Elizabeth Keith Elizabeth Keith

Advent Prayers Week Three: The Gift of Joy

The Advent wreath has four candles - one is lit each Sunday of the four weeks of Advent. Each candle represents a new focus and time of reflection. The third week of Advent is the candle of joy. Also known as the "shepherd candle", it is in this third week of advent that we rejoice for the coming King. The shepherds experienced joy at the good news of the birth of the Messiah.

Advent is a time of reflection and anticipation in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming". The advent season symbolizes both the waiting for the birth of Christ and his return. A popular tradition during Advent is the advent wreath made of evergreen to symbolize everlasting life in the midst of winter and a circle to remind us of both God's unending love and the eternal life offered through Jesus Christ. 

The Advent wreath has four candles - one is lit each Sunday of the four weeks of Advent. Each candle represents a new focus and time of reflection. The third week of Advent is the candle of joy. Also known as the "shepherd candle", it is in this third week of advent that we rejoice for the coming King. The shepherds experienced joy at the good news of the birth of the Messiah.

Use these Scriptures and prayer for the third week of Advent to reflect on the greatest joy in the world - the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Advent Week Three Scripture for Reflection: 

Luke 1:14Luke 2:10-11Isaiah 7:14Isaiah 11:1Galatians 4:4Luke 1:45Romans 15:132 Corinthians 9:15Psalms 107:1

Advent Week Three Prayer - A Prayer for Joy

Heavenly Father, This third week of Advent, let us remember that the good news of Jesus’ birth has the power to bring us great joy this Christmas season. Our joy isn’t dependent on what is going on in our life, in our world, or the people that we are with. It doesn’t depend on the gifts we give or the gifts we find under the tree. No earthly thing can ever give us complete joy. Our joy comes from you. That joy that flooded the hearts of the shepherds, the angels, the wise men, the hosts of heaven, and Mary and Joseph is the joy that still has the power to overwhelm our hearts with rejoicing. 

Those who gathered around the new baby were blessed because they believed that you had fulfilled your promises. Mary and Joseph believed and were able to feel the joy of holding baby Jesus in their arms. The shepherds and wise men believed the angles and the signs and experienced the great gladness of worshipping their Messiah.

Those who knew him and recognized him were overjoyed at the coming of Jesus. They saw the prophecies fulfilled and their fear was replaced with happiness as they gazed on the face of the one who would be their Savior. They trusted in your promises and their hearts were filled with gladness as they watched your loving-kindness manifested in the face of a tiny baby in a lowly manger. 

Father, you offer that same joy to us now if we know you and recognize Jesus as our Savior and Lord. You gave us a reason to celebrate when you gave us the unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ. You came to dwell among us. You went to Calvary’s cross for us. You overcame death and rose from the dead for us. You forgive our sin and give us eternal life when we believe in you. 

Our joy doesn’t come from our jobs, our family, our relationships, our finances, or our success. Our joy doesn’t come from what we have on earth or who we are with. Our joy is a gift. It is the gift that you gave us that first Christmas in Jesus Christ. Our joy is encompassed in our Savior, King Jesus. Flood our hearts with joy this Advent season as we reflect on the good news of Jesus’ birth. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen

Written By: Bobbie Schaeperkoetter

Source: Crosswalk.com

Read More
Elizabeth Keith Elizabeth Keith

Advent Prayers Week Two: The Peace of Advent

The Advent wreath has four candles - one is lit each Sunday of the four weeks of Advent. Each candle represents a new focus and time of reflection. The second week of Advent is the candle of peace. This candle reminds us that the angels declared "peace on earth" at the birth of Jesus. Jesus offers us inner peace and peace with others. We can know and experience peace today only though the life of Jesus Christ.

Advent is a time of reflection and anticipation in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming". The advent season symbolizes both the waiting for the birth of Christ and his return. A popular tradition during Advent is the advent wreath made of evergreen to symbolize everlasting life in the midst of winter and a circle to remind us of both God's unending love and the eternal life offered through Jesus Christ. 

The Advent wreath has four candles - one is lit each Sunday of the four weeks of Advent. Each candle represents a new focus and time of reflection. The second week of Advent is the candle of peace.  This candle reminds us that the angels declared "peace on earth" at the birth of Jesus. Jesus offers us inner peace and peace with others. We can know and experience peace today only though the life of Jesus Christ.

Use these Scriptures and prayer for the second week of Advent to reflect on the Prince of Peace.

Advent Week Two: Scripture for Reflection

Isaiah 9:6Luke 2:14Matthew 1:23Philippians 2:8-101 Timothy 1:15-17John 3:161 John 5:11Jeremiah 29:11Romans 8:34-35John 14:27

Advent Week Two Prayer: A Prayer for Peace

Heavenly Father,

You are the God who gives peace. This second week of Advent, cause us to remember that because of Jesus we can experience a Christmas free from turmoil and chaos. Regardless of our circumstances or our situations, you offer us peace that passes understanding. 

That first Christmas, when you sent your Son, you sent the one who is called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Even the angels cried out, ‘Glory to God in the Highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ The angels knew your purpose. They know the gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love that Christmas held. They recognized the fullness of God was wrapped in the tiny flesh of an infant as you humbled yourself and dwelt among us. Emmanuel. God with us as the baby Jesus.

That baby would grow to be the same God-man, Jesus, who would again humble himself to face death on a cruel cross as payment for our sin. He would triumphantly defeat sin and death and hell in order to cancel our sin debt and reconcile us to you, Father.

That is why you sent your Son, Jesus. Because you loved us, you sent Jesus, that we might believe in Him and receive eternal life. He was the first Christmas gift and still remains the only gift worth truly having.

You exalted Him and gave him a name above all names. Every knee in heaven and earth and under the earth must bow to the name of Jesus. The winds and waves obey Him. He rules and reigns as king over all. No situation or circumstance that we find ourselves in is a match for Jesus. 

We are able to have the fullness of peace in our hearts on Christmas day, and every day, because that same Jesus sits at your right hand in heaven and makes intercession for us. Not only that, but he paid our sin debt. He loves us with a love that is unfathomable. Nothing can separate us from His love. He is good and his plans for us are good.

Father, this second week of Advent, keep us in perfect peace as our mind stays on the truth of your powerful love. Thank you for your mighty, sovereign hand. Help us to trust fully in you and rest in the peace that you offer.

It’s in the precious name of Jesus we pray.

Amen.

Written By: Bobbie Schaeperkoetter

Source: Crosswalk.com

Read More
Elizabeth Keith Elizabeth Keith

Advent Prayers Week One: The Hope of Advent

Advent is a time of reflection and anticipation in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming". The advent season symbolizes both the waiting for the birth of Christ and his return. A popular tradition during Advent is the advent wreath made of evergreen to symbolize everlasting life in the midst of winter and a circle to remind us of both God's unending love and the eternal life offered through Jesus Christ.

Advent is a time of reflection and anticipation in the weeks leading up to Christmas. The word "Advent" comes from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming". The advent season symbolizes both the waiting for the birth of Christ and his return. A popular tradition during Advent is the advent wreath made of evergreen to symbolize everlasting life in the midst of winter and a circle to remind us of both God's unending love and the eternal life offered through Jesus Christ. 

The Advent wreath has four candles - one is lit each Sunday of the four weeks of Advent. Each candle represents a new focus and time of reflection. The first week of Advent is the candle of hope. Also known as the "prophecy candle", it is in this first week of Advent that we remember Old Testament prophecies of the coming Messiah. The color of the candle is purple to symbolize the royalty of Jesus Christ. 

Use these Scriptures and prayer for the first week of Advent to reflect on the promises God and the coming baby who is would be King.

Advent Week One Scripture for Reflection

Isaiah 11:1Matthew 1:22Matthew 2:6Micah 5:2Luke 2:8Isaiah 7:14John 1:14Romans 6:23Jeremiah 29:11Acts 5:312 Corinthians 9:15Acts 5:31

Advent Week One Prayer: A Prayer for Hope

Heavenly Father,

Advent is a time for remembering and reflecting on the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Father, I pray that you will turn our hearts toward you as Christmas approaches.  Let us not get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the season this year and miss the chance to celebrate the gifts of hope, peace, joy, love, that you sent to us on that first Christmas.

Father God, every word in scripture points to the gift of hope that we have because of Christ Jesus.  The Christmas story wasn’t the beginning of that message of hope because the old testament is full of glimpses of your plan to redeem your people and restore them into a relationship with you, but we are able to truly begin to see and understand just how great your love for us is when we read the story of Jesus’ birth in scripture.

You showed us a glimmer of that hope as you chose to send your son into this earth through a family tree that was a little bent and scarred.  We glanced it again as you chose a tribe that was small and a city that was lowly. It can be seen when we recognize that you don’t send your Son to be birthed in a fancy palace among the wealthy and the elite, but our King of Kings and Lord of Lords was born among common shepherds and livestock in a barn.

The family wasn’t ideal.  The surroundings weren’t grand.  The situation wasn’t without its’ difficulties, however, you came in the midst of all of that.  Emmanuel.  God with us.  God in the messy.  God in the dirty.  God in the difficult and the troubled.  

Your plan to redeem and restore mankind was to dwell among us, fully God and fully man.  You chose to come to earth enrobed in the fragile soft skin of a newborn baby and set aside all of the glory of heaven for one purpose.  You came to be with us.  You came to love us.  You came to die for us so that we might live.

Help us to see that you are with us.  Nothing is too difficult, too messy, or too dirty for you.  Jesus came to give us the gift of eternal life through the salvation that only you, our Heavenly Father, can give when we believe in your Son, repent of our sins, and confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior. 

That first Christmas, you gave us the gift of hope wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.  Thank you, Father, for your immeasurable gift.

In Jesus’ precious name, we pray. Amen.

Written By: Bobbie Schaeperkoetter

Source: Crosswalk.com

Read More
Elizabeth Keith Elizabeth Keith

Thankfulness

This November we have spent time reflecting on thankfulness. Why should we be thankful? For what should we be thankful? Who should we thank? As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we want to focus on what God’s Word teaches us, and what He says in response to these questions.

This November we have spent time reflecting on thankfulness. Why should we be thankful? For what should we be thankful? Who should we thank? As we celebrate Thanksgiving, we want to focus on what God’s Word teaches us, and what He says in response to these questions.

We looked at why we should have an attitude of thankfulness. As we sought the answer to why, we also learned about what to be thankful for and who to thank. Among many reasons to be thankful, we discovered that these three show up all through Scripture. First, we see that God is good. Psalm 106:1, Psalm 118:1, and Ezra 3:11 say that we should thank God because He is good. In the midst of a broken and evil world, the ruler of all is good. He sees the bad and uses all things for good. Second, we found that God’s love for us endures forever. Psalm 107:1, 1 Chronicles 16:34, and Jeremiah 33:11 express how God’s love never ceases. Even when we fail, feel unworthy, or think we cannot be good enough, His love for us continues. The Creator of all things loves us! Third, we see throughout the Bible that God saves us. In 1 Corinthians 15:57, Hebrews 12:28-29, and Psalm 50:23, we are encouraged to give thanks because of the salvation provided to us by God. He sent Jesus to Earth to restore our broken relationship to perfection. Sin made us unworthy, but Jesus saved us. Despite everything, Christ came and lived a perfect life, took on the sins of all mankind that separated us from God, paid the penalty of those sins - death, and then rose from the dead so we can live with Him forever. He saves us. All we have to do is believe.

Therefore, as we think about the idea of thankfulness, we realize that we have great reasons to give thanks to God. The King of all Kings is good, He loves us, and He came to save us. The Lord loves us enough to pursue a relationship with us so that we may find salvation in Him. He wants to provide us with fullness of joy! Will you thank God for these things with us? What else are you thankful for?

Read More
Elizabeth Keith Elizabeth Keith

Names of God

The Bible uses many names of God. What are these names, and what are their meanings? They teach us important lessons about the character and power of God.


The Bible uses many names of God. What are these names, and what are their meanings? They teach us important lessons about the character and power of God.

Is there significance to God’s many names?

Yes, throughout the Bible God refers to Himself by different names and titles. Each name reveals an aspect of His nature, character and power. For example, the name Elohim, used in Genesis 1, is a plural noun that normally takes a singular verb. This and other scriptures indicate that God is composed of more than one being. The Bible doesn’t teach that there is a “sacred name” for God.  

What is God’s name? When we study the Bible in English, it can seem like God has two basic names: God and LORD.

But when we dig deeper, we discover that in the original languages He has many more names—some of which include multiple variants. These names are often simply translated as God and LORD in modern English translations.

Names of God in the Bible

When we study the meanings of these names, we learn that they teach us many truths about our Creator. They each reveal something important about God’s power, nature, character or acts. We can learn a lot about our Creator by studying the meanings of His many names.

What is the significance of names in the Bible?

In the Bible, names are not just used to identify someone, but often describe certain qualities and characteristics of the person who bears the name.

For instance, the Hebrew name Jacob (Genesis 25:26; Genesis 27:36) means “taking hold of the heel, supplanter, layer of snares.” When we read Jacob’s story, we find that this name perfectly describes his character throughout much of his life (Genesis 25-32).

However, after Jacob wrestled with God all night, God changed his name to Israel (which means “struggle with God” or “he prevails with God”) (Genesis 32:28).

Therefore, in the Bible names reveal important information about the person or being.

But what about the names of God in the Bible? What are their meanings? What do they reveal about Him?

God refers to Himself by many different names in the Bible, and with each name we learn more about Him. Often the first time one of His names is used in the Scriptures gives us insight into the quality or characteristic of God that He is revealing by that name.

Let’s explore some of the names God uses for Himself in the Bible.

Elohim

The first word translated as God in the Bible is found in Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” God here is from the Hebrew word Elohim. It is the most-often-used Hebrew word translated as God in the Old Testament. It is translated as God well over 2,300 times.

Elohim is revealed here as the Creator of the heavens and the earth.

However, that is not all that the word reveals. Elohim is a plural word. It is the plural of Eloah—a name that is only used 52 times in reference to the true God in Scripture (41 of those in the book of Job).

In Hebrew, when the “-im” suffix is added at the end of a word, it makes the word plural (much like the “-s” suffix in English and Spanish).

The context shows that Elohim can be used of the true God or of false gods. In fact, Elohim is translated as gods—in reference to false gods—over 240 times (for example, Exodus 20:23).

The fact that Elohim is a plural word also reveals a vital truth about the true God. It shows us that there is more than one member of the Godhead. We see this understanding of the plural nature of Elohim in Genesis 1:26:

“Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”

Throughout the years, many theologians have grappled with the question of how God can be both singular and plural. The use of the plural noun Elohim in Genesis 1 introduces us to a truth that becomes clearer throughout the rest of the Bible: that God isn’t alone. He, along with the Word, dwelt together from eternity and are God. See John 1:1-3, 14. For further explanation about Elohim read our booklet Getting to Know the God of the Bible.

The Bible also reveals that human beings were created with the potential to enter the God family as sons and daughters (2 Corinthians 6:18).

You can learn more about this amazing truth about God’s nature in our articles “God Is One,” “Children of God” and “What Did the Apostles Believe About God?

El

El is a shortened form of Eloah and Elohim. El emphasizes God’s might and power. It is translated as God many times in the Old Testament.

El is sometimes used in conjunction with other words to describe various aspects of God’s nature and character. Here are some examples:

  • El Shaddai: The word shaddai means “most powerful” or “Almighty.” So, when put together with El, the name means “God Almighty” or “God the Most Powerful.” It emphasizes God’s unmatchable power and strength. According to The Complete Word Study Old Testament, this name is used to describe God 48 times in the Old Testament (p. 2371). (Examples include Genesis 17:1; 28:3; Exodus 6:3.)

  • El Elyon: The adjective elyon means “elevated, high, exalted” (The Complete Word Study Old Testament, p. 2349). So, when put together with El, the name means “God the Most High” or “the Most High God.” This emphasizes God’s preeminence and ultimate power and authority over everything. (Examples include Genesis 14:18-20; Psalms 78:35; 47:2; 97:9.) It is interesting that in Isaiah’s account of Lucifer’s attempted rebellion, Lucifer (who became Satan) used this name as he was attempting to overthrow God’s throne and become “the most high” himself (Isaiah 14:14). This was an attempt that, of course, failed miserably.

  • El Olam: The noun olam means “eternity, the distant future, duration, perpetual, without end, always, everlasting time” (ibid., pp. 2347-2348). So, when put together with El, the name means “the Everlasting God” or “the Eternal God.” (This name is found in Genesis 21:33.)

  • El Mosha’ah: The noun mosha’ah means a “saving act, deliverance” or “salvations.” When put together with El, the name means “God of Salvation” or “God the Deliverer.” This emphasizes God’s character of love and His power over all things. He is the God who loves and cares about His people so much that He saves and delivers them. (This name is found in only one place in the Bible, Psalm 68:20.)

El is often found embedded in the names of individuals in the Bible. When you see a name that has el within it, it is often a name proclaiming an element of God’s power and character.

Some examples include Israel (“one who prevails with God”), Samuel (“His name is El” and “heard of God”), Eleazar (“God has helped”), Immanuel (“God with us”), Michael (“who is like God”), Elimelech (“my God is king”) and Elijah (“my God is Yah”).

Adonai

The word Adonai is an emphatic form of the noun Adon. Its basic meaning is “‘lord’ in the sense of a superior, master, or owner” (Zondervan Expository Dictionary of Bible Words, p. 416).

The word emphasizes the authority of the one it describes. But, unlike other names of God (such as YHWH or “I AM”), its usage in the Bible isn’t limited to describing only God. It is sometimes used to identify human beings with authority (Genesis 40:1).

When used for God, Bible translators usually translate Adonai as “Lord” (with one capital letter). The name is often used along with YHWH or Elohim to give a double emphasis to God’s ultimate power and authority. Here are some examples:

  • “O LORD [YHWH], our Lord [Adonai], how excellent is Your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:9).

  • “For I know that the LORD [YHWH] is great, and our Lord [Adonai] is above all gods” (Psalm 135:5).

“I AM”

In Exodus 3 we read the account of God talking to Moses from a burning bush and revealing that Moses would be used to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. Moses asked God what name he should use to identify Him when he spoke to the children of Israel (Exodus 3:13).

God answered, “I AM WHO I AM. … Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (verse 14). It may sound odd that God called Himself “I AM.” Why would He call Himself “I AM”?

The Hebrew word for “I AM” is hayah. In this context, it essentially means “to be, to exist.”

What God was saying is that He is the God who simply is. He has no source of origin, no progenitor, no beginning. He came from no physical place. He simply exists and always has existed.

Read more about God and His purpose for you.

In ancient times, people were often identified by who their parents were or where they came from. For instance, Joshua is identified as “Joshua the son of Nun” (Numbers 11:28) and Ishmael is called “the son of Hagar the Egyptian” (Genesis 21:9). The infamous giant slain by David was known as “Goliath, from Gath” (1 Samuel 17:4). The apostle Paul was originally known as “Saul of Tarsus” (Acts 9:11).

So, when God identified Himself as “I AM,” He was making the statement that He has no father or mother who created Him. He has no genealogy and no physical source of origin.

He simply is and always has been.

To learn about how and why the One who later came to earth as Jesus Christ called Himself “I AM,” read “Was Jesus Created?” and “Jesus Christ Was the God of the Old Testament.”

LORD (YHWH)

The most often used name for God is translated as LORD in the Old Testament. The first time it occurs is in Genesis 2:4. It occurs over 6,500 times.

It consists of four Hebrew consonants, which have been represented in English in various transliterations: YHVH, JHVH, IHVH, JHWH and YHWH. These four consonants have been given a name—the tetragrammaton (a Greek word that simply means “four letters”). Anytime you read the all-capitalized word “LORD” in the Bible, it is translated from the tetragrammaton. (When you read “Lord” without all capital letters, it is usually translated from Adonai.)

The Jews considered the word YHWH too sacred to be spoken, so they intentionally did not preserve the pronunciation. Today no one knows exactly how it was to be pronounced.

The Hebrew language consists of 22 consonants (most Bibles list these consonants in Psalm 119 as subheads over every eight verses). Vowel sounds are indicated by placing various dots or small lines around these consonants.

The Jewish scribes who preserved the Hebrew Scriptures by hand intentionally left off the vowel points for this word from their manuscripts—leaving only the four consonants (YHWH).

Therefore, there is no definitive pronunciation of this word. Commonly used pronunciations like Jehovah or Yahweh are just guesses. Most scholars believe “Yahweh” is probably a more likely pronunciation, since the hard j sound isn’t used in the Hebrew language.

But what’s important isn’t the pronunciation. What’s important is the meaning of the name.

The meaning of YHWH is similar to the meaning of “I AM.” Its basic meaning is “the self-existing One” or “the Eternal.” It emphasizes that God has lived for eternity—He had no beginning and will have no end. He was not brought into existence at any point in history by any other being—He is self-existent.

Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words provides this helpful explanation of these two names: “The connection between ‘I AM’ and ‘Yahweh’ is one of verbal person. ‘I AM’ is the first person form of the verb ‘to be’ … while ‘Yahweh’ represents the third person from of the same verb, perhaps ‘HE IS’ or ‘HE WILL BE’” (p. 422).

Many other scriptures elaborate on the essential truth behind the meaning of the name YHWH:

  • “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting!” (Psalm 41:13).

  • “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God” (Psalm 90:2).

  • “For thus says the High and Lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones’” (Isaiah 57:15).

  • “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).

Like the name El, YHWH is also used in conjunction with other attributes of God to form other derivatives of the name YHWH.

Here are a few examples of this:

  • YHWH Rapha: The verb rapha means “to heal,” “cure” or “make healthful.” So when put together with El, the name means “God Who Heals” or “God Our Healer.” We find this name for God in Exodus 15:26: “For I am the LORD who heals you.” Many Bible verses show God’s power to heal sicknesses and to raise the dead back to life (Psalms 41:3; 107:20; 146:8; 147:3; Isaiah 53:5).

  • YHWH Jirah: Most English Bibles translate the meaning of this name clearly in the text of the one place it’s used: “The-LORD-Will-Provide” (Genesis 22:14). Many Bible passages elaborate on this aspect of God’s character—that He loves to bless us and provide for our needs (Psalms 65:9-13; 107:9; 145:16; Matthew 6:26; Philippians 4:19; James 1:17).

  • YHWH Nissi: Most English Bibles also make this name clear in their translation: “The-LORD-Is-My-Banner” (Exodus 17:15). A banner was a flag or standard that would go before an army or a group to identify, from afar off, who and where they were. This name shows that we should always look to God as our protector when we face life’s battles. We look to Him to help us achieve spiritual victories (1 Corinthians 15:57).

  • YHWH Tsidkenu: The Hebrew word tsidkenu (or tsedeq) means “righteousness, straightness, or what is right and just.” We find this name in two places in the Bible, both in the book of Jeremiah: “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23:6, see also Jeremiah 33:16). This name emphasizes that God’s character and ways are perfect, right and just. There is no fault in God; His acts, ways and judgments are always righteous (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalms 7:11; 145:17; 1 John 1:5). God gave His 10 Commandments to help us learn how to be righteous like He is (Psalm 119:172).

  • YWHW Tsaba’: The Hebrew word tsaba’ is a noun describing an army—a mass of soldiers ready for war. English Bibles usually translate this word as host, an old English word for an army or a large throng of soldiers organized for war. So this name is translated in most translations as: “The LORD of hosts” (Psalm 24:10). It is used 235 times in the Old Testament. This name emphasizes God’s supreme power and leadership over the angelic armies of heaven. The Bible describes God’s angelic armies as “innumerable” (Hebrews 12:22; see also Revelation 5:11). The name “LORD of hosts” describes the prophetic image of Jesus Christ’s return to earth—followed by hosts of angels who will be joined by the resurrected saints (Matthew 25:31; Mark 8:38; 1 Thessalonians 3:13; Jude 1:14). It emphasizes God’s absolute and unrivaled power and authority.

  • YHWH Shalom: The word shalom simply means “peace.” But used in conjunction with God’s name, it specifically describes a peace that comes only from God. This name is used only once in the Bible, in Judges 6:24: “The-LORD-Is-Peace.” This name teaches us that true peace (peace of mind, peace in life and peace for our world) comes only through God and His ways. The Bible has a lot to say about how God brings peace (Psalms 23:1-6; 119:165; Isaiah 26:3, 9:6; John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7; 2 Thessalonians 3:16).

There is one Bible passage that is unique because it contains the tetragrammaton as well as the other major names of God—all packed into one single verse:

  • “For the LORD [YHWH] your God [Elohim] is God [Elohim] of gods and Lord [Adon] of lords, the great God [El], mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe” (Deuteronomy 10:17).

Learning from God’s different names in the Bible

We hope this article has helped you gain a deeper understanding of the many names your Creator has used to reveal Himself. The names of God are not empty phonetic sounds, but are deeply meaningful proclamations of His power, His character and the many things He does for His people.

By learning about the many names of God in the Bible, we can come to know Him better.

List of the Names of God

Hebrew or Greek Name, Basic Meaning, First Scriptural Use

Elohim, Mighty Ones, Genesis 1:1

El, Strong, Mighty, Mighty One, Genesis 14:18

El Shaddai, Almighty God, Most Powerful, Genesis 17:1

El Elyon, The Most High God, Genesis 14:18

El Olam, The Everlasting, Eternal God, Genesis 21:33

El Mosha’ah, God of Salvation, God the Deliverer, Psalm 68:20

Adonai, Master, Superior, the Highest Authority, Exodus 23:17

“I AM”, The God who has existed for eternity and has no beginning or creator, Exodus 3:14

YHWH, The Eternal, the Self-Existing God, Genesis 2:4

YHWH Rapha, The Eternal Who Heals, Exodus 15:26

YHWH Jirah, The Eternal Will Provide, Genesis 22:14

YHWH Nissi, The Eternal Is My Banner, Exodus 17:15

YHWH Tsidkenu, The Eternal Our Righteousness, Jeremiah 23:6

YHWH Tsaba’, The Eternal of Hosts/Armies, 1 Samuel 1:3

YHWH Shalom, The Eternal of Peace, Judges 6:24

Theos, God, One who is divine (Greek equivalent to Elohim), Matthew 1:23

Kyrios, Master, supreme in authority (Greek equivalent to Adonai), Matthew 1:20

Despotes, Master, Lord, Luke 2:29

Iesous, “Jesus”, Greek version of Yahshua (or Joshua), meaning “The Eternal is salvation”, Matthew 1:1

Authors: Steve Moody and Erik Jones

Shared with Permission: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/god/who-is-god/names-of-god/

Read More