| The
Divine Names And Titles
Appendix 4
I. ELOHIM occurs 2,700 times. Its
first occurrence connects it with creation, and gives it its
essential meaning as the Creator. It indicates His relation to
mankind as His creatures (see note on 2Chronicles 18:31, where it
stands in contrast with Jehovah as indicating covenant
relationship). ‘Elohim is God the Son, the living "Word" with
creature form to create (John 1:1. Colossians 1:15-17. Revelation
3:14); and later, with human form to redeem (John 1:14 ). "Begotten
of His Father before all worlds; born of His mother, in the world."
In this creature form He appeared to the Patriarchs, a form not
temporally assumed. ‘Elohim in indicated (as in the Authorized
Version) by ordinary small type, "God". See table below.
II. JEHOVAH. While Elohim
is God as the Creator of all things, Jehovah is the same God in
covenant relation to those whom He has created (compare 2Chronicles
18:31). Jehovah means the Eternal, the Immutable One, He Who WAS,
and IS, and IS TO COME. The Divine definition is given in Genesis
21:33. He is especially, therefore, the God of Israel; and the God
of those who are redeemed, and are thus now "in Christ". We can say
"My God," but not "My Jehovah", for Jehovah is "My God."
Jehovah is indicated (as in Authorized Version) by small capital
letters, "LORD"; and by "GOD" When it occurs in combination with
Adonai, in which case LORD GOD = Adonai Jehovah.
The name Jehovah is combined with ten other words, which form
what are known as "the Jehovah Titles."
They are as follows in the order in which they occur in the
Hebrew Canon see
Appendix 1
All
are noted in the margin, in all their occurrences:-
- JEHOVAH-JIREH
= Jehovah will see, or provide. Genesis 22:14.
- JEHOVAH-ROPHEKA
= Jehovah that healeth thee. Exodus 15:26.
- JEHOVAH-NISSI
= Jehovah my banner. Exodus 17:15.
- JEHOVAH-MeKADDISHKEM
= Jehovah that doth sanctify you. Exodus 31:13. Leviticus 20:8,
21:8, 22:32. Ezekiel 20:12.
- JEHOVAH-SHALOM = Jehovah
[send] peace. Judges 6:24.
- JEHOVAH-ZeBA’OTH
= Jehovah of hosts. 1Samuel 1:3, and frequently.
- JEHOVAH-ZIDKENU
= Jehovah our righteousness. Jeremiah 23:6, 33:16.
- JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH
= Jehovah is there. Ezekiel 48:35.
- JEHOVAH-‘ELYON
= Jehovah most high. Psalms 7:17, 47:2, 97:9.
- JEHOVAH-RO‘I
= Jehovah my Shepherd. Psalms 23:1.
We have seven of these,
experimentally referred to, in Psalms 23, inasmuch as Jehovah, as
the "Good," "Great," and "Chief Shepherd," is engaged, in all the
perfection of His attributes, on behalf of His sheep:-
In verse 1, we have number 1 above.
In verse 2, we have number 5.
In verse 3, we have numbers 2 and 7.
In verse 4, we have number 8.
In verse 5, we have numbers 3 and 4.
III. JAH is Jehovah in a
special sense and relation. Jehovah as having BECOME our Salvation
(first occurrence Exodus 15:2), He Who IS, and WAS, and IS TO COME.
It occurs 49 times (7x7. see
Appendix 10
Jah is
indicated by type thus: Lord.
IV. EL is essentially the
Almighty, though the word is never so rendered (see below, "Shaddai").
EL is Elohim in all His strength and power. It is rendered "God" as
Elohim is, but El is God the Omnipotent. Elohim is God the Creator
putting His omnipotence into operation. Eloah (see below) is God Who
wills and orders all, and Who is to be the one object of the worship
of His people. El is the God Who knows all (first occurrence Genesis
14:18-22) and sees all (Genesis 16:13) and that performeth all
things for His people (Psalms 57:2); and in Whom all the Divine
attributes are concentrated.
El is indicated in this edition by type in large capital letters,
thus: "GOD." It is sometimes transliterated in proper names
Immanu-’el, Beth-’el, etc., where it is translated, as explained in
the margin.
V. ELOAH is Elohim, Who is
to be worshipped. Eloah is God in connection with His Will rather
than His power. The first occurrence associates this name with
worship (Deuteronomy 32:15,17). Hence it is the title used whenever
the contrast (latent or expressed) is with false gods or idols.
Eloah is essentially "the living God" in contrast to inanimate
idols.
Eloah is rendered "God", but we have indicated it by type thus
GOD.
VI. ELYON first occurs in
Genesis 14:18 with El, and is rendered "the most high (God)". It is
El and Elohim, not as the powerful Creator, but as "the possessor of
heaven and earth." Hence the name is associated with Christ as the
Son of "the Highest" (Luke 1:35).
It is Elyon, as possessor of the earth, Who divides the nations
"their inheritance". In Psalms 83:18, He is "over all the earth".
The title occurs 36 times (6x6, or 62. See
Appendix 10
Elyon is the Dispenser of God’s blessings in the earth; the
blessings proceeding from a Priest Who is a King upon His throne
(compare Genesis 14:18-22 with Zechariah 6:13, 14:9).
VII. SHADDAI is in every
instance translated "Almighty", and is indicated by small capital
letters ("ALMIGHTY"). It is God (El), not as the source of strength,
but of grace; not as Creator, but as the Giver. Shaddai is the
All-bountiful. This title does not refer to His creative power, but
to His power to supply all the needs of His people. Its first
occurrence is in Genesis 17:1, and is used to show Abraham that He
Who called him out to walk alone before Him could supply all his
need. Even so it is the title used in 2Corinthians 6:18, where we
are called to "come out" in separation from the world. It is always
used in connection with El (see above).
VIII. ADON is one of three
titles (ADON, ADONAI, and ADONIM), all generally rendered "Lord";
but each has its own peculiar usage and association. They all denote
headship in various aspects. They have to do with God as
"over-lord."
(1) ADON is the Lord as Ruler in the earth. We have indicated
this in type by printing the preceding article or pronouns in small
capitals, not because either are to be emphasised, but to
distinguish the word "Lord" from Adonai, which is always so printed
in the Authorized Version.
(2) ADONAI is Lord in His relation to the earth; and as carrying
out His purposes of blessing in the earth. With this limitation it
is almost equivalent to Jehovah. Indeed, it was from an early date
so used, by associating the vowel points of the word Jehovah with
Adon, thus converting Adon into Adonai. A list of 134 passages where
this was deliberately done is preserved and given in the Massorah
(§§ 107-115). See
Appendix 2
We
have indicated these by printing the word like Jehovah, putting an
asterisk, thus: LORD*.
(3) ADONIM is the plural of Adon, never used of man. Adonim
carries with it all that Adon does, but in a greater and higher
degree; and more especially as owner and proprietor. An Adon may
rule others who do not belong to him. Hence (without the article) it
is often used of men. But Adonim is the Lord Who rules His own. We
have indicated it by type, thus: LORD.
The three may be thus
briefly distinguished:-
Adon is the Lord as overlord or ruler.
Adonim is Lord as owner.
Adonai is the Lord as blesser.
IX. The TYPES used to
indicate the above titles, in the text, are as follows:-
God = Elohim.
GOD = Jehovah (in combination with Adonai, "Lord").
GOD* = Jehovah in the Primitive Texts, altered by
Sopherim to Elohim as in the Printed Text.
See
Appendix 32
GOD = El.
GOD = Eloah.
LORD = Jehovah.
THE LORD = Jah.
LORD* = Jehovah in the Primitive Text, altered by the
Sopherim to Adonai as in the Printed Text.
See
Appendix 32
Lord = Adonai.
LORD = Adonim.
ALMIGHTY = Shaddai.
MOST HIGH = Elyon.
X. THE COMBINATIONS are
indicated as follows:-
Adonai Jehovah = Lord GOD.
Jehovah Elohim = LORD God.
Elyon El = MOST HIGH GOD.
El Shaddai = GOD ALMIGHTY. |