The more God’s people came to know him, the more names they gave him.
In the Old Testament times, a name was not only identification, but an identity as well. Many times a special meaning was attached to the name. Throughout Scripture God reveals Himself to us through His names. When we study these names that He reveals to us in the Bible, we will better understand who God really is. The meanings behind God’s names reveal the central personality and nature of the One who bears them.
These are just a few of the names of God which describe his character. Study them, for in a given day, you may need each one of them.
Below is a list of the Biblical names of God found in the Old and New Testament. The list also includes the names listed in the Hebrew scriptures (or Tanakh) and the New Testament Greek scriptures.
Advocate – 1 John 2:1
Almighty – Revelation 1:8
Alpha – Revelation 1:8
Amen – Revelation 3:14
Angel of the Lord – Genesis 16:7
Anointed One – Psalm 2:2
Apostle – Hebrews 3:1
Author and Perfecter of our Faith – Hebrews 12:2
Beginning – Revelation 21:6
Bishop of Souls – 1 Peter 2:25
Branch – Zechariah 3:8
Bread of Life – John 6:35,48
Bridegroom – Matthew 9:15
Carpenter – Mark 6:3
Chief Shepherd – 1 Peter 5:4
The Christ – Matthew 1:16
Comforter – Jeremiah 8:18
Consolation of Israel – Luke 2:25
Cornerstone – Ephesians 2:20
Dayspring – Luke 1:78
Day Star – 2 Peter 1:19
Deliverer – Romans 11:26
Desire of Nations – Haggai 2:7
Emmanuel – Matthew 1:23
End – Revelation 21:6
Everlasting Father – Isaiah 9:6
Faithful and True Witness – Revelation 3:14
First Fruits – 1 Corinthians 15:23
Foundation – Isaiah 28:16
Fountain – Zechariah 13:1
Friend of Sinners – Matthew 11:19
Gate for the Sheep – John 10:7
Gift of God – 2 Corinthians 9:15
God – John 1:1
Glory of God – Isaiah 60:1
Good Shepherd – John 10:11
Governor – Matthew 2:6
Great Shepherd – Hebrews 13:20
Guide – Psalm 48:14
Head of the Church – Colossians 1:18
High Priest – Hebrews 3:1
Holy One of Israel – Isaiah 41:14
Horn of Salvation – Luke 1:69
I Am – Exodus 3:14
Jehovah – Psalm 83:18
Jesus – Matthew 1:21
King of Israel – Matthew 27:42
King of Kings – 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16
Lamb of God – John 1:29
Last Adam – 1 Corinthians 15:45
Life – John 11:25
Light of the World – John 8:12; John 9:5
Lion of the Tribe of Judah – Revelation 5:5
Lord of Lords – 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16
Master – Matthew 23:8
Mediator – 1 Timothy 2:5
Messiah – John 1:41
Mighty God – Isaiah 9:6
Morning Star – Revelation 22:16
Nazarene – Matthew 2:23
Omega – Revelation 1:8
Passover Lamb – 1 Corinthians 5:7
Physician – Matthew 9:12
Potentate – 1 Timothy 6:15
Priest – Hebrews 4:15
Prince of Peace – Isaiah 9:6
Prophet – Acts 3:22
Propitiation – I John 2:2
Purifier – Malachi 3:3
Rabbi – John 1:49
Ransom – 1 Timothy 2:6
Redeemer – Isaiah 41:14
Refiner – Malachi 3:2
Refuge – Isaiah 25:4
Resurrection – John 11:25
Righteousness – Jeremiah 23:6
Rock – Deuteronomy 32:4
Root of David – Revelation 22:16
Rose of Sharon – Song of Solomon 2:1
Ruler of God’s Creation – Revelation 3:14
Sacrifice – Ephesians 5:2
Savior – 2 Samuel 22:47; Luke 1:47
Second Adam – 1 Corinthians 15:47
Seed of Abraham – Galatians 3:16
Seed of David – 2 Timothy 2:8
Seed of the Woman – Genesis 3:15
Servant – Isaiah 42:1
Shepherd – 1 Peter 2:25
Shiloh – Genesis 49:10
Son of David – Matthew 15:22
Son of God – Luke 1:35
Son of Man – Matthew 18:11
Son of Mary – Mark 6:3
Son of the Most High – Luke 1:32
Stone – Isaiah 28:16
Sun of Righteousness – Malachi 4:2
Teacher – Matthew 26:18
Truth – John 14:6
Way – John 14:6
Wonderful Counselor – Isaiah 9:6
Word – John 1:1
Vine – John 15:1
OLD TESTAMENT (THE HEBREW SCRIPTURES OR TANAKH)
EL: אֵל , ELOAH [el, el-oh-ah] God Among ancient Israel’s neighbors, people referred to the most powerful god as “El,” which is not actually a name, but an ancient Semitic title, “god.” It could refer to many gods, but the chief deity of all the other gods was simply titled “El,” meaning “THE god.” In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for God is most often Elohim, which is used over 2,000 times to refer to the God of Israel and a few dozen times in reference to other gods. You can see by the shape of the word that “El-ohim” is a longer form of “El.” The Israelites also used the short form “El,” though it’s found mainly in the poetry of the Old Testament. Because both of the words El and Elohim are translated into English as “God,” you won’t notice the difference unless you read in Hebrew.
El is used 250 times in the OT See Gen. 7:1, 28:3, 35:11; Nu. 23:22; Josh. 3:10; 2 Sam. 22:31, 32; Neh. 1:5, 9:32; Isa. 9:6; Ezek. 10:5. El is linguistically equivalent to the Moslem “Allah,” but the attributes of Allah in Islam are entirely different from those of the God of the Hebrews. ELAH is Aramaic, “god.” Elah appears in the Hebrew Bible in Jer. 10:11 (which is in Aramaic, and is plural, “gods”). In Daniel (the Aramaic sections) Elah is used both of pagan gods, and of the true God, also plural. Elah is equivalent to the Hebrew Eloah which some think is dual; Elohim is three or more. The gods of the nations are called “elohim.” The origin of Eloah is obscure. Elohim is the more common plural form of El. Eloah is used 41 times in Job between 3:4 and 40:2, but fewer than 15 times elsewhere in the OT.
While the Israelites used the various titles of their Canaanite neighbors, they did not believe the gods of their neighbors were the one true God. They actually believed that all these words pointed to the God who revealed himself to Abraham and Moses—and this God had a name.
ELOHIM: אֱלֹהִים [el-oh-heem] God (a plural noun, more than two, used with singular verbs);
Elohim occurs 2,570 times in the OT, 32 times in Gen. 1. God as Creator, Preserver, Transcendent, Mighty and Strong. Eccl., Dan. Jonah use Elohim almost exclusively. See Gen. 17:7, 6:18, 9:15, 50:24; I Kings 8:23; Jer. 31:33;Isa. 40:1.
God “Creator, Mighty and Strong” (Genesis 17:7; Jeremiah 31:33) – the plural form of Eloah, which accommodates the doctrine of the Trinity. From the Bible’s first sentence, the superlative nature of God’s power is evident as God (Elohim) speaks the world into existence (Genesis 1:1).
EL ELYON [el-el-yohn] – Meaning “LORD God most high”, this is found in Genesis 14, when Melchizedek blesses Abram just before God promises him a son and countless descendants. It’s also found in Psalms in the form of praise to God. ‘Most High” (from “to go up”) Deut. 26:19, 32:8; Psa. 18:13; Gen. 14:18; Nu. 24:16;Psa. 78:35, 7:17, 18:13, 97:9, 56:2, 78:56, 18:13; Dan. 7:25, 27; Isa. 14:14.
EL-GIBHOR [el-ghee-bohr]: “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6) – the name describing the Messiah, Christ Jesus, in this prophetic portion of Isaiah. As a powerful and mighty warrior, the Messiah, the Mighty God, will accomplish the destruction of God’s enemies and rule with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15).
EL-OLAM [el-oh-lahm]: “Everlasting God” (Psalm 90:1-3) – God’s nature is without beginning or end, free from all constraints of time, and He contains within Himself the very cause of time itself. “From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”
EL ROI [el-roh-ee]: “God of Seeing” (Genesis 16:13) – the name ascribed to God by Hagar, alone and desperate in the wilderness after being driven out by Sarah (Genesis 16:1-14). When Hagar met the Angel of the Lord, she realized she had seen God Himself in a theophany. She also realized that El Roi saw her in her distress and testified that He is a God who lives and sees all.
EL SHADDAI: אֵל שַׁדַּי [el-shah-dahy] God Almighty or “God All Sufficient.” 48 times in the OT, 31 times in Job. First used in Gen. 17:1, 2. (Gen. 31:29, 49:24, 25; Prov. 3:27; Micah 2:1; Isa. 60:15, 16, 66:10-1, Ruth 1:20, 21) In Rev. 16:7, “Lord God the Almighty.” The Septuagint uses Greek “ikanos” meaning “all-sufficient” or “self-sufficient.” The idols of the heathen are called “sheddim.”
ADONAI: אֲדֹנָי [ˌædɒˈnaɪ; ah-daw-nahy] “Lord” (Genesis 15:2; Judges 6:15) – used in place of YHWH, which was thought by the Jews to be too sacred to be uttered by sinful men. In the Old Testament, YHWH is more often used in God’s dealings with His people, while Adonai is used more when He deals with the Gentiles.
Lord in our English Bibles (Capital letter ‘L ‘, lower case, ‘ord’) (Adonai is plural, the sing. is “adon”). “Master” or “Lord” 300 times in the OT always plural when referring to God, when sing. the reference is to a human lord. Used 215 times to refer to men. First use of Adonai, Gen. 15:2. (Ex. 4:10; Judges 6:15; 2 Sam. 7:18-20; Ps. 8, 114:7, 135:5, 141:8, 109:21-28). Heavy use in Isaiah (Adonai Jehovah). 200 times by Ezekiel. Ten times in Dan. 9.
YHWH / YAHWEH (JEHOVAH) [yah-way (ji-hoh-veh)] יהוה – “LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:4; Daniel 9:14) in English Bible translations. The only proper name for God. Translated in English Bibles “LORD” (all capitals) to distinguish it from Adonai, “Lord.” The revelation of the name is given to Moses “I Am who I Am” (Exodus 3:14). This name specifies an immediacy, a presence. Yahweh is present, accessible, near to those who call on Him for deliverance (Psalm 107:13), forgiveness (Psalm 25:11) and guidance (Psalm 31:3).
LORD in our English Bibles (all capitals). Yahweh is the covenant name of God. Occurs 6823 times in the OT First use Gen. 2:4 (Jehovah Elohim). From the verb “to be”, havah, similar to chavah (to live), “The Self-Existent One,” “I AM WHO I AM” or ‘I WILL BE WHO I WILL BE” as revealed to Moses at the burning bush, Ex.3. The name of God, too sacred to be uttered, abbreviated ( . . . . ) or written “YHWH” without vowel points. The tetragrammaton. Josh., Judges, Sam., and Kings use Jehovah almost exclusively. The love of God is conditioned upon His moral and spiritual attributes. (Dan. 9:14; Ps. 11:7; Lev. 19:2; Hab. 1:12). Note Deut. 6:4, 5 known to Jews as the Sh’ma uses both Jehovah and Elohim to indicate one God with a plurality of persons.
Remember, in English and in Hebrew, the word “God” (or El, or Elohim) is not a name, but a generic title for a deity that could be applied to other, lesser, spiritual beings. Neither the ancient Israelites, Jesus, nor the early Christians believed that their God was the only spiritual being that existed. There were many such beings who were lesser than the one true God because they were created, not the Creator. But they were real beings nonetheless, so they are called “Elohim,” or “gods” in the Old Testament (see some examples in Genesis 35:2, Joshua 24:2 Psalm136:2). For example, to the north of Israel lived the ancient Syrians, and their chief god was called “Baal” (familiar from the stories about Elijah, see 1 Kings 18. The Moabites to the east worshipped Chemosh (see 1 Kings 11).
Yet the Israelites were unique in that they gave their allegiance to a deity that was not named or worshipped anywhere else in the ancient world. This God’s name was “Yahweh” (perhaps originally “Yahuwah”). The name was first revealed to Moses according to (Exodus 3: 12-15). The stories about Abraham in Genesis make it clear that this was the God Abraham related to as “El” or “El-Elyon,” and so on. “Yahweh” means “He will be,” which will spin your brain a bit. It’s a fitting name for the eternal Creator of all things, a profound statement that this God is the ultimate author of all reality, the one without beginning or end.
The Hebrew letters ‘yud,’ ‘hey,’ ‘vav,’ and ‘hey’ (in English, YHVH) form what is known as the Tetragrammaton, or God’s four-letter name. Given the longstanding Jewish prohibition against speaking God’s name aloud, the word’s original pronunciation is unclear, and it is traditionally not pronounced as written. Instead, a variety of substitutes are used – like “Adonai” (“My Lord”) and “Hashem” (“The Name”) – depending on the context.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the name of God is recorded as YHWH. So, where did the name “Jehovah” come from? Ancient Hebrew did not use vowels in its written form. The vowels were pronounced in spoken Hebrew but were not recorded in written Hebrew. The appropriate vowel sounds of words were passed down orally. As a result, when ancient Hebrew is studied, scholars and linguists often do not know with absolute confidence how certain Hebrew words were pronounced.
The vast majority of Jewish and Christian biblical scholars and linguists do not believe “Jehovah” to be the proper pronunciation of YHWH. There was no true J sound in ancient Hebrew. Even the Hebrew letter vav, which is transliterated as the W in YHWH is said to have originally had a pronunciation closer to W than the V of Jehovah. Jehovah is essentially a Germanic pronunciation of the Latinized transliteration of the Hebrew YHWH. It is the letters of the tetragrammaton, Latinized into JHVH, with vowels inserted. “Yahweh” or “Yehowah” is far more likely to be the correct pronunciation.
The form Jehovah, though, is very commonly used. It is used in the King James Version of the Bible (Genesis 22:14; Exodus 6:3; 17:15; Judges 6:24; Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 12:2; 26:4). It is also used, and strenuously promoted by, the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Jehovah’s Witnesses emphasize the use of Jehovah to the extent that any other name or title for God is viewed as borderline idolatry or outright heresy.
YAHWEH ELOHIM יהוה אֱלֹהִים This name can be translated “LORD God” but it emphasizes God’s creative nature as in Genesis 2:4. One variation on this is יְהוָֽה אֱלֹהָי, Yahweh Elohai, which means “the LORD my God” instead. Another variation is when God addresses His people, saying “I am the LORD your God”. This is Yahweh Elohechem, יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם. “LORD God” Gen. 2:4; Judges 5:3; Isa. 17:6; Zeph. 2:9; Psa. 59:5, etc.
YAHWEH TSURI – Here’s another name given to God by King David in the Psalms. From Psalm 19:14, here’s where God is called David’s “rock and Redeemer” after he gives glory to God for His Laws, judgements, and commands. See also Psalm 18:2.
YAHWEH SHALOM יהוה שָׁלֹום [yah-way-shah-lohm] – “The LORD is peace” is what Gideon named the altar he built in Judges 6:24. This was just after an angel appeared to him and told him that God would help him defeat the Midianites, which he later did.
But wait, didn’t God bring war and not peace in this case? Why say that God is peace if He promised the Israelites a war victory?
The peace was brought to God’s people through the defeat of the Midianites because the Israelites had been greatly oppressed by Midian. Defeating them with God’s help brought freedom and peace.
“The Lord Our Peace” Judges 6:24. “Shalom” translated “peace” 170 times means “whole,” “finished,” “fulfilled,” “perfected.” Related to “well,” welfare.” Deut. 27:6; Dan. 5:26; I Kings 9:25 8:61; Gen. 15:16; Ex. 21:34, 22:5, 6; Lev. 7:11-21. Shalom means that kind of peace that results from being a whole person in right relationship to God and to one’s fellow man.
YAHWEH RAPHA יהוה רֹפְאֶךָ [yah-way-raw-faw] – Also Yahweh Rafa (רָפָא), this is a name God gave to Himself in Exodus 15:26. He said that he would spare the Hebrew people from the plagues he put on the Egyptians if they were obedient. This name means “healer” and as our Creator, He has control over our bodies. He can heal and protect. “The Lord Who Heals” (Exodus 15:26).
YAHWEH YIREH [yah-way-yi-reh] – This name comes from Genesis 22:14, when Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac out of obedience to God. It means “God provides” or “God who sees”.
Although this name is commonly translated “Jehovah Jireh”, there’s no “j” sound in Hebrew as there is in English so a more accurate pronunciation of this name would be “Yuh-hoe-vah yeer-eh”.
For us today, throughout the Bible, even in situations of great persecution like what Paul experienced, God sees our circumstances and knows exactly what’s needed to fulfill His plan for His people. We can be sure that He’s faithful and will always provide!
YAHWEH-RAPHA [yah-way-raw-faw]: “The Lord Who Heals” (Exodus 15:26) – “I am Jehovah who heals you” both in body and soul. In body, by preserving from and curing diseases, and in soul, by pardoning iniquities. See Jer. 30:17, 3:22; Isa. 61:1
YAHWEH-NISSI [yah-way-nee-see]: “The Lord Our Banner” (Exodus 17:15), where banner is understood to be a rallying place. This name commemorates the desert victory over the Amalekites in Exodus 17. See Psalm 4:6.
YAHWEH M’KADDESH [yah-way-meh-kad-esh]: “The Lord Who Sanctifies, Makes Holy” (Leviticus 20:8; Ezekiel 37:28) – God makes it clear that He alone, not the law, can cleanse His people and make them holy.
YAHWEH TSIDKENU [yah-way-tzid-kay-noo]: “The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 33:16) – As with YHWH-M’Kaddesh, it is God alone who provides righteousness (from the Hebrew word tsidkenu) to man, ultimately in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ, who became sin for us “that we might become the Righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
YAHWEH-SHAMMAH [yah-way-sham-mahw]: “The Lord Is There” (Ezekiel 48:35) – the name ascribed to Jerusalem and the Temple there, indicating that the once-departed glory of the Lord (Ezekiel 8—11) had returned (Ezekiel 44:1-4).
YAHWEH SABAOTH [yah-way-sah-bah-ohth]: “The Lord of Hosts” (Isaiah 1:24; Psalm 46:7) – Hosts means “hordes,” both of angels and of men. He is Lord of the host of heaven and of the inhabitants of the earth, of Jews and Gentiles, of rich and poor, master and slave. The name is expressive of the majesty, power, and authority of God and shows that He is able to accomplish what He determines to do. See 2 Kings 3:9-12; Jer. 11:20 (NT: Rom. 9:29; James 5:4, Rev. 19: 11-16.
SHEPHERD: 
Psa. 23, 79:13, 95:7, 80:1, 100:3; Gen. 49:24; Isa. 40:11.
JUDGE: 
Psa. 7:8, 96:13.
ABIR: 
‘Mighty One’, (“to be strong”) Gen. 49:24; Deut. 10:17; Psa. 132:2, 5; Isa. 1:24, 49:26, 60:1.
BRANCH: 
(tsemach), The Branch: Zech. 3:8, 6:12; Isa. 4:2; Jer. 23:5, 33:15.
KADOSH: 
“Holy One” Psa. 71:22; Isa. 40:25, 43:3, 48:17. Isaiah uses the expression “the Holy One of Israel” 29 times.
SHAPHAT: 
“Judge” Gen. 18:25
EL ROI: 
“God of Seeing” Hagar in Gen. 16:13. The God Who opens our eyes.
KANNA: 
“Jealous” (zealous). Ex. 20:5, 34:14; Deut. 5:9; Isa. 9:7; Zech. 1:14, 8:2.
PALET: 
“Deliverer” Psa. 18:2.
YESHUA: 
(Yeshua) “Savior” (“he will save”). Isa. 43:3. Jesus is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew “Joshua.” The latter is a contraction of Ye-Hoshua. (“Christ”, the anointed one is equivalent to the Hebrew Maschiah, or Messiah).
GAOL: 
“Redeemer” (to buy back by paying a price). Job 19:25; For example, the antitype corresponding to Boaz the Kinsman-Redeemer in the Book of Ruth.
MAGEN: 
“Shield” Psa. 3:3, 18:30.
STONE: (eben) 
Gen. 49:24
EYALUTH: 
“Strength” Psa. 22:19.
TSADDIQ: 
“Righteous One” Psa. 7:9.
EL-OLAM: 
“Everlasting God” (God of everlasting time) Gen. 21:33; Psa. 90:1-3, 93:2; Isa. 26:4.
TSUR: 
“God our Rock” Deut. 32:18; Isa. 30:29. Malachi calls Messiah “The Sun of Righteousness” (Malachi 4:2). Isaiah calls Messiah “Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God (El Gibhor), Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). ‘Attiq Yomin (Aramaic): “Ancient of Days,” Dan. 7:9, 13, 22.
MELEKH: 
“King” Psa. 5:2, 29:10, 44:4, 47:6-8, 48:2, 68:24, 74:12, 95:3, 97:1, 99:4, 146:10; Isa. 5:1, 5, 41:21, 43:15, 44:6; 52:7, 52:10.
FATHER: 
2 Sam. 7:14-15; Psa. 68:5; Isa. 63:16, 64:8; Mal. 1:6.
NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES
KURIOS: (kurios) “Lord” Found some 600 times in the NT.
DESPOTES: (despotes) “Lord” 5 times: Lu. 2:29; Acts 4:24; 2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 4; Rev. 6:10.
THEOS: (yeos) “God” (equivalent to the Hebrew Elohim), 1,000 times in the NT. In the NT all the persons of the trinity are called “God” at one time or another.
I AM: Jesus upset his generation especially when He said, “Before Abraham was, I AM,” John 8:58. Note also his claim to be Jehovah in such phrases as “I AM the Light of the world,” “the bread of life,” living water,” “the Resurrection and the Life,” “the Way, Truth and the Life” in John’s Gospel. From the Hebrew OT verb “to be” signifying a Living, Intelligent, Personal Being.
THEOTES: “Godhead” Col. 2:9; Rom. 1:20.
HUPSISTOS: “Highest” Mt. 21:9.
SOTER: (soter) “Savior” Luke 1:4 7.
WORD: (logos) John 1:1ff
ALMIGHTY: (pantokrator) 2 Cor. 6:18, Revelation, 9t, e.g. 19:6.
References: The Bible, About.com, Idolphin.org, Christianity.com, GotQuestions.org, Sefaria.org
