Names of God in the Hebrew Scriptures

Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament), God reveals Himself through many names, each reflecting a different aspect of His nature and relationship with His people:

• YHWH (יהוה) — The sacred, unspoken name of God, often rendered "LORD." Revealed to Moses at the burning bush: "I AM THAT I AM" (Exodus 3:14). It signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature.
• Elohim (אלהים) — "God" in the majestic plural, used in the very first verse of Scripture: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). It speaks to God's power and sovereignty.
• Adonai (אדני) — "Lord" or "Master," expressing reverence and submission. Often used in place of YHWH out of deep respect for the divine name.
• El Shaddai (אל שדי) — "God Almighty," the name by which God appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 6:3). It conveys His all-sufficient power and nurturing might.
• El Elyon (אל עליון) — "God Most High," first used by Melchizedek, king of Salem, when he blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:18-20). It declares God's supreme authority over all.
• YHWH Yireh (יהוה יראה) — "The LORD Will Provide," named by Abraham on Mount Moriah after God provided a ram in place of Isaac (Genesis 22:14).
• YHWH Rapha (יהוה רפא) — "The LORD Who Heals," revealed after the Exodus: "I am the LORD that healeth thee" (Exodus 15:26).
• YHWH Shalom (יהוה שלום) — "The LORD Is Peace," named by Gideon after encountering the Angel of the Lord (Judges 6:24).
• YHWH Tsidkenu (יהוה צדקנו) — "The LORD Our Righteousness," a prophetic name for the coming Messiah (Jeremiah 23:6).
• El Olam (אל עולם) — "The Everlasting God," invoked by Abraham at Beersheba (Genesis 21:33). It speaks to God's timeless, unchanging nature.

Christians understand these names as ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ — the Word made flesh (John 1:14) — who is Immanuel, "God with us" (Matthew 1:23), uniting in Himself the fullness of God's nature revealed throughout the Hebrew Scriptures.