“WHAT’S IN A NAME? IN ANCIENT TIMES NAMES WERE CAREFULLY CHOSEN WHEN GIVEN TO OFFSPRING. THE MEANING BEHIND THEM WAS KEY TO WHAT PARENTS HOPED WOULD CHARACTERIZE THEIR CHILDREN’S LIVES.”

 I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about NAMES and we’ll do so by discovering the amazing names, God gave Himself so that we can discover the true meaning of who God is …

…What’s in a name? Today essentially most names as applied to the owner of them, have little to no meaning. We name our children without much consideration for what their names may mean, but this was not the case in Bible times. Therefore in Scripture names and their meanings are very important and significant, for they reveal what a parent wanted to see their offspring characterized by. King David wrote in the psalms,

Psa 138:1-2 (NIV)  “…  I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. 2 I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word.”

Yes, David implied that God’s name declared much about Him. In fact, we can know what God is like, not only by His manifested perfections and works, but also by His personal names. These names found in Scripture, tell us many things about God’s love, care and concern for his own. The study of names is one of the fascinating studies of Scripture. So today let’s examine some of the many names God has chosen for Himself, which reveal to us His marvelous works and ways. And, like Kind David, through this study may we learn to offer praise and thanksgiving for so great a God of Creation and redemption. My message today is entitled: WHAT’S IN A NAME? In a moment we’ll find out…

…Today most personal names given to us are little more than labels to distinguish one person from another. Sometimes though we are given nicknames, which may tell something about a person, but even here, it is rarely a reflection of the character and grace of the individual so named. But in the Bible names are very important; especially, those given to God by Himself through His revelatory Word. Thus in Scripture, the names of God are essentially portraits of Him and His glorious promises. This is evident in the fact that God reveals His own names to mankind rather than allowing us to choose names for Him. As such, understanding the meaning and significance of the names by which God is referred to in the Bible is of the utmost importance for understanding the meaning of many texts found in Scripture. Now most of our modern day English Bible translations, simply refer to God using three basic designations, namely “God,” “Lord God,” and “Lord.” However, they convey very little to the English mind anything more than a name or title identifying the one who is the Creator. However, in the original languages the Bible was written, they tell us much more than meets the eye. Let’s explore this now and see. The first name for God we come across in the Bible is…

ELOHIM – “Elohim,” found in the opening words of Genesis, is the very first name God reveals Himself by. We read in,

Gen 1:1 (NIV)  In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth.

 Elohim is the most common name that is translated as "God" throughout the Bible. The name and word “Elohim” comes from a root that means "strength, power and might." It is used over 2,300 times in the Scriptures referring to the God Israel worshipped. Elohim is unusual since it is a plural noun. Therefore it can be translated as "gods" as it is in (Exodus 12:12). But right here in the beginning of Scripture, the context used is absolutely singular! So, this plural yet singular name for God then is an embryo revelation of the triune nature of the Creator God, further revealed in the Bible.  Now a second name for God is the singular form of “Elohim,” the name,

EL – This name for God has the meaning of a singular mighty, strong and prominent Being and is used 250 times in the Old Testament. It is especially used of God’s powerful sovereignty, His limitless creative power, and His mighty work for Israel in relation to His sovereignty (Isa. 54:5; Jer. 32:27; Gen. 1:1; Isa. 45:18; Deut. 5:23; 8:15; Ps. 68:7). This singular name is often combined with others to form new extended names giving new meanings for us to know. For instance, we discover compounds of “El” in the following:

El Shaddai (Gen. 17:1) -  This name means “God Almighty” or the “All Sufficient One” and is found 48 times in the Old Testament. Scholars believe it stresses God’s loving supply and comfort for His children. Still others, believe it represents His power as the Almighty One standing on a mountain and who corrects and chastens His creatures (Gen. 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; Ex. 6:31; Ps. 91:1, 2).  Another compound name is,

El Elyon  (Gen. 14:18-20).  – This name means, “The Lord Most High God.” This name stresses God’s mighty strength, absolute sovereignty, and supremacy over all (Gen. 14:19; Ps. 9:2; Dan. 7:18, 22, 25). Still more compound names of “El” are,

El Olam (Gen 21:33)  – This name means “The Everlasting God.” Here the eternal nature of God is revealed in His name, which also emphasizes God’s unchangeableness and is connected with His inexhaustibleness (Gen. 16:13). The Hebrew term “olam” has a wide range of uses. It is usually means “long duration, and antiquity.” It is used to speak of God’s existence, of God’s covenant and promises, and of the Messiah’s reign. Speaking to God, the psalmist said, “You are from ’olam (everlasting) to ’olam (everlasting)” (Ps 90:2). Moreover, the prophet Isaiah spoke of God as the everlasting Creator (Is 40:28), as everlasting strength (26:4), and Jeremiah spoke of God as everlasting King (Jer 10:10). The Scriptures speak of  “El Olam” in contexts where the believer’s assurance of well-being, security, and hope are presented as God’s gift to His children. In addition to all these wonderfully revealing compound forms of “El” we fine two more. There is,

El Gibbor  (Isa. 9:6;Psa. 45:4)  – Which is a name that speaks of God’s power and might. “Gibbor” alone is used in reference to mighty and heroic men. The two terms together always refer to God’s greatness and awesome majesty. ’El Gibbor is also used to describe the Messiah in Isa. 9:6 and Psalm 45:4. Lastly in the “El” compound names is,

El Ro’i  (Gen. 16:13;Psa. 139:1-2) -  which is used to describe God as the all “Seeing One.” Hagar, Abram’s slave described the Lord this way when she was found in the wilderness (Gen. 16:13). Psalm 139:1–2 expresses this concept of God as the “All-seeing One,” from whose eye nothing is hidden (cf. Ps 33:18).

So in summation, God reveals Himself in many ways.  He is the strong and mighty One, who is everlasting and unchanging. He is a being of immense power thus sovereign over all that exists. Yet, He is also a personal God that takes interest in those whom He loves, cares for and protects. What’s in name? As to God it is everything! Now there are other names of note we should examine. For instance there is the precious and sacred name,

ADONAI - Translated “Lord” in our English Bibles with a capitol letter 'L', followed by the lower case for 'ord'. This name is an honorific title meaning “Master,” “Sovereign,” or “Lord.” Now “Adonai” being a plural is used some 300 times in the Old Testament referring to God. Adonai is correctly described as the personal name of God in intimate communication between the believer and God. In such communication the worshiper acknowledged God’s intense majesty and greatness and also the sense of belonging to this God. ’Adonai, coming from human lips, expresses honor for God and humble submission on the part of the believing person. “Adonai” thus is the precious Name that expresses faith, assurance, security, ready service, and thanksgiving (Psa. 16:2; 57:9–10). We also see this name in reference to God as our Savior, the One who is the holy God, the One who has been able to extend mercy unto us. Now in addition to these names we come to the compound names that included the primary name,

YAHWEH – Strictly speaking, this is the only name of God in the Bible and is the special and significant name by which God revealed himself to the ancient Hebrews (Exo. 6:2- 3). Now reverent Jews traditionally did not pronounce this proper name of God when they encountered it in the Hebrew text, except on the Day of Atonement by the High Priest. That word was actually “Yahweh.” The meaning of the name “Yahweh/Jehovah” appears in Exo. 3:14 as “the unchanging, eternal, self-existent God,” the “I am that I am,” a covenant-keeping God. The Hebrew name “Jehovah” is generally translated in the King James Version by the word LORD printed in small capitals, to distinguish it from the rendering of the Hebrew Adonai and the Greek Kurios, which are also rendered Lord, but printed in the usual type. However, the KJV spells out Jehovah in four places (Exodus 6:3; Psalm 83:18; Isaiah 12:2 and 26:4). “Yahweh/Jehovah” teaches us through His personal name that the God of the Bible is unique, powerful, different from every other being, the sustainer of everything, and the One who alone can keep His promises perfectly. It is the name especially of the covenant-keeping God of Israel.

Now used in compound names we further discover more aspects of His character or of His relations with people. We see YAHWEH in the following names that contain the name Jehovah. This needs an explanation. The name “Jehovah,” arose due to the Jewish practice of not pronouncing “Yahweh” because of Leviticus 24:16,which said: “He that blasphemes the name of Yahweh shall surely be put to death.” This warning against a vain or blasphemous use of the name was taken seriously, especially after Israel’s deportation (Amos 6:10). Hence, when reading the Old Testament, the Jews substituted either “Elohim” or “Adonai” for Yahweh. From this, the practice of adding the vowels of “Adonai” to YHWH (JeHoWaH) became established. So the name Jehovah evolved. We see this in the following compound Names of God.

1.      Jehovah/Yahweh -Elohim -- The Eternal Creator

2.      Jehovah/Yahweh -Jireh -- The Lord our Provider

3.      Jehovah/Yahweh -Nissi -- The Lord our Banner

4.      Jehovah/Yahweh -Ropheka -- The Lord our Healer

5.      Jehovah/Yahweh -Shalom -- The Lord our Peace

6.      Jehovah/Yahweh -Tsidkenu -- The Lord our Righteousness

7.      Jehovah-Mekaddishkem -- The Lord our Sanctifier

8.      Jehovah/Yahweh -Sabaoth -- The Lord of Hosts

9.      Jehovah/Yahweh -Shammah -- The Lord is Present

10.  Jehovah/Yahweh -Rohi -- The Lord our Shepherd

11.  Jehovah/Yahweh -Hoseenu -- The Lord our Maker

12.  Jehovah/Yahweh -Eloheenu -- The Lord our God

Oh how wonderful it is that the names God has chosen for Himself reveal so many aspects of His divine personality, being and character. However, the best is yet to come. You see the most revealing of all names God gives to Himself, are the ones describing The second person of this triune God, the Person of Jesus Christ. Admittedly, though one of the hardest doctrines of the Bible to grasp is the teaching that God is three Persons and yet one God — the Trinity. But God does clearly reveal Himself progressively in Scripture as, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. It is in the eternal Person of God the Son Jesus Christ that He appeared among men. No studying the New Testament the truth is no honest reader of the Gospels can claim that Jesus failed to identify Himself as God, or that from the beginning Christians have firmly believed in the full deity of Jesus as God incarnate.

Indeed, His names so identify Him. Jesus Christ, the Creator God Himself is described by names such as:  (1) the Son of God, (2) the Son of Man, (3) the Messiah, (4) the Lord, (5) the “I AM,” of Scripture, (6) Immanuel, (7)the Lamb, (8)the Child (Isa. 9:6), (9)Our Great High Priest, (10) the Vine, the Word of God, (11) the Savior, (12)  the Rock, (13) the Stone, (14) the Servant, (15) the Branch, and (16) King. The Lord Jesus Christ is in fact, the dominant theme of the entire Bible — revealed to us in these last days as the Lord Jesus Christ.

 Now the most descriptive names used for the promised Messiah and Savior for the Jews is found in the prophecy of the coming Messiah God would send to fallen sinful mankind. We read in,

Isa 9:6-7 (NIV)  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Here we are confronted with four names of the Messiah and Savior of man. Each of them is significant and reveals the full and complete Deity of this being who is called the “child,” and the “son.” Yet He is also called the very God of Creation! Notice the terms “Everlasting Father,” and “Mighty God.”  These terms are the Hebrew names “Yahweh” or “Jehovah,” the personal names of God, and the Word of God says this Messiah to come, who would be born as a child among us, therefore would be the Creator God Himself. We further read in,

Isa 7:14 (NIV)  Therefore the Lord [Adonai] Himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel [God with us].

Thus Jesus Christ, born of Mary, which the Christian Church holds high as the Creator God Himself come in human flesh is none less than YAHWEH-JESUS! So writes John the apostle in his opening statements of his gospel. We read,

John 1:1-3 (NIV)  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:14 (NIV)  The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

What’s in a name? Why everything! And of course, I’ve not begun to touch all the names God reveals He has given Himself, nor that of His Son our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Now why has God revealed so much about Himself to us sinners? The answer is He is a God of love, compassion, companionship, mercy and grace. The Bible says,

Titus 2:11 (NIV)  For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

Yes, God has appeared to all men in the Person and work of Jesus Christ. It is He who is the one promised by God to come in time and be the source of saving a fallen sinful race called humanity. It was through Him “Yahweh-Jesus” that the world could and would be reconciled to a holy, righteous and perfect God who loves this fallen world of mankind so much, that He was willing to die for us. Listen to the apostle Paul’s words,

Col 1:19-20 (NIV)  For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

 Indeed Christ died on the cross, put there by sin loving hate-filled sinners, but ultimately by God the Father Himself, to be the worthy substitute and sacrificial payment for the sins of all humanity.

But the question is before us all – what have you done with this man Jesus Christ? Have you taken Him as your LORD God and Savior? Have you crowned Him King of your life by surrendering to His rulership and control? Have you given your “heart” as we like to say to this infinite God/Man Jesus Christ? If so, the Bible promises you your sins are forever forgiven, your name’s written down in the Lamb’s book of Life, and the glory of Heaven and the fullness of eternal life await you. But if you’ve neglected these things, or rejected them and remain as king of your own life – your eternal doom awaits you. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh has told us in no uncertain terms,

Mat 12:30 (NIV)  “He who is not with me [Jehovah Jesus] is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.

John 8:24 (NIV)  I [Jehovah Jesus] told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins."

John 3:36 (NIV)  Whoever believes in [Jehovah Jesus] the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.”

Yes, God’s names reveal much of who He is. But also it tells us of His immense power, His holiness and justice and above all His abiding wrath against all sin and sinners who embrace evil. Today, each of us face two paths and destinies. One leads to heaven and eternal life and the other to Hell and the second death, which is living in that fallen state forever. Friend, God wants you to receive Him right now wherever you are. The way is simple and sure, that even a little child can embrace it. Paul the apostle declared,

Acts 16:31 (NIV)  “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

Eph 2:8-9 (NIV)  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

May the living God our Savior Jesus Christ, Yahweh- Jesus Himself open your eyes and grant you His forgiveness He purchased by His death on the cross, and may all who follow the Lamb of God forever worship Him as their true God and only Savior now and for eternity…

…What do these names of God and especially of Christ mean to you? When you consider who God is, His power and might, His love and grace, and His holiness and wrath against sin – all the more we should bow in surrender and thankfulness for so great salvation. God is good, God is great, God is our all in all, praise His holy Name!