The 16 Names of God
Do you know that the Bible calls God by 16 different names? So great and awesome is He that it requires 16 names to describe His character as an all-powerful, living God. Learn about them below.
Elohim - The very first name He was called in Genesis chapter one, it describes His position as the sovereign preeminent God.
Yahweh (Jehovah) - This name, which means Lord and Master, was used by the Jews but Jewish tradition considers it too holy to utter or write Yahweh, that they wrote it without the vowels so it would appear as YHWH. By the third century, Jews stopped using it altogether for fear of violating the fourth commandment of taking the Lord's name in vain.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
El Elyon - It means "The Most High God" in reference to His nature as the majestic ruler over all.
Adonai - This means Lord or Master, a name substituted by the Jews to Yahweh.
El Shaddai - El is related to Elohim and is used in conjunction with other words to describe God. Shaddai means to overpower. Putting them together would form the name Lord God Almighty to describe His nature as an all-powerful God.
El Olam - Translated as Everlasting God from the word "Olam" which means everlasting.
Jehovah Jireh - Jehovah (used interchangeably with Yahweh) is the proper name while Jireh means "to provide." Putting them will form the name "God the Provider."
Jehovah Rapha - Rapha means heal so the two words translate to "the Lord Who Heals You" or "God the Healer" for brevity.
Jehovah Nissi - Nissi means flag which translates the name to "The Lord is My Banner."
El Qanna - Qanna means jealous, which speaks of His nature as a Jealous God who cannot stand other gods before Him as mentioned six times in the Bible.
Jehovah Mekoddishkem - The word Mekoddishkem means holy. If used together with Jehovah, it will form the name "the Lord Who Sanctifies You."
Jehovah Shalom - Shalom means peace thus, "the Lord is Peace" when connected with Jehovah. Modern Christians translate this these days as "Prince of Peace."
Jehovah Sabaoth - Used in conjunction with Jehovah, Sabaoth means the "Lord of Hosts."
Jehovah Raah - Raah means shepherd and when used together with Jehovah means "the Lord is My Shepherd."
Jehovah Tsidkenu - Tsidkenu means righteousness and will form the title "The Lord Who is Our Righteousness" if used together with Jehovah.
Jehovah Shammah - The word Shammah simply means there and if connected with Jehovah will translate to "The Lord is There."
