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Moses asks for God's name, God replies "I AM WHO I AM".
Exodus 3:14-15 NIV [14] God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’ ” [15] God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, 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, the name you shall call me from generation to generation.
The very first name God reveals to us in Scripture—Elohim. This name is found in Genesis, the book of the beginning, and we discover it inthe very first verse: “In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth.”
Elohim is the first name used for God in the Bible. It is used exclusively to refer to God from Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3, highlighting God as the powerful creator.
Jehovah-Jireh, a Hebrew phrase that literally means "The LORD Will Provide.
Genesis 22:14 NIV So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”
We also talked about the name Jehovah Rapha. Rapha: This Hebrew word means "to heal," "to restore," "to make whole," or "to mend." It encompasses physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. Rapha conveys the idea of restoring something to its intended state.
Exodus 15:26 NIV He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.
We studied the combination name Jehovah-Shalom.
Judges 6:21-24 (NKJV)21 Then the Angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.22 Now Gideon perceived that He was the Angel of the LORD. So Gideon said, "Alas, O Lord GOD! For I have seen the Angel of the LORD face to face."23 Then the LORD said to him, "Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die."24 So Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it The-LORD-Is-Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. (Bold mine)
We considered the combination name Jehovah-Nissi, The LORD Is My Banner”
It declares that God is our standard, our rallying point, our source of strength, and the one who leads us to victory in our battles.
Exodus 17:8-16 NIV [8] The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. [9] Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.” [10] So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. [11] As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. [12] When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. [13] So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword. [14] Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.” [15] Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. [16] He said, “Because hands were lifted up against the throne of the Lord, the Lord will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation.”
Jehovah Tsidkenu "The Lord Our Righteousness." This name reveals a key aspect of God's character and His provision for humanity.
Jeremiah 23:5-6 NLT [5] “For the time is coming,” says the Lord, “when I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line. He will be a King who rules with wisdom. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. [6] And this will be his name: ‘The Lord Is Our Righteousness.’ In that day Judah will be saved, and Israel will live in safety.
Jehovah Sabaoth. This name, often translated as "The Lord of Hosts," reveals a powerful and comforting aspect of God's character. As we explore this, it aligns with our ongoing commitment to maintaining a strong foundation in faith and aligning our priorities with God's will. Understanding His names helps us to better understand Him and His guidance in our lives.
I Samuel 17:45-47 NKJV [45] Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. [46] This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. [47] Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hands.”
I. Jehovah Shammah Meaning and Significance
Jehovah Shammah (pronounced Yahweh Shammah) is a Hebrew name for God that means "The LORD is There." It appears as the name given to the holy city in Ezekiel's vision, marking the culmination of his prophecies.
Ezekiel 48:35: "The perimeter of the city will be 18,000 cubits, and the name of the city from that day on will be: The LORD Is There."
This name is profoundly significant because it addresses the deep longing of the Israelites during their Babylonian exile. Jerusalem and the temple were in ruins, and they felt forsaken. "Jehovah Shammah" was a divine promise question that God had not abandoned them and that His presence would return to dwell among His people.
"Jehovah-Mekoddishkem" means "The LORD Who Sanctifies You" or "The LORD Who Makes Holy." It highlights God's active role in setting His people apart for Himself and transforming them into His likeness.
Exodus 31:12-13 NIV [12] Then the Lord said to Moses, [13] “Say to the Israelites, ‘You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.
Introduction:
The name "El Shaddai" is one of the profound and ancient names for God found in the Hebrew Scriptures. It reveals a crucial aspect of His character and our relationship with Him.
I. Unpacking the Meaning of El Shaddai
"El": The first part of the name, "El," is a common Semitic word for God, signifying "God," "mighty one," or "powerful one." It emphasizes God's divine nature and strength.
"Shaddai": The meaning of "Shaddai" is debated among scholars, but several prominent interpretations offer rich insights:
"Almighty" / "All-Sufficient": This is the most common translation and understanding. It suggests God's absolute power and ability to do all things. He is sufficient in Himself and needs nothing from His creation. He is the one who provides all that is needed.
"The Breasted One" / "Nourisher": Some scholars link "Shaddai" to the Hebrew word shad, meaning "breast." This imagery portrays God as a loving, nurturing provider who sustains and nourishes His people, much like a mother nurses her child. This emphasizes His tender care and provision.
Combined Meaning: When "El" and "Shaddai" are combined, the name paints a picture of a God who is supremely powerful, all-sufficient, and abundantly able to provide, sustain, and fulfill His promises. He is the God of boundless strength and compassionate provision.
It appears about 48 times in the Old Testament. The most frequently used name for God in the Hebrew Bible is the Tetragrammaton, YHWH (often vocalized as Yahweh or Jehovah), which appears approximately 6,800 times. Another very common name is Elohim, appearing around 2,600 times.
Specifically, the numbers cited for YHWH (approximately 6,800 times) and Elohim (approximately 2,600 times) are widely accepted figures found in resources such as:
Biblical studies websites and articles: Many online resources dedicated to biblical studies and theology (like Agape Bible Study, Blue Letter Bible, and articles on sites like The Gospel Coalition or Britannica) present these statistics.
Bible concordances and lexicons: These tools, which index every word in the Bible, allow for precise counting of word occurrences.
Scholarly texts on biblical Hebrew and divine names: Academic works on the names of God in the Old Testament consistently cite these frequencies. For instance, discussions of the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) almost always highlight its overwhelming prevalence.
The fact that "El Shaddai" appears around 48 times is also a consistent figure found in these same types of resources, often in discussions comparing its frequency to more common divine names.
II. Key Occurrences of El Shaddai in the Bible
Let's examine some significant instances where God reveals Himself as El Shaddai:
Genesis 17:1 (Abrahamic Covenant):
Genesis 17:1 KJV [1] And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Genesis 17:1 NIV [1] When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.
Genesis 17:1 CEV [1] When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him again and said, “I am God All-Powerful. If you obey me and always do right,
Genesis 17:1 NET [1] When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the sovereign God. Walk before me and be blameless.
Genesis 17:1 NLT [1] When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.
Reflection: God reveals Himself as El Shaddai to Abraham just before promising him a multitude of descendants, despite Abraham's old age and Sarah's barrenness. This emphasizes God's ability to do the impossible and fulfill His promises, even when human circumstances seem to contradict them.
Genesis 28:3 (Isaac's Blessing to Jacob):
Genesis 28:3 KJV [3] And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
Genesis 28:3 NIV [3] May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and increase your numbers until you become a community of peoples.
Genesis 28:3 CEV [3] I pray that God All-Powerful will bless you with many descendants and let you become a great nation.
Genesis 28:3 NET [3] May the sovereign God bless you! May he make you fruitful and give you a multitude of descendants! Then you will become a large nation.
Genesis 28:3 NLT [3] May God Almighty bless you and give you many children. And may your descendants multiply and become many nations!
(Gen) 28:3 CJB (Complete Jewish Bible) [3] May El Shaddai bless you, make you fruitful and increase your descendants, until they become a whole assembly of peoples.
Reflection: Here, El Shaddai is invoked as the source of blessing, fruitfulness, and multiplication. It highlights His power to bring about growth and increase.
Genesis 35:11 (God's Promise to Jacob):
Genesis 35:11 KJV [11] And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;
(Gen) 35:11 CJB [11] God further said to him, “I am El Shaddai. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation, indeed a group of nations, will come from you; kings will be descended from you.
Genesis 35:11 NIV [11] And God said to him, “I am God Almighty; be fruitful and increase in number. A nation and a community of nations will come from you, and kings will be among your descendants.
Genesis 35:11 ERV [11] God said to him, “I am God All-Powerful, and I give you this blessing: Have many children and grow into a great nation. Other nations and other kings will come out of you.
Reflection: Similar to the promise to Abraham, God reiterates His identity as El Shaddai to Jacob, reinforcing His ability to fulfill His covenant promises regarding nation-building and kingship.
Exodus 6:3 (God's Revelation to Moses):
Exodus 6:3 KJV [3] and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
Exodus 6:3 NIV [3] I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself fully known to them.
Exodus 6:3 AMPC [3] I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty [El-Shaddai], but by My name the Lord [Yahweh–the redemptive name of God] I did not make Myself known to them [in acts and great miracles]. [Gen. 17:1.]
Exodus 6:3 NLT [3] I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty’—but I did not reveal my name, Yahweh, to them.
Reflection: This verse is crucial. It suggests that while the patriarchs knew God as El Shaddai (the Almighty Provider), a deeper revelation of His covenant-keeping, personal name, Yahweh (LORD), was yet to be fully experienced by Israel through the Exodus. However, it underscores that even before the full revelation of Yahweh, God's power and sufficiency were evident through El Shaddai.
Ruth 1:20-21 (Naomi's Lament): (A lament is an expression of grief, sorrow, or deep sadness)
Ruth 1:19-22 KJV [19] So they two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? [20] And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. [21] I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? [22] So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the beginning of barley harvest.
Ruth 1:19-22 ERV [19] Naomi and Ruth traveled until they came to the town of Bethlehem. When the two women entered Bethlehem, all the people were very excited. They said, “Is this Naomi?” [20] But Naomi told the people, “Don’t call me Naomi; call me Marah. Use this name because God All-Powerful has made my life very sad. [21] I had everything I wanted when I left, but now, the Lord brings me home with nothing. The Lord has made me sad, so why should you call me ‘Happy’? God All-Powerful has given much trouble to me.” [22] So Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth, the Moabite, came back from the hill country of Moab. These two women came to Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
Rut (Rut) 1:18-22 CJB [18] When Na‘omi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her. [19] So the two of them went on until they came to Beit-Lechem. When they arrived in Beit-Lechem, the whole city was stirred with excitement over them. The women asked, “Can this be Na‘omi?” [20] “Don’t call me Na‘omi [pleasant],” she answered them; “call me Marah [bitter], because Shaddai has made my life very bitter. [21] I went out full, and Adonai has brought me back empty. Why call me Na‘omi? Adonai has testified against me, Shaddai has afflicted me.” [22] This is how Na‘omi returned, with Rut the woman from Mo’av, her daughter-in-law, accompanying her from the plain of Mo’av. They arrived in Beit-Lechem at the beginning of the barley harvest.
Reflection: Naomi attributes her suffering to "Shaddai," acknowledging God's ultimate sovereignty even in difficult times. While her perspective is one of bitterness, it implicitly recognizes God's absolute power and control over all circumstances.
NOTE: The name of God, Adonai, is a significant title in the Hebrew Bible, primarily meaning "Lord" or "Master."
In Jewish tradition, Adonai is often used as a substitute for the Tetragrammaton (YHWH), God's personal and ineffable name. This practice stems from profound respect for the sacredness of God's name, to avoid taking it in vain. When Jewish readers encounter YHWH in the Hebrew text, they pronounce "Adonai" instead.
Relationship with Other Names: Adonai complements other names of God in the Bible. While "Elohim" emphasizes God's power as Creator and "YHWH" signifies His eternal and covenant nature, Adonai specifically highlights His role as the sovereign ruler and master to whom all creation is subject.
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