Christian Churches of God

No. 116z

Summary:

The Names of God

(Edition 2.0 19950306-20000705)

Judaism tried to protect Monotheism from errors of Trinitarianism and the dual power heresy. Judaism believed in two beings in the OT but saw the Great Angel as subordinate to the One True God. This paper will clearly define the names of God and which names are delegated to subordinate beings.

Christian Churches of God

PO Box 369, WODEN ACT 2606, AUSTRALIA

E-mail: secretary@ccg.org

(Copyright © 1995, 2000 Wade Cox

Summary by Diane Flanagan, ed. Wade Cox)

This paper may be freely copied and distributed provided it is copied in total with no alterations or deletions. The publisher’s name and address and the copyright notice must be included. No charge may be levied on recipients of distributed copies. Brief quotations may be embodied in critical articles and reviews without breaching copyright.

This paper is available from the World Wide Web page:
http://www.logon.org and http://www.ccg.org

The Names of God

We can make deductions regarding God’s attributes by the name He has and uses. We will also see which of these titles are delegated to other beings.

Jehovah/Yahweh are both inexact translations. Frequently they are combined with other words to describe which being is referred to.

The term Jehovah is in two forms, and has two separate meanings. Jehovah (SHD 3068) is a plural term and it typically refers to subordinate beings, unless combined with other words to describe the One True God. Jehovih (SHD 3069) is a singular term that carries the title of the One True God. Either word can be combined with other words to more clearly convey a concept. Zechariah 2:3-12 shows that there is a distinction in the names and entities of Jehovah.

The Companion Bible notes in Appendix 4.II that Jehovah is held to mean the Eternal or Immutable One (Gen 21: 33), He Who WAS and IS, and IS TO COME. Yet Exodus 3:14 carries an additional meaning:

Exodus 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

The Companion Bible renders the text ‘ehyeh ‘asher ‘ehyeh and translates it as “I will be what I will be (become)” (see App. 48). This describes the process of God’s creation and plan.

The Oxford scholars have noted in their Oxford Annotated RSV that Yahweh is in fact the third person form of the verb, which actually means He causes to be.

Jah is the root form of Jehovah, which is one of the names applied to God. It occurs 49 times in scripture. The first occurrence of the name Jah is in Exodus 15:2. The name of the Temple vested in the name Yaho is the ancient rendering of Jah or Jahh.

The name Jehovah or more correctly Yahovah is combined with ten other titles. They are in the order they appear in the Hebrew texts as:

Jehovah-Jireh Jehovah will see or provide (Gen. 22:14).

Jehovah-Ropheka Jehovah that heals you (Ex. 15:26).

Jehovah-Nissi Jehovah my banner (Ex. 17:15).

Jehovah-Mekaddishkem Jehovah that does sanctify you (Ex. 31:13; Lev. 20:8; 21:8; 22:32; Ezek. 20:12).

Jehovah-Shalom Jehovah [send] peace (Judg. 6:24).

Jehovah-Zeba’oth Jehovah of Hosts (1Sam. 1:3 and frequently).

Jehovah-Zidkenu Jehovah our righteousness (Jer. 23:6; 33:16).

Jehovah-Shammah Jehovah is there (Ezek. 48:35).

Jehovah-’Elyon Jehovah Most High (Ps. 7:17; 47:2; 97:9).

Jehovah-Ro’I Jehovah my Shepherd (Ps. 23:1).

Eloah (SHD 433) is the name for God. It is singular in its meaning and is used 55 times in the OT. Eloah is the God Who Wills. This God is the object of worship and the central and creative figure of the Elohim. This is He who willed and by whom all things exist and were created (Rev. 4:11). Elahh is the Aramaic term, which corresponds to Eloah, and it is used 89 times in scripture.

El (SHD 410) is a Hebrew noun emphasizing might. It is used of men, angels, and pagan gods, and the One True God when combined with other words.

Elyon (SHD 5945) is over all the earth (Ps. 83:18). This title occurs 36 times.

El Elyon is the name applied to Eloah as the Most High El (God). Eloah or Elyon is the object of worship. Israel did not worship subordinate elohim.

Elohim (SHD 430) means God and gods. It is a plural word which is dependent on its usage for understanding. It can refer to the spritual creation, or the physical creation when acting for God

Hence, elohim are the Sons of God. There were multiple Sons of God present at creation (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:4-7).

HaElohim means The God and refers to Eloah.

Morning Star or daystar is a rank given to Christ and shared by the elect (2Pet. 1:19; Rev 2:28; 22:16). There are many morning stars (Job 38:4-7). Satan is still the Lucifer or light bearer as the son of morning, the morning star. He is the god of this world and prince of the power of the air (2Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:2).

Shaddai refers to the Almighty in the sense of supplying all the needs of the people. It is used when Abraham is called out to walk before Him in Genesis 17:1.

Adon is one of the three titles, (viz. Adon, Adonai, Adonim). They are generally rendered Lord. It refers to the Lord as ruler in the earth. It is distinguished from Adonai, which is used as the being carrying out God’s purpose in the earth. There are 134 passages where the Sopherim altered Yahovah (Jehovah) to Adonai (see the Companion Bible App. 32 for the altered texts)

It is imperative we understand who the One True God is and how to worship Him correctly. It is through the various names and titles we gain a deeper understanding of the Supreme Deity of the Universe. May the day hasten when the entire planet will know the One True God and obey His commandments.