Divine Names of God

Divine Names of God

by: Bill Bratt

The Bible that we read in English has been translated from the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek languages. When we read the English word "God" we may not realize what Hebrew or Greek word was translated as "God". Let’s take a brief look at the Hebrew and Greek words that have been translated as the Divine Names of God.

ELOHIM

"Elohim occurs 2,700 times. Its first occurrence connects it with creation, and gives it its essential meaning as the creator." (1)

Let’s look at an example: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. {2} And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. {3} And God said, Let there be light: and there was light" (Gen 1:1-3 KJV).

JEHOVAH

"Jehovah means the Eternal, the Immutable One, He Who WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME. The Divine definition is given in Genesis 21:33."(2) You may also see this spelled Yehovah. Jehovah is translated as LORD.

Example: (Gen 21:33 KJV) "And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God."

JAH

"JAH is Jehovah in a special sense and relation. Jehovah as having BECOME our Salvation (first occ. Exodus 15:2), He Who IS, and WAS, and IS TO COME. It occurs 49 times."(3)

Example: (Exo 15:2 KJV) "THE LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him."

"EL is essentially the Almighty, though the word is never so rendered. EL is Elohim in all His strength and power. It is rendered "GOD" as Elohim is, but EL is God the Omnipotent." (4)

Example: (Psalms 57:2 KJV) "I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me."

ELOAH

"Eloah is Elohim, Who is to be worshiped. Eloah is God in connection with His Will rather than His power..... it is the title used whenever the contrast is with false gods or idols. Eloah is essentially "the living God" in contrast to inanimate idols." (5)

Example: (Deu 32:17 KJV) "They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not."

ELYON

"Elyon first occurs in Genesis 14:18 with El, and is rendered "the most High (God)". It is El and Elohim, not as the powerful Creator, but as "the possessor of heaven and earth." (6)

Example: (Gen 14:18 KJV) "And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the Most High God."

SHADDAI

"Shaddai is in every instance translated "Almighty" .... It is God (El), not as the source of strength, but of grace; not as Creator, but as the Giver. Shaddai is the All-bountiful. This title does not refer to His creative power, but to His power to supply all the needs of His people." (7)

Example: (Gen 17:1 KJV) "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."

ADON

"Adon is one of three titles (Adon, Adonai, and Adonim), all generally rendered "Lord"; but each has its own peculiar usage and association. ... (1) Adon is the Lord as Ruler in the earth. (2) Adonai is the Lord in His relation to the earth. (3) Adonim is the plural of Adon..... Adonim carries with it all that Adon does, but in a greater degree; and more especially as owner and proprietor. ....Adon is the Lord as overlord or ruler. Adonim is the Lord as owner. Adonai is the Lord as blesser." (8)

THEOS

The New Testament was written in the Greek language. "Theos corresponds, generally, with Elohim of the Old Testament, denoting the Creator; but it corresponds also with El, and Eloah. Sometimes it corresponds with Jehovah. .... 1. Theos is used in the New Testament of the Father, as the revealed God." (9) Example: (Acts 17:24 KJV) "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;"

2. Theos "is used of the Son." (10)

Example: (Mat 1:23 KJV) "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

3. Theos "is used of false gods"and is printed in lower case letters. (11)

Example: (Acts 7:43 KJV) "Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon."

KURIOS

"Kurios means "owner"... It expresses the authority and lordship arising from and pertaining to ownership." (12) This word occurs 747 times in the New Testament. Kurios is translated primarily as "Lord" and sometimes as "master" and "sir".

In Conclusion:

Hopefully this brief look at the Divine Names of God in the Hebrew and Greek can expand our knowledge of God. There is a lot of meaning behind each of these words relating to how great God is. He is the Creator. He is Eternal. He is the Most High, Almighty God who is our owner, Savior and He showers us with blessings. Let’s Praise our great God!

Footnotes: (1,2,3,4,5,6,,7,8): The Companion Bible Appendix 4,, 1969, pp. 6-7.
(9,10,11): The Companion Bible App. 98,, pp. 142.