Divine Names for God in Hebrew

[Christina]

Divine Names for God in HebrewUnderstanding the Hebrew divine names for God in the Bible and realizing the importance of His relationship to everything in the universe, including us, may help Bible students form a clearer perception of God. In most instances, the names used in English translations are God, Lord, or Almighty. Some translations use different font types to help acquaint readers with the subtle differences of each divine relationship. It may be enough to know that each instance of God defines a relationship, and the best human analogy I can give is we relate to others differently as a child, grandchild, sibling, spouse, parent, employee, or friend. You can think of more, I'm sure, yet our purpose in each role varies as we interact and respond differently to those around us. The divine names for God in Hebrew provide further evidence that fuller understanding of Scripture is enhanced when we go beyond the English translations.Divine Names for God in Hebrew and English DefinitionsThe following divine names for God are listed alphabetically including a phonetic guide to pronounce each. Adon (aw-DONE) is the Lord as Ruler in the earth.Adonai (ad-o-NOY) is the Lord in His relation to the earth carrying out His purposes of blessing.Adonim (aw-doh-NEEM) is the plural of Adon as owner of all, or the Lord Who rules His own.El (ALE) is the Almighty or Elohim in all His strength and power as creator and omnipotent.Eloah (el-O-ah) is Elohim to be worshipped in connection with His Will rather than His power.Elohim (el-o-HEEM) is God as the Creator.Elyon (el-YONE) is the most high God as the possessor of heaven and earth and Dispenser of blessings.Jah (YAW) is Jehovah as having become our salvation.Jehovah (yeh-ho-VAW) is God in covenant relation to those created.Shaddai (shad-DAH-ee) is always translated Almighty relating to His power to supply all needs.Combinations of these divine names are used, also, so El Shaddai would be God Almighty, and Jehovah is very often combined with additional Hebraic titles for very specific relationships. To learn more, my advice is using the electronic version of the King James Version of the Bible that is embedded with a Strongs Concordance and available for free from E-Sword.net. Their electronic KJV red letter Bible allows readers to switch between regular text and the Strongs version easily, and the full Bible search function for words or phrases is invaluable.Letters J and Y and TransliterationConsider the above examples of pronunciation for a moment and transliteration concerns. The letter "J" does not have an equivalent in the Hebrew alphabet, so for accuracy each occurence has the letter "Y" in the guide to pronunciation. This is true, also, for Jesus (ee-ay-SOOCE or yay-SOOCE) in Greek, Joshua which is Jehoshuah (yeh-ho-SHOO-ah) in Hebrew, and from which Jesus in Greek and Yeshuah (yeh-SHOO-ah) in Hebrew is derived. You may encounter variations based on the traditions of man or those who reference the third of the ten commandments for authority. Certain persons believe that the sacred names should never be spoken which explains the practice of removing vowels from Jehovah (Yehovah) for YHVH as one variation. The "J" was introduced in translations from Hebrew because the Olde English sound that we know for "Y" was rendered "J" at that time. This was carried over into the New Testment in translations from Greek, also. This may also explain names like Jon (YON) and Johan (yo-HAN) in modern Scandinavia being pronounced as they are.Appropriate Use of Divine NamesConcerns about transliteration may be unfounded in the case of the divine names. If you are drawn to God and believe on Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, the very names you choose in prayer or as a witness are appropriate as spoken in your native language. God knows your heart and your mind, so seek Him in reverance without worrying about what others might say about the right and wrong of divine names. Some English speaking Bible scholars insist that when speaking Jesus' name that only the Hebrew version of Yeshuah is appropriate. Christ, whether spoken of as Jesus or Yeshuah, is the same Lord of all. You know who you mean, and so does God, so believers should not be distracted from the truths that really matter. Again, it may be enough to at least be aware of the richness of the original languages and manuscripts of the Bible without splitting hairs over spelling or pronunciation. In conclusion, it is important to seek wisdom and understanding as you learn about God, and drawing on the original languages of the Old Testament and New Testament are essential to fuller understanding. This article and information about the divine names for God in Hebrew are intended to stimulate your interest in words and phrases from the original texts that may have lost some meaning in the English translation. Article Source: www.ultimateriddles.com/divine-names-in-hebrew.html.

 

[Lookin4wardtoHeaven]

(((Christina))))
Letters J and Y and TransliterationConsider the above examples of pronunciation for a moment and transliteration concerns. The letter "J" does not have an equivalent in the Hebrew alphabet, so for accuracy each occurence has the letter "Y" in the guide to pronunciation. This is true, also, for Jesus (ee-ay-SOOCE or yay-SOOCE) in Greek, Joshua which is Jehoshuah (yeh-ho-SHOO-ah) in Hebrew, and from which Jesus in Greek and Yeshuah (yeh-SHOO-ah) in Hebrew is derived. You may encounter variations based on the traditions of man or those who reference the third of the ten commandments for authority. Certain persons believe that the sacred names should never be spoken which explains the practice of removing vowels from Jehovah (Yehovah) for YHVH as one variation. The "J" was introduced in translations from Hebrew because the Olde English sound that we know for "Y" was rendered "J" at that time. This was carried over into the New Testment in translations from Greek, also. This may also explain names like Jon (YON) and Johan (yo-HAN) in modern Scandinavia being pronounced as they are.
Thank You! for this valuable and inspirational study. I have often wondered about this( why are the names spelled like that ) Now I know.

 

[tomwebster]

This is a simular study from the Companion Bible, Appendix 4 : http://www.goodnewsministry.com/appendixes/app4.htm4. THE DIVINE NAMES AND TITLES. I. ELOHIM occurs 2.700 times. Its first occurrence connects it with creation, and give it its essential meaning as the Creator. It indicates His relation to mankind as His creatures (see note on 2Chron. 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. Col. 1:15-17. Rev. 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 temporarily assumed. 'Elohim is indicated (as in A.V.) by ordinary small type, "God". See table on page 7. 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 (Cp. 2Chron. 18:31). Jehovah means the Eternal, the Immutable One, He Who WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME. The Divine definition is given in Gen. 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 A.V.) 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." in the Hebrew Canon (Ap. 1). All are noted in the margin, in all their occurrences:-- 1. JEHOVAH-JIREH = Jehovah will see, or provide. Gen. 22:14. 2. JEHOVAH-ROPHEKA = Jehovah that healeth thee. Ex. 15:26. 3. JEHOVAH-NISSI = Jehovah my banner. Ex. 17:15. 4. JEHOVAH-MeKADDISHKEM = Jehovah that doth sanctify you. Ex. 31:13. Lev. 20:8; 21:8; 22:32. Ezek. 20:12. 5. JEHOVAH-SHALOM = Jehovah [send] peace. Judg. 6:24. 6. JEHOVAH-ZeBA'OTH = Jehovah of hosts. 1Sam. 1:3, and frequently. 7. JEHOVAH-ZIDKENU = Jehovah our righteousness. Jer. 23:6; 33:16. 8. JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH = Jehovah is there. Ezek. 48:35. 9. JEHOVAH-ELYON = Jehovah most high. Ps. 7:17; 47:2; 97:9. 10. JEHOVAH-RO'I = Jehovah my Shepherd. Ps. 23:1. We have seven of these, experimentally referred to, in Ps. 23, inasmuch as Jehovah, 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 No. 1 above. In verse 2, we have No. 5. In verse 3, we have Nos. 2 and 7. In verse 4, we have No. 8. In verse 5, we have Nos. 3 and 4. III. JAH is Jehovah in a special sense and relation. Jehovah as having BECOME our Salvation (first occ. Ex. 15:2), He Who IS, and WAS, and IS TO COME. It occurs 49 times (7 x 7. See Ap. 10). Jah is indicated by type thus: Lord. IV. EL is essentially the Almighty, thought 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 occ. Gen. 14:18:22) and sees all (Gen. 16:13) and that performeth all things for His people (Ps. 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 Immanue-'el, Beth-'el, &c., 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 (Deut. 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 Gen. 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 Ps. 83:18, He is "over all the earth". The title occurs 36 times (6 x 6 or 62 See Ap. 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 (cp. Gen. 14:18-22 with Zech. 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 Gen. 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 2Cor. 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 the 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 emphasized, but to distinguish the word "Lord" from Adonai, which is always so printed in the A.V. (2) ADONAI is the 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 Ap. 32) 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 the 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 the Printed Text. (See Ap. 32.) GOD = El. GOD = Eloah. LORD = Jehovah. THE LORD = Jah. LORD* = Jehovah in the Primitive Texts, altered by Sopherim to Adonai as in the Printed Text. (See Ap. 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.