A Revelation of His Nature and Glory
Psalm 9:10 — “And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”
Introduction
The names of God are not mere labels. In Scripture, a name reveals character, authority, and covenant purpose. When God reveals His name, He reveals His nature. Each name displays a facet of His glory, His dealings with His people, and His eternal identity. Understanding these names deepens our worship, strengthens our faith, and anchors our hope in the unchanging God of Scripture.
This paper surveys the major names and titles of God in the King James Version, explaining their doctrinal significance and prophetic weight.
The Foundational Names of God
1. Elohim — God the Creator
Genesis 1:1 — “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
Elohim is plural in form but singular in meaning, pointing prophetically to the Triune God. It reveals His unparalleled creative power and sovereign authority over the universe.
2. Jehovah (YHWH) — The Self-Existing One
Exodus 3:14 — “I AM THAT I AM.”
Jehovah is God’s covenant name, expressing His eternal existence and unchanging nature. He is the God who is, who was, and who is to come. He is faithful to His promises and steadfast in His purposes.
3. Adonai — Lord and Master
Psalm 8:1 — “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!”
Adonai declares God’s rightful rulership over His creation and His people. He is the Master who commands, protects, and guides.
Covenant Names of Jehovah
Each compound form of Jehovah reveals how God meets the needs of His people within covenant relationship.
4. Jehovah-Jireh — The LORD Will Provide
Genesis 22:14
Revealed to Abraham at Mount Moriah, this name points prophetically to Christ, the ultimate provision—the Lamb of God.
5. Jehovah-Rapha — The LORD That Healeth Thee
Exodus 15:26
This name affirms God’s power to heal body, soul, and nation. Ultimately fulfilled in Christ, “with whose stripes we are healed.”
6. Jehovah-Nissi — The LORD My Banner
Exodus 17:15
Given after victory over Amalek, this name reveals God as the One who wages war on behalf of His people.
7. Jehovah-Shalom — The LORD Is Peace
Judges 6:24
Declared to Gideon, pointing to the peace that comes from God’s presence and the future Messianic kingdom of peace.
8. Jehovah-Raah — The LORD My Shepherd
Psalm 23:1
A name fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who leads, restores, and protects His flock.
9. Jehovah-Tsidkenu — The LORD Our Righteousness
Jeremiah 23:6
A distinctly Messianic title pointing to Christ, our righteousness, imputed by faith.
10. Jehovah-Shammah — The LORD Is There
Ezekiel 48:35
A prophetic name of the future restored Jerusalem, declaring that God’s manifested presence will never again depart from His people.
Titles That Reveal God’s Majesty
11. El Shaddai — God Almighty
Genesis 17:1
Reveals God as all-powerful, all-sufficient, able to make covenant and bring it to pass.
12. El Elyon — The Most High God
Genesis 14:18–20
Declares His supremacy over all kings, nations, and spiritual powers.
13. El Olam — The Everlasting God
Genesis 21:33
Affirms His eternity—He is without beginning or end.
14. El Roi — Thou God Seest Me
Genesis 16:13
Reveals God as the One who sees the afflicted and hears their cries.
Redemptive Names and Titles of God in Christ
The New Testament, though written in Greek, continues the revelation of God through the person of Jesus Christ.
15. Jesus — Jehovah Is Salvation
Matthew 1:21
The earthly name of the Son of God declares His mission: to save His people from their sins.
16. Emmanuel — God With Us
Matthew 1:23
Affirms that Jesus is the visible manifestation of the invisible God.
17. The Word — Divine Expression
John 1:1
Reveals Christ as the eternal, divine self-expression of God.
18. The Lamb of God
John 1:29
His sacrificial title declares His purpose in redemption.
19. Alpha and Omega
Revelation 1:8
A title shared with Jehovah, affirming the full deity of Christ and His eternal nature.
20. King of Kings and Lord of Lords
Revelation 19:16
The ultimate title of Christ’s sovereign rule in His millennial and eternal kingdom.
Other Significant Names of God in Scripture
These titles further reveal His nature and His dealings with humanity:
- The Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 1:4)
- The Ancient of Days (Daniel 7:9)
- The LORD of Hosts (1 Samuel 1:3)
- Father of Spirits (Hebrews 12:9)
- The Rock (Deuteronomy 32:4)
- The Judge of All the Earth (Genesis 18:25)
- The God of Peace (Romans 15:33)
- The God of Hope (Romans 15:13)
- The God of All Comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3)
- The I AM (John 8:58)
- The Good Shepherd, The Great Shepherd, The Chief Shepherd (John 10:11; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 5:4)
- The True Light (John 1:9)
- The Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5)
- The Bridegroom (Matthew 25:1)
These names span creation, covenant, redemption, judgment, and eternity—revealing the full counsel of God’s nature.
Conclusion
The names of God are a treasury of divine revelation. Each name unveils His character, His covenant, His power, and His eternal plans. To know His names is to know Him—and to know Him is to trust Him. In the unfolding drama of Scripture, from creation to the new creation, every name points to His unchanging glory and His redemptive purpose fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
As the world grows darker, the people of God must anchor themselves in who He is. And Scripture declares who He is through His names—a God who sees, provides, heals, saves, rules, and returns in power.
To know His name is to rest in His nature.
To call on His name is to stand in His covenant.
To declare His name is to proclaim His glory among the nations.