Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The Titles Or Designations Given To God Throughout The Bible
In the ancient world, knowing another's name was a special privilege that offered access to that person's thought and life. God favored His people by revealing Himself by several names which offered special insight into His love and righteousness.
Jehovah/Yahweh
One of the most important names for God in the Old Testament is Yahweh, or Jehovah, from the verb "to be," meaning simply but profoundly, "I am who I am," and "I will be who I will be." The four-letter Hebrew word YHWH was the name by which God revealed Himself to Moses in the burning bush (Ex 3:14). This bush was a vivid symbol of the inexhaustible dynamism of God who burns like a fire with love and righteousness, yet remains the same and never diminishes. Some English translations of the Bible translate the word as Jehovah, while others use Yahweh.
God is the author of life and salvation. His "I am" expresses the fact that He is the infinite and original personal God who is behind everything and to whom everything must finally be traced. This name, "I am who I am," signals the truth that nothing else defines who God is but God Himself. What He says and does is who He is. The inspired Scriptures are the infallible guide to understanding who God is by what He says about Himself and what He does. Yahweh is the all-powerful and sovereign God who alone defines Himself and establishes truth for His creatures and works for their salvation.
Moses was called to proclaim deliverance to the people and was told by God, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you' " (Ex 3:14). In the deliverance of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt, God revealed a deeper significance to His name. But He had already disclosed Himself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as Yahweh. Each of them had called on the name of the Lord (Yahweh) (Gen 12:8; 13:4; 26:25; Ex 3:15) as the God who protects and blesses. Yet Ex 6:3 shows that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not know the fuller meaning of Yahweh, which was to be revealed to Moses and the Hebrew people in the Exodus experience.
The divine name Yahweh is usually translated Lord in English versions of the Bible, because it became a practice in late Old Testament Judaism not to pronounce the sacred name YHWH, but to say instead "my Lord" (Adonai) - a practice still used today in the synagogue. When the vowels of Adonai were attached to the consonants YHWH in the medieval period, the word Jehovah resulted. Today, many Christians use the word Yahweh, the more original pronunciation, not hesitating to name the divine name since Jesus taught believers to speak in a familiar way to God.
God is the author of life and salvation. His "I am" expresses the fact that He is the infinite and original personal God who is behind everything and to whom everything must finally be traced. This name, "I am who I am," signals the truth that nothing else defines who God is but God Himself. What He says and does is who He is. The inspired Scriptures are the infallible guide to understanding who God is by what He says about Himself and what He does. Yahweh is the all-powerful and sovereign God who alone defines Himself and establishes truth for His creatures and works for their salvation.
Moses was called to proclaim deliverance to the people and was told by God, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you' " (Ex 3:14). In the deliverance of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt, God revealed a deeper significance to His name. But He had already disclosed Himself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as Yahweh. Each of them had called on the name of the Lord (Yahweh) (Gen 12:8; 13:4; 26:25; Ex 3:15) as the God who protects and blesses. Yet Ex 6:3 shows that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not know the fuller meaning of Yahweh, which was to be revealed to Moses and the Hebrew people in the Exodus experience.
The divine name Yahweh is usually translated Lord in English versions of the Bible, because it became a practice in late Old Testament Judaism not to pronounce the sacred name YHWH, but to say instead "my Lord" (Adonai) - a practice still used today in the synagogue. When the vowels of Adonai were attached to the consonants YHWH in the medieval period, the word Jehovah resulted. Today, many Christians use the word Yahweh, the more original pronunciation, not hesitating to name the divine name since Jesus taught believers to speak in a familiar way to God.
The Following Are Other Names In Honor Of The Lord In The Old Testament That Stem From The Basic Name Of Yahweh:
Jehovah-jireh - This name is translated as "The-LORD-Will-Provide," commemorating the provision of the ram in place of Isaac for Abraham's sacrifice (Gen 22:14).
Jehovah-nissi - This name means "The-LORD-Is-My-Banner," in honor of God's defeat of the Amalekites (Ex 17:15).
Jehovah-shalom - This phrase means "The-LORD-Is-Peace," the name Gideon gave the altar which he built in Ophrah (Judg 6:24).
Jehovah-shammah - This phrase expresses the truth that "The-LORD-Is-There," referring to the city which the prophet Ezekiel saw in his vision (Ezek 48:35).
Jehovah-tsebaoth - This name, translated "The-LORD-of-hosts," was used in the days of David and the prophets, witnessing to God the Savior who is surrounded by His hosts of heavenly power (1 Sam 1:3).
Jehovah Elohe Israel - This name means "LORD-God-of-Israel," and it appears in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the Psalms. Other names similar to this are Netsah Israel, "The Strength of Israel" (1 Sam 15:29); and Abir Yisrael "The Mighty One of Israel" (Isa 1:24).
El. Another important root name for God in the Old Testament is El. By itself it refers to a god in the most general sense. It was widely used in ancient eastern cultures whose languages are similar to Hebrew and therefore may refer either to the true God or to false gods. The highest Canaanite god was El whose son was Baal. In the Bible the word is often defined properly by a qualifier like Jehovah: "I, the LORD (Jehovah) your God (Elohim), am a jealous God (El)" (Deut 5:9).
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba "and there called on the name of the LORD (Yahweh), the Everlasting God (El Olam) (Gen 21:33). Jacob built an altar on a piece of land he purchased at Shechem and called it "El Elohe Israel" ("God, the God of Israel"), commemorating his wrestling with the angel at the place he called Peni-el ("the face of God"), and receiving his new name Israel (Yisra-el, "God strives") (Gen 32:28-30; 33:20). El Shaddai (God Almighty), signifying God as a source of blessing, is the name with which God appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Ex 6:3).
Elohim. Elohim is the plural form of El, but it is usually translated in the singular. Some scholars have held that the plural represents an intensified form for the supreme God; others believe it describes the supreme God and His heavenly court of created beings. Still others hold that the plural form refers to the triune God of Gen 1:1-3, who works through Word and Spirit in the creation of the world. All agree that the plural form Elohim does convey the sense of the one Supreme Being who is the only true God.
Jehovah-nissi - This name means "The-LORD-Is-My-Banner," in honor of God's defeat of the Amalekites (Ex 17:15).
Jehovah-shalom - This phrase means "The-LORD-Is-Peace," the name Gideon gave the altar which he built in Ophrah (Judg 6:24).
Jehovah-shammah - This phrase expresses the truth that "The-LORD-Is-There," referring to the city which the prophet Ezekiel saw in his vision (Ezek 48:35).
Jehovah-tsebaoth - This name, translated "The-LORD-of-hosts," was used in the days of David and the prophets, witnessing to God the Savior who is surrounded by His hosts of heavenly power (1 Sam 1:3).
Jehovah Elohe Israel - This name means "LORD-God-of-Israel," and it appears in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the Psalms. Other names similar to this are Netsah Israel, "The Strength of Israel" (1 Sam 15:29); and Abir Yisrael "The Mighty One of Israel" (Isa 1:24).
El. Another important root name for God in the Old Testament is El. By itself it refers to a god in the most general sense. It was widely used in ancient eastern cultures whose languages are similar to Hebrew and therefore may refer either to the true God or to false gods. The highest Canaanite god was El whose son was Baal. In the Bible the word is often defined properly by a qualifier like Jehovah: "I, the LORD (Jehovah) your God (Elohim), am a jealous God (El)" (Deut 5:9).
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba "and there called on the name of the LORD (Yahweh), the Everlasting God (El Olam) (Gen 21:33). Jacob built an altar on a piece of land he purchased at Shechem and called it "El Elohe Israel" ("God, the God of Israel"), commemorating his wrestling with the angel at the place he called Peni-el ("the face of God"), and receiving his new name Israel (Yisra-el, "God strives") (Gen 32:28-30; 33:20). El Shaddai (God Almighty), signifying God as a source of blessing, is the name with which God appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Ex 6:3).
Elohim. Elohim is the plural form of El, but it is usually translated in the singular. Some scholars have held that the plural represents an intensified form for the supreme God; others believe it describes the supreme God and His heavenly court of created beings. Still others hold that the plural form refers to the triune God of Gen 1:1-3, who works through Word and Spirit in the creation of the world. All agree that the plural form Elohim does convey the sense of the one Supreme Being who is the only true God.
Branch of Righteousness:
Jer 23:5-6 names the coming messianic figure, the "Branch of righteousness," who will descend from David and be raised up to reign as King to execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. Christians see in this linkage a prophecy about God the Son taking on human flesh to serve as righteous King
King
This descendant of David will have several divine qualities. He will be a Branch of Righteousness, a King, and His name will be called "The Lord Our Righteousness" (Jehovah Tsidkenu).
Shepherd:
God is also described in prophecy as the Shepherd who will feed His flock, gather the lambs in His arms, carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those with young (Isa 40:11; Jer 31:10; Ezek 34:11-16). Jesus applied this name to Himself (Luke 15:4-7; John 10:11-16), making Himself equal to God; and Jesus Christ is so named by His followers (Heb 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4; Rev 7:17).
Servant:
The name of Servant also identifies this divine person and His saving ministry on behalf of His people. God's Servant is described in terms that apply to Jesus. He is upheld and chosen by God; He delights in God; He receives God's Spirit. Like Wisdom in Prov 8, He is holy, just, and righteous. He will bring Jacob back to Him and will be a light to the nations since He is an offering for sin (Isa 42:1-4; 49:1-7; 53).
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