El Elyon - The Most High
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Introduction
Introduction
So far, we have studied several names of God. They are:
Elohim - A God of Covenant
El - A God of Great Power
El Shaddai - A God Might in Pouring Out His Blessings and His Judgment
The next name for our consideration is the name “El Elyon.” Let’s begin with this text. Look in your Bible at Genesis 14.
17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale.
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
Note especially verse 18 which connect Melchizedek as “the priest of the most high God.” Here we find God’s name as “El Elyon” or the Most High God. It was at this meeting with Melchizedek that Abram learned this wonderful name of God. In response to learning this name, Abram proclaims in verse 22.
22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
As we study this name, we are going to learn something special. In fact, the book of Hebrews is going to teach us much about the “El Elyon” the most high.
If you do a comprehensive study of Hebrews, you will a very fascinating and wonderful book of the New Testament. In Hebrews, we find out more about Melchizedek, the king of Salem.
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
I will come back to these verses in a bit. However, for now, I just want to note that Christ is associated with this great king of Salem who was also a “priest of El Elyon (the most High God).”
The Meaning of His Name, El Elyon!
The Meaning of His Name, El Elyon!
The name “El Elyon” uses the name “El” in much the same it was in “El Shaddai.” If you recall,
“El” means “might or power.”
Thus, God is mighty or powerful. Looking back our text in Genesis we find that this name is describes God as the “possessor of Heaven and earth.”
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
The word “Elyon” means “most high.”
However, as with most words, it is used in a more common way for many different things and persons. Whenever it is used, it indicates that person or things as being the highest of a series or order. Let me give you a few examples.
17 And in the uppermost basket there was of all manner of bakemeats for Pharaoh; and the birds did eat them out of the basket upon my head.
You might recall the story of Joseph and how interpreted the dreams for Pharaoh's butler and baker in prison. The baker dreamed that he had three white baskets stacked on his head full of things he made for Pharoah. In the “uppermost (elyon) basket” there were many different baked items. Unfortunately, the birds had an amazing feast as they ate everything out of the “uppermost (elyon)” basket. This was the basket that was the highest in a series of baskets. Ultimately, Joseph revealed that this dream meant that the baker would die at the hands of the Pharoah.
Here is another example of this word’s common use.
19 And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the Lord thy God, as he hath spoken.
God’s promise to Israel was they would be a nation that was “high (elyon) above all nations.” They would be esteemed high above every other nation.
There are many other instances in Scripture, but I believe you understand its use.
Its application to God then reveals that He is the “Highest.” Everyone else is below Him. As the Highest, God has the power to rule and He does as He so desires. A fact that Nebuchadnezzar, the great king of Babylon, learned quite well.
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
The fact that God is the Highest of all leads us to this thought.
HE is The HIGHEST of All Beings!
HE is The HIGHEST of All Beings!
There are two types of created beings that, for lack of a better term, are endowed with natures similar to Gods.
The first type of being created by God with natures similar to His are angels. They are personal beings with personality, self-awareness, self-determination, moral awareness, and intelligence. Scripture even calls them “sons of God.”
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them.
The second type of being is us. We, as men and women, are created in the image of God.
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
However, both created beings ended up fallen. Not all angels are fallen, yet are large number followed Satan’s revolt against God. We, as men, are fallen. Here is the point. Even though we are created in God’s image, we fall quite short of God’s glory. He is the Highest in ever aspect we could possibly imagine.
18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, Art the most high over all the earth.
17 For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
We see this so vividly in Genesis and the story of Melchizedek who was the king of Salem and the priest of the Most High. You must understand that Melchizedek was one of the many kings in Canaan. In other words, he was a Gentile king. Now, as we know, at the time of Melchizedek, there was not Jewish nation. Abram was in the process of becoming that nation as God promised. However, my point is this. Melchizedek does not speak of God here as “Elohim”, nor does he know God as “YHWH” or even as “El Shaddai.” If you recall, “Elohim” indicates God’s covenant relationships, “YHWH”, as we will learn, shows Him as the righteous Lord suffering for His fallen creatures, and “El Shaddai” emphasizes a might God who pours out His bounty upon His people. All these names were reserved for God’s people. Melchizedek, as a Gentile king, knew God as “Elyon,” the “Most High.” Why that name? It is this name which connect God’s with all kings, kingdoms, and dominions and not just with Abraham and his seed.
However, there is deeper connection here as well.
HE is the HIGH PRIEST of All Who Believe!
HE is the HIGH PRIEST of All Who Believe!
God’s relationship with all men is seen in a more promising way than just One Who is far higher than all others. This is the picture that we find in Hebrews. Go back with me to our passage in Hebrews 5.
5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10 Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
We find a little more information about Melchisedec in chapter 7.
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
We see here in these verses a clear connection between Christ and Melchisedek. Both are recognized as priests. Christ is “called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” Melchisedek is “made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.” There are several significant facts about Melchisedec that are important to understand.
He was the King of Salem and, as such, we know...
His name means king of righteousness.
He realm over which he ruled was “Salem” or “Jerusalem.”
2 In Salem also is his tabernacle, And his dwelling place in Zion.
Earthly Jerusalem is a type of the coming, heavenly Jerusalem.
He was a priest of the MOST HIGH God (El Elyon).
He was paid tithes by Abraham who was the first man to whom God gave His great promise.
He was an eternal priest just as the Son of God.
He had no genealogy.
Melchisedec is quite the anomaly. One noted Bible commentary described him this way.
Hebrews-James (King James Version) F. Christ Is the Greater High Priest: The Way to God Is Now Changed Forever, 7:1–24
“In the old Genesis story Melchisedec is a strange and almost eerie figure. He arrives out of the blue; there is nothing about his life, his birth, his death or his descent. He simply arrives. He gives Abraham bread and wine, which to us, reading the passage in the light of what we know, sounds so sacramental. He blesses Abraham. And then he vanishes from the stage of history with the same unexplained suddenness as he arrived upon it. There is little wonder that in the mystery of this story the writer to the Hebrews found a type and forecast and symbol of Christ” (The Letter to the Hebrews, p. 75).
In fact, if you continue reading Hebrews 7, the Holy Spirit goes to show how that Melchisedec was a superior priest than other priest. All which is evidenced by Abraham’s actions. Abraham paid him tithes. He blessed Abraham. He was eternal. Hebrews even go as far as to note that he was a greater priest than even the Levitical priesthood that descended from Aaron. Note Hebrews 7:9-10
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
All this points to the fact that Melchisedek was, according to God, an exceptional high priest. He was one the world had never known or has know until another more wonderful and superior High Priest came on the scene. Who was that High Priest?
15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
It was Jesus Christ, the perfect and eternal priest after the order of Melchisedec, that became the HOPE of the entire world. He was the perfect and eternal sacrifice for our sins. He is the only one by God accepts men. As a Priest, He is the HIGHEST of all priests.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
21 And having an high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
He is POSSESSOR of Heaven and Earth
He is POSSESSOR of Heaven and Earth
This is noted, as we already mentioned, in Genesis 14. Both Melchisedec and Abraham acknowledged El Elyon as the Possessor of Heaven and Earth.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
The word “possessor” is often rendered in various places in the Old Testament as “buy,” “purchase”, or “possess.” The idea being to contain or to hold. Thus, we understand-
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
Everything that is Heaven and Earth of both the local church and the world belongs to Him. All is His possession. It is claim that never relinquishes. A fact that answers the question asked in Romans 3.
29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
Conclusion
Conclusion
He is the Most High God, El Elyon. By this name, we find an important revelation about God and His relationship with mankind. For the saved and unsaved alike, He is the HIGHEST. For that reason, He always accomplishes His purpose. Each time we find the name Most High God (El Elyon), we find this teaching. It is found in the first five books of the Bible in three places. The first is found in connection with Melchisedec. The second is in Balaam’s prophecy. And the third is found the song of Moses. All three instances connected this name with not just Israel, but all people.
Note Balaam’s words.
15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, And the man whose eyes are open hath said:
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:
17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: There shall come a Star out of Jacob, And a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, And shall smite the corners of Moab, And destroy all the children of Sheth.
Now see the song of Moses.
7 Remember the days of old, Consider the years of many generations: Ask thy father, and he will shew thee; Thy elders, and they will tell thee.
8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, When he separated the sons of Adam, He set the bounds of the people According to the number of the children of Israel.
9 For the Lord’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.
When it comes to the books of history, we only find the name “Most High” in the Psalms. It is an important omission. These books record God’s relationship and dealing with Israel alone. A relationship characterized by the God’s name, Jehovah (YHWH). The name “Most High” is name for all the world to know. Thus, even in the Psalms, it is used in connection with all people of all nations.
18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, Art the most high over all the earth.
2 For the Lord most high is terrible; He is a great King over all the earth.
3 He shall subdue the people under us, And the nations under our feet.
There is no doubt that God will indeed “subdue” all people. It was important lesson that Nebuchadnezzar learned all too well. Here was a ruler whose heart was lifted up with great pride. In the end, his self-exaltation resulted in him losing all understanding. God’s judgment subdued him and brought him to a point where he declared the following.
34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:
There is coming a day when all shall declare that God is indeed the Most High God. However, for now, we as His people enjoy a very sacred place before Him.
27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
The essence of His name, El Elyon, the Most High God is simply this. God is the Highest of all beings. He created us so that we might have a relationship. Now, more than ever, everyone is capable of having that relationship regardless of who they are. God has not changed. He is the same. To those who accept Him, He embraces them as His own. Yet, those who reject Him, He will reign judgment upon them. He has decided and it will not be undone. A great illustration is this. Rain makes the earth bear fruit and stimulates the growth of thorns and briars. In the same way, God rains down His grace. Those whose hearts are open to its sweetness as the ones the Most High God claims as His own. However, those whose hearts remain hard to that same sweetness continue in their sin and will one day experience His judgment.
Blessed then be the “LORD,” “God,” “Almighty,” the “Most High”, for how He has revealed Himself to us that we may know, trust, and joy in Him!
