In my last post, we highlighted a scriptural pattern in which God changed a person’s name when He came into covenant with him or her. Examples of this were Abram (Abraham), Sariah (Sarah), and Saul (Paul). A person’s name is tied to his or her destiny; indeed, every time a parent speaks out his child’s name, depending on its meaning, he’s essentially speaking out a blessing or curse over the child.

In order to know our Betrothed – to understand Who He Is, His character, and who we are in Him – it is vital to familiarize ourselves with His name. That is, we should know His many names. The names of God are appellations that He Himself has designated which reveal His character. We serve one God who consists of three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We will not explore every single name, as that in itself would create an entire book, but we will examine a few.

Here are some of the names of God (used with permission from Lambert Dolphin):

JEHOVAH:  LORD in our English Bibles (all capitals). Yahweh is the covenant name of God. It occurs 6823 times in the Old Testament; its first use is in Genesis 2:4 (Jehovah Elohim). From the verb “to be”, havah, similar to chavah (to live), “The Self-Existent One,” “I AM WHO I AM” or ‘I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE” as revealed to Moses at the burning bush, Ex.3. The name of God, too sacred to be uttered, abbreviated ( . . . . ) or written “YHWH” without vowel points.

JEHOVAH-JIREH:  “The Lord will Provide.” Gen. 22:14. From “jireh” (“to see” or “to provide,” or to “foresee” as a prophet.) God always provides, adequate when the times come.

JEHOVAH-RAPHA:  “The Lord Who Heals” Ex. 15:22-26. From “raphe” (“to heal”); implies spiritual, emotional as well as physical healing. (Jer. 30:17, 3:22; Isa. 61:1) God heals body, soul and spirit, all levels of man’s being.

JEHOVAH-NISSI:  “The Lord Our Banner.” Ex. 17:15. God on the battlefield, from word which means “to glisten,” “to lift up,” See Psalm 4:6.

JEHOVAH-M’KADDESH:    “The Lord Who Sanctifies” “To make whole, set apart for holiness.” The Lord says: “Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the Lord your God. Keep my decrees and follow them. I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” (Leviticus 20:7-8)

JEHOVAH-SHALOM:  “The Lord Our Peace” Judges 6:24. “Shalom” translated “peace” 170 times means “whole,” “finished,” “fulfilled,” “perfected.” Related to “well,” welfare.” Deut. 27:6; Dan. 5:26; I Kings 9:25 8:61; Gen. 15:16; Ex. 21:34, 22:5, 6; Lev. 7:11-21. Shalom means that kind of peace that results from being a whole person in right relationship to God and to one’s fellow man.

JEHOVAH ELOHIM:  “LORD God” Gen. 2:4; Judges 5:3; Isa. 17:6; Zeph. 2:9; Psa. 59:5, etc.

JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU “The Lord Our Righteousness” Jer. 23:5, 6, 33:16. From “tsidek” (straight, stiff, balanced – as on scales – full weight, justice, right, righteous, declared innocent.) God our Righteousness.

JEHOVAH-ROHI:  “The Lord Our Shepherd” Psa. 23, from “ro’eh” (to pasture).

JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH:   “The Lord is There” (Ezek. 48:35).

JEHOVAH-SABAOTH:   “The Lord of Hosts” The commander of the angelic host and the armies of God. Isa. 1:24; Psa. 46:7, 11; 2 Kings 3:9-12; Jer. 11:20 (NT: Rom. 9:29; James 5:4, Rev. 19: 11-16).

ABIR:  ‘Mighty One’, (“to be strong”) Gen. 49:24; Deut. 10:17; Psa. 132:2, 5; Isa. 1:24, 49:26, 60:1.

KANNA:  “Jealous” (zealous). Ex. 20:5, 34:14; Deut. 5:9; Isa. 9:7; Zech. 1:14, 8:2.

PALET:  “Deliverer” Psa. 18:2.

YESHUA:  (Yeshua) “Savior” (“he will save”). Isa. 43:3. Jesus is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “Joshua.” The latter is a contraction of Je-Hoshua. (“Christ”, the anointed one is equivalent to the Hebrew Maschiah, or Messiah).

GAOL: “Redeemer” (to buy back by paying a price). Job 19:25; For example, the antitype corresponding to Boaz the Kinsman-Redeemer in the Book of Ruth.

MAGEN:  “Shield” Psa. 3:3, 18:30.

EYALUTH:  “Strength” Psa. 22:19.

I AM: Jesus upset his generation especially when He said, “Before Abraham was, I AM,” John 8:58. Note also his claim to be Jehovah in such phrases as “I AM the Light of the world,” “the bread of life,” living water,” “the Resurrection and the Life,” “the Way, Truth and the Life” in John’s Gospel. From the Hebrew OT verb “to be” signifying a Living, Intelligent, Personal Being.

THEOTES: “Godhead” Col. 2:9; Rom. 1:20.

HUPSISTOS: “Highest” Mt. 21:9.

SOTER: (soter) “Savior” Luke 1:4 7.

WORD: (logos) John 1:1ff

ALMIGHTY: (pantokrator) 2 Cor. 6:18, Revelation, 9t, e.g. 19:6.

CHRIST: is equivalent to the Hebrew ‘Messiah’ (Meshiach), “The Anointed One.”

Other NT Titles for Jesus: Shepherd of the Sheep; Master; King of kings; Lord of lords; Bishop and Guardian of our Souls; Daystar, Deliverer, Advocate, Last (or Second) Adam, Ancient of Days, Branch, Chief Cornerstone, Immanuel, First Born, Head of the Body, Physician, Rock, Root of Jesse, Stone, Potentate; Chief Apostle; Great High Priest; Pioneer and Perfecter of our Faith (or Author and Finisher); Lamb of God; Lamb Slain before the Foundation of the World; Lord God Almighty.

I know how blessed and proud I feel when I hear someone refer to the goodness of my earthly husband. His provision, protection, and compassion are qualities that allow me and my children to flourish both as individuals and as a family. Nevertheless, even the best human being is flawed and finite. When we refer to God, however, “wonderful” isn’t just an adjective to describe Him – it is Who He Is, through and through! There is nothing in Him that is not wonderful, and He never changes from being wonderful!

Meditating on the names and titles of God are a form of worship. When we focus on His nature and what He does, our fears and failures recede, and faith takes root.  As we meditate on the names of God and His character, we’ll be dazzled. What a good, kind, pure, holy, strong, fierce, devoted, generous, magnificent, steadfast, patient, timely, tender God we serve!