God's Many Incredible Names Worth Knowing

By Khen Lim



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From the early days of the Bible right through to the New Testament, scriptural leaders have been finding new and inspiring ways to identify God for as much of His lovingkindness as in His enormous might and power and the manner in which He responds to His people. Since a far larger proportion of these names appear in the Old Testament, they are normally given in Hebrew.

Contrary to what some assume, knowing these names isn’t just about enriching your theological understanding. Those who know will tell you that they help to shape your prayers with a greater sense of purpose and impact. When you know better how to address God, you will also be able to appeal to the very side of Him that is relevant in your prayer.

These names accord God a very high level of respect, honour, reverence and thanksgiving. They define the many facets of the Lord for in the Bible, we witness God in just as many situations in which He wields not just His almighty power but also His awesome love.

In terms of eloquence, one of the best examples in the Bible is David. We encourage you to spend some time reading the Book of Psalm where David lets his heart genuinely express his desire to praise God to the highest no matter what the situation was for him.

From experience, we are certain you will be able to draw precious inspiration from the following of God’s wonderful names:

1. Adonai (“My Lord, O Lord”)

Gen 18:3, 15:2; Jdg 6:15

Can be used in place of YHWH. While YHWH is used in God’s dealings with the Jews, Adonai is when God deals with the Gentiles.

2. Ehyah Asher Ehyeh (“I Am Who I Am”)

Ex 3:14

Has also been interpreted as a single ‘Hayah.’ This name is forever and historically linked to Moses.

3. El Gibhor (“Mighty God”)

Isa 9:6, Rev 19:15

Used to describe the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ as a powerful warrior to destroy God’s enemies and rule with a rod of iron.

4. El Olam (“Everlasting God”)

Ps 90:1-3

Describes God as of no beginnings and no ends, limitless, free of constraints and a God from everlasting to everlasting.

5. El Roi (“God of Seeing”)

Gen 16:13

Name given by Hagar in recognition of the Angel of the Lord she encountered while in the desert with Ishmael.

6. El Shaddai (“God Almighty”)

Gen 17:1, 49:24; Ps 132:2,5

Taken to mean a God that is complete and perfect.

7. Eloah (“God the Mighty, Strong, Prominent”)

Gen 7:1, Isa 9:6

Also called simply ‘El,’ which means ‘mighty.’

8. Elohim (“God the Creator, the Lord God, the Judge”)

Gen 1:1, 17:7; Jer 31:33

The full name is Jehovah Elohim. Note that Elohim is the plural form of Eloah, to signify the presence of the Holy Trinity.

9. Elohim Israel (“The Lord, God of Israel”)

Isa 17:6, Jud 5:3

The full name is Jehovah Elohim Israel, a name used to identify the God of Israel in contrast against the false gods of the nations.

10. Immanuel (“God With Us”)

Isa 7-8; Matt 1:22-23

The name denotes the prophecy assuring King Ahaz of Judah of God’s protection against enemy kings.

11. Jehovah Elohay (“God, My God”)

Zec 14:5

Taken to denote a personal God with a personal relationship with us.

12. Jehovah Elyon (“The Lord Most High”)

Ps 7:17; Deut 26:19

Also expressed as Jehovah Heleyon to mean exalted in the highest, a God with absolute right to absolute lordship.

13. Jehovah Jireh (“God the Provider”)

Gen 22:14

Best memorialised by Abraham to honour His provisions including Isaac.

14. Jehovah M’kaddesh (“The Lord Who Sanctifies”)

Ex 31:13; Lev 20:7-8, Ezek 37:8

Also written as Maccaddeshcem to describe a God that makes holy.

15. Jehovah Nissi (“The Lord Our Banner”)

Ex 17:15

‘Banner’ is taken to mean victory to commemorate the defeat of the Amalekites in the desert war.

16. Jehovah Qanna (“The Jealous God”)

Ex 20:5, 34:14; Deut 4:24, 5:9, 6:15

A God who wants all our praises to Himself and no one else.

17. Jehovah Rapha (“God the Healer”)

Ex 15:26

18. Jehovah Rohi (“The Lord, Our Shepherd”)

Ps 23:1

Based on David’s affirmation of his relationship with God.

19. Jehovah Sabaoth (“Lord of Hosts”)

1 Sam 1:3; Isa 1:24; Ps 46:7

‘Hosts’ means ‘hordes,’ which here, includes both angels and men, in heaven and on earth, Jews and Gentiles, the rich and the poor, the masters and the slaves.

20. Jehovah Shalom (“Lord of Peace”)

Jdg 6:24

This is a Name given by Gideon.

21. Jehovah Shamah (“The Ever Present God”)

Ezek 48:35, cc8-11, 44:1-4

Name ascribed to Jerusalem and the Temple to declare the return of the once-departed glory of God.

22. Jehovah Tsidkenu (“The Lord, Our Righteousness”)

Jer 23:5,6, 33:16; 2 Cor 5:21

Also called the God of Saving Justice.

23. Yah (“The Lord Who Rides Through Deserts”)

Ps 68:4

24. Yeshua (“The Lord is Salvation”)

Possibly Isa 26:1,18 (taken to mean ‘that which is delivered, safe’)

The name itself is found 27 times in the Bible (eg Num 13:8)

The commonly known Hebrew name of Jesus, meaning ‘to rescue’ or ‘to deliver.’ The English version is spelt Joshua. When translated into Greek, it becomes Iesous (Latin is Iesus) and from there, the Anglicised translation ends up becoming Jesus. Interestingly both the names Joshua and Isaiah are the same as Yeshua in Hebrew. Yeshua is also known as Yehoshuah. From the tetragrammaton YHVH, it is possible that it could stand for ‘Yeshua HaNazarei Vemelekh HaYehudim,’ which would make it the equivalent of the Latinate INRI, which according to Pilate's instruction, means ‘Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum’ to mean ‘Jesus the Nazerene, King of the Jews.’

25. Yahweh (“The LORD”)

Deut 6:4; Dan 9:14

Take note that it is in full caps as opposed to ‘Lord’ as in Adonai. In other words, when you see the name in full caps in your Bible, there is a specific meaning to it; that the name when translated back to its original language, is Yahweh. Can also be interpreted as YHWH or Jehovah.