Like Moses, if you’re curious about what God’s name is in the Bible, you’ll find 17 powerful names in this guide with their meanings.
There are several names of God in the Holy Scriptures, some of which come from His work of miracles. These divine names tell us of God’s character and the ways He relates to His chosen people.
While some of these names are common among believers, others are not. Nevertheless, all the various names of God are majestic and worthy of worship and honor.
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Whether you’re looking for a new name to call God or you simply want to know the meaning of a specific name you love, continue reading!
17 Powerful Names of God in the Bible
The different names of God appear throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament to the New Testament. While God has many names, here are some of the ones found in the Scripture.
1. Yahweh (God’s Personal Name)
The name Yahweh, meaning Lord, is considered the personal name of God as revealed to Moses in the Book of Exodus. In the original Hebrew text, the word “Yahweh” is spelled YHWH as only consonants are used; hence, its pronunciation is not certain. YHWH is derived from the Hebrew words Yud, Hay, Vav, and Hay. Also see yah in the Bible
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During the middle ages, the name YHWH was translated to the English word Jehovah. In some Bible translations, the name Jehovah was used, including the King James Version and Tyndale’s Bible.
The Hebrew name “Yahweh” was first introduced in the biblical record of creation, specifically Genesis 2:4,
“These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that Yahweh God made earth and heaven.”
Also in Exodus 3, God revealed Himself as Yahweh to Moses in the burning bush encounter. When Moses inquired about who God is, God said to Him,
“I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘And God furthermore said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘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-name from generation to generation (Exodus 3:13-14).
Yahweh is a sacred and powerful name of the Lord God almighty. Because Leviticus 24:16 states that those who blaspheme the name of Yahweh will be put to death, the Jewish people avoid the use of the name. They often use other names like Elohim or Adonai in place of YHWH.
Adonai is another common name believers call the almighty God. The name is from the Hebrew language, and it translates to “Lord” or “Master” in the English language.
According to Genesis 15:2, Abram called God Adonai when he was initially doubtful about God’s promise of becoming the father of nations.
Nevertheless, Abram understood the Lord is sovereign; He rules over all creation. This realization made him believe in God’s promises, despite being childless.
In the Jewish tradition, Adonai is often used to address God instead of Yahweh to avoid disobeying the command in Exodus 20:7.
El Olam, meaning “everlasting God” or “Eternal God,” is the powerful name of God found in the Old Testament.
According to Genesis 21:33, “Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God.”
El Olam was derived from the two Hebrew words “El,” translated as “God,” and “Olam,” meaning “eternity,” “forever,” or “everlasting.”
This biblical name of God is a testament to His unchanging nature from generation to generation.
4. Jehovah Nissi
Jehovah is one of the most used names of God in the Bible. This name is the English variant of Yahweh, meaning “Lord.” Jehovah Nissi is translated in English as “God is my banner.”
Jehovah Nissi is the name of the altar Moses built for the Lord after the people of Israel defeated the Amalekites (Exodus 17:15).
The English translations of the name Qanna are “jealous,” “envy,” or “zealous.” This name of God is found in the books of Exodus 20:5, Exodus 34:14, Deuteronomy 4:24, Deuteronomy 5:9, and Deuteronomy 6:15.
God’s relationship with the children of Israel relates to a marital union. He cares for and provides for them, just like a husband does for his wife.
For this reason, the Lord wants all the praise, adoration, and glory for Himself alone because He deserves it.
6. Jehovah Rapha
Jehovah Rapha means “The Lord who heals” or “The Lord our healer.” Variants of this name include Jehovah-Rophe, Jehovah Rophecia, and Jehovah Raphah.
Jehovah Rapha was derived from the words “Jehovah,” meaning “Lord,” and “Rapha,” which means “to heal,” “to restore,” “to mend,” or “to make whole.”
Both words is translated as “Jehovah who heals, restores, mends, and makes whole.” The first mention of the Lord as the healer is found in the Old Testament, specifically Exodus 15:26.
Another beautiful and powerful name of God is Jehovah Jireh, meaning “The Lord will provide” or “The Lord our provider.” This God’s name was mentioned in Genesis 22:14, after God provides a ram as a burnt offering for Abraham to replace his son Isaac.
Genesis 22 speaks of Abraham’s complete obedience and commitment to God. After many years of childlessness, God blessed Abraham and his wife, Sarah, with the son Isaac.
One day, the Lord asked Abraham to sacrifice the boy to him. Without hesitation, Abraham obeyed God, despite the challenges he went through before having the child.
As Abraham was about to sacrifice the boy, God provided a ram as a substitute.
Genesis 22:14 says, “And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.” The name of the mountain where Abraham intends to sacrifice his son is Moriah.
8. El Elyon
El Elyon is translated as “Most High God” or “the Most exalted God” in the English language. The name appears 28 times in the Old Testament, of which 19 are found in the book of psalms.
El Elyon was first introduced in Genesis 14:18-20 in the story of Abraham and Lot. After Abraham rescued his nephew Lot, the high priest of God and king of Salem, Melchizedek, blessed him, saying,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.” El Elyon expresses God’s majesty and sovereignty.
9. Jehovah Shammah
One of the many names of God in the Old Testament is Jehovah Shammah, which means “God is there” or “The Lord is here.”
The name Shammah was derived from the Hebrew word “Sham,” meaning “there.” This name indicates the presence of God in the city of Jerusalem.
Jehovah Shammah only appears once throughout the Bible, in Ezekiel 48:35.
10. Jehovah Raah
God’s name Jehovah Raah translates to “The Lord is my shepherd.” Interestingly enough, this name appears once in the Bible, specifically in Psalm 23:1, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
Variant spellings of Jehovah Raah are Jehovah Rohi and Jehovah Ro’eh. Raah was derived from the Hebrew word Ro’eh, meaning “shepherd.”
David was a shepherd boy who fed, protected, and guided his flock before he became the king of Israel. So he understands God’s nature of being a caring Father who watches over His children.
Another translation of the word “Ro’eh” is “rea,” meaning “companion.” This awesome name suggests that God wants to have a personal relationship with His people. Hence, Jehovah Raah can also be translated as “The Lord is my friend.”
11. El Shaddai
In Genesis 17:1, the Lord appears to Abram and reveals Himself as El-Shaddai, meaning “Self-Sufficient God” or “Almighty God.”
The name Shaddai was derived from the Hebrew name “Shad,” meaning “bosom” or “breast.” This name speaks of God’s nourishing and satisfying nature, just as a mother nourishes and provides for her child.
God doesn’t depend on anyone to exist, but all living creatures depend on Him for survival. Just like a nursing baby is reliant on their mother, we all look up to God for our daily needs.
Indeed, those who fear the Lord always receive everything they need from Him, even before they ask (Psalm 34:9).
12. Jehovah Tsidkenu
The first mention of the name Jehovah Tsidkenu, meaning “The Lord our righteousness,” is in Jeremiah 23:6.
Another mention of the name is in Jeremiah 33:16, “In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.”
Tsidkenu was derived from the Hebrew word Tsedek, which means “righteous” in Hebrew. God is holy and righteous and those who want to have a close walk with Him must be holy as well (1 Peter 1:16).
13. Jehovah Shalom
Another admirable name of God in the Bible is Jehovah Shalom, which translates to “The Lord is peace” or “The Lord our peace.”
The name was mentioned in Judges 6:24 by Gideon when the angel of the Lord promised him peace and divine protection.
Gideon builds an altar to the Lord at the place and named it Jehovah-Shalom. This special name reminds us that God will always give us peace during difficult times.
14. Ancient of Days
Throughout the Bible, the name of God, Ancient of Days, only appears three times in the Book of Daniel 7. Daniel 7:9 reads,
“As I looked, “thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.”
Other verses of the Bible where Ancient of Days is found are Daniel 7:13 and Daniel 7:22. God reveals Himself to Daniel, through a vision, as an aged man.
Based on the description of the man Daniel saw sitting on the throne, the name he was able to come up with is Ancient of Days.
Bible scholars speculate that Daniel didn’t see God but another being through whom God chose to reveal Himself.
Ancient of Days reflects the ageless nature of God. He has been before the foundation of the world and will continue to exist forever.
15. El Roi
El Roi means “The God who sees me,” and this name is found just once throughout the Bible (Genesis 16:13). The name was given to God by Hagar, Sarah’s maidservant, in her helpless and hopeless situation.
Probably out of desperation to have a child for Abraham, Sarah, his wife, gave her Egyptian maidservant to him so that she could have children through her. Hagar gets pregnant and begins to disrespect her mistress.
Afterwards, Sarah couldn’t endure Hagar’s prideful behavior, and so she began to mistreat her until the maid ran away.
At the place where Hagar sat in the desert, the angel of the Lord appeared, assuring her that the son in her womb would form a great nation (Genesis 16).
In response to the angel’s visit and promises, Hagar says, “You are the God who sees me; I have now seen the One who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).
Although Hagar thought no one saw her or even cared about her, God did see her, the same way He sees everyone.
16. Jehovah Mekoddishkem
Jehovah Mekoddishkem is the name of God that was first introduced in Exodus 31:13. Mekoddishkem comes from the Hebrew word “qadash,” which translates as “holy,” “dedicate,” or “sanctify.”
Therefore, the meaning of Jehovah Mekoddishkem can be “The Lord who sanctifies you,” “The Lord who makes Holy” or “the Lord who sets you apart.”
Sanctification is the separation of individuals or items to God for special purposes. From the moment a person gives their life to Jesus Christ, God sanctifies them to become holy.
Jehovah Mekoddishkem is also mentioned in Leviticus 20:8 and Ezekiel 37:28.
17. Alpha and Omega
In the book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible, the Lord calls Himself the Alpha and Omega.
Revelation 22:13 states, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
The Lord was present at the beginning of the world and will be present when the world comes to an end. He knows the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end.
So we must always trust God at all times because He knows us more than we know ourselves and has the perfect plan for our lives.
Kennie Oguntoyinbo is a freelance content writer, editor and proofreader with over 4 years of experience. She is highly skilled in creating captivating and informative content across the Christian, relationship, and parenting niches. With a deep love for Christian-related articles, she writes content that inspires the readers, combining biblical lessons with practical knowledge. Whether writing devotional blogs, relationship advice, or family-focused articles, she aims to glorify God while connecting with readers through relatable, encouraging, faith-driven articles.
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Wonderful information, Thank you Kennie Oguntoyinbo