The Name

The Name

A Reverent Study of God’s Names

The name of the LORD that was concealed

is now revealed.

Introduction

This guide examines selected names of God in order to deepen reverence, strengthen biblical understanding, and support faithful daily application. Each chapter centers on a name drawn from Scripture (KJV), provides a concise explanation, offers supporting passages, suggests a practical response, and leaves room for personal notes.

The study may be read sequentially or consulted by topic. Its purpose is to help readers trace how Scripture presents God as Creator, covenant-keeper, provider, healer, shepherd, sanctifier, and faithful presence among His people.

These names do not form a complete catalog of all God’s titles. Rather, they serve as openings through which we glimpse His holiness, justice, mercy, love, and redeeming work.

The names of God are more than labels. In Scripture, they function as witnesses to His character, works, covenant dealings, and revealed relationship to His people. Studying them helps readers connect biblical language with theology, worship, and practical obedience.

Taken together, these names provide a framework for tracing major biblical themes related to God’s character, covenant faithfulness, provision, holiness, presence, and rule.

Chapter 1: Elohim

Meaning/Theme: Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is the title most often used for God in the Old Testament. When it refers to the one true God, Scripture often pairs its plural form with singular verbs, underscoring both His majesty and His unity. Some Christians also view this feature—especially in creation passages such as Genesis 1—as a quiet hint that God’s being is fuller than simple singularity, consistent with the New Testament revelation of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Bible uses Elohim to proclaim God’s unique authority over all creation and every rival power.

Summary:

Elohim reveals God as the sovereign Creator whose wisdom, power, and order invite both reverent study and trusting worship; as we trace this name in Scripture, we learn not only what God does, but how His creative authority gives meaning, order, and hope to life.

Supporting Scripture

Genesis 1:1–2 (אֱלֹהִים) (KJV)

Genesis 1:1 — “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” (KJV, excerpt)

Genesis 1:2 — “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” (KJV, excerpt)

Notes:

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Chapter 2: Jehovah (YHWH)

Meaning/Theme: YHWH (יהוה)[1]—often represented as “Yahweh” in scholarly writing—is the covenant name God revealed to Moses. Often referred to as “The Name” that takes much meditation to even begin to grasp. In Exodus 3 the complete name is translated as the God of our present trouble and the God of our future deliverance. It is bound up with His self-existence and His unwavering faithfulness, His covenant promises. Jehovah (יהוה) is the One was, who is and who is to come. “The Name” refers to the one who remains true in every generation. In Jewish tradition, the four-letter divine name was treated with profound reverence.

A brief note may be helpful: the “J” sound is not part of biblical Hebrew, and the divine name YHWH has long been treated with deep reverence. Also use reverent substitutes such as “Lord” (Adonai) or “The Name.” I recommend using the Appendix, I challenge you to look deeper into Jehovah (יהוה) to meditate on the mysteries of who God is and what He does.

Summary:

YHWH reveals God as the faithful covenant-keeper whose self-existence, nearness, and steadfast mercy invite both careful study and confident trust; as we follow this name through Scripture, we learn not only that God is, but that He remains present, true, and dependable across every generation and every circumstance.

Supporting Scripture

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.”

Exodus 3:15 — “And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations.”

Exodus 6:3 — “And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.”

Psalm 83:18 — “That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.”

Isaiah 12:2 — “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH (literally Jehovah, Jehovah) is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.”

Notes:

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Chapter 3: El-Shaddai

Meaning/Theme: El Shaddai (אֵל שַׁדַּי) is commonly translated “God Almighty,” emphasizing God’s strength and all-sufficient power to accomplish what He promises—especially in the patriarchal stories where He calls Abraham and reaffirms covenant blessing (Genesis 17). The exact background of “Shaddai” has been discussed for centuries (some connect it with ideas like “mountain” strength or nourishing sufficiency), but biblically the emphasis is consistent: God is not limited by barrenness, age, or circumstance. Historically, Exodus 6:2–3 notes that the patriarchs knew God as El Shaddai prior to the fuller covenant-name emphasis of YHWH, Jehovah (יהוה), underscoring a progressive unfolding of how God revealed Himself to His people.

Summary:

El Shaddai reveals God as the all-sufficient and almighty One whose strength is never hindered by human weakness, barrenness, age, or circumstance; as we trace this name in Scripture, we learn not only that God has power, but that His sufficiency steadies faith, nourishes hope, and assures the heart that what He promises, He is fully able to accomplish.

Supporting Scripture

Genesis 17:1 — “And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.”

Notes:

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Chapter 4: Adonai

Meaning/Theme: Adonai (אֲדֹנָי) means “Lord/Master” and expresses God’s rightful authority—His leadership, ownership, and claim upon our obedience and worship. Historically, Adonai became one of the primary spoken substitutes for the divine name YHWH Jehovah (יהוה) in Jewish reading tradition, which shaped how many English Bibles distinguish “LORD” (for YHWH) from “Lord” (for Adonai). When Scripture uses Adonai, it often carries the weight of personal submission: God is not only powerful; He is the One to whom we answer, whose word governs our choices and whose rule is good.

Summary:

Adonai reveals God as the rightful Lord and wise Master whose authority, goodness, and nearness invite both careful study and willing surrender; as we trace this name in Scripture, we learn not only that God rules, but that His lordship brings order to our choices, steadiness to our obedience, and reverent trust to every part of life placed under His care.

Supporting Scripture

Genesis 15:2 — “And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?”

Isaiah 6:1 — “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.”

Job 28:28 — “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”

Psalm 8:1 — “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.”

Psalm 8:9 — “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!”

Notes:

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Chapter 5: Jehovah-Jireh

Meaning/Theme: Jehovah‑Jireh (יהוה יראה) YHWH Yir’eh comes from Genesis 22:14, where Abraham names the place of Isaac’s near-sacrifice “The LORD will provide.” The Hebrew verb behind the phrase can also carry the idea of “see” or “see to it,” so the name points to God’s attentive provision—He perceives the need and supplies what is required at the appointed time. Historically, the story is rooted in the covenant line: God tests Abraham’s faith, then provides a ram as a substitute, and the name becomes a memorial of God’s faithfulness. In later Jewish and Christian reflection, this scene is often remembered as a foundational picture of substitutionary provision—God Himself supplies what we cannot.

Summary:

Jehovah-Jireh reveals God as the One who sees with perfect wisdom and provides with faithful care, meeting need according to His covenant purpose and timing; as we trace this name in Scripture, we learn not only that God gives what is needed, but that His provision steadies trust, deepens surrender, and teaches the heart to rest in the One who always sees and supplies.

Supporting Scripture:

Genesis 22:14 — “And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.”

Notes:

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Chapter 6: Jehovah-Rapha

Meaning/Theme: Jehovah‑Rapha (יְהוָה רֹפְאֶךָ) The “LORD who heals/your healer” is first spoken in Exodus 15:26 after God makes the bitter waters of Marah drinkable and calls Israel to trust His ways. The Hebrew root rapha means to heal, restore, and make whole, so the name reaches beyond physical sickness to the repairing of what has been broken in body, heart, and community. Historically, this title is covenant-shaped: God reveals Himself as the One who delivers, restores, and sustains His people in the wilderness. He is not portrayed here as needing affliction to become our teacher; rather, in a fallen world where pain and brokenness are real, He shows Himself as healer, redeemer, and faithful keeper.

Summary:

Jehovah-Rapha reveals God as the faithful Healer who restores, mends, and makes whole what has been broken by weakness, sorrow, and the realities of a fallen world; as we trace this name in Scripture, we learn not only that God heals, but that His restoring mercy steadies hope, renews trust, and teaches the heart to rest in the One who is able to bring wholeness where hurt has left its mark. Choose purpose over pain.

Supporting Scripture:

Exodus 15:26 — “And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God… I am the LORD that healeth thee.” (KJV, excerpt)

Jeremiah 33:6 — “Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.”

Notes:

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Chapter 7: Jehovah-Nissi

Meaning/Theme: Jehovah‑Nissi (יְהוָה נִסִּי) means “the LORD is my banner” (Exodus 17:15) and is proclaimed after Israel’s victory over Amalek, when Moses builds an altar to mark that the battle was won under God’s leadership and power. In the ancient world, a banner or standard gathered troops, identified allegiance, and signaled protection—so this name emphasizes identity and victory under God’s rule rather than self-reliance. Historically, the account highlights dependence: as Moses’ hands are upheld, Israel prevails, and the altar-name becomes a memorial that God’s people advance under His Name and presence. The theme invites believers to rally their hope, courage, and spiritual warfare under the Lord’s banner.

Summary:

Jehovah-Nissi reveals the LORD as the banner under which His people gather, stand, and advance, teaching us that true victory is found not in self-reliance but in God’s presence, power, and faithful leadership; as we trace this name in Scripture, we learn not only that God gives victory, but that His banner steadies courage, shapes identity, and calls the heart to stand in trust beneath His rule.

Supporting Scripture:

Exodus 17:15 — “And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi:” (KJV, excerpt)

Notes:

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Chapter 8: Jehovah-M’Kaddesh

Meaning/Theme: Jehovah-M’Kaddesh (יהוה מקדשכם) means “the LORD who sanctifies you.” This name points to God’s work of setting His people apart for Himself (consecration) and shaping them in holiness. Sanctification is not merely avoiding sin; it is the Lord’s active work of cleansing, renewing, and forming His people so that their lives increasingly reflect His character. He receives His people in mercy, then continues His transforming work within them by His Word and Spirit. At times growth comes quickly, but more often it unfolds through patient surrender, repeated obedience, repentance, and a steady willingness to let Him change what does not belong.

Summary:

Jehovah-M’Kaddesh reveals God as the One who sanctifies His people, setting them apart in mercy and shaping them in holiness by His Word and Spirit; as we trace this name in Scripture, we learn not only that God calls His people to be holy, but that He Himself undertakes the cleansing, renewing, and patient forming that teaches the heart to yield, obey, and reflect His character more fully.

Supporting Scripture:

Exodus 31:13 — “Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.”

Leviticus 20:8 — “And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.”

Ezekiel 37:28 — “And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.”

Malachi 3:3 — “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23 — “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Notes:

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Chapter 9: Jehovah-Shalom

Meaning/Theme: Jehovah‑Shalom (יהוה שלום) means “The LORD is peace.” This name presents God as the source of wholeness, calm, and settled confidence—peace that is deeper than circumstances. In Judges 6, God meets Gideon in fear and uncertainty and speaks peace to him; Gideon responds by building an altar, marking the place where God’s presence turned anxiety into assurance. Jehovah‑Shalom shows that biblical peace is grounded not in control or ideal conditions, but in God Himself. Shalom paints a picture of nothing missing, nothing broken. You can experience shalom even before you see the answer by letting the settled confidence rule.

Summary:

Jehovah-Shalom reveals the LORD as the source of peace, wholeness, and settled assurance, teaching us that true peace is found not in perfect circumstances but in the nearness and rule of God Himself; as we trace this name in Scripture, we learn not only that God gives peace, but that His presence steadies fear, restores what feels fractured, and teaches the heart to rest in His quieting care.

Supporting Scripture:

Judges 6:24 — “Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.”

Notes:

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Chapter 10: Jehovah-Tsidkenu

Meaning/Theme: Jehovah‑Tsidkenu (יהוה צדקנו) means “The LORD our righteousness.” In Jeremiah, this name is connected to God’s promise of a coming righteous King from David’s line who will reign with justice—and whose very name declares that righteousness comes from the LORD. It confronts self-righteousness and shame at the same time: we cannot manufacture righteousness, but God provides it, covers us, and teaches us to walk in it. Jehovah‑Tsidkenu points us to a life made right with God and a life that begins to look right because He is making it so.

Summary:

Jehovah-Tsidkenu reveals the LORD as the righteous King and gracious source of our right standing before God, teaching us that righteousness is not self-made but received through His faithful provision; as we trace this name in Scripture, we learn not only that God is righteous, but that His righteousness covers shame, corrects self-trust, and teaches the heart to rest in the One who makes His people right before Him.

Supporting Scripture:

Jeremiah 23:5 — “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.”

Jeremiah 23:6 — “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

Jeremiah 33:16 — “In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.”

Notes:

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Chapter 11: Jehovah-Rohi

Meaning/Theme: Jehovah‑Rohi (יהוה רעי) means “The LORD is my shepherd.” This name presents God as personal guide, protector, and provider—One who leads, nourishes, and watches over His people with steady care. In Psalm 23, David describes not a distant God but a Shepherd who stays close, supplies what is needed, and guides through both green pastures and dark valleys. Jehovah‑Rohi emphasizes trust in God’s provision, guidance, and protection.

Summary:

Jehovah-Rohi reveals the LORD as the Shepherd who guides, feeds, protects, and keeps His people with personal and steady care; as we trace this name in Scripture, we learn not only that God leads, but that His shepherding presence steadies fear, nourishes trust, and teaches the heart to rest under His wise provision through both green pastures and shadowed valleys.

Supporting Scripture:

Psalm 23:1 — “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

Notes:

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Chapter 12: Jehovah-Shammah

Meaning/Theme: Jehovah‑Shammah (יהוה שמה) means “The LORD is there” or “The LORD is present.” This name speaks of God’s abiding presence and His commitment to dwell with His people and make Himself known among them. Ezekiel’s final vision closes with hope: the restored city will be marked not merely by its walls or measurements, but by the reality of God’s presence. Jehovah‑Shammah emphasizes divine nearness as central to restoration and covenant hope. Practice the Lord being present in your life by making time for prayer and reflection on His goodness.

Summary:

Jehovah-Shammah reveals the LORD as the God whose faithful presence marks restoration, covenant hope, and holy nearness, teaching us that His dwelling with His people is not an afterthought but a central expression of His redeeming purpose; as we trace this name in Scripture, we learn not only that God is present, but that His presence steadies the heart, restores what feels desolate, and teaches us to live with reverence, comfort, and expectation before Him.

Supporting Scripture:

Ezekiel 48:35 — “It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.”

Notes:

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Chapter 13: Jehovah-Tsuri

Meaning/Theme: Jehovah‑Tsuri (יהוה צורי) means “The LORD is my rock.” God as Rock speaks of stability, strength, and refuge—unchanging support when everything else shifts. In Isaiah 26, trusting the LORD is pictured as resting on an “everlasting strength,” a Rock of ages. Jehovah‑Tsuri emphasizes God as a stable refuge and reliable foundation when other supports prove uncertain.

Summary:

Jehovah-Tsuri reveals the LORD as the steadfast Rock whose strength, stability, and faithfulness remain unshaken when every other support feels uncertain; as we trace this name in Scripture, we learn not only that God is refuge, but that His unchanging presence steadies fear, anchors trust, and teaches the heart to rest on what cannot be moved. Jehovah-Tsuri hides us in the rock.

Supporting Scripture:

Isaiah 26:4 — “Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”

Notes:

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Chapter 14: El Elyon

Meaning/Theme: El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן) means “The Most High God.” This name presents God’s complete supremacy over all things, lifting the reader’s view above fear, confusion, and earthly power. He is exalted over every circumstance while also serving as refuge for those who draw near to Him. El Elyon emphasizes God’s sovereign rule together with His protective care.

Summary:

El Elyon reveals God as the Most High, exalted above every power, pressure, and earthly claim, yet near enough to shelter those who trust in Him; as we trace this name in Scripture, we learn not only that God rules with sovereign authority, but that His supremacy steadies fear, lifts our perspective, and teaches the heart to rest beneath His protective care. Keeps us in the secret place.

Supporting Scripture:

Psalm 91:1 — “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

Notes:

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Chapter 15: El Roi

Meaning/Theme: El Roi (אֵל רֳאִי) means “The God who sees me.” This name emphasizes God’s personal attention and compassionate awareness of those who are overlooked, hurting, or displaced. In Genesis 16, Hagar meets God in the wilderness and realizes she is not invisible to Him; her pain is noticed, and her future is not forgotten. El Roi highlights divine awareness of human need and vulnerability.

Summary:

El Roi reveals God as the One who sees with personal knowledge and compassionate attention, never overlooking the forgotten, the wounded, or the displaced; as we trace this name in Scripture, we learn not only that God is aware of human need, but that His seeing presence steadies the heart, restores dignity, and teaches us to trust the One before whom no sorrow is hidden and no life is unseen.

Supporting Scripture:

Genesis 16:13 — “And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?”

Notes:

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Chapter 16: Jehovah-Sabaoth (Tzva'ot)

Meaning/Theme: Jehovah‑Sabaoth (יהוה צבאות) means “LORD of hosts” (armies). This name presents God as Commander over heavenly armies and Lord over all power—seen and unseen. In Scripture, “hosts” can refer to angelic forces and the ordered ranks of creation under God’s command. Jehovah‑Sabaoth emphasizes God’s unmatched authority, sufficiency, and rule in every conflict His people face.

Summary:

Jehovah-Sabaoth reveals the LORD as Commander of hosts and sovereign over every visible and invisible power, teaching us that no conflict, opposition, or force lies outside His authority and rule; as we trace this name in Scripture, we learn not only that God reigns over every battle, but that His supremacy steadies courage, strengthens trust, and teaches the heart to rest under His unmatched dominion and faithful care.

Supporting Scripture:

1 Samuel 1:3 — “And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh.”

James 5:4 — “Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.”

Notes:

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Appendix: Hebrew Letters

Jehovah (YHWH)

Hebrew

Name

Short meaning (common mnemonic)

Number

א

Aleph

Ox; strength; leader

1

ב

Bet

House; dwelling

2

ג

Gimel

Camel; lift up; carry

3

ד

Dalet

Door; pathway

4

ה

He

Behold; reveal; breath

5

ו

Vav

Hook; and; connect

6

ז

Zayin

Weapon; nourish

7

ח

Chet

Fence; life; separation

8

ט

Tet

Basket; surround

9

י

Yod

Hand; work; deed

10

כ

Kaf

Palm; open hand

20

ל

Lamed

Goad; teach; learn

30

מ

Mem

Water; chaos; flow

40

נ

Nun

Fish; life; seed

50

ס

Samekh

Support; prop; uphold

60

ע

Ayin

Eye; see; know

70

פ

Pe

Mouth; speak

80

צ

Tsadi

Hook/plant; righteous

90

ק

Qof

Back of head; horizon

100

ר

Resh

Head; first; chief

200

ש

Shin

Tooth; consume; press

300

ת

Tav

Mark; sign; covenant

400

Note on final forms (sofit): The five letters with final forms—ך, ם, ן, ף, ץ—use the same standard gematria values as their regular forms: כ=20, מ=40, נ=50, פ=80, צ=90.

Hebrew for “The Name” (YHWH)

Hebrew

Name

Short meaning (common mnemonic)

Number

י

Yod

Hand; work; deed (Strength)

10

ה

He

Behold; reveal; breath (Grace, Life)

5

ו

Vav

Hook; and; connect (Tent peg or nail)

6

ה

He

Behold; reveal; breath (Grace, Life)

5

Transliteration order:

Yod–Hei–Vau–Hei (YHWH)

The name of the LORD has been revealed, the name of Jehovah that once was concealed.

You see, it’s in His hands, in His nail-scarred hands, that the kingdom of heaven has been opened to man.

Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.