Many people are familiar with the Holy Trinity concept in that the Son (Jesus) is God, the Father is God and the Holy Spirit is God.
Although we can’t fully grasp this concept as God is infinitely greater than we are, we can understand the actual names of God and what they stand for according to scripture.
Whether it’s “God Elohim”, “El Elyon” or “El Shaddai”, each name of God reveals a different aspect of His character.
In this article, we’ll list God’s names as found in the Old Testament and New Testament of the Bible, their meaning and what the only proper name for God is!
Names of God in the Old Testament
We’ll start with God’s names found in the OT:
1. YAHWEH – The Only Proper Name of God
- Pronunciation: yah-way
- Meaning: LORD
- Alternative spelling: YHWH, Jehovah
YAHWEH, YHWH or Jehovah is considered as the ultimate name for God that specified a presence and immediacy.
He reveals this name to Moses in the second book of the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14) by using the words “I Am Who I Am”.
YAHWEH is directly translated to LORD (in capital letters) in English Bibles, which is different from Adonai that also means Lord, but not all capitals.
Interestingly, the name YHWH is initially found in Genesis 2:4 and it’s also referred to as the Tetragrammaton (meaning “the four letters”).
2. YAHWEH-Jireh
- Pronunciation: yah-way-ji-reh
- Meaning: The Lord Will Provide
- Alternative spelling: Jehovah Jireh
YAHWEH-JIREH signifies another facet of God’s incredible character during the events of Genesis 22:14.
This is when Abraham memorializes God’s intercession to spare Isaac from being sacrificed as He provides an animal substitute for Abraham to sacrifice.
As a result, Abraham called Mount Moriah “The Lord Will Provide” as Genesis 22:14 also states “as it is said to this day, On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”.
3. YAHWEH-Rapha
- Pronunciation: yah-way-raw-faw
- Meaning: The Lord Who Heals
- Alternative spelling: Jehovah Rapha, Jehovah-Rophe, Jehovah Rophecha
In Exodus 15:26 God lets us know that He is our Healer, both in the physical and spiritual sense as only He can heal both our bodies and our souls by forgiving our trespasses.
The word Rapha stands for “to health” or “to restore” in Hebrew and when combined with YAHWEH it gives us “The Lord Who Heals”.
4. YAHWEH-Nissi
- Pronunciation: yah-way-nee-see
- Meaning: The Lord Our Banner
- Alternative spelling: Jehovah Nisi, Jehovahnissi
The word Nissi derives from Nes, meaning “banner” in Hebrew and this name of the Lord is found in Exodus 17:15.
This is where Moses recognizes that God is the banner of the Israelites, under which they came out victorious against the Amalekites.
5. YAHWEH-Mekoddishkem
- Pronunciation: yah-way-m-qadash
- Meaning: The Lord Who Sanctifies You, The Lord Who Makes Holy
- Alternative spelling: YAHWEH M’kaddesh, Jehovah Mekoddishkem
The Hebrew word mekoddishkem is derived from qadash, which means “dedicate”, “sanctify” or “holy”.
We find that the Lord sanctifies us on two occasions in the Old Testament, in Leviticus 20:8 and in Ezekiel 37:28.
Eventually, this trait of God’s character shows us that only He can sanctify us, thus making us holy.
6. YAHWEH-Shalom
- Pronunciation: yah-way-shah-lohm
- Meaning: The Lord is Peace
Shalom is a popular Hebrew word that derives from shalem, meaning “sound” or “be complete”. Shalom itself means “absence from strife” or “peace”.
We find YAHWEH-Shalom in only one place in the Old Testament – Judges 6:24.
7. YAHWEH-Elohim
- Pronunciation: yah-way-el-oh-him
- Meaning: LORD God
YAHWEH-Elohim is a combination of God’s unique name YHWH (or YAHWEH, Jehovah) and Elohim (God, Judge, Creator).
We find this name of God on two occasions in the Old Testament, in Genesis 2:4 and Psalm 59:5.
8. YAHWEH-Tsidkenu
- Pronunciation: yah-way-tzid-kay-noo
- Meaning: The Lord Our Righteousness
- Alternative spelling: Jehovah Tzidkaynu, Jehovah Tsidqenuw
The Hebrew word Tsidkenu comes from Tsedek, which means “righteous”, “to be stiff” or “to be straight”.
Thus, we realize that God is our provider of righteousness and we find the aforementioned name in Jeremiah 33:16.
9. YAHWEH-Raah
- Pronunciation: yah-way-roh-hee
- Meaning: The Lord Our Shepherd
- Alternative spelling: Jehovah Raah, YAHWEH-ROHI
Raah stems from the Hebrew word Ro’eh, which means “shepherd”.
It was David who in Psalm 23:1 declared that God is YAHWEH-Rohi i.e. The Lord is our Shepherd.
However, an extended translation of Ro’eh is “companion” or “friend” and when we combined it with LORD we get YAHWEH-RAAH (or Jehovah Raah), meaning “The Lord my Friend”.
10. YAHWEH-Shammah
- Pronunciation: yah-way-sham-mahw
- Meaning: The Lord Is There
- Alternative spelling: Jehovah Samma
Shammah is derived from “sham”, meaning “there”.
YAHWEH-Shammah or Jehovah Samma is the name given to the earthly Jerusalem in the Old Testament as evident by Ezekiel 48:35.
This implies that the glory of God that previously departed from Jerusalem and the Tempe in that city had returned.
11. YAHWEH-Sabaoth
- Pronunciation: yah-way-sah-bah-ohth
- Meaning: The Lord of Hosts
Sabaoth literally means “hosts” or “armies”, which means that God is also The Lord of Armies.
This name reveals to us that God is sovereign over all kinds of armies, be it physical or spiritual and He is also the Lord of the host of both heaven and earth and we find this name of God in Psalm 46:7 and Isaiah 1:24.
12. Immanuel
- Pronunciation: ih-mah-new-el
- Meaning: God with us
- Alternative spelling: Emmanuel, Imanu’e
Immanuel is a name of God found in Isaiah 7:14 that prophesizes the birth of God in the flesh – Jesus Christ.
13. Adonai
- Pronunciation: ah-daw-nahy
- Meaning: Lord, Master
Like YHWH, Adonai means Lord but not in all capital letters. But since Jews viewed that pronouncing the word YHWH by sinful men as too sacred, the word Adonai is used instead on some occasions.
That’s why in the Old Testament you can see that YHWH is mostly used when God deals with the Israelites, while Adonai is mostly used when God deals with Gentile people.
Also, the Hebrew word Adonai is the plural form of “adon”. The word “adon” is used when referring to a human lord, while the plural form Adonai is used when mentioning God.
14. Elohim (God el)
- Pronunciation: el-oh-heem
- Meaning: God, Judge, Creator
Elohim means “God”, plain and simple.
However, some scholars claim that Elohim derives from the roots “lh” and “eloah”, while others think that it derives from “el”, which comes from the root word “wl”.
There are even other scholars who presume that Elohim and “el” are simply derived from “Eloah”.
Nonetheless, this name of God (Elohim) is found on thousands of occasions in the Old Testament.
15. Elohim Chaseddi
- Pronunciation: el-oh-heem-chas-di
- Meaning: The God of My Mercy
The words Elohim (God) and chaseddi (lovingkindness) can be found in Psalm 59:10 as another name of the Lord.
16. El Elohe Yisrael
- Pronunciation: el-el-oh-he-yas-ah-reel
- Meaning: The mighty God of Israel
- Alternative spelling: El-Elohe-Israel
After Jacob settled in Shechem (Genesis 33:20), he made an altar for God that he called “El Elohe Yisrael”.
17. El Emunah
- Pronunciation: el-ih-mouh-nah
- Meaning: The Faithful God
- Alternative spelling: El-Elohe-Israel
In Deuteronomy 7:9 we see that God is called “El Emunah”, meaning The Faithful God.
He is the One Who keeps His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who keep His commandments and love Him.
18. Elohei Tehillati
- Pronunciation: el-oh-hee-tee-how-lah-tee
- Meaning: God of my praise
When combined, the words Elohei (God) and tehillati (praise) from Psalm 109:1 form the name of God “God of my praise”.
19. El Hakabodh
- Pronunciation: el-hack-ah-bad
- Meaning: The God of Glory
God is glorious and the God of glory (El Hakabodh) thunders over the mighty waters (Psalm 29:3).
20. Elohim Chayim
- Pronunciation: el-oh-heem-chah-yum
- Meaning: The Living God
Joshua 3:10 lets us know that God is Elohim Chayim.
He is the One Who will drive out the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites etc. for the Israelites.
21. El Hayyay
- Pronunciation: el-hi-yah
- Meaning: God of My Life
He is “the God (El) of my life (Hayyay)” – this is a name of God given by the psalmist in Psalm 42:8.
22. Elohim Kedoshim
- Pronunciation: el-oh-heem-kay-doh-sheem
- Meaning: Holy God
Joshua calls God “a holy God” (Elohim Kedoshim) in Joshua 24:19, who wanted to make sure that the Israeli people really wanted to serve the Lord and not false gods and idols.
23. Elohei Ma’uzzi
- Pronunciation: el-oh-haa-mah-uzi
- Meaning: God of My Strength
Indeed, God is our strength and strong (ma’uzzi) fortress (2 Samuel 22:33).
24. Elohim Machase Lanu
- Pronunciation: el-oh-heem-mah-chase-lah-nuh
- Meaning: God Our Refuge
Psalm 62:8 gives us another incredible name of God and some very true and encouraging words.
We’re to trust in God all the time and pour out our hearts to Him.
25. Eli Maelekhi
- Pronunciation: ih-lah-mah-lee-kay
- Meaning: God My King
He is our God and King (Eli Maelekhi) as evident by Pslam 68:24.
26. El Nekamoth
- Pronunciation: el-nick-ah-moth
- Meaning: God that Avengeth
God is our Avenger and the One Who subdues nations (Psalm 18:47).
27. Elohenu Olam
- Pronunciation: el-ah-who-nouh-oh-lem
- Meaning: Our Everlasting God
This name of God (Elohenu Olam) is found in Psalm 48:14 and it reveals the everlasting nature of the Lord.
He is our God forever and ever.
28. Elohim Ozer Li
- Pronunciation: el-oh-heem-oh-zier-lie
- Meaning: God My Helper
He is the One Who sustains us and as Psalm 54:4 reads “God is my help” (Elohim Ozer Li).
29. El Sali
- Pronunciation: el-say-lah
- Meaning: God, my Rock
In 2 Samuel 22:47 David refers to the Lord by the following name of God: “El Sali”, meaning “my Rock”.
30. Elohim Shophtim Ba-arets
- Pronunciation: el-oh-heem-shop-tea-mah-bah-rets
- Meaning: God Who Judges the Earth
In Psalm 58:11, the psalmist writes that “surely there is a God Who judges the earth”.
31. El Simchath Gili
- Pronunciation: el-shim-shah-gee-lah
- Meaning: God My Exceeding Joy
We are to praise the Lord as God is our exceeding joy as evident by Psalm 43:4.
32. Elohe Tishuathi
- Pronunciation: el-oh-hee-tea-shoe-ah-tie
- Meaning: God of My Salvation
This particular name of God (God of my Salvation) is found in Psalm 51:14 of the OT.
33. Elohe Yakob
- Pronunciation: el-oh-hee-yah-koub
- Meaning: God of Jacob
- Alternative spelling: Elohe Jacob
The God of Jacob (Elohe Yakob) is found in Psalm 20:1 as He is the Living God, the God of the Bible.
34. Elohei Marom
- Pronunciation: el-oh-hey-mah-roam
- Meaning: God on High, the Exalted God
Another name of God (or more precisely names of God) can be found in Micah 6:6.
He is referred to as “Elohei Marom”, meaning “God on high” or “the Exalted God”.
35. Elohei Haelohim
- Pronunciation: el-oh-hey-hi-low-him
- Meaning: The God of gods
One of the most profound names of God is that He is the God of gods, translated from “Elohei Haelohim” from Deuteronomy 10:17.
36. El Shaddai
- Pronunciation: el-shah-dahy
- Meaning: God Almighty
This is a combination of the words “el” (that can be translated into God) and “shaddai” (meaning “breast” in Hebrew and “mountain” in Akkadian).
As a result, we realize that God provides supply, nourishment and blessing for us and He has ultimate power over all creation.
Note that El Shaddai is found only on several occasions in the Old Testament, the first of which is in Genesis 17:1.
37. El Elyon
- Pronunciation: el-el-yohn
- Meaning: The Most High God
We already know that “el” can be translated into “God”, while “elyon” means “Most High”.
This shows us the ultimate sovereignty, majesty and lordship of God.
El Elyon is found 28 times in the OT and it can also be translated as “The most exalted God”
38. El Roi
- Pronunciation: el-roh-ee
- Meaning: God of Seeing
This name of God comes from Genesis 16:13, where Hagar calls the Lord “God of Seeing”.
Hagar was Sarah’s (Abraham’s wife) servant and this Bible verse shows us that she testified that “El Roi” is a living God who sees everything.
39. El-Olam
- Pronunciation: el-oh-lahm
- Meaning: The Everlasting God, The Eternal God
The word “olam” comes from “lm”, meaning “everlasting”, “forever” or “eternity”.
This name of God reveals to us that He isn’t confined by time and space. God cannot be contained and He has no begging or end as evident by Psalm 90:1-3.
40. El-Gibhor
- Pronunciation: el-ghee-bohr
- Meaning: Mighty God
Although this name of God is found in the Old Testament, it actually refers to God in the flesh – Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
We can find the name “El-Gibhor” in Isaiah 9:6.
41. El Bethel
- Pronunciation: el-bet-hel
- Meaning: The God of the House of God
- Alternative spelling: El-bethel
In Genesis 35:7 we learn that Jacob built an altar, which he called El Bethel as that was the place where God revealed Himself to Jacob.
42. Jehovah Adon Kol Ha-arets
- Pronunciation: ji-hoh-vah-adon-kay-has-arets
- Meaning: The Lord of All the Earth
Joshua referred to God as “the Lord of all the earth” during the time when the Israelites were crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3:11).
43. Jehovah Chereb
- Pronunciation: ji-hoh-vah-cheh-reb
- Meaning: The LORD… the Sword
Not only is God our helper and shield, but He is also our glorious sword (chereb in Hebrew) (Deuteronomy 33:29).
44. Jehovah Gibbor Milchamah
- Pronunciation: ji-hoh-vah-gibh-or-micah-mah
- Meaning: The LORD Mighty In Battle
- Alternative spelling: Jehovah Gibhor Milchamah
Unlike God Elohim, El Shaddai or El Elyon, “Jehovah Gibbobr Milchamah” is one of the lesser-known names of God.
It’s found in Psalm 24:8 and it means “The LORD mighty in battle”.
45. Jehovah Goelekh
- Pronunciation: ji-hoh-vah-ghee-ah-lekh
- Meaning: The LORD Thy Redeemer
In Isaiah 60:16, God refers to Himself as the Lord, Savior and “Goelekh”, meaning Redeemer.
46. Jehovah Elohim
- Pronunciation: ji-hoh-vah-el-oh-him
- Meaning: The LORD God
- Alternative spelling: YHWH Elohim, YAHWEH Elohim
One of the most powerful names of God is Jehovah Elohim as found in Genesis 2:4 – the One Who created heaven and earth.
47. Jehovah Elohim Ab
- Pronunciation: ji-hoh-vah-el-oh-him-ab
- Meaning: The LORD God of your fathers
- Alternative spelling: YHWH Elohim Ab, YAHWEH Elohim Ab
In Joshua 18:3 we find yet another of the names of God in the OT, that is “the Lord, the God of your fathers”.
48. Jehovah El Emeth
- Pronunciation: ji-hoh-vah-el-im-eh
- Meaning: LORD God of Truth
This specific name of God comes from Psalm 31:5.
49. Jehovah El Gemuwal
- Pronunciation: ji-hoh-vah-el-ghee-mou-lah
- Meaning: The LORD God of recompense
This name is translated from “gemuwal” in Hebrew and is found in Jeremiah 51:56.
50. Elohei Mikkarov
- Pronunciation: el-oh-hee-micah-rov
- Meaning: God who is near
In Jeremiah 23:23, God Himself declares that He is an “Elohei Mikkarov”, meaning God Who is near, not a God far off.
51. Elohim Bashamayim
- Pronunciation: el-oh-him-bas-ha-may-uhm
- Meaning: God in Heaven
Joshua 2:11 reveals one of the obviously thematic names of God – God in heaven.
52. Hashopet
- Pronunciation: has-hah-pet
- Meaning: Judge
Indeed, the Lord is the ultimate Judge, as evident by Judges 11:27.
53. Jehovah Immeka
- Pronunciation: ji-hoh-vah-ihm-mih-ke
- Meaning: The LORD is with you
This name of the Lord is found in Judges 6:12, where the angel refers to God as “the LORD with you”.
54. Sar Shalom
- Pronunciation: sah-shalom
- Meaning: Prince of Peace
This is a prophecy from Isaiah 9:6 about Jesus who is the “Prince of Peace”
55. Peleh Yo’etz
- Pronunciation: pay-lah-yo-ez
- Meaning: Wonderful Counselor
This is another name used to describe God in the flesh, Jesus, in Isaiah 9:6.
56. Moshiekh
- Pronunciation: moh-she-kh
- Meaning: Savior
God is the LORD, Savior and Redeemer of all mankind (Isaiah 49:26).
57. Ruach Hakkodesh
- Pronunciation: rhua-khako-desh
- Meaning: Holy Spirit
We’ve already mentioned that the Holy Spirit is part of God’s Triune nature as found in Psalm 51:11.
58. Go’el
- Pronunciation: go-el
- Meaning: Redeemer
God is the Redeemer who guided His people to the holy land (Exodus 15:13).
59. Kadosh
- Pronunciation: kay-dash
- Meaning: The Holy One
There’s no equal to God, The Holy One (Isaiah 40:25).
60. Ruach Elohim
- Pronunciation: rhuak-el-oh-him
- Meaning: The Spirit of God
In 1 Samuel 10:10 we find that “the Spirit of God (Ruach Elohim) came upon him (Samuel) mightily”.
61. Jehovah Tsemach
- Pronunciation: ji-ho-vah-si-makh
- Meaning: The Branch of the Lord
This particular name of God comes from Isaiah 4:2.
62. Esh Oklah
- Pronunciation: ish-oka-yah
- Meaning: A Consuming Fire
God is a “consuming fire” as written in Deuteronomy 4:24, although this name of the Lord also appears in the NT – in the book of Hebrews.
63. ‘Or Goyim
- Pronunciation: orh-go-yum
- Meaning: Light of the Nations
This name of God comes from Isaiah 42:6 and it’s clearly about Jesus.
64. ‘Ab
- Pronunciation: ah-b
- Meaning: Father
If we open Psalm 68:5 we’ll find an OT example where the psalmist calls God “a father (‘Ab) of the fatherless”.
65. Qanna
- Pronunciation: kan-naw
- Meaning: Jealous, Zealous
Qanna stands for “jealous”, “envy” or “zealous”, which reveals these particular characteristics of God.
In fact, the deeper meaning behind the word “wanna” is connected to marriage and God is described as the Husband and Maker of His people (Isaiah 54:5).
This specific word appears 6 times in the OT and it’s first used in Exodus 20:5.
66. El Bethel
- Pronunciation: el-bet-hel
- Meaning: The God of the House of God
In Genesis 35:7 we learn that Jacob built an altar, which he called El Bethel as that was the place where God revealed Himself to Jacob.
Names of God in the New Testament
These are the names of God found in the NT:
67. Advocate (1 John 2:1)
68. Almighty (Revelation 1:8)
69. Alpha (Revelation 1:8)
70. Amen (Revelation 3:14)
71. Apostle (Hebrews 3:1)
72. Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Hebrews 12:2)
73. Beginning (Revelation 21:6)
74. Bishop of Souls (1 Peter 2:25)
75. Bread of Life (John 6:35,48)
76. Bridegroom (Matthew 9:15)
77. Carpenter (Mark 6:3)
78. Chief Shepherd (1 Peter 5:4)
79. The Christ (Matthew 1:16)
80. Consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25)
81. Consuming Fire (Hebrews 12:29)
82. Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20)
83. Dayspring (Luke 1:78)
84. Deliverer (Romans 11:26)
85. Emmanuel (Matthew 1:23)
86. End (Revelation 21:6)
87. Faithful and True Witness (Revelation 3:14)
88. First Fruits (1 Corinthians 15:23)
89. Friend of Sinners (Matthew 11:19)
90. Gate for the Sheep (John 10:7)
91. Gift of God (2 Corinthians 9:15)
92. Good Shepherd (John 10:11)
93. Governor (Matthew 2:6)
94. Great Shepherd (Hebrews 13:20)
95. Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18)
96. High Priest (Hebrews 3:1)
97. Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)
98. Jesus (Matthew 1:21)
99. King of Israel (Matthew 27:42)
100. King of Kings (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16)
101. Lamb of God (John 1:29)
102. Last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45)
103. Life (John 11:25)
104. Light of the World (John 8:12; John 9:5)
105. Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5)
106. Lord of Lords (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 19:16)
107. Master (Matthew 23:8)
108. Mediator (1 Timothy 2:5)
109. Messiah (John 1:41)
110. Morning Star (2 Peter 1:19, Revelation 22:16)
111. Nazarene (Matthew 2:23)
112. Omega (Revelation 1:8)
113. Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7)
114. Physician (Matthew 9:12)
115. Potentate (1 Timothy 6:15)
116. Priest (Hebrews 4:15)
117. Prophet (Acts 3:22)
118. Propitiation (I John 2:2)
119. Rabbi (John 1:49)
120. Ransom (1 Timothy 2:6)
121. Resurrection (John 11:25)
122. Root of David (Revelation 22:16)
123. Ruler of God’s Creation (Revelation 3:14)
124. Sacrifice (Ephesians 5:2)
125. Savior (Luke 1:47)
126. Second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:47)
127. Seed of Abraham (Galatians 3:16)
128. Seed of David (2 Timothy 2:8)
129. Shepherd (1 Peter 2:25)
130. Son of David (Matthew 15:22)
131. Son of God (Luke 1:35)
132. Son of Man (Matthew 18:11)
133. Son of Mary (Mark 6:3)
134. Son of the Most High (Luke 1:32)
135. Teacher (Matthew 26:18)
136. Truth (John 14:6)
137. Way (John 14:6)
138. Word (John 1:1)
139. Vine (John 15:1)
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