What are the different names of God and what do they mean?  Is Jehovah the only true name of God?

"God" may be the first name that comes to mind when thinking about God, but his names throughout the Hebrew Old Testament teach us much more about his character than one name can contain.  Here is a list of many well known names of God and what they mean.

El Shaddai (Lord God Almighty) “The Mighty One of Jacob” (Genesis 49:24; Psalm 132:2,5).

El Gibhor (Mighty God) (Isaiah 9:6) – the name of Christ Jesus in the famous prophecy of the child to be born.

El Elyon (The Most High God) Deuteronomy 26:19 – the highest point to which anyone can be exaulted.

Adonai (Lord, Master)  Genesis 15:2; Judges 6:15.  Usually translated as Lord with only the first letter capitalized.

Yahweh (Lord, Jehovah) YHWH Deuteronomy 6:4; Daniel 9:14 – Usually translated as LORD with all capital letters.  “I Am who I Am” (Exodus 3:14).

Jehovah Nissi (The Lord My Banner) "The Lord Our Banner" (Exodus 17:15) as in the colors under which the army marches.

Jehovah-Raah (The Lord My Shepherd or Jehovah-Rohi: " Psalm 23:1)– David's most famous Psalm gives us the title of the ever-present Lord in our lives.

Jehovah Rapha (The Lord That Heals) Exodus 15:26 – “I am Jehovah who heals you".  God promised supernatural protection against the diseases that fell upon the Egyptians. God was called Jehovah Rapha after the bitter waters of Marah were cleaned by the tree thrown into the water.

Jehovah Shammah (The Lord Is There) Ezekiel 48:35 – Jerusalem was once the dwelling of the holy presence of God.  God abandoned the place for a while, but returned in Ezekiel 44:1-4.

Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord Our Righteousness) Jeremiah 33:16 – God is the giver of righteousness to sinful man.  Salvation through Christ is provided 100% by God without any merit or credit given to man.

Jehovah Mekoddishkem (The Lord Who Sanctifies You or makes you holy.  Leviticus 20:8; Ezekiel 37:28.

El Olam (The Everlasting God)  Psalm 90:1-3 – “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”

Elohim (God) Genesis 2:4; Psalm 59:5 – a combination of YHWH and “Lord” making him the Lord of all Lords. “Creator, Mighty and Strong” (Genesis 17:7; Jeremiah 31:33) – the plural form of Eloah, which introduces the doctrine of the trinity.

Jehovah Jireh (The Lord Will Provide) Genesis 22:14 – Abraham called God Jehovah Jireh after he provided Abraham with a ram to offer in stead of Isaac his son.

Jehovah Shalom (The Lord Is Peace) "The Lord Our Peace" (Judges 6:24) – Gideon gave the Lord this name.  

Jehovah Sabaoth (The Lord of Hosts) Isaiah 1:24; Psalm 46:7 – The leader of hosts is the commander of all living creatures.

Shad David Sluiter

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