Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name…” Psalm 96:7-8a
TV commercials are rarely worth watching, and so at our house if we do turn on a program, it is always with the clicker in hand. Every now and then, however, a commercial catches our eye. Picture several individuals in the conference room of a company, each addressed by name. Though the point of the commercial escapes me, I do distinctly remember that each person’s name clearly had a deeper meaning. Harry – well you guessed it – was endowed with a head and face full of thick, dark hair. Bob responded to a question with a profuse nodding of his head. Joy spontaneously erupted in a shower of giggles. Eileen was leaning precariously against the table, and finally, Mr. Turkey Neck… well, let your imagination run wild.
In an amusing way, that commercial made me think of the fact that the Bible often uses names clearly meant to give us not only a means of identifying people, but also a glimpse into the character of the person who bears the name. Some of my favorites are found in the book of Ruth. Elimilech, for example, means “my God is King,” Naomi – Elimilech’s wife – means “pleasant” or “lovely” which she later changed to Mara meaning “bitter.” Mahlon and Chilion, their two sons’ names, mean “puny” and “pining” respectively. (As a mom, all I can say is, ‘Naomi, what were you thinking?’) It shouldn’t surprise you, then, that the Bible uses numerous, specific names to describe our great and awesome God.
A Hebrew Lesson
Obviously, our English bibles translate the names of God into descriptive phrases we can readily understand, but if we were to take a look at the original language of Hebrew, we would clearly see these various names for God. Consider this partial list.
Adonai – Lord (Exodus 34:9)
El Elyon – The Most High God (Psalm 78:35)
El Olam – The Everlasting God (Isaiah 40:28)
El Roi – The God Who Sees (Exodus 16:13)
El Shaddai – The God Who is Enough, God Almighty (Genesis 28:3)
Elohim – The Strong One (Genesis 1:1)
YHWH – “I am the One who is” (Exodus 3:14) later written as ‘Jehovah’
Jehovah Jireh – The Lord our Provider (Genesis 22:14)
Jehovah Rapha – The Lord our Healer (Jeremiah 3:22)
Jehovah Rohi – The Lord our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
Jehovah Sabaoth – The Lord of Hosts (Psalm 84:3)
Jehovah Shalom - The Lord our Peace (Judges 6:24)
Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is Present, The Lord is There (Ezekiel 48:35)
When we read through this list we realize we cannot exhaust God: He is El Elyon, ‘the Most High God.’ We will not out live Him: He is El Olam, ‘the Everlasting God.’ We cannot hide from Him, nor is He unaware of our woes: He is El Roi, ‘the God who sees.’
Are you feeling weak? Know that Elohim, ‘the Strong One’ is your God. Are there deep and painful wounds in your heart? Come to our Great Physician; let Jehovah Rapha, ‘the Lord our Healer’ bind up your wounds. Do you feel frightened or lonely? Reach out to Jehovah Shammah, ‘the Lord who is there.’ Are you lost in a wilderness of uncertainty? Jehovah Rohi, ‘the Lord our Shepherd’ will come and find you. Is your faith being tested by financial trials? Remember Jehovah Jireh, ‘the Lord provides’ and El Shaddai, ‘the God who is enough,’ ‘God Almighty’ is your God! May Jehovah Shalom wrap you up in His love this day and may He be your peace.
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TV commercials are rarely worth watching, and so at our house if we do turn on a program, it is always with the clicker in hand. Every now and then, however, a commercial catches our eye. Picture several individuals in the conference room of a company, each addressed by name. Though the point of the commercial escapes me, I do distinctly remember that each person’s name clearly had a deeper meaning. Harry – well you guessed it – was endowed with a head and face full of thick, dark hair. Bob responded to a question with a profuse nodding of his head. Joy spontaneously erupted in a shower of giggles. Eileen was leaning precariously against the table, and finally, Mr. Turkey Neck… well, let your imagination run wild.
In an amusing way, that commercial made me think of the fact that the Bible often uses names clearly meant to give us not only a means of identifying people, but also a glimpse into the character of the person who bears the name. Some of my favorites are found in the book of Ruth. Elimilech, for example, means “my God is King,” Naomi – Elimilech’s wife – means “pleasant” or “lovely” which she later changed to Mara meaning “bitter.” Mahlon and Chilion, their two sons’ names, mean “puny” and “pining” respectively. (As a mom, all I can say is, ‘Naomi, what were you thinking?’) It shouldn’t surprise you, then, that the Bible uses numerous, specific names to describe our great and awesome God.
A Hebrew Lesson
Obviously, our English bibles translate the names of God into descriptive phrases we can readily understand, but if we were to take a look at the original language of Hebrew, we would clearly see these various names for God. Consider this partial list.
Adonai – Lord (Exodus 34:9)
El Elyon – The Most High God (Psalm 78:35)
El Olam – The Everlasting God (Isaiah 40:28)
El Roi – The God Who Sees (Exodus 16:13)
El Shaddai – The God Who is Enough, God Almighty (Genesis 28:3)
Elohim – The Strong One (Genesis 1:1)
YHWH – “I am the One who is” (Exodus 3:14) later written as ‘Jehovah’
Jehovah Jireh – The Lord our Provider (Genesis 22:14)
Jehovah Rapha – The Lord our Healer (Jeremiah 3:22)
Jehovah Rohi – The Lord our Shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
Jehovah Sabaoth – The Lord of Hosts (Psalm 84:3)
Jehovah Shalom - The Lord our Peace (Judges 6:24)
Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is Present, The Lord is There (Ezekiel 48:35)
When we read through this list we realize we cannot exhaust God: He is El Elyon, ‘the Most High God.’ We will not out live Him: He is El Olam, ‘the Everlasting God.’ We cannot hide from Him, nor is He unaware of our woes: He is El Roi, ‘the God who sees.’
Are you feeling weak? Know that Elohim, ‘the Strong One’ is your God. Are there deep and painful wounds in your heart? Come to our Great Physician; let Jehovah Rapha, ‘the Lord our Healer’ bind up your wounds. Do you feel frightened or lonely? Reach out to Jehovah Shammah, ‘the Lord who is there.’ Are you lost in a wilderness of uncertainty? Jehovah Rohi, ‘the Lord our Shepherd’ will come and find you. Is your faith being tested by financial trials? Remember Jehovah Jireh, ‘the Lord provides’ and El Shaddai, ‘the God who is enough,’ ‘God Almighty’ is your God! May Jehovah Shalom wrap you up in His love this day and may He be your peace.
All Content On This Is Blog Is Copyrighted ~ All Rights Reserved
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