I. The Names and Titles of God.

I. THE NAMES AND TITLES OF GOD

The name of a person, place, or thing is that by which it is known. The names of God are those by which He is known. They denote His character. Yes, the names of the Lord are those by which He is known to His people; "Save me, 0 God, by thy name" (Ps. 54: la); "They that know thy name will put their trust in thee" (Ps. 9:10).
The King James Version distinguishes the names of God by the use of printer's type. Thus, when you read in the Bible the word "God," you know that it is translated from the Hebrew word Elohim; the words "LORD," "GOD," "LORD GOD," "LORD God" are from the Hebrew word Jehovah; and the word "lord" is from the word Adonai. Each of these words, Elohim, Jehovah and Adonai, describes the character of God and of His actions toward mankind, distinguishing between the saint and the sinner.

A. Elohim. The word Elohim, which is translated as "God," is found more than twenty-three hundred times in Scripture. Yet this is not a personal name of God, but it is God's official title — what He is, God! — Elohim! The word Elohim is not only used for God, but for men ("I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High" — Ps. 82:6 with John 10:34, 35) and for idols ("Thou shalt make thee no molten gods" — Ex. 34:17). It is the title of God just as the word "president" is the title of an office. The President is the official title of the chief executive of the United States. It is not his name, but his title. And likewise, there are many kinds of presidents: of companies, missionary societies, etc. God's official name is Elohim — His office.
Elohim is a plural noun. At once we say plural means two or more. This is true in English, but not so in the Hebrew language. We have two numbers in English: singular, meaning one; plural, two or more. In the Hebrew, however, we have three numbers: singular, meaning one; dual, equaling two; plural, denoting three or more. Thus, Elohim is a plural noun — three or more. Genesis 1:1 states: "In the beginning God [three or more] created the heaven and the earth." Another suggestion of the Trinity is found in Genesis 1:26, 27: "And God [Elohim] said, "Let us make man in our image."
The literal meaning of Elohim is The Putter-forth of Power, The Strong One. And in the first chapter of Genesis, Elohim is described as putting forth His power in these ten words: created, made (fashioned), moved, said, saw, called, divided, set, ended and blessed.

No creature has power but that which God has given him. Power belongeth unto God. Man has to work for his power in all phases of life; God only has to speak, and it is done. God not only creates, but keeps what He brings forth out of nothing.
Elohim (God) has power in government. Daniel pointed this out, and Nebuchadnezzar had to experience it "that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men" (Dan. 4:17). With pride filling his heart, Nebuchadnezzar was struck with madness until he acknowledged that the Most High did rule. Then only did his reason return unto him, and he became a firm believer in this truth.
Elohim (God) has power in judgment, whether upon man or nation. When He smites, none can resist Him.
El is the singular form of Elohim. It is found two hundred and fifty times in Scripture. It is used in the proper names of men, such as Samuel (asked of God) and Elijah (Jehovah is my God).

Jehovah

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