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I. THE NAMES OF
GOD A. Introduction 1. Names
can and do carry man meanings. This was especially true in Old Testament
times. For instance, “Cain” means, “to get or acquire,” because Eve declared
that she had gotten a “manchild” by the help of the Lord (Ge 4:1). Isaac’s
name means “laughter” because Abraham and Sarah both laughed at the idea of
bearing a child in their old Age (Ge 17:17; 18:12). However, they were filled
with the joy of the Lord in their old age at the fulfillment of God’s promise
(Ge 21:6-7). 2. God’s names also have meanings and those
meanings reveal God’s attributes, acts, and personal dealings in the world.
In addition, the believer can find great comfort and strength in the names of
God. a) The
many names of God in the Scriptures provide additional revelation of His
character. These are not mere titles assigned by people but, for the most
part, His own descriptions of Himself. As such they reveal aspects of His
character. (Ryrie,
Basic Theology, pg. 51) 3. The
English Bible distinguishes the primary names of God along with
capitalizations. “LORD.” with all capitals is the designation for Yahweh.
“Lord,” with small letters is the designation for Adonai. The name
“God” is the designation for Elohim. B. Primary Names
Of God 1. Elohim a) Elohim is the first name of God encountered in
the Scriptures. The root El in Elohim means might or strength.
The idea of Elohim is the Strong One, the Great One, or the Chief God
among all others. b) Elohim is the name of God introduced and emphasized in Genesis
chapter one (1-31 except 13, 15, 19, 23, 30). Elohim is the Mighty
Creator who created everything that exists. c) Interestingly, Elohim is found in
the plural form in Hebrew (im). There is some discussion as to why the
plural is used here with respect the name Elohim. Some maintain that
it refers to the multifaceted attributes of God whereby it is called, “a
plurality of majesty.” While this is true, Elohim very well could be
the first implication of God’s triune nature (Gen 1:1) as Creator (cf. Ge
1:2; Jn 1:1). As to the plurality of the persons of the Godhead, such is
manifest in Ge 1:26 when Elohim said, “Let Us make man in Our image.” d) There are no other gods besides Elohim.
He alone is the Mighty One (Isa 45:5, 18, 21). e) He is the God (Elohim) of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob (Gen 28:13), of all flesh (Jer 32:27), of the earth (Isa
54:5), of the heavens (Neh 2:4). f) As believers we are to have a worshipful
reverence toward Elohim (Psa 66:19), to trust in His strength (Psa
46:10), and to rely upon His strength (Psa 18:31-32; 46:1; 59:9). 2. Yahweh a) The
next name for God is Yahweh. It occurs some 5,321 times in the Old
Testament, making it the most frequently used name for God. b) This is the personal proper name of
Israel's God, even as Chemosh was the god of Moab, and Dagon
the god of the Philistines (Psa 81:10; 83:18; 140:6). c) Since ancient Hebrew only had consonants,
the four consonants of the name of God were YHVH. The “four letters” YHVH,
are called the Tetragrammaton. Its original pronunciation
was lost in antiquity, but some suggest that in all likelihood it is
pronounced Yahweh. d) This particular name was so sacred to the
Jewish scribes that when they came to this name, they would stop and make
themselves ceremonial clean. In post-biblical times, the name Yahweh
was pronounced only once a year by the High Priest. On all other occasions,
it was replaced by the name Adonai. Most scholars believe Jehovah
was comprised of the consonants of JHVH (Latin) and the vowels of Adonai.
However, some maintain that Jehovah was the Latinization of Yahweh. e) The name Yahweh contains the verb
(hawa, rare synonym of hayah) signifies existence as in a “tree
trunk, being at rest where it fall - Eccl 11:3” (TWOT). It also carries
the idea of development as in Neh 6:6. Both ideas combined denote that God is
the active Self-existent One. f) The attribute of self-existence means, that
God has the ground of His existence in Himself, and unlike man, does not
depend on anything outside of Himself. He is independent in His Being, in His
virtues and actions, and causes all His creatures to depend on Him.
(Louis Berkhof, Summary of Christian Doctrine). g) God’s self-expressed name, “I AM” in Ex
3:14 is most likely related to Yahweh
(“LORD”) in Ex 3:15. Moses was
“sent” by both “I AM” (Ex 3:14) and Yahweh (Ex 3:15). In
addition, Yahweh is His “name forever.” This connection gives support
that the root of yahveh is hayah (Qal
Imperfect - continuous unfinished action, i.e. “I AM”). Therefore, Yahweh
is the Chief Self-existent God. h) The first usage is in Genesis 2 (4, 5, 7,
8, 9, 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 22) where Yahweh is combined with Elohim.
The first usage without the combination of Elohim is in Gen 4:3ff in
the narrative of Cain. i) It was Yahweh who is described
with the attribute of holiness (Is 6:3). j) It was Yahweh who spoke with Moses
from the tent of meeting (Le 1:1) and who detailed Israel’s sacrificial
system (Le 1:2). k) It was Yahweh who gave to Israel
His law (Ex 31:18) that Israel was to delight in, meditate day and night (Ps
1:1), and walk in (Ps 119:1). l) It is Yahweh whose name is called
upon for salvation (Joel 2:32; Ac 2:21; Ro 10:13). m) Yahweh not only means
that God is self-existent and eternal, but it also refers to God’s covenantal
name for His relationship with Israel (Ex 3:15; Ps 135:13). Believers also
have a relationship with Yahweh through the person of the Lord Jesus
Christ (Joh 8:58). All believers ought to give praise to Yahweh (hallelujah,
hallelu - praise; jah or yah - Yahweh; Psa 106:48; 150:1, 6) 3. Adonai a) Adonai
means one with
authority and is translated Lord or Master. It also is in plural form in
Hebrew. b) It is used for human masters or
authorities (Ge 24:14, 27, 35, 37); to show the quality of servanthood and
respect (Gen 24:18); and its first usage was applied by Sarah in reference to
her husband (Gen 18:12 cp. 1Pe 3:6). c) When used in reference to God, Adonai
(“Lord”) refers to His absolute Lordship among men (Psa 2:3-4). d) Ex 34:23 combines all three names of God,
“the Lord (Adonai)
GOD (Yahweh), the God (Elohim) of Israel” e) David uses Adonai to indicate his
submission to God (Psa 16:2). f) Isaiah is overcome with the holiness and
authority of Adonai and therefore submits his life to Him (Isa 6:1, 8-11). g) Every believer bows to Adonai when
he confesses that Jesus is Lord (kúrios) (Phil 2:11 cp. Isa
45:23). |
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Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516 |
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