BIBLE TOPICS
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path". Ps 119:105
Subjects
THE NAMES OF GOD
| The Names of God |
| What do the names of God mean? |
| Titles of God |
| The Memorial Name of God |
Names in the Bible are often significant in connection with the purpose God has with His creation. For example Abram meaning "exalted father", had his name changed to Abraham which means ‘father of a multitude’ or ‘chief of a multitude’. Thus, the two names of Abraham are connected with the purpose of God. Jacob meaning ‘heel holder’ or ‘supplanter’ had his name changed by God to Israel which means ‘God prevails’, again the name is significant of the purpose of God. It is hardly surprising then that the purpose of God and His glorious character are revealed in the names and titles ascribed to Him in the scriptures.
Translation
The English language does not have equivalents for the original words ascribed to the name of God. Thus, the names of God are translated for example in the King James Version as GOD, LORD, Jehovah or Jah. In an effort to discriminate between the original words upper and lowercase type is used to signify the differing original words. For example ‘GOD’ or ‘LORD’ are used to signify the divine name is used in the original text, ‘Lord’ is used to signify ‘Adon’ and ‘Adonai’ and ‘God’ used to signify ‘El’, ‘Eloah’, ‘Elohim’, and ‘Tzur’.
It is important to note that ‘Jehovah’ another rendering of the name of God is a hybrid form of the Divine name [ the vowels of ‘Adonai incorporated into the Hebrew consonants YHWH or JHWH and was not in use before AD 1512. Yahweh is the more accurate rendering and the one that should be used for the Divine name.