Theology 7: The Names and Titles of God.
Theology: Fundamentals • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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The God of the Bible is called by a number of different Names, the most common being “God,” “Lord,” and “LORD.” Through these Names, God has revealed Himself in the various aspects of His relationship to His creation. These are referred to as the “primary” Names of deity.
The God of the Bible is called by a number of different Names, the most common being “God,” “Lord,” and “LORD.” Through these Names, God has revealed Himself in the various aspects of His relationship to His creation. These are referred to as the “primary” Names of deity.
There are also a number of secondary, or descriptive compound Names used in the Word of God, such as “Almighty God,” “Everlasting,” etc. These are “appellatives” or titles of God.
There are also a number of secondary, or descriptive compound Names used in the Word of God, such as “Almighty God,” “Everlasting,” etc. These are “appellatives” or titles of God.
I. The Primary Name "GOD"
I. The Primary Name "GOD"
The Name "God" is derived from the Anglo-Saxon, "The Good," and is a translation of the Hebrew words, "El," "Elah," and "Elohim" in the Old Testament, and of the Greek word "Theos" in the New Testament.
The Name "God" is derived from the Anglo-Saxon, "The Good," and is a translation of the Hebrew words, "El," "Elah," and "Elohim" in the Old Testament, and of the Greek word "Theos" in the New Testament.
"El" literally means "Strength," thus giving the meaning of the word "God" as the "Strong One."
"El" literally means "Strength," thus giving the meaning of the word "God" as the "Strong One."
This Name is the generic Name for deity, it is a positional Name, and is used over 3,000 times in reference to God as Creator.
This Name is the generic Name for deity, it is a positional Name, and is used over 3,000 times in reference to God as Creator.
See: Genests 1:1; Psalm. 100:3; etc.
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
The most common word is "Elohim" which is in fact a combination of "El" (Strong One) and "Elah" (to swear), and literally means "Faithful, Strong One."
The most common word is "Elohim" which is in fact a combination of "El" (Strong One) and "Elah" (to swear), and literally means "Faithful, Strong One."
Hebrew scholars tell us that the word "Elohim" is "uni-plural." This means the same word is used in a singular and plural sense. This sense is accurately brought out in our English Bible in:
Hebrew scholars tell us that the word "Elohim" is "uni-plural." This means the same word is used in a singular and plural sense. This sense is accurately brought out in our English Bible in:
Genesis 1:26-plural
Genesis 1:26-plural
Genesis 1:27 - singular
Genesis 1:27 - singular
II. The Primary Name "LORD"
II. The Primary Name "LORD"
Where the Old Testament has the word "LORD" (printed in all upper case letters) it is a translation of the Hebrew word rendered "Jehovah."
Where the Old Testament has the word "LORD" (printed in all upper case letters) it is a translation of the Hebrew word rendered "Jehovah."
Where the Old Testament has the word "Lord" (printed with lower case letters) it is a translation of the Hebrew word "Adonal."
Where the Old Testament has the word "Lord" (printed with lower case letters) it is a translation of the Hebrew word "Adonal."
Where the word "Lord" appears in the New Testament it is a translation of the Greek word "kurios."
Where the word "Lord" appears in the New Testament it is a translation of the Greek word "kurios."
A. The Name "Jehovah."
A. The Name "Jehovah."
The Hebrew word actually appears as "JHWH" because Hebrew is written without vowels.
The Hebrew word actually appears as "JHWH" because Hebrew is written without vowels.
"Jehovah" is the relative Name of deity, and designates personality. It is used to indicate the special relation of deity to man, first appearing in Genesis 2:4 compounded with Elohim.
"Jehovah" is the relative Name of deity, and designates personality. It is used to indicate the special relation of deity to man, first appearing in Genesis 2:4 compounded with Elohim.
4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,
"Jehovah" is also the covenant Name of God, and, strictly speaking the only "Name" of deity.
"Jehovah" is also the covenant Name of God, and, strictly speaking the only "Name" of deity.
Whilst the name "Jehovah" is used freely in the Book of Genesis, its meaning was not revealed until Exodus 3:13,14.
Whilst the name "Jehovah" is used freely in the Book of Genesis, its meaning was not revealed until Exodus 3:13,14.
"I AM THAT I AM" is the meaning of Jehovah. In other words, Jehovah is the "self existent One," the "One without beginning or ending," the “Alpha and Omega."
"I AM THAT I AM" is the meaning of Jehovah. In other words, Jehovah is the "self existent One," the "One without beginning or ending," the “Alpha and Omega."
The word "JHWH" (often pronounced "Yah-way") comes from the Hebrew root word "hayah," which means "to become." This indicates continuous self-revelation.
The word "JHWH" (often pronounced "Yah-way") comes from the Hebrew root word "hayah," which means "to become." This indicates continuous self-revelation.
Thus we may define "Jehovah" as "The Self Existent One Who reveals Himself."
Thus we may define "Jehovah" as "The Self Existent One Who reveals Himself."
The name Jehovah appears over 1,700 times in the Old Testament. All that the Name "Jesus" means to us, "Jehovah" meant to Israel. In fact, the New Testament teaches very clearly that Jesus is Jehovah. John 8:58
The name Jehovah appears over 1,700 times in the Old Testament. All that the Name "Jesus" means to us, "Jehovah" meant to Israel. In fact, the New Testament teaches very clearly that Jesus is Jehovah. John 8:58
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
"Jesus" is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Joshua." Joshua, or “Je-hoshua" means "Jehovah-Savior."
"Jesus" is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Joshua." Joshua, or “Je-hoshua" means "Jehovah-Savior."
B. The Word "Adonai."
B. The Word "Adonai."
This is the possessive Name of Deity, denoting sovereignty, and primarily means "master."
This is the possessive Name of Deity, denoting sovereignty, and primarily means "master."
As such, it is applied also to men -e.g. Genesis 18:12; 1 Peter 3:6. This word is found over 400 times in the Old Testament.
As such, it is applied also to men -e.g. Genesis 18:12; 1 Peter 3:6. This word is found over 400 times in the Old Testament.
12 Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
C. The Word "Kurios."
C. The Word "Kurios."
The word "Lord" in the New Testament is used of God in the context of both "Lord" (Master) and "LORD" (Jehovah.)
The word "Lord" in the New Testament is used of God in the context of both "Lord" (Master) and "LORD" (Jehovah.)
Compare the following Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures to note this important point:
Compare the following Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures to note this important point:
Old Testament: Ezra 3:6,10 Joel 2:32 Exodus 3:4-10 Isaiah 40:3
New Testament Luke 1:9 Acts 2:21 Acts 7:30-34 Matthew 3:3
Old Testament: Ezra 3:6,10 Joel 2:32 Exodus 3:4-10 Isaiah 40:3
New Testament Luke 1:9 Acts 2:21 Acts 7:30-34 Matthew 3:3
III. The Relationship of the Primary Names of God to the Believer.
III. The Relationship of the Primary Names of God to the Believer.
Elohim — the One Who made me (position - Creator)
Elohim — the One Who made me (position - Creator)
Jehovah —the One Who saved me (Personality - Covenant)
Jehovah —the One Who saved me (Personality - Covenant)
Adonai — the One Who owns me (possession - Master)
Adonai — the One Who owns me (possession - Master)
IV. Compounds of the Primary Names of God.
IV. Compounds of the Primary Names of God.
There are two compound Names used in the Old Testament:
There are two compound Names used in the Old Testament:
A. LORD God - Jehovah Elohim. Genesis 2:4; Exodus 34:6
A. LORD God - Jehovah Elohim. Genesis 2:4; Exodus 34:6
4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens,
6 And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,
B. Lord God - Adonai Jehovah. Genesis 15:2
B. Lord God - Adonai Jehovah. Genesis 15:2
2 And Abram said, Lord God, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
Note that common to both these compound Names is the Name “Jehovah." In LORD God, we see the personality and relationship of the Creator. In Lord God, we see the personality and relationship of the sovereign.
Note that common to both these compound Names is the Name “Jehovah." In LORD God, we see the personality and relationship of the Creator. In Lord God, we see the personality and relationship of the sovereign.
We can have a personal relationship with the Creator and King.
We can have a personal relationship with the Creator and King.
V. THE "EL" Appellatives.
V. THE "EL" Appellatives.
There are several adjectival compounds applied to the word "Elohim," which help to emphasize certain aspects of deity.
There are several adjectival compounds applied to the word "Elohim," which help to emphasize certain aspects of deity.
A. Almighty God. See: Genesis 17:1
A. Almighty God. See: Genesis 17:1
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
This is translated from the Hebrew "El Shaddat."
This is translated from the Hebrew "El Shaddat."
The word "Shaddai" comes from the word "shad" meaning "breast," and means "breasted." Hence the term El Shaddai literally means the “Nourisher," "Strength Giver," etc.
B. The Most High God. See: Genesis 14:18.
The word "Shaddai" comes from the word "shad" meaning "breast," and means "breasted." Hence the term El Shaddai literally means the “Nourisher," "Strength Giver," etc.
B. The Most High God. See: Genesis 14:18.
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
This is translated from the Hebrew "El Elyon."
This is translated from the Hebrew "El Elyon."
The word "elyon" means "high."
C. Everlasting God. See: Genesis 21:33.
The word "elyon" means "high."
C. Everlasting God. See: Genesis 21:33.
33 And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.
This is translated from the Hebrew "El Olam." The word "olam" means "an indefinite period."
This is translated from the Hebrew "El Olam." The word "olam" means "an indefinite period."
