The Divine Names and Titles of God

Whether pertaining to heroes, patriarchs, or incidental references in passing, biblical names have specific meaning and are given for a purpose. For example, Adam was created from the ground, and his name in Hebrew simply means “red earth.” Likewise, Abram’s name was changed to Abraham, meaning “a father of many nations.” Also, Jacob’s name (meaning “supplanter”) was changed to Israel (meaning “prevailer with God”).

Another account showing the importance of one’s name is found in I Samuel 25:1-44. The wife of Nabal acknowledged that her husband had lived up to his name. Interceding on his behalf for his thoughtless and merciless acts, she pleaded, “Let not my lord...regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name and folly is with him” (I Sam 25:25). The meaning of Nabal is “fool.” The context shows that, by his actions, Nabal fulfilled the meaning of his name.

In these examples, the meanings of the names were emphasized, and this is the case throughout Scripture.

God’s Names Have Meaning

More importantly, the many names of God are also filled with meaning. Shortly after the time of the Exodus, the God who thundered the Ten Commandments was known by the name “YHVH,” a Hebrew word meaning “Eternal” or “Everliving One.” Yet, today, no one knows the exact pronunciation of this name. Some insist that it must only be pronounced as “Yahvah,” while others say “Yehweh,” and still others say “Yahweh.” Due to the fact that the Hebrew written language did not retain vowels, the exact pronunciation cannot be known. (This is but one reason why it is pointless for anyone to insist on using certain “versions” of God’s spoken name.)

The same Personage who addressed Moses called Himself YHVH in Exodus 6:2: “And God spoke unto Moses, and said unto him, I am the Lord:” The capitalized name “Lord” is always used where YHVH appears in the Old Testament. This is the One through whom God the Father created the universe (Col. 1:16; Rev. 4:11) and the One who later became Jesus Christ (I Cor. 10:4; John 1:1-4).

Exodus 6:3 reveals more about the names of God: “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty…” The name translated “God Almighty” comes from the Hebrew term El-Shaddai. Note that this was the name God made known unto Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Yet, at the time of Moses, God began to reveal more. Exo 6:3 continues, “…but by My name Jehovah was I not known to them.” By a casual reading of this verse, one would conclude that “Jehovah” was another—different—revealed name of God. But a closer examination of this word leads to a different conclusion.

The name “Jehovah” in various Bible translations is a mistranslation. The same Hebrew word translated “Lord” in Exo 6:2 is mistakenly translated “Jehovah” in Exo 6:3. Both of these are YHVH and should have been translated “Lord.”

As explained in the Jewish Encyclopedia, the term “Jehovah” is said to have been the invention of Pope Leo X’s confessor, Peter Galatin. Other Catholic theologians introduced this mistranslation into most Bible transcriptions. Even the Jehovah’s Witnesses, in their translation of the Bible, acknowledge, “While inclining to view the pronunciation ‘Yahweh’ as the more correct way, we have retained the form ‘Jehovah’ because of the people’s familiarity with it since the 14th century.” Clearly, the name Jehovah is not biblical.

Another name of God is revealed in Exodus 3:13-14: “And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers has sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is His name? What shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and He said, Thus shall you say unto the children of Israel, I AM has sent me unto you.”

We saw that “I AM” comes from the Hebrew word Hayah (HYH), which means “to exist.” The name “I AM THAT I AM” carries a very profound meaning somewhat beyond the English terms used to express it. It conveys the meaning of the “Self-Existent One,” or the Who Is.”

The name I AM THAT I AM only has meaning in the language that one understands. The true God appeared to Moses and instructed him that He was, in effect, “the God who is,” as opposed to “the many gods who are not.”

A New Testament example of “I AM” is found in John 8:58: “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM.” Here, the term “I AM” means the very same thing as the term used in Exodus 3:14. Both mean “to exist” and refer to the Self-Existent One. Certainly, Christ existed before Abraham, since He was the One who created all things (Eph. 3:9).

Thirty-one times in the first chapter of Genesis, the word “God” comes from the Hebrew word Elohim. It means “mighty ones.” The singular term for Elohim is El, which means “a mighty one,” and is also translated “God.” When used with certain other Hebrew words, the term El prefixes a variety of names for God. Notice these other names of God, each emphasizing different attributes of His nature and character:

• Yahweh-Yireh—the Eternal will provide (Gen. 22:14)
• Yahweh-Ropheka—the God who heals you (Ex. 15:26)
• Yahweh-Nissi—the Eternal God my banner (Ex. 17:15)
• Yahweh-Mekaddishkem—the God who sanctifies you (Ex. 31:13)
• Yahweh-Shalom—the God of, or who sends, peace (Jud. 6:24)
• Yahweh-Sabbaoth—the Lord of hosts (I Sam. 1:3)
• Yahweh-Tsidkenu—the Eternal God our righteousness (Jer. 23:6)
• Yahweh-Shammah—the Eternal is there (Ezek. 48:35)
• Yahweh-Elyon—the Eternal God most high (Psa. 7:17)
• Yahweh-Roi—the Lord my Shepherd (Psa. 23:1)

Now you understand why it is such a terrible offence to break the Third Commandment: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Ex. 20:7). While it is impossible to know the exact way that God’s names were pronounced in Hebrew during Old Testament times, studying them helps one learn about God’s nature, and leaves him able to more fully worship God.

Glorify God’s Name

Matthew 10:33 shows the importance of not denying the name of Jesus Christ in word or action: “But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.”

Since those whom God calls must worship Him in spirit and in truth, they must not be at a loss to call upon His name: “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness” (Psa. 29:2).

God is presently known only by those He has called out of this world. But, in the world to come, God’s name will be called upon by all humanity: “All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord; and shall glorify Your name” (Psa. 86:9)!