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-31-
The God Who Is
The Names Of God
The names of God teach us that God is a person.
Elohim
In Genesis chapter 1, in verse 1, we read, "In the beginning `Elohim' created the heaven and the earth." The name is translated as, "The Strong and Mighty One," and is used when God is to be feared.
It should also be noted that the "im" in the name "Elohim" is plural. We know from a multitude of Scripture passages that there is only one God. The use of the plural form definitely intimates the doctrine of the Trinity.
The Old Testament was written in Hebrew; the New Testament was written in Greek, and the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew name "Elohim" is "Theos," which is translated "God." As with its Hebrew counterpart, whenever the word "Theos" or "God" appears in the New Testament, He is to be feared.
El Elyon
Moses wrote of God's blessing Abraham, saying, "And he blessed him, and said, `Blessed be Abram of the most high God (El Elyon), possessor of heaven and earth: and blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.' And he gave him tithes of all" (Genesis 14:19).
God again appeared under this name in Numbers chapter 24. "He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: `I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth'" (verses 16,17).
Adonai
God is known as "Adonai," which is translated "Almighty Ruler." It is the name used to connote the fact that God judges; He rules. The New Testament equivalent is the word "kurios," which is translated "Lord." So, John wrote, "And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, `Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come'" (Revelation 4:8).
Jehovah's Witnesses tell us that nowhere in the New Testament is Jesus said to be God, yet Hesychius, an old Greek scholar, tells us that the word "kurios" comes from two Greek words: "kuro" and "tugkano," anciently translated "I, I Am." Therefore, everywhere Jesus is said to be "Lord" (note the use of the capital letter), He is being identified as God. The name means "to rule" and "to judge."
El Shaddai
Moses wrote in Genesis chapter 17, in verse 1, "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, `I am the Almighty God (El Shaddai); walk before me, and be thou perfect.'" The name "El Shaddai" is translated "Almighty God," and is used when God wishes to express the fact that He is all-sufficient. He is all we need. He is all-wise and all-mighty. Even in the work of salvation, God is sufficient. We do not need "a second work of grace."
Jehovah
The name "Jehovah" first appears in Exodus chapter 3, in verse 14: "And God said unto Moses, `I AM THAT I AM.'" The Hebrew name is "Yahweh," which appears as the name "Jehovah."
In Exodus chapter 6, verses 2 and 3, "God spake unto Moses, and said unto him, `I am the LORD (i.e. "Jehovah" —note the use of the capital letters): and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty (i.e. "El Shaddai"), but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them.'"
The name "Jehovah" is used to express the grace of God. In the next chapter we will make a study of the name.
Conclusion
There are many other names in the Bible by which God is made known. For instance, in Deuteronomy chapter 32, in verse 6, we read, "Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?" And, Isaiah prayed, "Doubtless thou art our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: thou, O LORD, art our father, our redeemer; thy name is from everlasting" (Isaiah 63:16). Here God is known as our "Father." In the New Testament, He is called "Pater" or "Father."
Even the names that God has given to Himself reveal that He is a person. Note, however, that there are people who would reduce God to one name. Some tell us the only legitimate name of God is "Jehovah." Others would have us believe He is properly known by the name "Yahweh." But the Bible begins by introducing men to God by the name "Elohim," "The Strong and Mighty One," because God is to be feared.