Throughout the Bible, we see different specific names used for the one true God. Each one, even if only used once is unique in its meaning and helps us understand a part of God's character. We have put together this list for you, that you may not only learn about the names of God but also more about the character of our great God.
Elohim: God
Occurs over 2000 times in the Bible
1st use in the Bible-Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heaven and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
Interesting fact: Elohim is a plural noun, but is always used with a single verb. From the very beginning, we can see the Trinity acting as one.
Yahweh (Jehovah): Lord
Occurs over 6500 times in the Bible
1st use in the Bible- Genesis 2:4
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."
Deuteronomy 6:4
Interesting Fact: The name of God most used in the Old Testament is "Yahweh" and is derived from four Hebrew consonants (YHWH) called the Tetragrammaton. YHWH became "Jehovah" when Latin-speaking scholars substituted the Y (which does not exist in Latin) with J.
El-Elyon: The Most High God
Occurs 28 times in the Bible
1st use in the Bible-Genesis 14:18
"They remembered that God was their rock, the Most High God their redeemer." Psalm 78:35
Interesting fact: Did you know that there are many variations of God’s name in the Bible? “El” means the “The One True God” and appears with other names to help us understand who He is. Elyon means Most High.
Adonai: Lord, Master
Occurs 434 times in the Bible
1st use in the Bible-Genesis 15:2
"LORD, I wait for You; You will answer, Lord my God."
Psalm 38:15
Interesting fact: Adonai is the verbal parallel to Yahweh and Jehovah.
El-Roi: The God Who Sees
Occurs 1 time in the Bible
"Then she called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, You Are the God Who Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?” Genesis 16:13
Interesting fact: When Hagar fled from Sarai, God saw her affliction. He came to her while she was in the wilderness and showed her compassion, promising that He would prosper her. When we are mistreated, we know that God sees our circumstances. We can trust Him to work for our good too!
El-Shaddai: Lord God Almighty, All-Sufficient One
Occurs 7 times in the Bible
1st use in the Bible-Genesis 17:1
"...the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, “I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” Genesis 17:1
Interesting fact: The name El Shaddai is used most often when referring to the three great Patriarchs of our faith- Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
El-Olam: The Everlasting God
Occurs 3 times in the Bible
1st use in the Bible-Genesis 21:33
"Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God."
Genesis 21:33
Interesting fact: Olam means "forever," "eternal" or "everlasting."
Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord Will Provide
Occurs 1 time
"So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”
Genesis 22:14
Interesting fact: This what Abraham named the place on Mount Moriah where God had directed him to sacrifice his only son, but then provided a ram. Just as God provided that ram, He also provided His only Son in our place.
Jehovah-Raah: The Lord My Shepherd
Occurs 4 times
1st use in the Bible-Genesis 48:15
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."
Psalm 23:1
Interesting fact: The shepherd is the sheep's friend and another way we can interpret this name is "The Lord My Friend."
Jehovah-Rapha: The Lord That Heals
Occurs 1 time
“If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.”
Exodus 15:26
Interesting fact: This name is saying that God is our Great Physician that heals and restores.
Jehovah-Nissi: The Lord My Banner
Occurs 1 time
"Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner."
Exodus 17:15
Interesting fact: When the Israelites were victorious over their enemy, Moses knew it was God who won the battle for them -- that His flag of victory was lifted high. We know that our fight is not against flesh and blood.
Jehovah-Mekoddishkem: The Lord Who Sanctifies You
Occurs 2 times
1st use in the Bible-Exodus 31:13
"Keep my statutes and do them; I am the LORD who sanctifies you."
Leviticus 20:8
Interesting fact: Sanctify means “set apart” or “holy.” God is the one who makes us holy. “We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” (Hebrews 10:10)
Jehovah-Echad: The One God
Occurs 2 times
1st use in the Bible-Deuteronomy 6:4
"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD"
Deuteronomy 6:4
Interesting fact: Notice the writer did not use the word “Yacheed”, which means “only one”. As Christians, we believe in ONE God who is in three persons. Think of it this way: 1 (Father) x 1 (Son) x 1 (Holy Spirit) = 1 (God)!
Jehovah-Shalom: The Lord Is Peace
Occurs 1 time
"But the LORD said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace." Judges 6:23-24
Interesting fact: We don't have to live in fear when the God of the universe is on our side – His peace passes all understanding!
Jehovah-Sabaoth: The Lord of Hosts
Occurs over 285 times
1st use in the Bible-1 Samuel 1:3
"Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory." Psalm 24:10
Interesting fact: Sabaoth means "armies" or "hosts" and God is over all armies and hosts, He is over all, both the spiritual and physical.
Jehovah-Hoseenu: The Lord Our Maker
Occurs 1 time
"Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker." Psalm 95:6
Interesting fact: This is a call for us to remember and praise our Maker!
Jehovah-Tsidkenu: The Lord Our Righteousness
Occurs 2 times
1st use in the Bible-Jeremiah 23:6
"In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." Jeremiah 23:6
Interesting fact: The Bible tells us that the Messiah will come to rule as King on the earth and execute justice. All creation looks forward to His righteous judgment!
Qanna: Jealous
Occurs 6 times
1st use in the Bible-Exodus 20:5
"For you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." Exodus 34:14
Interesting fact: All throughout the Bible, God refers to His people as His beloved. He is 100% devoted to us and wants the same in return. He is the only one deserving of our praise!
El-Deot: The God of Knowledge
Occurs 1 time
"Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the LORD is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed." 1 Samuel 2:3
Interesting fact: God has perfect knowledge of all things, from the beginning to the very end.
El-Emet: The God of Truth
Occurs 1 time
"Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth." Psalm 31:5
Interesting fact: Emet means faithful and reliable, which God is!
Immanuel: God with Us
Occurs 2 times
1st use in the Bible-Isaiah 7:14
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel."
Isaiah 7:14
Interesting fact: The first time Immanuel is used is many many years before the birth of Jesus Christ when Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would come and live with fallen humanity. Praise God that Jesus was born! He healed the sick and brokenhearted. He had compassion for the poor and oppressed. He loved unconditionally, lived a perfect life, and died to set us free from the bondage of sin!
El-Gibbor: The Mighty God
Occurs 3 times
1st use in the Bible-Isaiah 9:6
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" Isaiah 9:6
Interesting fact: The Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah were fulfilled in Jesus! He was born to die for the sins of the world – our God is mighty to save, and He will return!