by Alliance Life staff
In the Bible, God is known by many names. A majority of them are descriptive, adding an attribute or action after the word YHWH, or Yahweh (sometimes transliterated as “Jehovah”), which itself seems to be the closest thing God has to a personal name in the Old Testament. Many of these names, such as “the LORD our Banner,” are ones that have been given to God by His worshipers. Names like this stand as altars to God throughout history—testimonies that we still remember of who He is and what He has done. He was a Provider, and He is still a Provider. He was a Shepherd, and He remains our Shepherd.
Many lists like this exist, and this one is not comprehensive, but we hope it will be helpful to you in times of studying the Word and in prayer. A lot can be learned about God through what He has been called for generations. As you read this list, we also invite you to consider—what is your testimony and altar before God? What is the name of God that lies closest to your heart?
“Suppose they ask me, ‘What is His name?’ Then what shall I tell them?” —Exodus 3:13b, paraphrase
God—El, Elohim, Theos
Genesis 1:1; 2 Samuel 7:22; Psalm 46:10; John 3:16–17; 1 John 4:8–9
Father—Abba, Pater
Psalm 68:5; Isaiah 64:8; Luke 6:36; Ephesians 3:14–15; Romans 8:14–15
Lord; Lord of Lords—Adonai, Kyrios
Deuteronomy 10:17; Psalm 136:3; 1 Timothy 6:15–16; Revelation 19:16
LORD—YHWH, Yahweh, Jehovah
Exodus 34:5–7; Numbers 6:24–26; Deuteronomy 6:4–5
“I AM WHO I AM”; “I AM”; the Self-Existent One
Editor’s note: In the Gospel of John, Jesus makes seven distinct “I AM” statements (“ego eimi” in Greek). This has been understood in the Christian tradition as His self-identification that He is God.
Exodus 3:14; John 4:26, 6:20, 8:24, 8:28, 8:58, 13:19, 18:5–8
The Alpha and the Omega; the Beginning and the End; the First and the Last
Revelation 22:13
Ancient of Days
Daniel 7:9, 13, 22
Anointed One—Messiah, Christ
Daniel 9:25–16; Matthew 1:16, 16:16; John 1:41, 4:25–26
Cornerstone; Foundation
Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 21:42; 1 Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:4
Creator
Psalm 146:6; Isaiah 40:28; Acts 17:24–25
Everlasting God—El Olam
Genesis 21:33; Isaiah 40:28
Faithful and True
Revelation 19:11
God Almighty; the All-Sufficient One—El Shaddai
Genesis 17:1, 35:11; Ezekiel 10:5
God Most High—El Elyon
Genesis 14:18–20; Psalm 57:2, 78:35
God Who Sees—El Roi
Genesis 16:13
God With Us—Immanuel
Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22–23
Helper; Advocate
Psalm 33:20, 118:7; John 14:16–17, 14:26, 15:26, 16:7
Jealous
Exodus 34:14
King; King of Kings
Psalm 29:10, 98:4–6; 1 Timothy 1:17, 6:15–16; Revelation 19:16
Lamb of God
Isaiah 53:7; John 1:29, 36; Revelation 5:12, 19:7
Lion of Judah
Revelation 5:5
Living God
Jeremiah 10:10; Daniel 6:26; Matthew 16:16; Acts 14:15
LORD of Hosts; LORD Almighty—YHWH Sabaoth
1 Samuel 17:45; Psalm 46:11; Isaiah 9:7
LORD Our Banner—YHWH Nissi
Exodus 17:15
LORD Our Healer—YHWH Rapha
Exodus 15:26
LORD Our Provider—YHWH Jireh
Genesis 22:13–14
LORD Our Righteousness—YHWH Tsidkenu
Jeremiah 23:5–6
LORD Our Rock—YHWH Selah
Psalm 18:1–2, 28:1
LORD Our Shepherd—YHWH Raah
Genesis 48:15; Psalm 23:1; Ezekiel 34
The LORD Saves—Yeshua
Matthew 1:21
The LORD Who Sanctifies You—YHWH Mekoddishkem
Exodus 31:12–13; Leviticus 20:7–8
The LORD Is Peace—YHWH Shalom
Judges 6:24
Redeemer
Psalm 19:14, 78:35; Isaiah 49:26, 54:5–8, 63:16
Son of God
Matthew 14:33; Luke 1:35; John 11:25–27, 20:30–31
Son of Man
Daniel 7:13–14; Matthew 16:13; Mark 2:10; Revelation 1:13
Spirit of the LORD; Spirit of God; Holy Spirit—Ruach YHWH, Ruach Elohim, Pneuma
Genesis 1:2; Job 33:4; Isaiah 11:1–2; Acts 1:8, 2:4
The Word—Logos
John 1:1, 14
Wonderful Counselor (or Wonderful, Counselor)
Isaiah 9:6
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