Every time I am at an event signing my children’s books, I am always amazed at the different names I encounter: Selah, Ryker, Hadley, Presleigh, Beckley, Dason, Apple, Jamoira, Dulce and more.
I often have to ask the parents to spell their child’s name so that I won’t mess up on my inscription. And, if the name is extremely unique, I simply have to ask if there is a story behind it.
Often, there is.
When we choose names for our children, sometimes we choose the first name of a beloved relative or a sound biblical name such as Matthew, Paul, Mary or Mark.
Other times, we select a name that flows well with our last name, which is what we did when we chose “Abby” and “Allyson” for our daughters’ names. “Abby Adams” and “Ally Adams” just rolled off the tongue beautifully.
Still, other parents name their children after favorite sports figures or celebrities or even seasons. When my sister had her youngest daughter on the last day of autumn, she decided to name her “Autumn” to signify that special day for all eternity.
Though names are important in today’s world, they don’t hold the same significance as they did in the Bible. You see, names in those times were often chosen to reveal something specific about that person.
Remember when God changed Abram’s name to Abraham because it meant, “Father of Many Nations?” That name was given to Abraham to remind him and everyone who called him “Abraham” that he would one day be the father of many nations.
It meant something.
When Moses asked God, “What is your name?” in Exodus 3, Moses didn’t just want to know how to address God, he wanted a revelation of God’s character.
That’s exactly what he received when God answered, “Say to the children of Israel: ‘The Lord 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.’” (Exodus 3:15)
One of the most meaningful ways that God reveals Himself to us is through His names. From Elohim, which means God’s total power and complete creativity, to Jehovah Elohay, which means MY God, the God who is able to deliver me–each of His names give us a better understanding of the Father.
Unfortunately, many Christians today don’t know all of God’s names or their significance. I must confess, I didn’t either since I went to journalism school, not seminary.
However, I have found several books about the names of God, and I have been enjoying getting to know my God in a more intimate way by studying His names and their meanings.
So, I thought I would give you the Top 15 to get you started as you ponder His wonderful names.
1. Jehovah Jireh: The Changeless One Who Meets My Needs
2. Abba Father: Daddy God
3. Jehovah: My Intimate, Personal God
4. Elohim: God Almighty, The God Who Makes Covenants
5. Jehovah Nissi: My Banner, Miracle and Victory!
6. El Shaddai: The God Who is More Than Enough
7. Jehovah Shalom: The God of Peace, Nothing Missing, Nothing Broken
8. Jehovah Rophe: Jehovah, My Healer
9. Jehovah Shammah: The God Who Is There
10. Jehovah Elohay: The God Who Delivers You
11. Jehovah Tsebaoth: The God Who Dispatches His Angels
12. Jehovah Ropheka: The God Who Restores My Soul
13. Jehovah Gmolah: The Lord of Recompenses
14. Elohay Yishi: God of My Salvation
15. Jehovah Rohi: Jehovah, My Shepherd
Pray this with me:
Father, thank You for revealing Who You are through Your many names. You are Jehovah Jireh who meets my needs and Jehovah Elohay who delivers me! You are all of those things and so much more, and I am so grateful. In the Mighty Name of Your Son, Jesus, Amen.”
