THEinc-HIM Daily Bible Meditation
Comprehensive Guide to the Names of God in the Hebrew Bible
Posted on November 4, 2024 by Biblical Hebrew
The Hebrew Bible presents a rich tapestry of names for God, each revealing different aspects of His character, roles, and relationship with humanity. This list organizes the 71 names of God into primary names, compound names and titles, descriptive titles, and metaphorical names, with references to where each name first appears in the Scriptures.
1. Primary Names of God
These foundational names are frequently used to refer to God throughout the Hebrew Bible and convey His essential nature.
YHWH (יהוה) – “The LORD” (Exodus 3:14) Exodus 3:14 14 God said to Moshe, "I AM WHO I AM," and he said, "You shall tell the children of Yisra'el this: "I AM has sent me to you."
Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) – “God” (Genesis 1:1) Genesis 1:1 1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the eretz.
El (אֵל) – “God” or “Mighty One” (Genesis 14:18) Genesis 14:18 18 Malki-Tzedek king of Shalem brought forth bread and wine: and he was Kohen of El `Elyon.
Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) – “Lord” (Genesis 15:2) Genesis 15:2 2 Avram said, "Lord GOD, what will you give me, seeing I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eli`ezer of Dammesek?"
2. Compound Names and Titles
These names combine “YHWH,” “El,” or “Elohim” with additional descriptive terms that illuminate specific attributes or roles of God.
YHWH-Jireh (יְהוָה יִרְאֶה) – “The Lord Will Provide” (Genesis 22:14) Genesis 22:14 14 Avraham called the name of that place Yahweh-jireh. As it is said to this day, "In the LORD's mountain it will be provided.
YHWH-Rapha (יְהוָה רָפָא) – “The Lord Who Heals” (Exodus 15:26) Exodus 15:26 26 and he said, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his mitzvot, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the Mitzrim; for I am the LORD who heals you."
YHWH-Nissi (יְהוָה נִסִּי) – “The Lord My Banner” (Exodus 17:15) Exodus 17:15 15 Moshe built an altar, and called the name of it the LORD our Banner
YHWH-Mekaddishkem (יְהוָה מְקַדִּישְׁכֶם) – “The Lord Who Sanctifies” (Exodus 31:13) Exodus 31:13 13 "Speak also to the children of Yisra'el, saying, 'Most assuredly you shall keep my Shabbatot: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
YHWH-Shalom (יְהוָה שָׁלוֹם) – “The Lord is Peace” (Judges 6:24) Judges 6:24 24 Then Gid`on built an altar there to the LORD, and called it Yahweh-shalom: to this day it is yet in Ofrat of the Abiezrites.
YHWH-Tsidkenu (יְהוָה צִדְקֵנוּ) – “The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6) Jeremiah 23:6 6 In his days Yehudah shall be saved, and Yisra'el shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: the LORD our righteousness.
YHWH-Rohi (יְהוָה רֹעִי) – “The Lord My Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1) Psalms 23:1 1 The LORD is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.
YHWH-Sabaoth (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת) – “The Lord of Hosts” (1 Samuel 1:3) 1 Samuel 1:3 3 This man went up out of his city from year to year to worship and to sacrifice to the LORD of Hosts in Shiloh. The two sons of `Eli, Hofni and Pinechas, Kohanim to the LORD, were there.
YHWH-Shammah (יְהוָה שָׁמָּה) – “The Lord is There” (Ezekiel 48:35) Ezekiel 48:35 35 It shall be eighteen thousand [reeds] round about: and the name of the city from that day shall be, the LORD is there.
YHWH-Gmolah (יְהוָה גְּמוּלָה) – “The God of Recompense” (Jeremiah 51:6) Jeremiah 51:6 6 Flee out of the midst of Bavel, and save every man his life; don't be cut off in her iniquity: for it is the time of the LORD's vengeance; he will render to her a recompense.
YHWH-Elohe Yisrael (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל) – “The Lord God of Israel” (Exodus 3:15) Exodus 3:15 15 God said moreover to Moshe, "You shall tell the children of Yisra'el this, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Avraham, the God of Yitzchak, and the God of Ya`akov, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and this is my memorial to all generations.
YHWH-Ori (יְהוָה אוֹרִי) – “The Lord is My Light” (Psalm 27:1) Psalms 27:1 1 The LORD is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?
YHWH-Channun (יְהוָה חַנּוּן) – “The Lord is Gracious” (Exodus 34:6) Exodus 34:6 6 The LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, "The LORD! the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth,
YHWH-Elohim (יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים) – “The Lord God” (Genesis 2:4) Genesis 2:4 4 This is the history of the generations of the heavens and of the eretz when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made eretz and the heavens.
YHWH-Makkeh (יְהוָה מַכֵּה) – “The Lord Who Strikes” (Exodus 12:12) Exodus 12:12 12 For I will go through the land of Mitzrayim in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Mitzrayim, both man and animal. Against all the gods of Mitzrayim I will execute judgments: I am the LORD.
YHWH-Kanah (יְהוָה קַנָּא) – “The Lord is Jealous” (Exodus 20:5) Exodus 20:5 5 you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me,
YHWH-Nissim (יְהוָה נִסִּים) – “The Lord of Wonders” (Psalm 77:14) Psalms 77:14 14 You are the God who does wonders. You have made your strength known among the peoples.
YHWH-Magen (יְהוָה מָגֵן) – “The Lord My Shield” (Genesis 15:1) Genesis 15 1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Avram in a vision, saying, "Don't be afraid, Avram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
YHWH-Tzaddik (יְהוָה צַדִּיק) – “The Lord is Righteous” (Jeremiah 12:1) Jeremiah 12:1 1 Righteous are you, LORD, when I contend with you; yet would I reason the cause with you: why does the way of the wicked prosper? why are all they at ease who deal very treacherously?
YHWH-Or Olam (יְהוָה אוֹר עוֹלָם) – “The Lord, Light of the World” (Isaiah 60:19) Isaiah 60:19 19 The sun shall be no more your light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light to you: but the LORD will be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory.
YHWH-Hosea (יְהוָה הוֹשִׁיעָה) – “The Lord Saves” (Psalm 118:25) Psalms 118:25 25 Save us now, we beg you, LORD; LORD, we beg you, now send prosperity.
YHWH-Emet (יְהוָה אֱמֶת) – “The Lord is Truth” (Jeremiah 10:10) Jeremiah 10:10 10 But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the eretz trembles, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation.
YHWH-Maon (יְהוָה מָעוֹן) – “The Lord My Dwelling Place” (Psalm 90:1) Psalms 90:1 1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place In all generations.
YHWH-Go’el (יְהוָה גֹּאֵל) – “The Lord My Redeemer” (Isaiah 47:4) Isaiah 47:4 4 Our Redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Yisra'el.
YHWH-Gadol (יְהוָה גָּדוֹל) – “The Lord is Great” (Jeremiah 10:6) Jeremiah 10:6 6 There is none like you, LORD; you are great, and your name is great in might.
YHWH-Chesed (יְהוָה חֶסֶד) – “The Lord of Lovingkindness” (Psalm 138:2) Psalms 138:2 2 I will bow down toward your holy temple, And give thanks to your Name for your lovingkindness and for your truth; For you have exalted your Name and your Word above all
YHWH-Mikveh Yisrael (יְהוָה מִקְוֵה יִשְׂרָאֵל) – “The Lord, the Hope of Israel” (Jeremiah 17:13) Jeremiah 17:13 13 LORD, the hope of Yisra'el, all who forsake you shall be put to shame. Those who depart from me shall be written in the eretz, because they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living waters.
YHWH-Rophe Nefesh (יְהוָה רוֹפֵא נֶפֶשׁ) – “The Lord, Healer of the Soul” (Psalm 23:3) Psalms 23:3 3 He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
YHWH-Hamelech (יְהוָה הַמֶּלֶךְ) – “The Lord, the King” (Psalm 10:16) Psalms 10:16 16 The LORD is King forever and ever! The nations will perish out of his land.
YHWH-Nakem (יְהוָה נָקֵם) – “The Lord Who Avengeth” (Nahum 1:2) Nahum 1:2 2 The LORD is a jealous God and avenges. The LORD avenges and is full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath against his enemies.
YHWH-Romem (יְהוָה רוֹמֵם) – “The Lord Who Exalts” (Psalm 18:46) Psalms 18:46 46 The LORD lives; and blessed be my rock. Exalted be the God of my salvation,
YHWH-Tzur (יְהוָה צוּר) – “The Lord is My Rock” (Psalm 18:2) Psalms 18:2 2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I will take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.
YHWH-Chai (יְהוָה חַי) – “The Living Lord” (Joshua 3:10) Joshua 3:10 10 Yehoshua said, Hereby you shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Kana`ani, and the Hittite, and the Hivvi, and the Perizzi, and the Girgashi, and the Amori, and the Yevusi.
3. Descriptive Titles for God
These titles highlight attributes and roles of God, describing His divine characteristics and interactions with His people.
El Shaddai (אֵל שַׁדַּי) – “God Almighty” (Genesis 17:1) Genesis 17:1 1 When Avram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Avram, and said to him, "I am El Shaddai. Walk before me, and be blameless.
El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן) – “God Most High” (Genesis 14:18) Genesis 14:18 18 Malki-Tzedek king of Shalem brought forth bread and wine: and he was Kohen of El `Elyon.
El Olam (אֵל עוֹלָם) – “Everlasting God” (Genesis 21:33) Genesis 21:33 33 Avraham planted a tamarisk tree in Be'er-Sheva, and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.
El Roi (אֵל רֳאִי) – “God Who Sees Me” (Genesis 16:13) Genesis 16:13 13 She called the name of the LORD who spoke to her, "You are a God who sees," for she said, "Have I even stayed alive after seeing him?"
El Gibbor (אֵל גִּבּוֹר) – “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6) Isaiah 9:6 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Shalom.
El HaKadosh (אֵל הַקָּדוֹשׁ) – “The Holy God” (Isaiah 30:11) Isaiah 30:11 11 get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Yisra'el to cease from before us.
El De’ot (אֵל דֵּעוֹת) – “God of Knowledge” (1 Samuel 2:3) 1 Samuel 2:3 3 Talk no more so exceeding proudly; Don't let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, By him actions are weighed.
El Chaiyai (אֵל חַיָּי) – “God of My Life” (Psalm 42:8) Psalms 42:8 8 The LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime. In the night his song shall be with me: A prayer to the God of my life.
El Malei Rachamim (אֵל מָלֵא רַחֲמִים) – “God Full of Compassion” (2 Chronicles 30:9) 2 Chronicles 30:9 9 For if you turn again to the LORD, your brothers and your children shall find compassion before those who led them captive, and shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if you return to him.
El Yeshuati (אֵל יְשׁוּעָתִי) – “God of My Salvation” (Psalm 88:1) Psalms 88:1 1 LORD, the God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before you.
El Kana (אֵל קַנָּא) – “Jealous God” (Exodus 20:5) Exodus 20:5 5 you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me,
El Elyon Qoneh Shamayim Va’aretz (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן קֹנֵה שָׁמַיִם וָאָרֶץ) – “God Most High, Creator of Heaven and Earth” (Genesis 14:19) Genesis 14:19 19 He blessed him, and said, "Blessed be Avram of El `Elyon, possessor of heaven and eretz:
Sar Shalom (שַׂר שָׁלוֹם) – “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) Isaiah 9:6 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Shalom.
Adonai Roi (אֲדֹנָי רֹעִי) – “The Lord is My Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1) Psalms 23:1 1 The LORD is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.
Melech HaKavod (מֶלֶךְ הַכָּבוֹד) – “The King of Glory” (Psalm 24:8) Psalms 24:8 8 Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.
Esh Oklah (אֵשׁ אֹכְלָה) – “Consuming Fire” (Deuteronomy 4:24) Deuteronomy 4:24 24 For the LORD your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God.
Tzur Yisrael (צוּר יִשְׂרָאֵל) – “The Rock of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:3) 2 Samuel 23:3 3 The God of Yisra'el said, The Rock of Yisra'el spoke to me: One who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear of God,
Avinu Malkeinu (אָבִינוּ מַלְכֵּנוּ) – “Our Father, Our King” (Isaiah 63:16) Isaiah 63:16 16 For you are our Father, though Avraham doesn't know us, and Yisra'el does not acknowledge us: you, LORD, are our Father; our Redeemer from everlasting is your name.
Yeshurun (יְשֻׁרוּן) – “The Upright One” (Deuteronomy 33:5) Deuteronomy 33:5 5 He was king in Yeshurun, When the heads of the people were gathered, All the tribes of Yisra'el together.
Magen Avraham (מָגֵן אַבְרָהָם) – “Shield of Abraham” (Genesis 15:1) Genesis 15:1 1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Avram in a vision, saying, "Don't be afraid, Avram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."
Melech HaOlam (מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם) – “King of the World” (Jeremiah 10:10) Jeremiah 10:10 10 But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the eretz trembles, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation.
HaMakom (הַמָּקוֹם) – “The Place” (Genesis 28:11) Genesis 28:11 11 He came to a certain place, and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. He took one of the stones of the place, and put it under his head, and lay down in that place to sleep.
Elohei Avraham, Yitzchak, v’Yaakov (אֱלֹהֵי אַבְרָהָם, יִצְחָק, וְיַעֲקֹב) – “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (Exodus 3:15) Exodus 3:15 15 God said moreover to Moshe, "You shall tell the children of Yisra'el this, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Avraham, the God of Yitzchak, and the God of Ya`akov, has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, and this is my memorial to all generations.
4. Metaphorical Names and Titles
These names use imagery to express God’s nature and how He relates to His people.
Eben Yisrael (אֶבֶן יִשְׂרָאֵל) – “Rock of Israel” (Genesis 49:24) Genesis 49:24 24 But his bow abode in strength, The arms of his hands were made strong, By the hands of the Mighty One of Ya`akov, (From there is the shepherd, the stone of Yisra'el),
Ro’eh Yisrael (רֹעֶה יִשְׂרָאֵל) – “Shepherd of Israel” (Psalm 80:1) Psalms 80:1 1 Hear us, Shepherd of Yisra'el, You who lead Yosef like a flock, You who sit above the Keruvim, shine forth.
Chokhmah (חָכְמָה) – “Wisdom” (Proverbs 8:12) Proverbs 8:12 12 "I, wisdom, have made prudence my dwelling. Find out knowledge and discretion.
Or HaOlam (אוֹר הָעוֹלָם) – “Light of the World” (Isaiah 60:19) Isaiah 60:19 19 The sun shall be no more your light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light to you: but the LORD will be to you an everlasting light, and your God your glory.
Makom HaMikdash (מָקוֹם הַמִּקְדָּשׁ) – “Place of the Sanctuary” (Ezekiel 43:12) Ezekiel 43:12 12 This is the law of the house: on the top of the mountain the whole limit of it round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.
Esh Kodesh (אֵשׁ קֹדֶשׁ) – “Holy Fire” (Exodus 3:2) Exodus 3:2 2 The angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
Ruach Elohim (רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים) – “Spirit of God” (Genesis 1:2) Genesis 1:2 2 Now the eretz was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep. God's Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters.
Mayim Chayim (מַיִם חַיִּים) – “Living Waters” (Jeremiah 17:13) Jeremiah 17:13 13 LORD, the hope of Yisra'el, all who forsake you shall be put to shame. Those who depart from me shall be written in the eretz, because they have forsaken the LORD, the spring of living waters.
Esh Eim HaTzel (אֵשׁ אֵם הַצֵּל) – “Shadow of Protection” (Psalm 91:1) Psalms 91:1 1 He who dwells in the secret place of Ha`Elyon Will rest in the shadow of Shaddai.
Kedosh Yisrael (קְדוֹשׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל) – “Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 1:4) Isaiah 1:4 4 Ah sinful nation, A people laden with iniquity, A seed of evil-doers, Children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD. They have despised the Holy One of Yisra'el. They are estranged and backward.
Ani Hu (אֲנִי הוּא) – “I Am He” (Deuteronomy 32:39) Deuteronomy 32:39 39 See now that I, even I, am he, There is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal; There is none who can deliver out of my hand.
Names of God in the Hebrew Bible
In the Bible, God’s names serve to reveal His character and attributes to humanity rather than to distinguish Him from other gods. For example, in the Old Testament, God introduces Himself to Moses as “I AM WHO I AM” in Exodus 3:14. This name, often rendered as “YHWH” in Hebrew, emphasizes God as self-existent and eternal, beyond human comprehension. Other names like “El Shaddai” (God Almighty) or “Elohim” emphasize His power and sovereignty, helping believers understand His nature and qualities.
The Bible also acknowledges the existence of other “gods,” but these are either idols or lesser spiritual beings, not true gods in the sense of having ultimate power or authority. In Isaiah 45:5, God declares, “I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me, there is no God,” reinforcing His uniqueness. The use of names and titles in the Bible, then, is not to differentiate God from equals but to help humanity grasp aspects of His nature and engage with Him on a personal level.
From a biblical perspective, God’s essence is so singular and unique that a name isn’t truly necessary for His existence or self-identification. He is the Creator, the source of all being, and stands outside the limitations of human language and classification. His identity is fundamentally distinct from created beings, gods, or idols that might require names to mark their individuality. When it comes to the one true God, there is nothing comparable to Him, as the Bible states in Isaiah 46:9, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” This verse suggests that God’s very being is defined by absolute uniqueness, making a name, in the sense of differentiation, unnecessary.
Yet, names for God appear throughout the Bible, not to categorize Him among others, but to reveal His qualities and foster a deeper relationship with His people. For instance, the name “YHWH” (translated often as “LORD”) revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14, where God describes Himself as “I AM WHO I AM,” emphasizes self-existence and eternal presence. This designation, rather than acting as a simple name, serves to affirm God’s timeless and unchanging nature, conveying that He is the foundation of all reality, existing beyond time and space.
Similarly, other names like El Shaddai (God Almighty), YHWH Jireh (The Lord Will Provide), and YHWH Rapha (The Lord Who Heals) do not serve as markers among many gods but are used to describe God’s relationship with His people. They communicate specific attributes of His character, His power, and His providence. These names were provided as a means for people to understand God’s qualities and to know how they could relate to Him in different circumstances. When Abraham calls God “YHWH Jireh” in Genesis 22:14, he is affirming his faith in God’s provision, acknowledging God’s role in his life rather than distinguishing God from others.
From a biblical standpoint, these names help human beings approach God, giving them a way to express their understanding of His nature. For instance, the name “Father” is used by Jesus in the New Testament, especially in the Lord’s Prayer, to foster a sense of closeness, compassion, and intimacy with God, highlighting His care and protection. Jesus also uses titles like “the Light,” “the Way,” and “the Good Shepherd” to further illustrate God’s guiding, redemptive, and nurturing qualities. Each name or title doesn’t serve as a label but as an invitation for believers to know different aspects of God’s character.
The biblical perspective underscores that God’s names are a concession to human language, provided for our understanding rather than a necessity for God Himself. In passages like Isaiah 55:8-9, where God says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” it is emphasized that God exists beyond the limitations of human language and comprehension. These names and titles are not boundaries or categories, but revelations, helping finite beings relate to an infinite God.
Ultimately, while biblical names for God provide insight into who He is, they remain only glimpses into a divine reality that transcends all human understanding
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