NamesOfGod
- Added November 19th 2025
When we speak of the names of God we are not dabbling in poetic ornaments, but standing on holy ground where the self-revealing Lord discloses His character and covenant. This table lists major divine names, showing their language, meaning, key biblical references, New Testament interpretation, and theological significance. When older English sources say “Jehovah,” they refer to the same covenant name rendered here as YHWH.
Old Testament passages link to the NIV for its clear contemporary diction, while New Testament passages point to the ESV to retain the formal tone many readers expect when tracing apostolic teaching. For covenant-compound titles such as YHWH Rapha and YHWH Shalom, see CovenantNamesOfGod.
| Language | Meaning | Key References | Christian Interpretation | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YHWH (יהוה) | ||||
| Hebrew | "He is / He causes to be" | Ex 3:14-15; Ex 34:6-7 | Jesus claims this name implicitly (John 8:58); identifies Christ with the God of Israel | Covenant name of God; expresses His self-existence and faithfulness |
| Yah / Jah (יָהּ) | ||||
| Hebrew | Short form of YHWH | Ps 68:4; Ps 150 | Praise of Yah = praise of Christ, the revealed YHWH | Poetic form emphasizing intimacy and worship |
| Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) | ||||
| Hebrew | "God," "Mighty One" | Gen 1:1; Deut 6:4 | NT uses Theos identically; plural form seen as hinting at Trinitarian fullness | Highlights God's power, sovereignty, and creative authority |
| El (אֵל) | ||||
| Hebrew | "Mighty/Strong One" | Gen 17:1; Ps 22:1 | Christ as the power of God (1 Cor 1:24) fulfills this title | Base form of many divine titles; stresses strength |
| Eloah (אֱלוֹהַ) | ||||
| Hebrew | Singular form of Elohim | Job 3:4; Deut 32:15 | Same referent as Elohim; NT affirms one God in essence | Common in Hebrew poetry; solemn tone |
| El Shaddai (אֵל שַׁדַּי) | ||||
| Hebrew | "God Almighty / All-Sufficient" | Gen 17:1; Gen 28:3 | Applied to Christ in NT under title "Pantokrator" | Name of covenant promises; emphasizes divine omnipotence |
| El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן) | ||||
| Hebrew | "God Most High" | Gen 14:18-22; Ps 78:35 | Jesus enthroned "at the right hand" fulfills Most High kingship | Declares absolute supremacy over creation |
| El Olam (אֵל עוֹלָם) | ||||
| Hebrew | "Everlasting God" | Gen 21:33; Isa 40:28 | Christ is eternal (John 1:1-3; Heb 13:8) | Emphasizes God's timelessness and unchanging nature |
| Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) | ||||
| Hebrew | "Lord / Master" | Ps 110:1; Isa 6 | NT "Kyrios" is applied to Jesus, equating Him with Adonai | Expresses lordship, authority, and dominion |
| YHWH Tseva'ot (יהוה צְבָאוֹת) | ||||
| Hebrew | "LORD of Hosts/Armies" | 1 Sam 1:3; Isa 1:9 | In NT Christ commands angels (Matt 26:53; Rev 19) | Reveals God as ruler of heavenly armies |
| Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh (אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה) | ||||
| Hebrew | "I AM WHO I AM" | Ex 3:14 | Directly claimed by Jesus (John 8:58) | Ground of all divine identity; self-existence |
| El Gibbor (אֵל גִּבּוֹר) | ||||
| Hebrew | "Mighty God" | Isa 9:6 | Isaiah's messianic prophecy names the coming Son as El Gibbor, fulfilled in Jesus | Identifies the Messiah with God's own power and kingship |
| El Roi (אֵל רֳאִי) | ||||
| Hebrew | "God who sees me" | Gen 16:13 | Christ sees and knows His people (John 10:14) | Divine compassion, presence with the suffering |
| Elah (אֱלָה) | ||||
| Aramaic | "God" | Dan 2:20-23; Ezra 5-6 | Equivalent of Eloah/Elohim; same God revealed in Christ | Shows linguistic continuity in exile |
| Elah Sh'maya (אֱלָה שְׁמַיָּא) | ||||
| Aramaic | "God of Heaven" | Dan 2:18-19; Ezra 6:10 | Points to God's transcendence; NT identifies Jesus as enthroned in heaven | Reveals God's sovereignty over empires |
| Mareh / Mar (מָרֵא / מַר) | ||||
| Aramaic | "Lord/Master" | Dan 2:47; Dan 4:19 | Parallels Greek Kyrios used for Christ | Title of respect and authority |
| Abba (אַבָּא) | ||||
| Aramaic | "Father / Papa" | Mark 14:36; Rom 8:15; Gal 4:6 | Believers call God "Abba" through the Spirit of Christ | Intimate filial relationship granted through adoption |
| Theos (Θεός) | ||||
| Greek | "God" | John 1:1; Rom 1:7 | Used for Father and Son; Christ called God directly (Titus 2:13) | Core NT title for the divine being |
| Kyrios (Κύριος) | ||||
| Greek | "Lord / Master" | Phil 2:11; Rom 10:9; Acts 2:36 | Greek equivalent of YHWH; Jesus receives this divine title | Central confession: "Jesus is Lord (YHWH)" |
| Christos (Χριστός) | ||||
| Greek | "Anointed One / Messiah" | Matt 16:16; John 20:31 | Jesus is the OT Messiah - king, priest, prophet | Fulfills OT expectations and covenants |
| Logos (Λόγος) | ||||
| Greek | "Word / Reason / Expression" | John 1:1-14 | Identifies Jesus as eternal divine Word | Reveals God perfectly; source of life and light |
| Pater (Πατήρ) | ||||
| Greek | "Father" | Matt 6:9; John 17 | God known as Father through Christ | Relational revelation; grounds Christian prayer |
| Pneuma (Πνεῦμα) | ||||
| Greek | "Spirit/Breath/Wind" | John 14-16; Acts 2 | Third person of Trinity; Spirit of Christ | Brings new birth and faith |
| Pantokrator (Παντοκράτωρ) | ||||
| Greek | "Almighty / Ruler of All" | Rev 1:8; Rev 4:8 | Equivalent to "El Shaddai"; applied to Christ | Emphasizes God's sovereign rule over history |
| Alpha and Omega (Α and Ω) | ||||
| Greek | "Alpha and Omega / Beginning and End" | Rev 1:8; Rev 22:13 | Jesus claims the title, identifying Himself with the eternal Lord who spans all time | Affirms that Christ holds both origin and destiny, securing believers' hope |
| Soter (Σωτήρ) | ||||
| Greek | "Savior" | Luke 2:11; Titus 2:13 | Jesus as divine Savior; God saves through Him | Central to doctrine of justification |
| Immanuel (Ἐμμανουήλ) | ||||
| Hebrew/Greek | "God with us" | Isa 7:14; Matt 1:23 | Incarnation - God present with His people in Christ | God draws near to save, not condemn |