt offering instead.
God is our Provider. He did not withhold His only Son for our sake, how much more will He give us everything with Him (Romans 8:32).
JEHOVA SHALOM is the name of the altar that Gideon built in Ofra (Judges 6:24). The Hebrew term shalom means „peace.“
JEHOVAH SHAMMAH is used once in Ezekiel 48:35. Jehovah Shammah is a symbolic name for Jerusalem and means „the Lord is here.“
JEHOVA SABAOTH occurs 285 times in the Old Testament. Sabaoth means „hosts“ or „armies.“ God is sovereign over the spiritual and earthly armies and nations. The God of hosts is King over heaven and earth.
JEHOVAH TSIDKENU is used twice in Jeremiah (23:6; 33:16) and means „the Lord, my righteousness.“
JEHOVAH MEKODDISHKEM (yeh-ho-vaw‘ M-qadash) means „the Lord who sanctifies me.“ Mekoddishkem is derived from the Hebrew word qadash and means „holy, sanctify.“ God is the one who has justified and sanctified you through Jesus.
Qanna is used 6 times in the Old Testament. The Hebrew term Qanna means „jealous“ and describes God as the only God to whom alone all praise belongs.
Get to know more of Him
Perhaps you have already experienced God in one way or another and identify Him with one of these names.
HOWEVER, GOD IS ALL THAT THESE NAMES EXPRESS.
Let’s not limit God’s identity to what we know and what is familiar to us. Instead, ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you in way you did not know Him before.