Through the different names of God you will see Him in a more personal way and learn something about God’s character and God is most interested in having a close relationship with you. Knowing the different names of God also will help build up your faith because you get a better view into his character since the different names for God are more descriptive.
Abba/ Father
The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” – Romans 8:15
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. – Galatians 4:6
I don’t know if you ever thought of God as a daddy? Abba is the Aramaic word meaning Daddy. It’s a term of warm affection, intimacy, and respect for one’s father. Now, to some that may sound like an irreverent way to address God, but Jesus called God, “Our Father,” in Matthew 6:9 and He gave us that same right. Daddy. But in the Middle East, they say Abba.
El Elyon – The God Most High
For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. – Colossians 1:16-17
El Elyon speaks of the supremacy of God. He is above all. It means the strongest of the strong and the highest of the high. God is above all things. He is the Most High God. Jesus is our El Elyon.
El Olam – The Everlasting God
Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. – Psalm 90:1-2
God does not change! Time does not alter God and there are no surprises to God. God knows the past and the future at the same time.
El Shaddai – God Almighty
When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty[a]; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.” – Genesis 17:1-2
The name El Shaddai appears seven times in the Word of God. This promise that was given to Abraham in Genesis 17:1-2 has changed the world. Every Jew upon the face of the earth is a living testimony of the faithfulness of Almighty God. And this God who keeps His promise to Abraham is the same God that keeps His promises to you and me today.
Elohim – The Creator
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. – Genesis 1:1-3
The verse can say “In the beginning Elohim Created the heavens and the earth. The name Elohim is a reflection of the creative power of God. That in his creative power he spoke and formed the heavens and earth. This creative power of God is available to you as well when you speak His word.
Jehovah-Nissi – The LORD My Banner
Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner. – Exodus 17:15
The Lord is a reigning banner over us all the time. The Hebrew for “banner” comes from the root word “to be high” or “raised.” He goes before us and behind us to give us the victory in all circumstances of life. Even in the midst of the battle, the banner of the Lord is raised over us.
Jehovah-Rapha – The LORD That Healeth
He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.” – Exodus 15:26
God is the Almighty Lord, our healer. He can heal instantaneously by a miracle. He can heal over time through medicine. If you are believing for God to heal you then call on his name as your Jehovah-Rapha.
Jehovah-Shalom – The LORD Is Peace
But the Lord said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.” So Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it The Lord Is Peace. To this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. – Judges 6:23-24
The Lord greeted Gideon in peace, so he built an altar and named it “The LORD is Peace”. The word Shalom means peace but more importantly you may have heard the blessing “Shalom” from Jewish people, it means the Lord, our peace. When your heart is content, you are at peace.
Jehovah-Shammah – The LORD is There
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? – Psalm 139:7
God is omnipresent. He’s everywhere. I heard a pastor say it like this “Somebody said that God is a circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere” So wherever you go know that God is there with you. Because His presence is with you he can calm you down and bring great peace into your life.
Jehovah-Tsabbaoth – The LORD Of Hosts
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. – 1 Samuel 17:45
Yahweh-Tsabbaoth literally means the Lord Almighty. It speaks of the sovereignty of God over all the powers of the universe. David called on the name of the Lord of Host when he was about to defeat Goliath and God show up in a might way on David’s behalf. If you are going through a spiritual battle remember to call on the name of the Lord or Host.