Popular Names of God In Hebrew and Their Meanings

SOME HEBREW NAMES OF GOD, THEIR MEANINGS & APPLICATIONS IN OUR LIVES.

Names are so precious and reveal ones identity and character. We can see in Scripture the importance of names and their personal connection and impact on a person. God changed Abram which meant High or Exalted Father to Abraham, father of many nations or multitudes (Gen 17:5). Sarai meaning ‘my princess’ was changed to Sarah; mother of many nations (Gen. 17:15-16).

Jabez’s mother gave him this name because she bore him in pain but Jabez prayed to God so he would not cause pain (1Chronicles 4:9-10). A person’s name has an impact on how he/she behaves and most people change their names when they think it is having a negative effect in their lives.

The scriptures show how important and powerful names are and as Christians, learning the names of God should be a priority in our lives. God’s names represent His attributes and nature. His names tell us more about who he is, what He can do or be in our lives.

“LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens (Ps 8:1)”

Knowing and understanding the names of God builds our faith and affects our  attitude to praise and worship, which in turn strengthens our relationship with God.

Our inner ‘man’ also draws strength and seek refuge from the names of God in times of trials and temptations.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. (Prov. 18:10)”

If you want to know God more intimately and trust Him fully, then continue reading as we embark on a journey to explore some of the names of God our creator.

Adonai – My Lord, master (Josh. 5:14)

This refers to ownership that God alone has of man. He is Lord, the owner of our very life. He tells us what to do and provides the ability to do it. It is our choice to obey Him in life or wish we had in death.

El-Elyon – The most high God (Gen. 14:19-20, Isa 14:14)

Exalt God above all others. Above our beauty, money, position etc.

Elohim – ‘God’, all powerful and mighty God. (Ps 19:1, Gen 1:1)

God alone is powerful to go before us and show us the way in life. Put God first in your life in all things and at all times.

El-Olam – The everlasting / eternal God (Gen 21:33, Isa. 26:4, 40:28-31, Ps 90:2, 93:2)

Seek strength in Him alone to go through times of adversities. He is the Ancient of Days, Alpha and Omega, First and the Last, I AM, and the one who inhabits Eternity.

El-Roi – The God who sees (Gen. 16:13, Ps 139)

God is never caught by surprise, whatever happens in our lives, whatever we go through, wherever we will go or be, whatever we will do on this earth God sees. We cannot hide from Him so don’t try it.

El-Shaddai – God Almighty / God All Sufficient (Gen 17:1-2, 28:3, 48:3-4, 49:24-25, Mat 6:33, 2 Pet 1:3)

God nourishes, supplies, helps, satisfies and abundantly blesses us with all manner of blessings. He is all we need to have all our needs met, once we have Him we have every thing, let’s seek Him with all diligence.

Jehovah-Gmolah – The God of Recompense (Jere. 51:56, Ruth 2:12, Col 3:23-24)

God is able to restore unto us whatever we have lost when we surrender our lives to Him. He is able not only to restore us back to where you should be but also able to let us overtake those who went ahead of us as in the story of Elijah and King Ahab. Elijah (on foot) was able to outran King Ahab (on chariot) because the hand of the Lord came upon him.

Then the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

1 Kings 18:46

Jehovah-Jireh – The Lord will provide (Gen 22:13-14, Phi. 4:19, Mat 6:25-34, Ps 37:25)

Christians long for God to provide our personal and special needs (finances, job, marriage, children, etc). Jehovah-Jireh also means the Lord who will see to it that our every need is met. The one who knows all our needs because He sees all things. He is more than able to meet our needs at the right time when all hope seems lost just like He did for Abraham.

So if we will continue in faith and depend on Him and not on man or our own strength He shall surely not fail us. He is never too early or too late, always on time. When all sources of provision are lost you can trust Jehovah-Jireh to provide for you. He provided Christ as a substitute to die for our sins; while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us!

Jehovah-Maccaddeshem / M’Kaddesh – The Lord our Sanctifier (Exo 31:13)

We cannot be holy in our own eyes; it is God who sanctifies us. He passes on His holiness to us. He keeps us in His holiness and shares His character and nature with us in Christ Jesus (2 Pet 1:4). He consecrates us and sets us apart to be holy like him in this evil world. God is the refiner’s fire who refines us. We can choose to be holy, set apart for God and ready to do his will.

Jehovah-Nissi – The Lord our Banner (Exo. 17:15)

This name appeared in time of warfare. Banners or flags serves as an identification of a person, group or country. Waving or lifting them up for all to see signifies victory. Similarly lifting the name of God in any situation indicates victory over the situation. God is our mark for victory. He

wages warfare through us and on our behalf to bring Glory to His name. When we lift up our banner in joyful praise, our enemies become confused and go into hiding.  No matter the battle you find yourself in today, know that victory has already been won and you only need to stand strong and hold on to your faith till the end to enjoy the victory. Never give up, with Jehovah-Nissi on our side, victory is ours.

Jehovah-Rapha – The Lord our Healer (Exo 15:26, Isa 53:4-5, Acts 10:38)

“For I am the Lord who heals you”, “And by His stripes we are healed”. On the cross the total price for our healing was paid once and for all. Healing is not only for the sick but also those who are hurting from disappointment, unforgiveness, bondage, sin and betrayal. Ask Jehovah-Rapha to come in and heal your body, soul and mind for He is still in the healing business now as He was in bible days (Heb 13:8).

Jehovah-Sabaoth – The Lord of Hosts (1 Sam 17:45, Jos 5:13-14, Isa 6:1-3)

God is not the Lord of two or three but the Lord of HOSTS who brings heavenly power to help his own in times of trouble. This name denotes God has a multitude of servants ready and able to carry out His commands. The name also suggests that God is the Commander -and  Chief of heaven’s army. He is more than able to fight your battles when you call upon Him. Do fight alone. Request heavenly backup.

Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord is Peace (Judges 6:23-24, Jn 14:27, Mat 10:13, Phil. 4:7)

In times of trouble we need the peace of God in our spirit to know that it is well despite what the natural eye can see. When there is peace in our hearts, we can be confident that we are doing the right thing. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.

Jehovah-Shammah – the Lord is Present (Eze. 48:35, 1 Kgs 8:10-11, Heb 13:5, Deut 31:6, Ps 118:6-7)

God is always with us because He dwells within us. He is always present even when it doesn’t feel like it. He said He will never leave nor forsake us. When all seems lost and everyone deserts you, remember God is always with you. Look within yourself, your inner man and draw strength to sustain you in times of trials and temptations.

Jehovah-Tsidkenu – The Lord our Righteousness (Jere 23:5-6, 1 Pet 1:16-23, Lev 11: 44-45, 19:2, 20:7-8)

The word righteousness seems to be irrelevant in this day and time. No one can stand before God and say he/she is blameless, sinless, right or just. We have all sinned and need the righteousness of God. Without God’s righteousness our prayers will not be heard or answered (Isa 59). Don’t let sin or any form of unrighteousness rule your life, forgive those who hurt you so you will also be forgiven and your prayers will not be hindered. Accepting Jesus into your life is the first step to righteousness. The blood of Jesus washes our sins away and God no longer remembers them but only sees his righteousness in us when he looks at us. We must do all we can to maintain this righteousness as it did not come cheap.

Jehovah-Rohi – The Lord our Shepherd (Ps 23, Jn 10:11-15)

Psalm 23 is one of the most popular and loved scriptures. If we make God our shepherd He will provide us with everything that pertain to this life (food, shelter, care, protection etc) and keep us totally safe and free from life worries. He will not lose us to the enemy, He is continually watching over us and if we wander away like a lost sheep or the prodigal son, He will surely come looking for us and will welcome us back with open arms. If He gave us His life (Jn 10:4), what will He not give us if we ask according to His will.