Introduction
In the Bible, the names of God are not mere labels: each one reveals an aspect of his character. Elohim speaks of his power as Creator, YHWH of his faithful presence, Adonai of his authority as Master, and El Shaddai of his all-sufficiency. Compound names, such as Jireh or Rapha, show what he does for those who call on him.
When you want to know someone, you start with their name. The Bible does the same with God: it gives him dozens of names, and each one opens a window onto who he is. This page presents the main ones, in simplified spelling: the Hebrew names of the Old Testament, the compound names that link God to a specific situation, and then the names of the New Testament. It ends with a concrete way to use them in prayer, so that the names of God in the Bible become part of your own prayer life.
Why Does God Reveal Himself Through Names?
In the world of the Bible, a name says what a person is. It describes a character, a mission, a story. When God reveals himself by a name, he does not merely ask to be called by it: he shows how he acts. Each name becomes a fragment of a portrait.
No single name is enough on its own. They add up to one another, like the facets of a single person, and the biblical authors use them according to the circumstances: a name of power in creation, a name of closeness in distress. Knowing them helps you understand the texts better and pray with more precision.
Elohim, YHWH, Adonai, El Shaddai, El Elyon: The Hebrew Names of God
Elohim is the most frequent name at the beginning of the Bible. It evokes the greatness and power of the one God who brings all things into existence. YHWH, often translated “the LORD,” is his personal name, linked to the verb “to be.” The Hebrews respected it so much that they avoided pronouncing it and said Adonai instead, meaning “my Lord”: a title of master and king.
Two other names have a special flavor. El Shaddai, often rendered “God Almighty,” describes a God who is enough and who fills every need. El Elyon, “God Most High,” expresses his sovereignty above every other power. Here are the verses where the main ones appear.
Genesis 1:1
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
The first verse of the Bible uses Elohim. Before any human history, God is already there, and he is the one who brings the world into being. This name lays the foundation for everything else: God is the Creator, and he is not created. Read all of Genesis 1.
Exodus 3:13-15
"Moses said to God, “Behold, when I come to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM,” and he said, “You shall tell the children of Israel this: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ ” God said moreover to Moses, “You shall tell the children of Israel this, ‘Yahweh, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, and this is my memorial to all generations."
Moses asks God for his name, and God answers with an expression tied to the verb to be, then with the name of the LORD. He presents himself as the one who is present, faithful, and the same for generations past and to come. This is the central name of the Old Testament. Read all of Exodus 3.
Genesis 17:1
"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty. Walk before me and be blameless."
God introduces himself to Abram, who is ninety-nine years old, under the name that the translation renders as God Almighty. At the moment the promise seems impossible, he reminds Abram that he can do all things. The name comes with a call to walk before him and be blameless. Read all of Genesis 17.
Genesis 14:18-20
"Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High. He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth. Blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all."
Melchizedek, king and priest, blesses Abram in the name of God Most High, master of heaven and earth. The name stresses that God reigns above all powers, including those of enemies. It is the God who gives victory. Read all of Genesis 14.
Jireh, Rapha, Nissi, Shalom, Tsidkenu, Rohi: The Compound Names of the LORD
In the Bible, several names join the name of the LORD to a word that describes what he does. They are not official titles, but names given by people who had a specific encounter with him. They have become landmarks for prayer.
Genesis 22:14
"Abraham called the name of that place “Yahweh Will Provide”. As it is said to this day, “On Yahweh’s mountain, it will be provided."
Abraham calls the place where God provided the sacrifice Jireh, meaning that God provides. The name was born out of a trial, when God supplied exactly what was needed at the last moment. It reminds us that God sees our needs before we do. Read all of Genesis 22.
Judges 6:24
"Then Gideon built an altar there to Yahweh, and called it “Yahweh is Peace.” To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites."
Gideon, frightened at the thought of having seen God, builds an altar and calls it Yahweh is Peace, which is Shalom. The Hebrew word means far more than the absence of conflict: it speaks of a whole, well-ordered life. God brings peace even to the one who trembles. Read all of Judges 6.
Psalm 23:1
"Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing."
David sings that Yahweh is my shepherd, which is Rohi in Hebrew. The picture is that of a shepherd who leads, feeds, and protects his sheep. The conclusion is peaceful: with him, nothing is lacking, even when the path goes through dark valleys. Read all of Psalm 23.
Rapha, Nissi, Tsidkenu: Three Other Names to Know
In Exodus 15, after the crossing of the bitter waters, God presents himself as the LORD who heals: this is Rapha, a name that speaks of restoration of body and soul. In Exodus 17, Moses builds an altar after a won battle and calls it The LORD is my banner, Nissi: God is the banner under which the people fight.
In Jeremiah 23, the prophet announces a future king who will bear a name meaning “Yahweh our righteousness,” Tsidkenu. This name says that righteousness comes from God, not from human effort. For Christians, it is fulfilled in Jesus. These three names remind us that we do not pray to an abstract principle, but to someone who acts in real life.
Father, Jesus, Immanuel, Lord: The Names of God in the New Testament
The New Testament keeps the Hebrew names and adds new ones. The most intimate is “Father”: Jesus teaches his disciples to pray by saying “Our Father,” which opens a bond of family trust. The name “Jesus” is the Greek form of a Hebrew name meaning “Yahweh saves,” which sums up his mission.
The title “Lord,” which translates Adonai, is given to Jesus by his disciples as a declaration of faith. Another name, Immanuel, appears in the announcement of his birth. The Holy Spirit is also called the Comforter or the Spirit of truth, two names that express his presence alongside believers.
Matthew 1:23
"Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall give birth to a son. They shall call his name Immanuel;” which is, being interpreted, “God with us."
Matthew quotes an ancient prophetic text to announce the birth of Jesus. The name Immanuel is translated directly: God with us. This is the central promise of the New Testament, that of a God who chooses to come and dwell among human beings. Read all of Matthew 1.
How Can You Pray With the Names of God?
Start from your situation and choose the name that fits it. If you are afraid of lacking something, call God Jireh and remember that he provides. If your mind is restless, say Shalom to him. If you feel lost, pray to him as your shepherd. This is not a magic formula, but a way to remember who he is before you say what you are asking for.
You can also read one name a day with its verse and repeat it quietly. Taking time to praise God for who he is, before asking him for what you want, changes the way you pray. The goal is to know him better, and not only to get something.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the true name of God in the Bible?
The personal name of God is YHWH, four Hebrew consonants that translations render as “the LORD” or “Yahweh.” The ancient Hebrews did not pronounce it, out of reverence, and said Adonai instead. The original pronunciation has not been passed down with certainty.
What is the difference between Elohim and YHWH?
Elohim is a general name for God in his greatness as Creator and sovereign. YHWH is his personal name, the name of the covenant, which speaks of a faithful relationship with his people. The first emphasizes his power, the second his nearness.
What does Jehovah Jireh mean?
Jireh means “he provides” or “he sees ahead.” The name comes from the story of Abraham, to whom God supplied what was needed at the decisive moment. It reminds you that God knows what you need before you ask.
How many names of God are there in the Bible?
There is no official number. Depending on how you count titles, compound names, and descriptions, there are dozens. This page presents the main ones: those that appear most often and that readers look up most.