RUN INTO & REST IN THE STRONG TOWER OF EL SHADDAI

GOD'S PAST REVELATION () GOD'S NEXT REVELATION () MAN'S RESPONSE IN LIGHT OF THE REVELATION

Abram - Age 75God gave Abram a condition and a promise. God called him to leave his country and go to a land which He would show him. This took a "leap of faith" to obey, but faith is always based on truth and Abram responded affirmatively strengthened by the truth of God's promise... I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families (Jew and Gentile) of the earth shall be blessedGenesis 15God promised Abram an heir. (God) took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your (seed - masculine singular) descendants be." Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. What did Abraham believe?He believed in the promised Seed (masculine singular) of the Messiah. He believed in the Gospel.Paul agrees writing... And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "All the nations shall be blessed in you." Paul explains... Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed (masc, sing)," that is, Christ (Messiah).Principle: OT saints were saved in the same way as NT saints - by grace through faith in the coming Messiah promised in the Gospel. They were NOT saved by good works! Genesis 16Abraham - Age 86He temporarily failed the test of faith by taking a "Hagar detour" Sarai said to Abram, "Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children through her." And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai... 4 And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived (Ishmael "a wild donkey of a man" - father of all Arabs who henceforth became the implacable enemy of Israel, which endures to our modern day) Application: Fleshly attempts to accomplish the will of God are fundamentally sins of unbelief. How many times have we struggled with the promises of God and like Abraham attempted to help Him out – we trust Him fully for our salvation but so often live our day to day life as if everything else depended on us! (See )Remember... Man's extremity is God's opportunityBeware... Man's security is Satan's opportunityGenesis 17 Age 99How does God reaffirm His promise? Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty Walk before Me, and be blameless 2 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly." God Almighty = El Shaddai (Shadday - 07706)When did God reveal Himself to Abraham? What was Abraham struggling to believe?God revealed Himself as God Almighty when Abraham was struggling to believe that God could still carry out His promise to make him a father of many nations. God's Name in this context conveys His ability to fulfill His promises. The question for us today is...Dearly beloved, offspring (seed) of Abraham () what promises of God are you struggling to believe? Recall to your mind the truth inherent in His Name, El Shaddai. Then run into the strong tower of His name and you will be safe.As you come to truly know God as El Shaddai, God Almighty, you will be enabled to lay hold of the truth of His power and His sufficiency to carry out what He has promised. Remember that Paul teaches faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. So to hear and understand the meaning of El Shaddai is to have one's faith bolstered and undergirded. Then, when fear or doubt creep in or are thrown at us like fiery missiles from the Evil One, we can take up this shield of faith (-note) based on the truth about El Shaddai.El ShaddaiFrom the etymology of Shaddai and the OT uses (see discussion below), two major ideas are associated with this Name -(1)Omnipotence(2)SufficiencyBoth these attributes of God's character have powerful applications to our lives.The idea of the sufficiency of Shaddai is brought out especially in Naomi's lament in (see notes) As an aside, why did Abram have to wait almost 25 years for God to fulfill His promise?Like many who are filled with self confidence, Abram had to be brought to the end of himself. God often does not show us his OMNIPOTENCE until he shows us our IMPOTENCE.Paul learned this same principle in , , , writing that...because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me-- to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. Is El Shaddai enough? Is He sufficient to meet my needs? Can He be trusted to fulfill His promises?As Abraham and Paul (and many other saints) learned, it is when we come to the end of ourselves and our resources, that we begin to "tap into" the sufficiency of the supply of El Shaddai, and find that it is more than adequate for all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.Remember 3 things about problems: we cannot run from them, we cannot prevent them from coming into our life and we can't always solve all of them – Yet El Shaddai can be our sufficiency for in the midst of every impossible circumstance.Are you facing a difficult or even impossible circumstance? Have you considered calling out to El Shaddai?What will it take to make you happy? Or asked another way "How much is enough"?Most of us (even sadly many believers) would answer in monetary terms. But of course we know that the answer is never in money or things or even circumstances. It is only when we come to come to know that God is enough, El Shaddai is the Sufficient One. Abram faced a faith crisis event that God used to show him that He alone was El Shaddai, the only One sufficient to fulfill His promises.Have you come to the point in your personal relationship with God that He is enough? Is He sufficient to meet all your needs? Can He be trusted to fulfill the promises of His Word?Our Response Is CommandedWalk before MeThe Hebrew verb is a reflexive command - You yourself walk. Note that walk here is not taking one step after another, but is used in a more figurative sense to picture one's behavior or daily conduct.Before Me is more literally before My face (see paniym = face - See Spurgeon on "face"). The idea is that all of our steps are ever before the face of God. This same picture is conveyed by the well known Latin phrase Coram Deo = Before the face of God. (see Mackintosh's comments)In the Septuagint (LXX), walk before is translated by the verb euaresteo (related adjective euarestos from eu = well + aresko = to please) which means to behave in a manner that causes another to be pleased. Paul uses the adjective euarestos in his well known exhortation in (note) where he calls for believers to present themselves "acceptable to God". Euaresteo is also used in the Lxx translation of (= Enoch walked with God; LXX = Enoch was well pleasing to God - , -note). (Cp same idea in "Noah was... blameless [tamiym-see below]. Noah walked with [Lxx = well pleasing to] God") (see Spurgeon's comments)Be blamelessThe Hebrew verb be is qal imperative which is also a command. ( In the Lxx be is also a command in the present tense = continually be blameless)Principle to ponder: Abram does not have license to live as he pleases. His behavior is to reflect the character of the One Who called him. Did your thoughts, words and deeds reflect this day reflect the One Who called you, dear beloved of the Father?Blameless (08549) (tamiym) means to be whole, complete, sound, perfect. The idea is one who has integrity and whose life is in accord with the truth of God's word and His righteous character (cp "Job... was blameless [tam]" - )The Greek translation (LXX) of the Hebrew adjective tamiym is translated with amemptos (273) (from a = negative + mémphomai = find fault) which means irreproachable, faultless, without defect or blemish and thus describes one in whom others are not able to find fault. Amemptos is used by Paul (-note; -note) in his giving a charge to NT believers similar to God's charge to Abraham in . (See Spurgeon's comment on "Be thou perfect")The question arises as to how Abraham (OT believer) or believers in the NT can carry out this lofty command?The answer is found in the context where Jehovah had just revealed Himself to Abraham (Abram) as El Shaddai, the God Who is omnipotent, able to do anything including able to make us walk in His sight in a manner which pleases Him and in a way which is blameless in the eyes of others.He is El Shaddai, the God Who is sufficient to meet all of our needs so that we might be pleasing and perfect.We can accomplish neither of these lofty goals by self effort but only by "Shaddai dependence", continually leaning on the everlasting arms of the One we have come to know and trust as El Shaddai - Who Alone can empower us to walk worthy of the calling to which we have been called. We cannot live this supernatural life in our strength, but God can live it in and through us as we learn to rely on Him as our El Shaddai, for as the song (play) says...Age to age You're still the same, by the power of Your the Name. El Shaddai. El Shaddai... We will praise and lift You high, El Shaddai.Have you come to the point in your life as a believer where you recognize your inadequacy and impotence to live the "Christ life"? If we choose to obey His command to walk before Him (well pleasing) and be blameless, we shall come to know intimately and experientially the omnipotence and sufficiency of His Name El Shaddai. The timeless principle that obedience leads to greater knowledge is seen in Jesus' words..."If any man is willing to do His (God's) will (walk before Him and be blameless), he shall know (ginosko - knowing that goes beyond mere facts, and is even used to describe the intimate knowing of a husband and wife) of the teaching (the stabilizing truths inherent in His Name El Shaddai)...." ()Perhaps you don't intimately know God as your El Shaddai because you have hesitated to give Him your whole hearted obedience. Would you not be willing to say "not my will be done but Thine" and reap the wonderful reward of really knowing El Shaddai as your Omnipotent, Sufficient God even today?Read the testimony of the psalmist who quotes God...Because He has loved Me, therefore I will deliver (Lxx = rhuomai) him. I will set him securely on high (sagab = same word as "safe" [07682] in -note), because he has known (not just the facts but intimately, experientially) My Name. (-note)And David wrote that...And those who know (not just the facts but intimately, experientially know) Thy Name will put their trust in Thee, for Thou, O LORD, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee. (-note) Spurgeon comments on the two preceding psalms...(-note) I will set him on high, because he hath known My Name. The man has known the attributes of God so as to trust in Him, and then by experience has arrived at a yet deeper knowledge, this shall be regarded by the Lord as a pledge of His grace, and He will set the owner of it above danger or fear, where he shall dwell in peace and joy. None abide in intimate fellowship with God unless they possess a warm affection towards God, and an intelligent trust in Him; these gifts of grace are precious in Jehovah's eyes, and wherever He sees them He smiles upon them. How elevated is the standing which the Lord gives to the believer. We ought to covet it right earnestly. If we climb on high it may be dangerous, but if God sets us there it is glorious. (-note) Ignorance is worst when it amounts to ignorance of God, and knowledge is best when it exercises itself upon the name of God. This most excellent knowledge leads to the most excellent grace of faith. O, to learn more of the attributes and character of God. Unbelief, that hooting night bird, cannot live in the light of divine knowledge, it flies before the sun of God's great and gracious Name. If we read this verse literally, there is, no doubt, a glorious fulness of assurance in the Names of God. (See Summary Chart on Names of God)...By knowing His name is also meant an experimental (experiencing) acquaintance with the attributes of God (see Spurgeon's comments on the Attributes of God), which are every one of them anchors to hold the soul from drifting in seasons of peril. The Lord may hide His face for a season from His people, but He never has utterly, finally, really, or angrily forsaken them that seek Him. Let the poor seekers draw comfort from this fact, and let the finders rejoice yet more exceedingly, for what must be the Lord's faithfulness to those who find, if He is so gracious to those who seek.><>><>><>See also...Shaddai - (see notes)MUSIC THAT HONORS EL SHADDAI, GOD ALMIGHTYEL SHADDAI the great classic written by Michael Card and sung by Amy GrantAlmighty God by Tim HughesHoly Is The Lord God Almighty - Chris TomlinAlmighty God by Jesse WilsonAlmighty God by Wayne WatsonMighty to Save by Hillson

Remember that God's Names always reveal an aspect or attribute of His character and witness to an awareness of God’s presence and help in various ways. Notice how this revelation occurs progressively in the Genesis...

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Elohim — My Creator

Why does God say we were created?

Isaiah 43:7 KJV 1900

7 Even every one that is called by my name: For I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Everyone who is called by My name and whom I have created for My glory

Each person is created by God with and for a purpose.

We need to accept ourselves as creations of God, each of whom has the privileged purpose to bring Him glory

Ephesians 2:10 KJV 1900

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

What does Paul say about us when we are "re-created" (regenerated, born again)?

(note) teaches that believers are now His workmanship (poiema - "masterpiece") created in Christ for good works

Ephesians 2:10 KJV 1900

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Matthew 5:16 KJV 1900

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

What association do good works have with the glory of God?

Jesus exhorts His hearers to "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify (give a proper opinion) of your Father Who is in heaven" (See note )

Matthew 5:16 KJV 1900

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Have you accepted the fact that Elohim is your Creator?

Do you believe that He has a purpose for your life?

Do you understand that the way to bring glory to let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and give Him glory?

Am I fulfilling the purpose for which Elohim created me? Does the way I live give a proper opinion of my Elohim?

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After Abram had rescued Lot, God spoke to Abram in a vision...

Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you. Your reward shall be very great"' ()

Genesis 15:1 KJV 1900

1 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Abram proceeds to suggest that Eliezer would be the heir but immediately God confirms that the heir will be his own seed...

And He took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be"

()

Genesis 15:5 KJV 1900

5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. ()

Genesis 15:6 KJV 1900

6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

After God initiated and carried out the "walk of death" between the dead animals, Moses records...

On that day the LORD made (cut) a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land..." (N.B. This promise is not to the church but Abraham, Isaac and Jacob [Covenant Abrahamic vs Mosaic] - to national Israel - it will be consummated in the Millennium)...because He is El Shaddai - God Almighty, Pantokrator, Omnipotent and Sufficient). ()

Genesis 15:18 KJV 1900

18 In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

, ,

Genesis 14:18 KJV 1900

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

Genesis 14:19 KJV 1900

19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

Genesis 14:20 KJV 1900

20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

El Elyon — God Most High

Sovereign Over All (see notes - El Elyon)

Sovereignty reminds us that God is in control regardless of appearances. Here God reveals Himself to Abram as God Most High, the possessor of heaven and earth (see )

Nothing happens without El Elyon's permission

Will I accept my circumstances as allowed by God, understanding that everything is orchestrated not by chance but by an omnipotent God Who seeks to bring about my highest good (-note)?

Romans 8:28 KJV 1900

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

If we come to know God as El Elyon, it should germinate an attitude of gratitude so that we are enabled by the Spirit to truly give thanks In everything (-note), cp -note, -note)

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV 1900

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Hebrews 13:15 KJV 1900

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

James 1:2 KJV 1900

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

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El Roi — God Who Sees (see notes)

Genesis 16:13–14 KJV 1900

13 And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? 14 Wherefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.

Abram takes a "faith detour" and agrees with Sarai that Hagar can bear his child but Ishmael is the child of the flesh not of promise. Then Sarai tells Abram to cast Hagar out, which is when God revealed Himself as El Roi.

The Living God saw Hagar's plight. The same God sees our plight today and is concerned with our circumstances.

El Elyon allows people and circumstances into our lives but El Roi sees and is aware of what is transpiring, a truth which should strengthen us

Let us learn to live in the presence of the living God Who sees all. (See C H Spurgeon's comments)

As an aside, we might all be tempted to judge Abram for his "faith detour" in , but don't we all have similar struggles? Sure we have trusted in Christ alone for our eternal salvation but then we go out and live our day to day Christian life as though everything depended on us! We all need to learn the secret of daily yielding ourselves to Him, allowing His Spirit to live the supernatural Christ life that alone brings glory to His Name (cp -note).

Romans 12:1 KJV 1900

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Paul addressed a similar "faith detour" in the Galatian church asking...

Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (; )

Galatians 3:2 KJV 1900

2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:3 KJV 1900

3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

In Abraham learned the secret of surrender of his will to the will of his God, El Shaddai, Who is mighty and sufficient to bring about the fulfillment of His promises in His perfect timing. May we all learn from Abram's example, and choose to submit to our El Shaddai, in every area of our life, that He might bring forth His supernatural promises, including not just spiritual life, but life abundant in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

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In summary we observe that thus far in Genesis, God has revealed Himself as

Elohim El Elyon El Roi

Now He will reveal Himself to Abraham as..

El Shaddai

Principle to ponder - Remember that one way to get to know God better is to pay attention to His names. However, it is one thing to know God’s name and quite something else to trust that name and allow God to work in the difficult situations of life (-note)

GOD'S NEXT REVELATION ()

El Shaddai is better known to most Christians from contemporary music (lyrics and melody) than from the Scriptures!

Abraham's Life Provides Context for Abram - Age 75

God gave Abram a condition and a promise. God called him to leave his country and go to a land which He would show him. This took a "leap of faith" to obey, but faith is always based on truth and Abram responded affirmatively strengthened by the truth of God's promise...

I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families (Jew and Gentile) of the earth shall be blessed

God promised Abram an heir.

(God) took him outside and said, "Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them." And He said to him, "So shall your (seed - masculine singular) descendants be." Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15:5 KJV 1900

5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

Genesis 15:6 KJV 1900

6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

What did Abraham believe?

He believed in the promised Seed (masculine singular) of the Messiah. He believed in the Gospel.

Paul agrees writing...

And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "All the nations shall be blessed in you."

Galatians 3:8 KJV 1900

8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Paul explains...

Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as referring to many, but rather to one, "And to your seed (masc, sing)," that is, Christ (Messiah).

Galatians 3:16 KJV 1900

16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

Principle: OT saints were saved in the same way as NT saints - by grace through faith in the coming Messiah promised in the Gospel. They were NOT saved by good works!

Abraham - Age 86

He temporarily failed the test of faith by taking a "Hagar detour"

Sarai said to Abram, "Now behold, the LORD has prevented me from bearing children. Please go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children through her." And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai... 4 And he went in to Hagar, and she conceived (Ishmael "a wild donkey of a man" - father of all Arabs who henceforth became the implacable enemy of Israel, which endures to our modern day)

Genesis 16:2 KJV 1900

2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

Application: Fleshly attempts to accomplish the will of God are fundamentally sins of unbelief. How many times have we struggled with the promises of God and like Abraham attempted to help Him out – we trust Him fully for our salvation but so often live our day to day life as if everything else depended on us! (See )

Galatians 3:3 KJV 1900

3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Remember... Man's extremity is God's opportunity

Beware... Man's security is Satan's opportunity

Age 99

How does God reaffirm His promise?

Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty Walk before Me, and be blameless 2 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you, And I will multiply you exceedingly."

Genesis 17:1 KJV 1900

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.

God Almighty = El Shaddai (Shadday - 07706)

When did God reveal Himself to Abraham? What was Abraham struggling to believe?

God revealed Himself as God Almighty when Abraham was struggling to believe that God could still carry out His promise to make him a father of many nations. God's Name in this context conveys His ability to fulfill His promises. The question for us today is...

Dearly beloved, offspring (seed) of Abraham () what promises of God are you struggling to believe? Recall to your mind the truth inherent in His Name, El Shaddai. Then run into the strong tower of His name and you will be safe.

Galatians 3:29 KJV 1900

29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

As you come to truly know God as El Shaddai, God Almighty, you will be enabled to lay hold of the truth of His power and His sufficiency to carry out what He has promised. Remember that Paul teaches faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. So to hear and understand the meaning of El Shaddai is to have one's faith bolstered and undergirded. Then, when fear or doubt creep in or are thrown at us like fiery missiles from the Evil One, we can take up this shield of faith (-note) based on the truth about El Shaddai.

Ephesians 6:16 KJV 1900

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

El Shaddai

From the etymology of Shaddai and the OT uses (see discussion below), two major ideas are associated with this Name -

(1)Omnipotence

(2)Sufficiency

Both these attributes of God's character have powerful applications to our lives.

The idea of the sufficiency of Shaddai is brought out especially in Naomi's lament in (see notes)

As an aside, why did Abram have to wait almost 25 years for God to fulfill His promise?

Like many who are filled with self confidence, Abram had to be brought to the end of himself.

God often does not show us his OMNIPOTENCE until he shows us our IMPOTENCE.

Paul learned this same principle in , , , writing that...

2 Corinthians 12:7 KJV 1900

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

2 Corinthians 12:8 KJV 1900

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV 1900

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV 1900

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me-- to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Is El Shaddai enough? Is He sufficient to meet my needs? Can He be trusted to fulfill His promises?

As Abraham and Paul (and many other saints) learned, it is when we come to the end of ourselves and our resources, that we begin to "tap into" the sufficiency of the supply of El Shaddai, and find that it is more than adequate for all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

Remember 3 things about problems: we cannot run from them, we cannot prevent them from coming into our life and we can't always solve all of them – Yet El Shaddai can be our sufficiency for in the midst of every impossible circumstance.

Are you facing a difficult or even impossible circumstance? Have you considered calling out to El Shaddai?

What will it take to make you happy? Or asked another way "How much is enough"?

Most of us (even sadly many believers) would answer in monetary terms. But of course we know that the answer is never in money or things or even circumstances. It is only when we come to come to know that God is enough, El Shaddai is the Sufficient One. Abram faced a faith crisis event that God used to show him that He alone was El Shaddai, the only One sufficient to fulfill His promises.

Have you come to the point in your personal relationship with God that He is enough? Is He sufficient to meet all your needs? Can He be trusted to fulfill the promises of His Word?

MAN'S RESPONSE IN LIGHT OF THE REVELATION

Our Response Is Commanded

Walk before Me

The Hebrew verb is a reflexive command - You yourself walk. Note that walk here is not taking one step after another, but is used in a more figurative sense to picture one's behavior or daily conduct.

Before Me is more literally before My face (see paniym = face - See Spurgeon on "face").

The idea is that all of our steps are ever before the face of God. This same picture is conveyed by the well known Latin phrase Coram Deo = Before the face of God. (see Mackintosh's comments)

In the Septuagint (LXX), walk before is translated by the verb euaresteo (related adjective euarestos from eu = well + aresko = to please) which means to behave in a manner that causes another to be pleased.

Paul uses the adjective euarestos in his well known exhortation in (note) where he calls for believers to present themselves "acceptable to God".

Romans 12:1 KJV 1900

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Euaresteo is also used in the Lxx translation of (= Enoch walked with God; LXX = Enoch was well pleasing to God - , -note).

Genesis 5:22 KJV 1900

22 And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters:

Hebrews 11:5 KJV 1900

5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Hebrews 11:6 KJV 1900

6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

(Cp same idea in "Noah was... blameless [tamiym-see below].

Genesis 6:9 KJV 1900

9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

Noah walked with [Lxx = well pleasing to] God") (see Spurgeon's comments)

Be blameless

The Hebrew verb be is qal imperative which is also a command. ( In the Lxx be is also a command in the present tense = continually be blameless)

Principle to ponder: Abram does not have license to live as he pleases. His behavior is to reflect the character of the One Who called him. Did your thoughts, words and deeds reflect this day reflect the One Who called you, dear beloved of the Father?

Blameless (08549) (tamiym) means to be whole, complete, sound, perfect. The idea is one who has integrity and whose life is in accord with the truth of God's word and His righteous character (cp "Job... was blameless [tam]" - )

Job 1:1 KJV 1900

1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

The Greek translation (LXX) of the Hebrew adjective tamiym is translated with amemptos (273) (from a = negative + mémphomai = find fault) which means irreproachable, faultless, without defect or blemish and thus describes one in whom others are not able to find fault. Amemptos is used by Paul (-note; -note) in his giving a charge to NT believers similar to God's charge to Abraham in . (See Spurgeon's comment on "Be thou perfect")

Philippians 2:15 KJV 1900

15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

1 Thessalonians 3:13 KJV 1900

13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.

The question arises as to how Abraham (OT believer) or believers in the NT can carry out this lofty command?

The answer is found in the context where Jehovah had just revealed Himself to Abraham (Abram) as El Shaddai, the God Who is omnipotent, able to do anything including able to make us walk in His sight in a manner which pleases Him and in a way which is blameless in the eyes of others.

He is El Shaddai, the God Who is sufficient to meet all of our needs so that we might be pleasing and perfect.

We can accomplish neither of these lofty goals by self effort but only by "Shaddai dependence", continually leaning on the everlasting arms of the One we have come to know and trust as El Shaddai - Who Alone can empower us to walk worthy of the calling to which we have been called. We cannot live this supernatural life in our strength, but God can live it in and through us as we learn to rely on Him as our El Shaddai, for as the song (play) says...

Age to age You're still the same, by the power of Your the Name. El Shaddai. El Shaddai... We will praise and lift You high, El Shaddai.

Have you come to the point in your life as a believer where you recognize your inadequacy and impotence to live the "Christ life"?

If we choose to obey His command to walk before Him (well pleasing) and be blameless, we shall come to know intimately and experientially the omnipotence and sufficiency of His Name El Shaddai. The timeless principle that obedience leads to greater knowledge is seen in Jesus' words...

"If any man is willing to do His (God's) will (walk before Him and be blameless), he shall know (ginosko - knowing that goes beyond mere facts, and is even used to describe the intimate knowing of a husband and wife) of the teaching (the stabilizing truths inherent in His Name El Shaddai)...." ()

John 7:17 KJV 1900

17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

Perhaps you don't intimately know God as your El Shaddai because you have hesitated to give Him your whole hearted obedience. Would you not be willing to say "not my will be done but Thine" and reap the wonderful reward of really knowing El Shaddai as your Omnipotent, Sufficient God even today?

Read the testimony of the psalmist who quotes God...

Because He has loved Me, therefore I will deliver (Lxx = rhuomai) him. I will set him securely on high (sagab = same word as "safe" [07682] in -note), because he has known (not just the facts but intimately, experientially) My Name. (-note)

Proverbs 18:10 KJV 1900

10 The name of the Lord is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Psalm 91:14 KJV 1900

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

And David wrote that...

And those who know (not just the facts but intimately, experientially know) Thy Name will put their trust in Thee, for Thou, O LORD, hast not forsaken those who seek Thee. (-note)

Psalm 9:10 KJV 1900

10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: For thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Spurgeon comments on the two preceding psalms...

(-note) I will set him on high, because he hath known My Name. The man has known the attributes of God so as to trust in Him, and then by experience has arrived at a yet deeper knowledge, this shall be regarded by the Lord as a pledge of His grace, and He will set the owner of it above danger or fear, where he shall dwell in peace and joy. None abide in intimate fellowship with God unless they possess a warm affection towards God, and an intelligent trust in Him; these gifts of grace are precious in Jehovah's eyes, and wherever He sees them He smiles upon them. How elevated is the standing which the Lord gives to the believer. We ought to covet it right earnestly. If we climb on high it may be dangerous, but if God sets us there it is glorious.

(-note) Ignorance is worst when it amounts to ignorance of God, and knowledge is best when it exercises itself upon the name of God. This most excellent knowledge leads to the most excellent grace of faith. O, to learn more of the attributes and character of God. Unbelief, that hooting night bird, cannot live in the light of divine knowledge, it flies before the sun of God's great and gracious Name. If we read this verse literally, there is, no doubt, a glorious fulness of assurance in the Names of God. (See Summary Chart on Names of God)...By knowing His name is also meant an experimental (experiencing) acquaintance with the attributes of God (see Spurgeon's comments on the Attributes of God), which are every one of them anchors to hold the soul from drifting in seasons of peril. The Lord may hide His face for a season from His people, but He never has utterly, finally, really, or angrily forsaken them that seek Him. Let the poor seekers draw comfort from this fact, and let the finders rejoice yet more exceedingly, for what must be the Lord's faithfulness to those who find, if He is so gracious to those who seek.

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Shaddai - (see notes)

MUSIC THAT HONORS EL SHADDAI, GOD ALMIGHTY

EL SHADDAI the great classic written by Michael Card and sung by Amy Grant

Almighty God by Tim Hughes

Holy Is The Lord God Almighty - Chris Tomlin

Almighty God by Jesse Wilson

Almighty God by Wayne Watson

Mighty to Save by Hillsong

Genesis

Chapter 17

17:1 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.

Almighty God "Almighty God" (Heb. El Shaddai)

(1) The etymological signification of Almighty God (El Shaddai) is both interesting and touching. God (El) signifies the "Strong One" (See Scofield "") .

Genesis 1:1 KJV 1900

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

The qualifying word Shaddai is formed from the Hebrew word "shad," the breast, invariably used in Scripture for a woman's breast; e.g. ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; . Shaddai therefore means primarily "the breasted." God is "Shaddai," because He is the Nourisher, the Strength-giver, and so, in a secondary sense, the Satisfier, who pours himself into believing lives. As a fretful, unsatisfied babe is not only strengthened and nourished from the mother's breast, but also is quieted, rested, satisfied, so El Shaddai is that name of God which sets Him forth as the Strength-giver and Satisfier of His people. It is on every account to be regretted that "Shaddai" was translated "Almighty." The primary name El or Elohim sufficiently signifies almightiness. "All-sufficient" would far better express both the Hebrew meaning and the characteristic use of the name in Scripture.

Genesis 49:25 KJV 1900

25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; And by the Almighty, who shall bless thee With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lieth under, Blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:

Job 3:12 KJV 1900

12 Why did the knees prevent me? Or why the breasts that I should suck?

Psalm 22:9 KJV 1900

9 But thou art he that took me out of the womb: Thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother’s breasts.

Song of Solomon 1:13 KJV 1900

13 A bundle of myrrh is my wellbeloved unto me; He shall lie all night betwixt my breasts.

Song of Solomon 4:5 KJV 1900

5 Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins, Which feed among the lilies.

Song of Solomon 7:3 KJV 1900

3 Thy two breasts are like two young roes that are twins.

Song of Solomon 7:7 KJV 1900

7 This thy stature is like to a palm tree, And thy breasts to clusters of grapes.

Song of Solomon 7:8 KJV 1900

8 I said, I will go up to the palm tree, I will take hold of the boughs thereof: Now also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine, And the smell of thy nose like apples;

Song of Solomon 8:1 KJV 1900

1 O that thou wert as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! When I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; Yea, I should not be despised.

Song of Solomon 8:8 KJV 1900

8 We have a little sister, and she hath no breasts: What shall we do for our sister in the day when she shall be spoken for?

Song of Solomon 8:10 KJV 1900

10 I am a wall, and my breasts like towers: Then was I in his eyes as one that found favour.

Isaiah 28:9 KJV 1900

9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, And drawn from the breasts.

Ezekiel 16:7 KJV 1900

7 I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou art come to excellent ornaments: thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown, whereas thou wast naked and bare.

(2) Almighty God (El Shaddai) not only enriches, but makes fruitful.

This is nowhere better illustrated than in the first occurrence of the name . To a man ninety-nine years of age, and "as good as dead" . He said: "I am the Almighty God El Shaddai . . . I will . . . multiply thee exceedingly." To the same purport is the use of the name in .

Genesis 17:1–8 KJV 1900

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. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Hebrews 11:12 KJV 1900

12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

Genesis 28:3 KJV 1900

3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;

Genesis 28:4 KJV 1900

4 And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.

(3) As Giver of fruitfulness, Almighty God (El Shaddai) chastens His people.

For the moral connection of chastening with fruit bearing, see ; ; . Hence, Almighty is the characteristic name of God in Job, occurring thirty-one times in that book. The hand of El Shaddai falls upon Job, the best man of his time, not in judgment, but in purifying unto greater fruitfulness . See, for other names of Deity:

John 15:2 KJV 1900

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Hebrews 12:10 KJV 1900

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Ruth 1:20 KJV 1900

20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

Job 5:17–25 KJV 1900

17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: 18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and his hands make whole. 19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: Yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee. 20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: And in war from the power of the sword. 21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: Neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh. 22 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: Neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. 23 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: And the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee. 24 And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; And thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin. 25 Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, And thine offspring as the grass of the earth.

(See Scofield "") See Scofield " " See Scofield " " See Scofield " " See Scofield " " See Scofield " "

Genesis 1:1 KJV 1900

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Genesis 2:4 KJV 1900

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,

Genesis 2:7 KJV 1900

7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Genesis 14:18 KJV 1900

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

Genesis 15:2 KJV 1900

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?

Genesis 21:33 KJV 1900

33 And Abraham planted a grove in Beer-sheba, and called there on the name of the Lord, the everlasting God.

1 Samuel 1:3 KJV 1900

3 And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the Lord of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the Lord, were there.

Notes on El ShaddaiShaddai (07706) (Shadday) means Almighty, most powerful.

As alluded to in the preceding table and elaborated on in more detail in the following notes,

the Name Shaddai conveys the truth on the one hand that He is omnipotent and on the other that He is sufficient.

El Shaddai = God Almighty the ever-present God who protects and provides, presents Himself as the One who makes a covenant with a human being named Abraham.

There are 48 OT uses of Shaddai (see below) and in every use the reference is to God. Approximately one third of these uses of Shaddai are translated in the LXX by the Greek word pantokrator (see below).

Lest we become too dogmatic in our interpretation of the etymological derivation of Shaddai, Davison makes a cogent point noting that...The exact origin, history, and etymology of the name (Shaddai) are highly debated.

Traditionally, it has been connected to Hebrew šādad, “deal mightily with,” but the verb actually has the connotation “deal violently.” Other scholars associate it with Assyrian šadu, “mountain” or “high,” thus rendering the Hebrew as “High God” or “God of the Mountains.”

The usual English translation, “Almighty,” derives from the rendering of the Hebrew in the LXX (Ed note: See pantokrator below) and Vulgate (Ed note: E.g., = "ego Deus omnipotens")., which was a free translation of what was by then an obscure term.

Genesis 17:1 KJV 1900

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.

(Eerdman's Dictionary of the Bible)There are some authorities (most notably Nathan Stone - see note) (or see notes below) who feel that the Hebrew Shaddai is derived from the Hebrew word shad which means breast (an etymology also made popular by the Scofield Reference Bible).

If this is valid, it in turn suggests that Shaddai might signify the one who nourishes or supplies. El Shaddai then would be the one who is able to pour out His promises of provision and power in abundance.

Those who hold to this interpretation call attention to where we read of Joseph (as Jacob is preparing to die)...But his bow remained firm, and his arms were agile, from the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob (From there is the Shepherd, the Stone of Israel), from the God ('El) of your father who helps you (cp notes Jehovah Ezer - LORD our Helper), and by the Almighty (Shaddai) who blesses you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts (Hebrew = shad) and of the womb.

(, )In this passage note that it is 'El Who gives strength to the arms, and it is the Almighty or Shaddai Who brings the blessings of the breast and the womb, including the blessing of the promised seed from the line of Abraham.

Genesis 49:24 KJV 1900

24 But his bow abode in strength, And the arms of his hands were made strong By the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (From thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)

Genesis 49:25 KJV 1900

25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; And by the Almighty, who shall bless thee With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lieth under, Blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:

Nevertheless while the meaning of Shaddai as the God Who nourishes and Who blesses the breasts and the womb is certainly a possible derivation, many commentators do not favor this etymology.John Davis in Grace Journal (Volume 4) writes that...The basic understanding of the conservative view is that the name “El Shaddai” is of divine, not natural origin.

The name, it is asserted, was revealed by God, and not conceived by man. While all conservative scholars agree on this basic principle, there is little agreement as to the etymology and significance of this name in relation to the patriarchs.

There are four basic views in this regard.

The first view is that Shaddai comes from the root šādad (shadad) “to be strong” or “powerful.”

This view seems to be the more popular. The emphasis, therefore, in respect to the patriarchs, is that of God’s power and strength. Oehler favors this view in his Theology of the Old Testament.

The second view of the name Shaddai is that its root is šādad (shadad) “to destroy” or “to terrify.” This view is held by Mack.

The third view maintains that Shaddai comes from a compound word (from še (šer) and day which in Hebrew means “sufficiency.”

For a statement of this view compare John Calvin.

The fourth, and not too well accepted view is that proposed by the Scofield Bible. This view contends that the name comes from šad which has primary reference to the female breast.

The name, therefore, signified nourishment and strength to the Patriarchs.

Wayne House writes that El Shaddai means"The God of Strength" Probably related to the word “Mountain” and suggests the power or strength of God.

This name also emphasizes God’s covenant keeping nature ()... Some feel Shaddai is derived from a root that refers to a mother’s breast, sustaining a newborn infant. If so, it conveys love, tenderness, mercy, all that a mother is to a dependent newborn, God is to his children... Job chastened by God.

Genesis 17:1 KJV 1900

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.

God often corrects His own to make them fruitful. Used this way in the book of times. Job was a “perfect” man. God wanted to refine him still more, make him even more fruitful. And by the end of the book, God had given to Job more than he had to begin with.

(H. Wayne House: Charts of Christian Theology and Doctrine, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992)

Louis Berkhof (Systematic Theology) points out that whereas God as El Shaddai is indeed presented as the all-powerful One who overpowers nature, the name, where it occurs in the Bible, does not present God as an object of fear or terror, but rather as a source of blessing and comfort.

The NET Bible has a good summary of Shaddai noting that...Heb “Shaddai”; traditionally “the Almighty.” The etymology and meaning of this divine name is uncertain but its significance is clear. It may be derived from:

(1) Shadad, “to be strong”, cognate to Arabic sdd, meaning “The Strong One” or “Almighty”;

(2) Shadah, “mountain”, cognate to Akkadian shadu, meaning “The Mountain Dweller” or “God of the Mountains”;

(3) Shadad, “to devastate” and shad, “destroyer”, Akkadian Shedum, meaning “The Destroyer” or “The Malevolent One”; or

(4) She “who” plus diy, “sufficient”, meaning “The One Who is Sufficient” or “All-Sufficient One” (HALOT 1420-22‎).In terms of use, Shaddai (or El Shaddai) is presented as the sovereign king/judge of the world Who grants life/blesses and kills/judges.

In Genesis He blesses the patriarchs with fertility and promises numerous descendants.Outside Genesis He blesses/protects and also takes away life/happiness. In () in light of Naomi's emphasis on God's sovereign, malevolent deprivation of her family, one can understand her use of this name for God.

Ruth 1:20 KJV 1900

20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

Wiersbe writes that...Hebrew scholars traditionally have interpreted El-Shaddai to mean “God Almighty” or “God All-Sufficient,” relating it to the Hebrew word for “breast.”

Thus He is the God who nourishes and provides, who sustains and enables. Recent studies have suggested “the God of the mountain” (strength, stability) or “God my destroyer” (power against the enemy).

(Wiersbe, W. W. Be Authentic. An Old Testament Study. Victor Pub)

Below are all 48 uses of Shaddai in Scripture.

Observe that 31 uses occur in Job where 16 of these uses are translated in the Septuagint with the Greek word pantokrator and 3 uses are translated with the Greek adjective hikanos [word study] which means sufficient, adequate, enough, able, competent, qualified.

In summary, when one compares the way Shaddai is translated in the Septuagint , two main ideas emerge...

SHADDAI

All powerful All sufficient

All sufficient

Genesis 17:1 Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am God Almighty; Walk before Me, and be blameless. (Isaac called Jacob and blessed him saying) "And may God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples.

Genesis 28:3 KJV 1900

3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;

Comment: Note that El Shaddai is found in passages such as this one that report God’s promises of fertility, land, and abundance to those in covenant with Him, indicating that He, the Almighty Omnipotent One, could fulfill those promises. Then God appeared to Jacob again when he came from Paddan-aram, and He blessed him.10 And God said to him, "Your name is Jacob; You shall no longer be called Jacob, But Israel shall be your name." Thus He called him Israel.

Genesis 35:9 KJV 1900

9 And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padan-aram, and blessed him.

God also said to him, "I am God Almighty (El Shaddai); Be fruitful and multiply; A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, And kings shall come forth from you. (Here again as with Abram's name change to Abraham when El Shaddai reaffirmed the covenant, He changes Jacob's name to Israel and reaffirms the promises made to Abraham and Isaac). 12 "And the land which I gave to Abraham and Isaac, I will give it to you, And I will give the land to your descendants after you."

Genesis 35:11 KJV 1900

11 And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;

Comment: Note that the land is not given to the church but to Jacob. The church is never called Jacob in Scripture.

The promises are for a literal land, and El Shaddai has all power and sufficiency to fulfill these covenant promises, which He will bring to consummation in the book of the Revelation, where the God is repeatedly referred to as "The Almighty" (ho pantokrator), the very name that the LXX uses repeatedly to translate Shaddai in the book of Job.

El Shaddai affirms the promises of the Land of Israel to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and fulfills the promise some 4000+ years later following the after the Great Tribulation or time of Jacob's trouble .

when Messiah returns as the King of kings to establish His Millennial Kingdom (click for schematic picture of this kingdom) in which He rules for 1000 years.13 Then God went up from him in the place where He had spoken with him. 14 And Jacob set up a pillar in the place where He had spoken with him, a pillar of stone, and he poured out a libation on it; he also poured oil on it. 15 So Jacob named the place where God had spoken with him, Bethel.

Comment: Establishing a memorial (stone and name of place) was a common component of covenant in the OT, in this case memorializing the affirmation of the covenant originally cut with his grandfather Abraham

(Jacob to his sons preparing to return to Joseph in Egypt) and may God Almighty (the One Who is powerful and sufficient to) grant you compassion in the sight of the man, that he may release to you your other brother and Benjamin.

Genesis 43:14 KJV 1900

14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

And as for me, if I am bereaved of my children, I am bereaved." 15 So the men took this present, and they took double the money in their hand, and Benjamin; then they arose and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph.

Comment: What is the context? There is a famine in the land of promise, but Jacob knows that there is no famine in the name El Shaddai.

Jacob realizing that they must have grain, commits his sons to the covenant care of God Almighty, the One Who is sufficient for every emergency! In Him there is never any lack.

Do you know Him as Shaddai, not just in your head but in your heart? Have you found Him sufficient for every need? Or perhaps we need to ask have you been willing to trust Him to meet your every need?

Then Jacob said to Joseph, "God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, 4 and He (El Shaddai reaffirmed the covenant with Abraham and Isaac) said to me, 'Behold, I will make you fruitful and numerous, and I will make you a company of peoples, and will give this land to your descendants after you for an everlasting possession.'

Genesis 48:3 KJV 1900

3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,

Comment: The Land belongs to Israel. They are back in the Land in unbelief but in the Millennium all Israel will be saved and occupy the Land promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

From the God of your father Who helps you (see related name Jehovah Ezer: The LORD our Helper), and by the Almighty Who blesses you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb. 26 The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of my ancestors up to the utmost bound of the everlasting hills. May they be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers.

Genesis 49:25 KJV 1900

25 Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; And by the Almighty, who shall bless thee With blessings of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that lieth under, Blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:

and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I did not make Myself known to them.

Exodus 6:3 KJV 1900

3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

The oracle of him who hears the words of God, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered, The oracle of him who hears the words of God, And knows the knowledge of the Most High, Who sees the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, yet having his eyes uncovered.

Numbers 24:4 KJV 1900

4 He hath said, which heard the words of God, Which saw the vision of the Almighty, Falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

Numbers 24:16 KJV 1900

16 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:

Comment: Observe that Balaam used three different names for God: El, Elyon (Most High), and Shaddai (Almighty).

He had a head knowledge of Israel’s God but not a heart relationship with Him. It is one thing to know God’s name and quite something else to trust that name and allow God to work in one's heart ()

Psalm 9:10 KJV 1900

10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: For thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

(note) And she said to them, "Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty (Shaddai) has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 "I went out full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has witnessed against me and the Almighty (Shaddai) has afflicted me?

Ruth 1:20 KJV 1900

20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

" "Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

Job 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

(Lxx = pantokrator) "For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; Their poison my spirit drinks; The terrors of God are arrayed against me.

Job 6:4 KJV 1900

4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, The poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: The terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.

"For the despairing man there should be kindness from his friend; Lest he forsake the fear of the Almighty.

Job 6:14 KJV 1900

14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; But he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

"Does God pervert justice Or does the Almighty pervert what is right?

Job 8:3 KJV 1900

3 Doth God pervert judgment? Or doth the Almighty pervert justice?

"If you would seek God And implore the compassion of the Almighty (Lxx = pantokrator)

Job 8:5 KJV 1900

5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, And make thy supplication to the Almighty;

"Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty (Lxx = pantokrator)?

Job 11:7 KJV 1900

7 Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

"But I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to argue with God. Because he has stretched out his hand against God, And conducts himself arrogantly against the Almighty (Lxx = pantokrator).

Job 13:3 KJV 1900

3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, And I desire to reason with God.

Job 15:25 KJV 1900

25 For he stretcheth out his hand against God, And strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.

'Who is the Almighty (Lxx = hikanos = sufficient, adequate, enough, able, competent, qualified), that we should serve Him, And what would we gain if we entreat Him?' "Let his own eyes see his decay, And let him drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

Job 21:15 KJV 1900

15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

Job 21:20 KJV 1900

20 His eyes shall see his destruction, And he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

"Is there any pleasure to the Almighty if you are righteous, Or profit if you make your ways perfect? "They said to God, 'Depart from us!'

Job 22:3 KJV 1900

3 Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? Or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?

Job 22:17 KJV 1900

17 Which said unto God, Depart from us: And what can the Almighty do for them?

And 'What can the Almighty (Lxx = pantokrator) do to them?' "If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored; If you remove unrighteousness far from your tent,

Job 22:23 KJV 1900

23 If thou return to the Almighty, thou shalt be built up, Thou shalt put away iniquity far from thy tabernacles.

Job 22:25 KJV 1900

25 Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, And thou shalt have plenty of silver.

Then the Almighty (Lxx = pantokrator) will be your gold And choice silver to you. "For then you will delight in the Almighty, and lift up your face to God. "It is God who has made my heart faint,

Job 22:26 KJV 1900

26 For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, And shalt lift up thy face unto God.

Job 23:16 KJV 1900

16 For God maketh my heart soft, And the Almighty troubleth me:

And the Almighty (Lxx = pantokrator) who has dismayed me,

"Why are times not stored up by the Almighty, And why do those who know Him not see His days? "As God lives, who has taken away my right,

Job 24:1 KJV 1900

1 Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, Do they that know him not see his days?

Job 27:2 KJV 1900

2 As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; And the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;

And the Almighty (Lxx = pantokrator), who has embittered my soul,

(Comment: Compare this statement by Job with that of Naomi in ,. Remember that this is not a sin nor is he blaming God, for Scripture itself testifies "Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God."

Ruth 1:20 KJV 1900

20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

Ruth 1:21 KJV 1900

21 I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?

). "Will he take delight in the Almighty, Will he call on God at all times? 11 "I will instruct you in the power of God; What is with the Almighty (Lxx = pantokrator) I will not conceal.

Job 1:22 KJV 1900

22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

Job 27:10 KJV 1900

10 Will he delight himself in the Almighty? Will he always call upon God?

"This is the portion of a wicked man from God, And the inheritance which tyrants receive from the Almighty (Lxx = pantokrator). When the Almighty was yet with me, And my children were around me; "And what is the portion of God from above Or the heritage of the Almighty (Lxx = hikanos = sufficient, adequate, enough, able, competent, qualified) from on high?

Job 27:13 KJV 1900

13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, And the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.

Job 29:5 KJV 1900

5 When the Almighty was yet with me, When my children were about me;

Job 31:2 KJV 1900

2 For what portion of God is there from above? And what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?

"Oh that I had one to hear me! Behold, here is my signature;

Job 31:35 KJV 1900

35 Oh that one would hear me! Behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, And that mine adversary had written a book.

Let the Almighty answer me! And the indictment which my adversary has written, "But it is a spirit in man,

Job 32:8 KJV 1900

8 But there is a spirit in man: And the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

And the breath of the Almighty (Lxx = pantokrator) gives them understanding. "The Spirit of God has made me,

Job 33:4 KJV 1900

4 The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

And the breath of the Almighty (Lxx = pantokrator) gives me life. "Therefore, listen to me, you men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wickedness,

Job 34:10 KJV 1900

10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

And from the Almighty (Lxx = pantokrator) to do wrong. "Surely, God will not act wickedly,

Job 34:12 KJV 1900

12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

And the Almighty (Lxx = pantokrator) will not pervert justice. "Surely God will not listen to an empty cry,

Job 35:13 KJV 1900

13 Surely God will not hear vanity, Neither will the Almighty regard it.

Nor will the Almighty (Lxx = pantokrator) regard it. "

Job 37:23 KJV 1900

23 Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, And in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict.

The Almighty-- we cannot find Him; He is exalted in power; And He will not do violence to justice and abundant righteousness.

"Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty (Lxx = hikanos = sufficient, adequate, enough, able, competent, qualified)? Let him who reproves God answer it." (see note)

Job 40:2 KJV 1900

2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it.

Psalm 68:14 KJV 1900

14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, It was white as snow in Salmon.

When the Almighty scattered the kings there, It was snowing in Zalmon.

Psalm 91:1 KJV 1900

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

(see note) He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High (El Elyon) will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

Comment: The names of God used in these verses encourage us to trust Him. Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near! It will come as destruction from the Almighty.Amplified Version renders it "Wail, for the day of the Lord is at hand; as destruction from the Almighty and Sufficient One [Shaddai] will it come! [.]

Isaiah 13:6 KJV 1900

6 Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; It shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Genesis 17:1 KJV 1900

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.

I also heard the sound of their wings like the sound of abundant waters as they went, like the voice of the Almighty, a sound of tumult like the sound of an army camp; whenever they stood still, they dropped their wings.

Ezekiel 1:24 KJV 1900

24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.

Moreover, the sound of the wings of the cherubim was heard as far as the outer court, like the voice of God Almighty (more literally "God - the mighty One") when He speaks.

Ezekiel 10:5 KJV 1900

5 And the sound of the cherubims’ wings was heard even to the outer court, as the voice of the Almighty God when he speaketh.

Alas for the day! For the Day of the LORD is near, And it will come as destruction from the Almighty.

Joel 1:15 KJV 1900

15 Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, And as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

Comment: Note the two uses in Isaiah and Joel in the context of the Day of the LORD, the day of Jehovah's wrath, which comes to fruition in the book of the Revelation where we see God designated as the Almighty (pantokrator).

He is able to complete the work He began when He cut the covenant initially with Abram.

Where are the majority of OT uses of Shaddai?

Why?

Clearly the majority of uses are in the book of Job, in the context of a man who is suffering severely and being tempted to doubt the goodness, fairness and justice of God.

Vine comments....How futile are our own schemes for bettering ourselves!

How constant and ready are the provisions of our great El Shaddai!

R C Sproul commenting on El Shaddai writes that...When God revealed himself by this name to the patriarchs in Genesis he focused on his power, revealing himself as the God who makes and keeps his promises.

It was a name that demanded faith in what was coming but not yet; the God behind the promise was sufficient for now, even if the fulfillment of the promises could not be seen... God makes promises, and God is mighty to perform them. God is strong enough to accomplish everything He has said He will do. He has the power to fulfil every promise He has made to His people. Isn't this where our faith tends to fail? (Sproul, R. Vol. 3: Before the Face of God)

Although I generally respect Oswald Chambers, albeit find him a bit "mystical" at times, I was shocked to find the following comment of his that makes mention of El Shaddai.

I pray you too will be shocked by his aberrant theology...Jesus Christ is the last Adam in this sense, viz.: that He reveals the characteristics of El-Shaddai, the Father-Mother God, all vested in the unique manifestation of the Incarnation.

(Chambers, O. Conformed to His image) (Ed note: One wonders if Chambers was not led to write this description because of a belief that Shaddai is from shad, Hebrew for breast.

In any event, El Shaddai is unequivocably NOT "the Father-Mother God"! Chamber's quote makes the point that we must constantly be Bereans [-note], taking all of men's writings [including the one's you are currently reading!] back to the plumbline of God's inerrant Word of Truth.)

Tyndale Bible Dictionary has an excellent summary of the origin and meaning of Shaddai writing...In these passages the combined ideas of God as the all-powerful, all-sufficient, transcendent, sovereign ruler and disposer are present.

This meaning is generally accepted, but there are differences as to the exact meaning of the term Shaddai. Some have begun with shad as the first concept to be considered; its meaning is “breast, pap, or teat,” and it is considered a “precious metaphor” of the God who nourishes, supplies, and satisfies.

The root of shad (shadah), in Semitic usage, is to moisten.

This meaning is not the preferred one in the context of which ’El Shaddai appears; nor is shed (demon), which some scholars have sought to use because it appears in and -note speaking of Israel’s idolatry.

Deuteronomy 32:17 KJV 1900

17 They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; To gods whom they knew not, To new gods that came newly up, Whom your fathers feared not.

Psalm 106:37 KJV 1900

37 Yea, they sacrificed their sons And their daughters unto devils,

In addition to the fact that shed is spelled differently, the connection between the concept of demon and God as all-powerful is difficult to establish.

More acceptable is the suggestion that Shaddai is a composite term of sha (“the one who”) and dai (“is sufficient”).

The later Greek versions have adopted this meaning. The most preferred explanation is that Shaddai is derived from the verb shadad (“to overpower, to deal violently, or to devastate”).

A clear connection between shadad and Shaddai is said to be found in and .

Isaiah 13:6 KJV 1900

6 Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; It shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Joel 1:15 KJV 1900

15 Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, And as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

God as ’El Shaddai is presented as the all-powerful One, totally self-sufficient, absolute ruler, and the One who can and does make final disposition.

The Septuagint has adapted this meaning; it translates ’El Shaddai as Pantokrator, the “All-Ruler” or “Sovereign One.” (Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. Tyndale Bible Dictionary.

Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers)><>><>><>BDAG writes that "God's name is almost equivalent to God's being" which emphasizes how important it is that we understand the meaning of His names as best we can.Almighty (3841) (pantokrator from pás = all + kratos = strength or might, especially manifested power, the power to rule or control) is literally the ruler over all or the One Who controls all things and Who has power over everything.

The One in total control! Pantokrator thus describes God’s sovereign, omnipotent, irresistible power.

Note that Vine gives the derivation of pantokrator as from pas = all + krateo = to hold or to have strength.Tony Garland writes that "The Almighty" [ho pantokrator] is derived from ho panton kraton which means the One Who holds all. (-note) Krateo which means to hold or cling to is derived from kratos and gives the picture of being in the grip of Him in Whose hand are all things.

Revelation 1:8 KJV 1900

8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

God is the Almighty One, the One Who has His hand in everything and on everything! If believers are in the hands of a God like that (and they are), nothing can pluck them away. Dear saint, perhaps you need to ponder and assimilate this truth about God, the Almighty, the Pantokrator, in Whose hands you are eternally sustained and secure.

My times are in thy hand: I’ll always trust in thee; And, after death, at thy right hand I shall for ever be.

As discussed below pantokrator is used most often to translate "of hosts" in "LORD of hosts" (Jehovah Sabaoth), but it used frequently in Job to translate the Almighty (Shadday).Pantokrator is used only of God, indicating that He is omnipotent (omni = all), universally sovereign.

The Ruler of all things. The All-Powerful. The Omnipotent (One). Pantokrator is He Who holds sway over all things and the Ruler of all. It speaks of His supremacy over all things.In light of the fact that 9/10 NT uses of Pantokrator are in The Revelation, clearly Pantokrator is the characteristic title for God in the book which records the consummation of God's victory over sin and the evil one Satan and His awesome control over all the universe and all history.

In this final chapter of God's plan of the ages, God brings to consummation His initial covenant promises made and affirmed to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as He revealed Himself to them as El Shaddai some 4000+ years earlier in the book of beginnings, Genesis (see ; ; ; ; ).

Genesis 17:1 KJV 1900

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.

Genesis 28:3 KJV 1900

3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;

Genesis 35:9 KJV 1900

9 And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padan-aram, and blessed him.

Genesis 48:3 KJV 1900

3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,

Exodus 6:3 KJV 1900

3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

Although, El Shaddai is not translated (in the Septuagint) with Pantokrator in these 6 uses in Genesis or in , it is nevertheless notable that the Name El Shaddai by which God first revealed Himself to the patriarchs is related to the same Name, Pantokrator, by which He brings to final fulfillment the covenant promises made to the patriarchs! God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Exodus 6:3 KJV 1900

3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

The Names El Shaddai and Pantokrator undergird the assurance every believer should have that He is able to fulfill every one of His promises, so that "not one word of all the good words which Jehovah spoke has failed" ()Richards adds that...Pantokrator signifies the unmatched greatness of God, who has power over all humankind and every competing authority (, , -see notes ; ; ).

Joshua 23:14 KJV 1900

14 And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: and ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.

Ephesians 1:19 KJV 1900

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Ephesians 1:20 KJV 1900

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 1:21 KJV 1900

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Ephesians 1:19 KJV 1900

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

Ephesians 1:20 KJV 1900

20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,

Ephesians 1:21 KJV 1900

21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Occurrences of this word predominate (9 of the 10 uses) in Revelation.

There they pick up the OT theme of God's final, decisive intervention in history, when He acts to destroy this world's kingdoms and to establish His own (Ed note: Thus fulfilling His covenant promises to the the patriarchs and the Nation of Israel, which is not the church but the actual nation that will be composed of 100% believing Jews at the return of the Messiah, when as Paul states "all Israel will be saved" - see note ).

Romans 11:26 KJV 1900

26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:

As the Almighty, God makes promises to people and commits his own power to see these promises carried out. This God is ever-present, hovering over history and free to act within it, even though his authority may be unacknowledged by those who do his will.

Ultimately, he will undertake a great, final intervention. Then every competing power will be visibly crushed, and God's hidden authority will be overwhelmingly visible.

When this happens, the irresistible power that makes God almighty will be known and acknowledged by all (cf. , , -notes ; ; ; -note).

Philippians 2:9 KJV 1900

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Philippians 2:10 KJV 1900

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Philippians 2:11 KJV 1900

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9 KJV 1900

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Philippians 2:10 KJV 1900

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Philippians 2:11 KJV 1900

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 19:6 KJV 1900

6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

(Richards, L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency) (Bolding added)As noted below, the Septuagint (LXX) adopts pantokrator for two Hebrew descriptions of God, Sabaoth (hosts) and Shadday (Shaddai).NIDNTT writes that...It is also striking that the LXX renders the divine Shadday not only by pantokrator, the Almighty, but also, quite often, by ho hikanos.

(Ed note: "the Sufficient One")...The Hebrew consonants were divided into two groups, vocalized to make the relative se and day, and then read as follows: Yahweh, “Who is sufficient (of Himself)”, the Almighty (, -note; ; ; ; ).

Ruth 1:20 KJV 1900

20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

Ruth 1:21 KJV 1900

21 I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?

Job 21:15 KJV 1900

15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?

Job 31:2 KJV 1900

2 For what portion of God is there from above? And what inheritance of the Almighty from on high?

Job 40:2 KJV 1900

2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it.

Ezekiel 1:24 KJV 1900

24 And when they went, I heard the noise of their wings, like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty, the voice of speech, as the noise of an host: when they stood, they let down their wings.

As Shadday, Yahweh has not to conform to some external standard or to some ideal (this would have been the same as the Greek concept of moira, fate, to whom even the gods were subject); rather He Himself sets the standard for Himself and hence also for His creation. (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan)

There are far more uses (142) of pantokrator in the Septuagint (LXX) (; , , ; , ; ; , ; ; ; ; ; ; , ; ; , , ; ; ; , ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; , ; ; ; ; ; , ; ; ; ; , , , , ; , ; ; ; ; ; ; , , , , ; , , , , , ; , , , , , , , ; , , ; , , ; , ; ; , ; , , , ; , , , , , , , , , ; , ; ; ; , ; ; , , , ; , , , , , , ; , , , , , ; , , , , , , , ; , ) and the first use translates the last part of the name "the LORD of hosts" (see study Jehovah Sabaoth, LORD of hosts or of armies) as for example "Lord (kurios) Almighty (pantokrator)" in . Pantokrator is used far more often to translate "of hosts" (tsaba = 06635) (in "LORD of hosts") than "Shadday" "Behold, how happy (blessed - Lxx = makarios [word study]) is the man whom God reproves (Lxx = elegcho), so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.

2 Samuel 5:10 KJV 1900

10 And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.

2 Samuel 7:8 KJV 1900

8 Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:

2 Samuel 7:25 KJV 1900

25 And now, O Lord God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.

2 Samuel 7:27 KJV 1900

27 For thou, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.

1 Kings 19:10 KJV 1900

10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

1 Kings 19:14 KJV 1900

14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

1 Chronicles 11:9 KJV 1900

9 So David waxed greater and greater: for the Lord of hosts was with him.

1 Chronicles 17:7 KJV 1900

7 Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

1 Chronicles 17:24 KJV 1900

24 Let it even be established, that thy name may be magnified for ever, saying, The Lord of hosts is the God of Israel, even a God to Israel: and let the house of David thy servant be established before thee.

1 Chronicles 29:12 KJV 1900

12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

Job 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

Job 8:5 KJV 1900

5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, And make thy supplication to the Almighty;

Job 11:7 KJV 1900

7 Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?

Job 15:25 KJV 1900

25 For he stretcheth out his hand against God, And strengtheneth himself against the Almighty.

Job 22:17 KJV 1900

17 Which said unto God, Depart from us: And what can the Almighty do for them?

Job 22:25 KJV 1900

25 Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, And thou shalt have plenty of silver.

Job 23:16 KJV 1900

16 For God maketh my heart soft, And the Almighty troubleth me:

Job 27:2 KJV 1900

2 As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; And the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;

Job 27:11 KJV 1900

11 I will teach you by the hand of God: That which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.

Job 27:13 KJV 1900

13 This is the portion of a wicked man with God, And the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the Almighty.

Job 32:8 KJV 1900

8 But there is a spirit in man: And the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding.

Job 33:4 KJV 1900

4 The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.

Job 34:10 KJV 1900

10 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

Job 34:12 KJV 1900

12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, Neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.

Job 35:13 KJV 1900

13 Surely God will not hear vanity, Neither will the Almighty regard it.

Job 37:22 KJV 1900

22 Fair weather cometh out of the north: With God is terrible majesty.

Jeremiah 3:19 KJV 1900

19 But I said, How shall I put thee among the children, and give thee a pleasant land, a goodly heritage of the hosts of nations? and I said, Thou shalt call me, My father; and shalt not turn away from me.

Jeremiah 5:14 KJV 1900

14 Wherefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

Jeremiah 15:16 KJV 1900

16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.

Jeremiah 23:16 KJV 1900

16 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.

Jeremiah 25:27 KJV 1900

27 Therefore thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Drink ye, and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword which I will send among you.

Jeremiah 31:35 KJV 1900

35 Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, And the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, Which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name:

Jeremiah 32:14 KJV 1900

14 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Take these evidences, this evidence of the purchase, both which is sealed, and this evidence which is open; and put them in an earthen vessel, that they may continue many days.

Jeremiah 32:18 KJV 1900

18 Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the Lord of hosts, is his name,

Jeremiah 33:11 KJV 1900

11 The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the Lord of hosts: for the Lord is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the Lord.

Jeremiah 44:7 KJV 1900

7 Therefore now thus saith the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; Wherefore commit ye this great evil against your souls, to cut off from you man and woman, child and suckling, out of Judah, to leave you none to remain;

Jeremiah 49:18 KJV 1900

18 As in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah And the neighbour cities thereof, saith the Lord, No man shall abide there, Neither shall a son of man dwell in it.

Jeremiah 50:34 KJV 1900

34 Their Redeemer is strong; The Lord of hosts is his name: He shall throughly plead their cause, That he may give rest to the land, And disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.

Jeremiah 51:5 KJV 1900

5 For Israel hath not been forsaken, Nor Judah of his God, of the Lord of hosts; Though their land was filled with sin Against the Holy One of Israel.

Jeremiah 51:57 KJV 1900

57 And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise men, Her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: And they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, Saith the King, whose name is the Lord of hosts.

Hosea 12:5 KJV 1900

5 Even the Lord God of hosts; the Lord is his memorial.

Amos 3:13 KJV 1900

13 Hear ye, and testify in the house of Jacob, Saith the Lord God, the God of hosts,

Amos 4:13 KJV 1900

13 For, lo, he that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, And declareth unto man what is his thought, That maketh the morning darkness, And treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The Lord, The God of hosts, is his name.

Amos 5:8 KJV 1900

8 Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, And turneth the shadow of death into the morning, And maketh the day dark with night: That calleth for the waters of the sea, And poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is his name:

Amos 5:14 KJV 1900

14 Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: And so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken.

Amos 5:15 KJV 1900

15 Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: It may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.

Amos 5:16 KJV 1900

16 Therefore the Lord, the God of hosts, the Lord, saith thus; Wailing shall be in all streets; And they shall say in all the highways, Alas! alas! And they shall call the husbandman to mourning, And such as are skilful of lamentation to wailing.

Amos 5:27 KJV 1900

27 Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, Saith the Lord, whose name is The God of hosts.

Amos 9:5f KJV 1900

5 And the Lord God of hosts is he that toucheth the land, and it shall melt, And all that dwell therein shall mourn: And it shall rise up wholly like a flood; And shall be drowned, as by the flood of Egypt. 6 It is he that buildeth his stories in the heaven, And hath founded his troop in the earth; He that calleth for the waters of the sea, And poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The Lord is his name.

Amos 9:15 KJV 1900

15 And I will plant them upon their land, And they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, Saith the Lord thy God.

Micah 4:4 KJV 1900

4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; And none shall make them afraid: For the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it.

Nahum 2:13 KJV 1900

13 Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord of hosts, And I will burn her chariots in the smoke, And the sword shall devour thy young lions: And I will cut off thy prey from the earth, And the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.

Nahum 3:5 KJV 1900

5 Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord of hosts; And I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, And I will shew the nations thy nakedness, And the kingdoms thy shame.

Habakkuk 2:13 KJV 1900

13 Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts That the people shall labour in the very fire, And the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?

Zephaniah 2:10 KJV 1900

10 This shall they have for their pride, Because they have reproached and magnified themselves against the people of the Lord of hosts.

Haggai 1:2 KJV 1900

2 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.

Haggai 1:5 KJV 1900

5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.

Haggai 1:7 KJV 1900

7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.

Haggai 1:9 KJV 1900

9 Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; And when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, And ye run every man unto his own house.

Haggai 1:14 KJV 1900

14 And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the Lord of hosts, their God,

Haggai 2:4 KJV 1900

4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; And be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; And be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: For I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts:

Haggai 2:6 KJV 1900

6 For thus saith the Lord of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, And I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;

Haggai 2:7 KJV 1900

7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: And I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts.

Haggai 2:8 KJV 1900

8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.

Haggai 2:11 KJV 1900

11 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

Haggai 2:23 KJV 1900

23 In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, Will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, And will make thee as a signet: For I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah 1:3 KJV 1900

3 Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, And I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah 1:4 KJV 1900

4 Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: But they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the Lord.

Zechariah 1:6 KJV 1900

6 But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, Did they not take hold of your fathers? And they returned and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, According to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

Zechariah 1:12 KJV 1900

12 Then the angel of the Lord answered and said, O Lord of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years?

Zechariah 1:13 KJV 1900

13 And the Lord answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words.

Zechariah 1:14 KJV 1900

14 So the angel that communed with me said unto me, Cry thou, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I am jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy.

Zechariah 1:16 KJV 1900

16 Therefore thus saith the Lord; I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: My house shall be built in it, saith the Lord of hosts, And a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.

Zechariah 1:17 KJV 1900

17 Cry yet, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts; My cities through prosperity shall yet be spread abroad; And the Lord shall yet comfort Zion, And shall yet choose Jerusalem.

Zechariah 2:8 KJV 1900

8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: For he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.

Zechariah 2:9 KJV 1900

9 For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, And they shall be a spoil to their servants: And ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me.

Zechariah 2:11 KJV 1900

11 And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, And shall be my people: And I will dwell in the midst of thee, And thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

Zechariah 3:7 KJV 1900

7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, Then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, And I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.

Zechariah 3:9 KJV 1900

9 For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; Upon one stone shall be seven eyes: Behold, I will engrave the graving thereof, saith the Lord of hosts, And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.

Zechariah 3:10 KJV 1900

10 In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, Shall ye call every man his neighbour Under the vine and under the fig tree.

Zechariah 4:6 KJV 1900

6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, Saith the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah 4:9 KJV 1900

9 The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; His hands shall also finish it; And thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you.

Zechariah 5:4 KJV 1900

4 I will bring it forth, saith the Lord of hosts, And it shall enter into the house of the thief, And into the house of him that sweareth falsely by my name: And it shall remain in the midst of his house, And shall consume it with the timber thereof and the stones thereof.

Zechariah 6:12 KJV 1900

12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; And he shall grow up out of his place, And he shall build the temple of the Lord:

Zechariah 6:15 KJV 1900

15 And they that are far off shall come and build in the temple of the Lord, and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto you. And this shall come to pass, if ye will diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God.

Zechariah 7:3 KJV 1900

3 And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the Lord of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years?

Zechariah 7:9 KJV 1900

9 Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, And shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother:

Zechariah 7:12 KJV 1900

12 Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, And the words which the Lord of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: Therefore came a great wrath from the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah 7:13 KJV 1900

13 Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; So they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts:

Zechariah 8:1 KJV 1900

1 Again the word of the Lord of hosts came to me, saying,

Zechariah 8:2 KJV 1900

2 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great jealousy, And I was jealous for her with great fury.

Zechariah 8:3 KJV 1900

3 Thus saith the Lord; I am returned unto Zion, And will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: And Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; And the mountain of the Lord of hosts the holy mountain.

Zechariah 8:6f KJV 1900

6 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If it be marvellous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, Should it also be marvellous in mine eyes? saith the Lord of hosts. 7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, And from the west country;

Zechariah 8:9 KJV 1900

9 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the Lord of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

Zechariah 8:11 KJV 1900

11 But now I will not be unto the residue of this people as in the former days, saith the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah 8:14 KJV 1900

14 For thus saith the Lord of hosts; As I thought to punish you, when your fathers provoked me to wrath, saith the Lord of hosts, and I repented not:

Zechariah 8:17 KJV 1900

17 And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord.

Zechariah 8:18 KJV 1900

18 And the word of the Lord of hosts came unto me, saying,

Zechariah 8:19 KJV 1900

19 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.

Zechariah 9:14 KJV 1900

14 And the Lord shall be seen over them, And his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: And the Lord God shall blow the trumpet, And shall go with whirlwinds of the south.

Zechariah 9:15 KJV 1900

15 The Lord of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, And subdue with sling stones; And they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; And they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar.

Zechariah 10:3 KJV 1900

3 Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, And I punished the goats: For the Lord of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, And hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.

Zechariah 11:4 KJV 1900

4 Thus saith the Lord my God; Feed the flock of the slaughter;

Zechariah 12:4 KJV 1900

4 In that day, saith the Lord, I will smite every horse with astonishment, and his rider with madness: And I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, And will smite every horse of the people with blindness.

Zechariah 12:5 KJV 1900

5 And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength In the Lord of hosts their God.

Zechariah 13:7 KJV 1900

7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, Saith the Lord of hosts: Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: And I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

Zechariah 14:16 KJV 1900

16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations Which came against Jerusalem Shall even go up from year to year To worship the King, the Lord of hosts, And to keep the feast of tabernacles.

Zechariah 14:17 KJV 1900

17 And it shall be, that whoso will not come up Of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem To worship the King, the Lord of hosts, Even upon them shall be no rain.

Zechariah 14:20 KJV 1900

20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; And the pots in the Lord’s house shall be like the bowls before the altar.

Zechariah 14:21 KJV 1900

21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the Lord of hosts: And all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: And in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 1:4 KJV 1900

4 Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, But we will return and build the desolate places; Thus saith the Lord of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; And they shall call them, The border of wickedness, And, The people against whom the Lord hath indignation for ever.

Malachi 1:6 KJV 1900

6 A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: If then I be a father, where is mine honour? And if I be a master, where is my fear? Saith the Lord of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

Malachi 1:8 KJV 1900

8 And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? And if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it now unto thy governor; Will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 1:9 KJV 1900

9 And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: This hath been by your means: Will he regard your persons? saith the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 1:10 KJV 1900

10 Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? Neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts, Neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

Malachi 1:13 KJV 1900

13 Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! And ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; And ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; Thus ye brought an offering: Should I accept this of your hand? saith the Lord.

Malachi 1:14 KJV 1900

14 But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, And voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: For I am a great King, saith the Lord of hosts, And my name is dreadful among the heathen.

Malachi 2:2 KJV 1900

2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, To give glory unto my name, saith the Lord of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: Yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

Malachi 2:4 KJV 1900

4 And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, That my covenant might be with Levi, saith the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 2:7 KJV 1900

7 For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, And they should seek the law at his mouth: For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 2:8 KJV 1900

8 But ye are departed out of the way; Ye have caused many to stumble at the law; Ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 2:12 KJV 1900

12 The Lord will cut off the man that doeth this, the master and the scholar, Out of the tabernacles of Jacob, And him that offereth an offering unto the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 2:16 KJV 1900

16 For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: For one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: Therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

Malachi 3:1 KJV 1900

1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, Even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: Behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:5 KJV 1900

5 And I will come near to you to judgment; And I will be a swift witness Against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, And against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, The widow, and the fatherless, And that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, Saith the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:7 KJV 1900

7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Malachi 3:10 KJV 1900

10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be meat in mine house, And prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, If I will not open you the windows of heaven, And pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

Malachi 3:11 KJV 1900

11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, And he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; Neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:12 KJV 1900

12 And all nations shall call you blessed: For ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 3:14 KJV 1900

14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: And what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, And that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?

Malachi 3:17 KJV 1900

17 And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, In that day when I make up my jewels; And I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

Malachi 4:1 KJV 1900

1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; And all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: And the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, That it shall leave them neither root nor branch.

Malachi 4:3 KJV 1900

3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet In the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.

2 Samuel 5:10 KJV 1900

10 And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him.

Job 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

(Hebrew = Shadday; Lxx = Pantokrator) (This author's life verse) Thy words were found and I ate them, and Thy words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Thy name, O LORD God of hosts (Lxx = pantokrator > "O Lord Almighty").

Jeremiah 15:16 KJV 1900

16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.

Pantokrator is used 10 times in the NT... "And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me," Says the Lord Almighty.

2 Corinthians 6:18 KJV 1900

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

(note) "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Revelation 1:8 KJV 1900

8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

(Comment: Tony Garland writes that "The Almighty" [ho pantokrator] is derived from ho panton kraton which means the One Who holds all and is a reference to God's sovereignty and might as well as His command of powerful forces.)

(note) And the four living creatures, each one of them having six wings, are full of eyes around and within; and day and night they do not cease to say, "Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come.

Revelation 4:8 KJV 1900

8 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.

" (note) saying, "We give Thee thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who art and who wast, because Thou hast taken Thy great power and hast begun to reign.

Revelation 11:17 KJV 1900

17 Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned.

(note) And they sang the song of Moses the bond-servant of God and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are Thy works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Thy ways, Thou King of the nations.

Revelation 15:3 KJV 1900

3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

(note) And I heard the altar saying, "Yes, O Lord God, the Almighty, true and righteous are Thy judgments.

Revelation 16:7 KJV 1900

7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.

" (note) for they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them together for the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.

Revelation 16:14 KJV 1900

14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

(note) And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude and as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, "Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.

Revelation 19:6 KJV 1900

6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

(note) And from His mouth comes a sharp sword, so that with it He may smite the nations; and He will rule them with a rod of iron; and He treads the wine press of the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty.

Revelation 19:15 KJV 1900

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

(note) And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple.

COMMENTARY ON

Clarke comments on El Shaddai in writing that it means...

Genesis 17:1 KJV 1900

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.

I am the Almighty God - I am God all-sufficient; from shadah, to shed, to pour out. I am that God Who pours out blessings, who gives them richly, abundantly, continually.

Walk before Me - set thyself to walk-be firmly purposed, thoroughly determined to obey, before Me; for My eye is ever on thee, therefore ever consider that God seeth thee.

Who can imagine a stronger incitement to conscientious, persevering obedience?Be thou perfect - and thou shalt be perfections, i.e., all together perfect. Be just such as the holy God would have thee to be, as the Almighty God can make thee and live as the all-sufficient God shall support thee; for He alone who makes the soul holy can preserve it in holiness. Our blessed Lord appears to have had these words pointedly in view, (-note): Ye SHALL BE perfect, as your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 5:48 KJV 1900

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

John Gill commenting on El Shaddai in

Genesis 17:1 KJV 1900

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.

writes that...as the Word of God is, as appears by his creation of all things, his in sustaining of them, his government of the church, his redemption of it, and preservation of his people safe to glory, see (see note ) ; and this epithet is very appropriate here, when the Lord was about to give out a promise of a son to Abram and Sarai, so much stricken in years.

Revelation 1:8 KJV 1900

8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

Some render it "all sufficient", as Jehovah is, sufficient in and of Himself, and for Himself, and stands in no need of any, or of anything from another; and has a sufficiency for others, both in a way of providence and grace:

walk before me - not as though Abram had not so walked, or had discontinued his walk before God, but that he would go on to walk

by faith in a dependence on Him for everything he wanted, both with respect to things temporal and spiritual; and to walk in all His commandments and ordinances, that He either had given, or should give him; and all this as in His presence, and under His watchful eye, that sees and observes all things, and before Whom all things are naked and open, as all are to the essential Word of God, (, -See notes ; )

Hebrews 4:12 KJV 1900

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:13 KJV 1900

13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Hebrews 4:12 KJV 1900

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Hebrews 4:13 KJV 1900

13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

and be thou perfect upright and sincere in acts of faith, and in duties of religion, and go on to perfection; which though a sinless one is not attainable in this life, is desirable, and is to be had in Christ, though not in ourselves: but here it chiefly denotes an holy and unblamable life and conversation, which though not entirely free from sin, yet without any notorious ones, which bring dishonour to God, and disgrace upon a man's character and profession, see () . This respects not perfection in his body or flesh, as the Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it, through circumcision, by which the Jews fancy Abram became perfect, but was not till circumcised.

Genesis 6:9 KJV 1900

9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

Mackintosh comments that in ...we have God's remedy for Abraham's failure set before us...

Genesis 17:1 KJV 1900

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 a most comprehensive verse. It is very evident that Abraham had not been walking before the Almighty God when he adopted Sarah's expedient in reference to Hagar. It is faith alone that can enable a man to walk up and down before an Almighty One. Unbelief will ever be thrusting in something of self, something of circumstances, second causes, and the like, and thus the soul is robbed of the joy and hence, the calm elevation, and holy independence, which flow from leaning upon the arm of One who can do everything. I believe we deeply need to ponder this. God is not such an abiding reality to our souls as He ought to be, or as He would be, were we walking in more simple faith and dependence...

"Walk before me." This is true power. To walk thus, implies our having nothing whatever before our hearts save God Himself. If I am founding my expectation upon men and things, I am not walking before God, but before men and things. It is of the utmost importance to ascertain who or what I have before me as an object. To what am I looking? On whom or what am I leaning, at this moment? Does God entirely fill my future? Have men or circumstances ought to do therein? Is there any space allotted to the creature? The only way in which to get above the world is to walk by faith, because faith so completely fills the scene with God, that there is no room for the creature, no room for the world. If God fills up my entire range of vision, I can see nothing else; and then I am able to say with the Psalmist,My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.

He only is my Rock and my Salvation: He is my Defence, I shall not be moved. (, -note)This word "only" is deeply searching. Nature cannot say this. Not that it will, save when under the direct influence of a daring and blasphemous skepticism, formally shut out God altogether; but it, assuredly, Cannot say, "He only."Now, it is well to see that, as in the matter of salvation, so in all the details of actual life, from day to day, God will not share His glory with the creature. From first to last, it must be "He only;" and this, too, in reality. It will not do to have the language of dependence upon God on our lips, while our hearts are really leaning on some creature resource. God will make all this fully manifest; He will test the heart; He will put faith into the furnace.

Psalm 62:5 KJV 1900

5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; For my expectation is from him.

Psalm 62:6 KJV 1900

6 He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence; I shall not be moved.

"Walk before me, and be thou perfect." Thus it is we reach the proper point. When the soul is enabled, by grace, to get rid of all its fondly-cherished creature expectations, then, and only then, it is prepared to let God act; and when He acts all must be well. He will not leave anything undone. He will perfectly settle everything on behalf of those who simply put their trust in Him.

When unerring wisdom, omnipotent power, and infinite love combine, the confiding heart may enjoy unruffled repose.

Unless we can find some circumstance too big or too little for "the Almighty God" (El Shaddai), we have no proper base on which to found a single anxious thought. This is an amazing truth, and one eminently calculated to put all who believe it into the blessed position in which we find Abraham in this chapter. When God had, in effect, said to him,"leave all to me and I will settle it for you, beyond your utmost desires and expectations; the seed and the inheritance, and everything pertaining thereto, will be fully and everlastingly settled, according to the covenant of the Almighty God"— then "Abram fell on his face."

Truly blessed attitude! the only proper one for a thoroughly empty, feeble, and unprofitable sinner, to occupy in the presence of the living God, the Creator of heaven and earth, the possessor of all things, the Almighty God, El Shaddai! (C H Mackintosh. Writings on the Pentateuch)

Warren Wiersbe comments on El Shaddai in noting that..

.“El” is the name of God that speaks of power; but what does “Shaddai” mean? Scholars do not agree.

Some say it comes from a Hebrew word meaning “to be strong”; others prefer a word meaning “mountain” (Ed note: sadu) or “breast (shad).” Metaphorically, a mountain is a “breast” that rises up from the plain; and certainly a mountain is a symbol of strength. If we combine these several ideas, we might say that “El Shaddai” is the name of “the all-powerful and all-sufficient God who can do anything and meet any need.”But why would God reveal this name to Abraham at this time, at the close of thirteen years of silence?

Because God was going to tell His friend that Sarah would have a son. The Lord wanted Abraham to know that He is the God who is all-sufficient and all-powerful, and that nothing is too hard for Him. God says “I will” twelve times in (, , , , , , , , ); He is about to do the miraculous.After Abraham’s battle with the four kings, God came to him as a warrior and told him He was his “shield.” When Abraham wondered about his refusal of Sodom’s wealth, God told him He was his “exceedingly great reward” (). Now when Abraham and Sarah were “as good as dead,” God assured them that He was more than sufficient to bring about the miracle birth. God comes to us in the ways we need Him most. (Wiersbe, W. W. Be Obedient. Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books)

Genesis 17 KJV 1900

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. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. 9 And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. 12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. 14 And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant. 15 And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. 16 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. 17 Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? 18 And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! 19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. 22 And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham. 23 And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him. 24 And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 25 And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. 26 In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son. 27 And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.

Genesis 17:2 KJV 1900

2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

Genesis 17:5 KJV 1900

5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Genesis 17:6 KJV 1900

6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

Genesis 17:7 KJV 1900

7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

Genesis 17:8 KJV 1900

8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Genesis 17:16 KJV 1900

16 And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her.

Genesis 17:19 KJV 1900

19 And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.

Genesis 17:20 KJV 1900

20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

Genesis 17:21 KJV 1900

21 But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.

Genesis 15:1 KJV 1900

1 After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Dave Guzik who has written an excellent more modern (yet still conservative) commentary has these thoughts on ...

Genesis 17:1 KJV 1900

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.

Undoubtedly, this is another appearance of God in the person of Jesus, who took on a temporary human appearance before His incarnation on earth. First, God tells Abram whom He is: I am Almighty God. By this name El Shaddai, He reveals His Person and character to Abram. However, there is some debate as to what exactly the name El Shaddai means.Kidner: A traditional analysis of the name is 'God (el) who (sa) is sufficient (day).

Clarke: El Shaddai, I am God all-sufficient; from shadah, to shed, to pour out. I am that God who pours out blessings, who gives them richly, abundantly, continually.

Barnhouse: the Hebrew word shad means "chest" or "breast." It may have in mind the strength of a man's chest (God Almighty) or the comfort and nourishment of a woman's breast (God of Tender Care).

Leupold: Shaddai comes from the root shadad, which means "to display power."We do know the Septuagint translates the word with the Greek pantokrator "Almighty," the "One who has His hand on everything.

" Then God tells Abram what is expected of him: walk before Me and be blameless. We can only do what God expects of us when we know Who He is and know it in a full, personal, real way.

The word blameless literally means "whole." God wanted all of Abram, wanting a total commitment. God also reminds Abram He has not forgotten about the covenant. Though it had been some 25 years since the promise was first made, and though it may have seemed to Abram God had forgotten, God didn't forget anything. The last time we are told the Lord communicated with Abram directly was more than 13 years before. Seemingly, Abram had 13 years of "normal" fellowship with God, waiting for the promise all the time. Surely, at times during those years, Abram felt God had forgotten. Abram was becoming a great man of faith, but you don't make a great man of faith overnight. It takes years of God's work in them, years of almost mundane trusting in God, interspersed with a few spectacular encounters with the Lord

.Criswell explains that...

The etymology of Shaddai is traditionally explained as "sufficient" or "self-sufficient."

The Greek translators rendered it by pantokrator, "Almighty." Another explanation is that the term means "one of the mountain," perhaps connoting safety and sufficiency. The "almightiness" of Yahweh gives assurance to Abram that God will make of him a great nation. (Criswell, W A. Believer's Study Bible: New King James Version. 1991. Thomas Nelson)

Charles Ryrie feels that...Shaddai is derived from a related word that means "mountain," thus picturing God as the overpowering, almighty One, standing on a mountain.

(The Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Translation: 1995. Moody Publishers)

C I Scofield writes that...Shaddai is the name of God characteristically used by the patriarchs prior to the giving of the law at Sinai...

The name Jehovah largely replaces it from onward, where attention is centered more particularly on Israel as God's covenant people.

El Shaddai is the name of God which sets Him forth primarily as the strengthener and satisfier of His people. It is to be regretted that Shaddai was translated "Almighty." The primary name, El or Elohim, sufficiently signifies almightiness.

"All-sufficient" would far better express the characteristic use of the name in Scripture.

God Almighty El Shaddai not only enriches but makes fruitful. This is nowhere better illustrated than in the first occurrence of the name (, , , , , , , ). To a man ninety-nine years of age, and "as good as dead" (-note), He said: "I am God Almighty (El Shaddai)...I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers." The same thing is taught by the use of the name in , .

Genesis 17:1 KJV 1900

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.

Genesis 17:2 KJV 1900

2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.

Genesis 17:3 KJV 1900

3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

Genesis 17:4 KJV 1900

4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

Genesis 17:5 KJV 1900

5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

Genesis 17:6 KJV 1900

6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.

Genesis 17:7 KJV 1900

7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

Genesis 17:8 KJV 1900

8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Hebrews 11:12 KJV 1900

12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.

Genesis 28:3 KJV 1900

3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;

Genesis 28:4 KJV 1900

4 And give thee the blessing of Abraham, to thee, and to thy seed with thee; that thou mayest inherit the land wherein thou art a stranger, which God gave unto Abraham.

As bestower of fruitfulness, God Almighty (El Shaddai) chastens His people. For the moral connection of chastening with fruit-bearing, see ; cp. , (note); (note). Hence,

John 15:2 KJV 1900

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Ruth 1:20 KJV 1900

20 And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me.

Ruth 1:21 KJV 1900

21 I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?

Hebrews 12:10 KJV 1900

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

Almighty is the characteristic name of God in Job. The hand of Shaddai falls upon Job, the best man of his time, not in judgment but in purifying unto greater fruitfulness (, , , , , , , , ).

Job 5:17 KJV 1900

17 Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: Therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty:

Job 5:18 KJV 1900

18 For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: He woundeth, and his hands make whole.

Job 5:19 KJV 1900

19 He shall deliver thee in six troubles: Yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.

Job 5:20 KJV 1900

20 In famine he shall redeem thee from death: And in war from the power of the sword.

Job 5:21 KJV 1900

21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: Neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.

Job 5:22 KJV 1900

22 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: Neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth.

Job 5:23 KJV 1900

23 For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: And the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee.

Job 5:24 KJV 1900

24 And thou shalt know that thy tabernacle shall be in peace; And thou shalt visit thy habitation, and shalt not sin.

Job 5:25 KJV 1900

25 Thou shalt know also that thy seed shall be great, And thine offspring as the grass of the earth.

(Ed note: See , where Job describes a greater vision of God as a result of the manifold trials)

Job 42:5 KJV 1900

5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: But now mine eye seeth thee.

Job 42:6 KJV 1900

6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent In dust and ashes.

Jameison, Fausset and Brown write...Abram . . . ninety years old and nine--thirteen years after the birth of Ishmael [].

Genesis 16:16 KJV 1900

16 And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

During that interval he had enjoyed the comforts of communion with God but had been favored with no special revelation as formerly, probably on account of his hasty and blameable marriage with Hagar.

the Lord appeared--some visible manifestation of the divine presence, probably the Shekinah (Shekinah) or radiant glory of overpowering effulgence.

(Ed note: I agree with Guzik that God Himself appeared in a Theophany and more specifically a Christophany - see related study Angel of the LORD)

I am the Almighty God--the name by which He made Himself known to the patriarchs (), designed to convey the sense of "all-sufficient" (, -note; -note).

Exodus 6:3 KJV 1900

3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

Psalm 16:5 KJV 1900

5 The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot.

Psalm 16:6 KJV 1900

6 The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; Yea, I have a goodly heritage.

Psalm 73:25 KJV 1900

25 Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.

walk . . . and . . . perfect--upright, or sincere (-note) in heart, speech, and behavior..

Psalm 51:6 KJV 1900

6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: And in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Genesis 17:3 KJV 1900

3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,

Abram fell on his face -- the attitude of profoundest reverence assumed by Eastern people. It consists in the prostrate body resting on the hands and knees, with the face bent till the forehead touches the ground. It is an expression of conscious humility and profound reverence

. my covenant is with thee -- Renewed mention is made of it as the foundation of the communication that follows. It is the covenant of grace made with all who believe in the Saviour.

Genesis 17:4 KJV 1900

4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.

but thy name shall be Abraham -- In Eastern countries a change of name is an advertisement of some new circumstance in the history, rank, or religion of the individual who bears it.

Genesis 17:5 KJV 1900

5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee.

The change is made variously, by the old name being entirely dropped for the new, or by conjoining the new with the old; or sometimes only a few letters are inserted, so that the altered form may express the difference in the owner's state or prospects. It is surprising how soon a new name is known and its import spread through the country. In dealing with Abraham and Sarai, God was pleased to adapt His procedure to the ideas and customs of the country and age. Instead of Abram, "a high father," he was to be called Abraham, "father of a multitude of nations" (-note)

Revelation 2:17 KJV 1900

17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

.Ed Note: See study of Name change as one of the aspects that marked the cutting of covenant in the Old Testament and which spoke of the oneness of covenant or the identification of the covenanting parties (see also note on name change). We see this aspect of covenant illustrated in the Marriage Covenant where the wife traditionally takes the name of her husband.

A B Simpson observes that...Whenever God called men into a closer relation or sent them on some higher commission, the call was always accompanied with some marked revelation of Himself.

We find Him coming to Abraham at the crisis of his life as El-Shaddai and then commanding Abraham to rise to a higher place in conformity to the new revelation that He had given.

"I am El-Shaddai," He says, "walk before me, and be perfect (or upright)."I am the Almighty, the Absolute, the Infinite, the All-sufficient God. Now live up to the vision you have had, the revelation I have given. Stand straight up to the standard God has given. Live as if you had a God that is all-sufficient. You have not been living thus. You have not been walking before Me. You have been walking before Sara, before Hagar, before circumstances, before your difficulties and limitations and infirmities. Now lift your vision above all these, look at Me alone and see in Me the God who is enough, and stand upright in uncompromising faith. And so henceforth Abraham "staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform." The secret of Abraham's faith was his realization of the supernatural God. And so in describing him in the fourth chapter of Romans the apostle says that he measured up to God, "before him whom he believed, even God, who quickens the dead, and calls the things which be not as though they were."

(A. B. Simpson. Present Truths or the Supernatural)

Matthew Henry comments on El Shaddai noting that...By this name he chose to make himself known to Abram rather than by his name Jehovah, .

Exodus 6:3 KJV 1900

3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

He used it to Jacob, ,,. It is the name of God that is mostly used throughout the book of Job, at least in the discourses of that book. After Moses, Jehovah is more frequently used, and this,

Genesis 28:3 KJV 1900

3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;

Genesis 43:14 KJV 1900

14 And God Almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin. If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.

Genesis 48:3 KJV 1900

3 And Jacob said unto Joseph, God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me,

El-Shaddai, very rarely; it bespeaks the almighty power of God, either,

(1.) As an avenger, from sdh He laid waste, so some; and they think God took this title from the destruction of the old world. This is countenanced by , and .Or

Isaiah 13:6 KJV 1900

6 Howl ye; for the day of the Lord is at hand; It shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Joel 1:15 KJV 1900

15 Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, And as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

(2.) As a benefactor s for asr = who, and dy = sufficient. He is a God that is enough; or, as our old English translation reads it here very significantly,

I am God All-Sufficient. Note, The God with Whom we have to do is a God that is enough.

[1.] He is enough in Himself; He is Self-sufficient; He has every thing, and He needs not any thing.

[2.] He is enough to us, if we be in covenant with Him: we have all in Him, and we have enough in Him, enough to satisfy our most enlarged desires, enough to supply the defect of every thing else, and to secure to us a happiness for our immortal souls

Thomas Brooks commenting on writes that...As God is an immense portion, a large portion, so God is an ALL-SUFFICIENT portion... or as some carry the words "I am God all-sufficient, or self-sufficient." God has self-sufficiency and all-sufficiency in Himself. Some derive the word Shaddai, that is here rendered Almighty or All-sufficient, because God feeds His children with sufficiency of all good things, as the tender mother does the sucking child. (Thomas Brooks. An Ark for All God's Noahs in a Gloomy Stormy Day)><>><>><>

Genesis 17:1 KJV 1900

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.