These names and titles and activities and metaphors reveal his character and outreach towards needy humans. Many tables and Scripture references are included.

Let’s look at his revealed names.

If you would like to see the following verses in many translations or in their contexts, please go to biblegateway.com.

Hebrew Names of God
1	Elohim	It means God and appears 2602 times in the Old Testament (a few other translations like “angel” or “god” must be subtracted), so it is right to say that the Old Testament is the story about God. It means at its root “to be strong,” “to be preeminent,” “mighty one,” and “great one.” It emphasizes God’s transcendence (“up there”). He is above others. It is plural in form (the –im suffix is masculine plural), but singular in meaning. Many plausibly argue that plurality in unity is embedded in the form of the word, indicating the Trinity. Other say it is a plural of majesty. It is both plurality in unity and majesty. Sometimes it is translated as “(false) god” (Is. 43:12; 45:14) or “(false) gods” (Gen. 31:30, 32; Ex. 12:12), depending on the context. Some verses used for Elohim indicating strength and preeminence: Gen. 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; Josh. 3:10. Other verses combining LORD God: Gen. 2:4-22; 24:7; Ex. 9:30; Deut. 6:4; Josh. 7:13; 1 Kings 11:9. Verses about the living God: Deut. 5:26; 2 Kings 19:4; Pss. 42:2; 84:2; Jer. 10:10
2	El	Some believe that the word elohim comes from el, which is used 237 times in the Hebrew Bible. When translated as “God,” it means “God, the Mighty One.” It is a title of majesty and power. (It is very used frequently in Job.) El and Elohim are interchangeable. Ps. 7:3 (Elohim) and 7:6 (El) are exact synonyms: God. And the same is true in Ps. 73:1 (Elohim) and 73:11 (El). Others examples could be multiplied (e.g. Ex. 34:14; Deut. 32:17, 21; Ps. 18:31). Compound words are built on el, such as Raphael, “God heals.” See below for compound names.
3	Adon (Adonai)	It means “lord, master” and is often translated as “Lord” in English Bibles (Hebrew ‘Adon and ‘Adonay, the -ay or -ai suffix meaning “my”). It is used 449 times, and 315 times about Yahweh (see below). In human relations, it indicates the master-servant relationship, and can be translated as “my lord” (Gen. 23:14; 24:9; Num. 36:2; 1 Sam. 1:15). God is the Master and the Sovereign Lord and exercises absolute authority, in accordance with his nature (Ps. 8:1; Hos. 12:14). Adonai is Lord of all and Lord of highest excellence and majesty. Some verses with Adonai in them, in conjunction with the Lord: Ex. 4:10; 4:13; 5:22; Judg. 6:15; Ps. 8:1, 9; 35:22-23; 38:9, 15; 62:12; 1:24; 3:1, 15; 6:1; Jer. 2:19; 46:10; 49:5; 50:31.
4	Yahweh	It is God’s covenant name. It is so sacred that devout Jews don’t say it aloud. It is spelled with four letters: YHWH, called the tetragrammaton (tetra– means “four”). It was originally written without vowels, so it is unclear how it was pronounced. Was it JeHoVaH? YaHWeH? The origins of the word are debated, but it probably comes from the Hebrew word for “to be.” Exodus 3:14-15 says, “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I AM” has sent me. … This is my name forever.’” It is used 6,829 times in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) and signifies one who exists and causes existence. In abbreviated lettering, it forms compound words, like Joshua, “The LORD saves.” Unlike ‘El and ‘Elohim, it is used only of the biblical God, not other gods or angels and so on. Through the name Yahweh, God is personal and reveals himself most frequently. The other names—Elohim, El, and Adonai—are known to other nations, but not Yahweh. It is unique to Israel. Various translations, like the New International Version and English Standard Version, puts the four Hebrew letters in all capitals: LORD. Verses combining LORD God: Gen. 2:4-22; 24:7; Ex. 9:30; Deut. 6:4; Josh. 7:13; 1 Kings 11:9. Significantly, Jesus uses the I AM words about himself: John 6:35; 8:12; 8:58; 10:9, 11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1.

 

Excursus: As noted, El is sometimes translated as “(false) god,” depending on the context (Is. 44:6). Some skeptics claim that because a Canaanite deity is named El, and the Hebrew word is related, therefore the God of the Bible is just an old pagan deity. However, the two words in inkblots on the page may be the same, but the content is different. The God of the Bible is qualitatively different from the (false) Canaanite deity.

Think of the English word God. Its source is from German gott (Old High German got). It originally meant a Germanic pagan deity, but the followers of the Bible in northern Europe merely took over the word—inkblots on the page—and used it for the God of the Bible. There is a qualitative difference between a Germanic pagan deity and our God.

Don’t be confused by word origins and inkblots.

 

Compound Hebrew Names of El
5	El-Shaddai	It means “God Almighty” and probably relates to the word mountain. So it means “unmoving, great strength.” It may connect to God keeping his covenant, since in Gen. 17:1-8, God’s covenant with Abraham is reiterated. Some verses: Gen. 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; 43:14; 48:3; Ex. 6:3; Num. 24:4; 24:16.
6	El-Elyon	It is translated as “God Most High” and indicates God’s supremacy and majesty. The authors of the psalms like this name. Some verses: Gen. 14:18-22; Num. 24:16; Deut. 32:8; Ps. 7:8, 10, 17; 9:2; 18:13; 21:7; 46:4; 37:2; 50:14; 57:2; 73:11; 77:10; 78:17, 35, 56, 58; 82:6; 83:18; 91:1, 9; 92:1; 97:9; 107:11.
7	El-Olam	It signifies everlasting, forever, eternity, lasting, duration: Everlasting God or Eternal God. Some verses: 1 Chron. 16:36; Ps. 41:13; 90:2; 103:17; 106:48; Is. 40:28; Hab. 1:12.
8	El-Roi	God who sees me (Gen. 16:13). It denotes his omniscience—he sees (and knows) everything that happens.
9	El-Berith	The Covenant God—He relates to humans by his commitment to us. (Judg. 9:46

 

Compound Hebrew Names of Yahweh
10	Yahweh-Elohim	The LORD God	Gen. 2:4
11	Yahweh-Jireh	The LORD Will Provide	Gen. 22:14
12	Yahweh-Nissi	The LORD My Banner (in defense of God’s people)	Ex. 17:15
13	Yahweh-Rapha	The LORD (Is) the Healer	Ex. 15:26
14	Yahweh-Shalom	The LORD (Is) Peace	Judg. 6:24
15	Yahweh-Sabbaoth	The LORD of Hosts (great heavenly armies)	1 Sam. 1:3
16	Yahweh-Maccaddesh (meqaddesh)	The LORD the Sanctifier (making you holy)	Ex. 31:13
17	Yahweh-Tsidkenu	The LORD Our Righteousness (covering your sins)	Jer. 23:6
18	Yahweh-Shammah	The LORD Is There	Eze. 48:35
19	Yahweh-Rohi	The LORD (Is) My Shepherd	Ps. 23:1
20	Yahweh-Elohim-Israel	The LORD, the God of Israel	Judg. 5:3; Is. 17:6
The left column is the (transliterated) Hebrew.

Another Table:

21	El Kanna: God the Jealous	Exod. 34:14
22	Jehovah-Adon Kal Ha-Aretz: Lord of all the earth	Josh. 3:13
23	Jehovah-Chereb: Glorious Sword	Deut. 33:29
24	Jehovah-Gibbor Milchama: Mighty in Battle	Ps. 24:8
25	Jehovah-Chabodhi: Lord My Glory	Ps. 3:3
26	Jehovah-Keren-Yish’i: Horn of Salvation	Ps. 18:2
27	Jehovah-Makeh: The Lord Who Strikes You	Ezek. 7:9
28	Jehovah-Rohi: Lord My Shepherd	Ps. 23:1
Source: Zondervan’s Quick-View Bible, p. 627

 

Greek Names of God
29	Theos	It is by far the most frequent designation of God in the New Testament and translates most often Elohim. Sometimes it is used of false god or gods (Acts 12:22; 14:11; 17:23; 19:26-26; 1 Cor. 8:5; 2 Thess. 2:4). In on context if refers to the devil (“god of this world” in 2 Cor. 4:4) and hedonism (“god is their stomach” in Phil. 3:19). In the New Testament, it means he is the Creator, Sustainer, Incomparable Deity, Transcendent, Supreme.
30	Kurios (Kyrios)	It is used 717 times in the New Testament, mainly by Paul (275) and Luke (210), since they wrote to a wide swathe of the Greek world. It means supremacy and authority and dominion by rightful ownership.
31	Despotēs	It denotes ownership; he is master (Luke 2:29; Acts 4:24; 2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 4; Rev. 6:10)
32	Pantokratōr	It means Almighty Ruler (pan– means “all,” and krator means “ruler”). It is used mostly in Revelation: Rev. 1:8; 4:8; 11:17; 15:3; 16:7, 14; 19:6, 15; 21:22

 

Names that Fully Reveals His Relational Nature
33	Father	It is the ultimate name of intimacy and relationship with God, from God to us and we to him. In the Old Testament it is used 15 times of God (e.g. Ps. 103:13; Jer. 31:9; Ex. 4:22; Hos. 11:1), and 245 times of God in the New Testament. The Aramaic language uses Abba, which is a double syllable of ab or “father,” much like daddy is a doubling of dad or papa is of pa. So abba also means an intimate relationship with him. This name of God is eternal because he has an eternal Son; therefore this is the fullest revelation of God’s name. And the Son invites us in to their relationship by revealing the Father. “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

 

Names of God from Humankind
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which one term is substituted for another, suggesting a relation between the two. So the terms below substitute in part for God, revealing aspects of his character.
34	Maker and Creator	Gen. 1:1; 14:19, 22; Deut. 32:6; 2 Chron. 2:12; 36:23; Ezra 1:2; 7:21; Job 9:9; Pss. 2:4; 14:2; 104:19; 115:3, 15; 121:2; Prov. 22:2; Is. 17:7; 40:28; 43:15; 45:11; Matt. 19:4; Rom. 1:25; Col. 3:10; 1 Pet. 4:19
35	Builder-Architect	Pss. 117:1; 147:2; Heb. 3:4; 11:10
36	Ancient of Days	Dan. 7:9, 13, 22
37	He who knits	Ps. 139:13
38	King	1 Kings 22:19; Pss. 9:4, 7-8; 24:10; 47:2; 99:1-2; Is. 6:1-3; 43:15; 52:7; Jer. 10:7; Matt. 2:2; 21:1-9; 27:11; Luke 1:32-33; John 1:49; Acts 2:29-33; 1 Tim. 1:17; 6:15; Rev. 17:14; 19:16
39	Ruler	Pss. 11:28; 22:28; 59:13; 66:7; 82:1; 103:19; Jer. 30:21; Dan. 4:26; 1 Tim. 6:15;
40	Lawgiver and Judge	Ex. 20:2; Lev. 18:2; Jos. 1:8; Ps. 1:2; 37:31; 119:26; Is. 1:10; 33:22; Jas. 4:12
41	Covenant Prosecutor-Law Enforcer	Gen. 3:16-19; 4:10-16; Is. 1-3; Rev. 2:1-3:22.
42	Defense Attorney	John 14:16; 15:261 John 2:1;
43	Shepherd	Pss. 23:1; 28:9; 80:1; John 10:11
44	Gardner (Vineyard grower)	John 15:1
45	Warrior	Ex. 15:3; Deut. 23:10; Pss. 68:5; 93:1; Jer. 20:11; Zeph. 3:17
46	Bridegroom	Is. 62:5
47	Husband	Is. 54:5; Eze. 16:6-8; Hos. 1-3
48	The Potter	Is. 29:16; 45:9; 64:8; Jer. 18:6; Rom. 9:21
49	Farmer	Is. 5; Matt. 13:3-8
50	Landowner	Matt. 20:1-6

 

Names of God in Relation to Living Beings and Places
51	God of heaven	Gen. 24:3, 7; Neh. 1:4-5; Ps. 115:3; Jos. 2:11; Rev. 21:2; 10
52	God of angels	Gen. 16:7, 10, 11; 21:7; 22:11, 15; 24:7; Ex. 3:2; 14:19; Num. 20:16; Pss. 91:11; 103:20; Matt. 1:20, 24; 2:13; Mark 1:13; 8:38; Luke 2:15; Gal. 3:19
53	God of gods (above all other so-called gods)	Deut. 10:17
54	God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob	Ex. 3:6, 15, 16; 4:5; 6:3; 1 Kings 18:36; 1 Chron. 29:18
55	God of the Hebrews	Ex. 3:18; 5:3; 7:16; 9:1, 13; 10:3
56	God of Israel	Ex. 34:23; Judg. 4:6; 1 Kings 8:15-26; Ps. 45:3
57	God over nations (Transnational God)	2 Chron. 20:6; Pss. 22:28; 47:8; Jer. 10:7; Matt. 28:18-20; Rom. 1:8; Col. 1:6; Rev. 11:15

 

Names of God from Human Creations
As noted, a metaphor is a figure of speech in which one term is substituted for another, suggesting a relation between the two. So the terms below substitute in part for God, revealing aspects of his character.
58	Refuge	Deut. 33:27; 2 Sam. 22:3; Pss. 46:1; 61:3; 62:8; 91:2; 91:9;
59	Fortress	2 Sam. 22:2; Pss. 18:2; Ps. 31:3; 46:7, 11; 59:9, 16-17; 62:2, 6; 71:3; 91:2
60	Stronghold	Pss. 9:9; 18:2; 27:1; 37:39; 43:2; 144:2
61	Tower	Ps. 61:3; Prov. 18:10
62	Shield	Gen. 15:1; Deut. 33:29; Pss. 3:3; 5:12; 7:10; 18:2; 84:9, 11; 144:2
63	Temple	Rev. 21:22

 

Names of God from Animate and Inanimate Natural World
As noted, a metaphor is a figure of speech in which one term is substituted for another, suggesting a relation between the two. So the terms below substitute in for God, revealing aspects of his character.
64	Fire	Ex. 3:2; 13:21-22; 19:18; Deut. 5:26; Judg. 13:20; Ps. 104:4; Is. 10:17; Dan. 7:9
65	Light	Ps. 4:6; 27:1; 36:9; 76:4; 78:14 Is. 42:16; 60:1, 3; Eze. 1:27; John 9:5; Jas. 1:17; Rev. 21:23
66	Sun	Ps. 84:11
67	Morningstar	Rev. 22:16
68	Shadow / Shade	Pss. 91:1; 121:5
69	Fountain	Ps. 36:9; Jer. 2:13
70	Rock	Deut. 34:30; 2 Sam. 22:47; Pss. 18:31, 48; 24:5; 25:5; 27:9; 38:22; 94:22
71	Food	Is. 55:1
72	Water	John 4:10
73	Bread	John 6:35
74	Oil	Ps. 133:2; Is. 61:3; Matt. 25:3-10
75	Lion	Is. 41:4; Hos. 5:14; Rev. 5:5
76	Lamb	Is. 53:7
77	Hen	Matt. 23:37
78	Dove	Matt. 3:16
79	Eagle	Deut. 32:11
80	Path or Way	John 14:6

 

Names of God from His Activities
As God interacts with humanity, he often reveals his directions and priorities and goals, and so his names become clear because they are derived from his activities. In some cases, I avoided awkward names like “the Delighter” or “the Satisfier,” for example, but instead used the clauses “God Who Delights” and “God Who Satisfies.” Not “the Abundant One,” but “the God of Abundance”; not “the Empowerer,” but “God Who Empowers.” God’s names are embedded in those actions.
Names from Making Covenants
81	The Covenant Keeper	Gen. 6:18; 9:9-17; 17:2-21; Ex. 2:24; 6:4-5; 19:5; Deut. 7:9; 1 Sam. 18:3; 2 Sam. 5:5-16; 23:18; Jer. 31:31-34; Matt. 26:28; Mark. 14:24; Luke 1:72; 22:30; Acts 3:25; 7:8; Rom. 11:27; 1 Cor. 11:25; 2 Cor. 3:6, 14; Gal. 3:15-17; Heb. 7:22; 8:6-13; 9:1-20; 10:16; 12:24; 13:29
82	The Promise Keeper	Ex. 3:17; 12:25; Num. 10:29; 14:16; 23:19; Jos. 23:14-15; 2 Sam. 7:25-26; 1 Kings 8:20, 24; Pss. 77:8; 105:42; 119:50, 116, 170; Is. 38:7; 55:3; Jer. 31:10; 32:34; Acts. 2:39; Rom. 1:2; 4:13-14, 16, 21; Gal. 3:14, 17-18, 22; Eph. 1:13; Titus 1:2; Heb. 6:12, 15, 17; 10:23; 11:33; 1 John 2:25
83	God of Covenant Boundaries	Num. 34:2, 12; Deut. 32:8; Jos. 15:2-22:25; 2 Kings 14:25; Pss. 16:6; 74:17; Is. 10:13; Mic. 7:11
Names from Thinking
84	The Perceiver and Seer	Gen. 16:3; Pss. 33:13; 102:19; 139:2; Matt. 6:4, 6, 18
85	The Knower or Heart-Knower	Jos. 22:22; 1 Sam. 2:3; Pss. 73:11; 94:11; Matt. 12:25; Luke 16:15; John 2:25; Acts 1:24
86	The Thinker	Pss. 40:17; 92:5; 94:11; 139:17; Is. 55:8-9
87	The Searcher	Ps. 7:9; 139:1, 23; Prov. 20:27; Jer. 17:10; Zeph. 1:12; Rom. 8:27; 1 Cor. 2:10; Rev. 2:23
88	God Who Remembers	Gen. 19:29; Ex. 2:24; Num. 10:9; 1 Sam. 1:19; Pss. 78:39; 98:3; 105:42; 106:45; 111:5, 9; (but he does not remember your sins, Heb. 8:12; Jer. 31:34!)
Names from Purposing
89	The Preparer	Ps. 23:5; Zeph. 1:7; Matt. 25:34; John 14:2-3; Rom. 9:23; 1 Cor. 2:9; Eph. 2:10; 4:12; Heb. 10:5; 11:16
90	The Planner	Pss. 33:11; 40:5; Is. 14:24; 19:12; 23:9; Jer. 29:11; Lam. 2:17; Heb. 11:40
91	God Who Purposes	Ex. 9:16; Job. 36:5; Ps. 33:10-11; Prov. 19:21; Is. 14:24, 27; 46:10-11, 14; 55:11; Jer. 15:11; Acts 2:32; 13:36; Rom. 8:28; 9:11, 17; 1 Cor. 3:8; Eph. 1:9; 2 Thess. 1:11; 1 Tim. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:9, 2:20-21; 3:10; Heb. 6:17
92	God Who Chooses	Deut. 12:5, 11, 14, 18; 14:2; Num. 16:7; Pss. 33:12; 47:4; 28:4; 65:4; 68:16; 75:2; 78:70; Is. 48:14; 49:7; Zech. 1:17; Matt. 11:27; Luke 9:35; 10:22; 18:7; John 6:70; Acts 1:24; 9:15; 10:41; 1 Pet. 1:2; 20; 2:9
Names from Communicating
93	The Revealer	Gen. 35:7; 1 Sam. 3:21; 2 Kings 8:10; Ps. 98:2; Is. 22:14; Dan. 2:19, 30; Matt. 11:25; 16:17; Luke 2:26; 10:21; John 2:11; 1 Cor. 2:10
94	The Listener	Gen. 16:11; 17:20; Ex. 2:24; 3:7; 6:5; Deut. 1:34; 5:28; 22:23; Deut. 33:7; 1 Kings 8:28-39; 2 Kings 19:4, 16: Neh 4:4; Pss. 4:3; 5:3; 6:8-9; 18:6; 34:6; 10:17; 102:19-20
95	God Who Speaks	Ex. 6:13, 28; 33:11; Num. 1:1; 9:1; Deut. 18:19; Is. 1:2, 20; 21:17; Eze. 5:13-15; 10:5; Zech. 1:14, 19; 2:3; 5:5, 10; 6:4; John 3:34; Heb. 12:24;
96	God Who Answers (prayers or questions or dilemmas)	Gen. 25:21; 35:3; Judg. 13:13; 1 Sam. 8:22; 2 Sam. 21:4; 1 Chron. 5:21; 21:26, 28; Pss. 17:6; 20:1; 34:4; 38:15; 65:5; 69:13; 86:7; 91:15; 99:6; 99:8; 118:5, 21; 138:3; Luke 1:19, 35
Names from Emoting
97	The Joyful One	Neh. 8:10; Pss. 4:7; 43:4; 104:31; Is. 65:19; Zeph. 3:17; Rom. 14:7; Gal. 5:22; 1 Thess. 1:6; 1 Pet. 1:8
98	God Who Delights	Pss. 18:19; 149:4; Is. 5:7; 62:4; Matt. 12:18
99	God Who Laughs (at his enemies)	Pss. 2:4; 37:13; 59:8
100	God Who Sings	Zeph. 3:17
101	God Who Gets Angry (at sin, rebellion, evil, and destruction)	Pss. 30:5; 86:15; 103:8-9; Rom. 2:8; Heb. 3:11
102	God Who Hates (sin, rebellion, evil, and destruction)	Ps. 139:21; Rom. 9:13; Heb. 1:9
103	God Who Grieves	Gen. 6:6; Ps. 78:40; Is. 63:10; Jer. 42:10; Eph. 4:30
104	God Who Love	1 John 4:8, 16
Names from Battling
105	The Victor	Deut. 20:4; 2 Sam. 8:6, 14; 22:36, 51; 23:10, 12; 2 Kings 5:1; Pss. 18:35, 50; 20:5; 21:1, 5; 44:3, 4, 6, 7; 108:13, 15; 144:10; 1 Cor. 15:54-55, 57
106	The Strong One and Strengthener	1 Chron. 29:12; Pss. 18:1; 62:11; 81:1; 89:17; 105:4; 118:14; Is. 12:2
107	The Defender	Deut. 10:18; 33:7; Ps. 68:5; 72:4; 74:22; 82:3; Prov. 23:11; Is. 51:22
108	The Victorious Thunderer (to scatter enemies)	1 Sam. 2:10; 2 Sam. 22:14; Pss. 18:13; 104:7; Joel 3:16
109	The Lightning Thrower (to scatter enemies)	2 Sam. 22:13-15; Ps. 18:12-13; 29:7; 77:17; 78:48; 105:32; 135:7-8; 144:6
110	The Vindicator	Gen. 30:6; Pss. 17:2; 24:5; 26:1; 35:24, 27; 54:1; 135:14; Is. 54:17; Jer. 51:10
111	The Avenger (on his enemies)	Ps. 94:1; Rom. 12:19
112	The Liberator	Ps. 119:45; Is. 42:7; 49:9; 61:1; Luke 4:18; John 8:32-33, 36; 2 Cor. 3:17; Gal. 5:1
113	The Deliverer	2 Sam. 2; Pss. 18:2; 40:17; 70:5; 140:7
114	The Remover (of obstacles and bad things)	Pss. 30:11; 103:2; Is. 1:25; 54:10, 14; 57:14; 2 Cor. 3:14
Names from Protecting
115	The Protector	Pss. 20:1; 32:7; 41:2; 91:14
116	The Preserver	Pss. 31:23; 36:6; 41:2; 119:25, 37, 40, 50, 88; 138:7; 143:11
117	The Keeper-Guardian	Deut. 7:17; 1 Kings 2:4; Ps. 12:7; 16:1; 17:8; 19:13; 27:5; 31:20; 119:29; 140:4; 141:3, 9; Is. 38:17; 49:6
Names from Redeeming and Saving
118	Redeemer	Pss. 73:26; 78:35; Is. 41:14; 43:14; 44:6, 24; 47:4; 48:17; 49:26; 50:2; Jer. 31:11; 50:34; Hos. 13:14; Matt. 20:28
119	Savior	2 Sam. 22:3; Pss. 18:46; 27:9; 79:9; 85:4; Is. 49:26; Luke 1:47; 2:11; Acts 5:31; 13:23; Eph. 5:23; Phil. 3:20
120	God Who Pardons and Forgives	Ex. 32:32; 2 Chron. 30:18; Pss. 32:1; 103:3; Is. 55:7; Amos 7:2; Matt. 6:12; 6:14; Mark 2:7; Rom. 4:7
121	The Restorer	Pss. 51:12; 80:3, 7, 19; 85:4; 126:4; Is. 58:12; Lam. 5:21; Joel 2:25; Amos 9:11
122	Debt Canceler	Deut. 15:1-3, 9; Luke 7:42-43; Col. 2:14
123	The Refiner and Purifier	2 Chron. 34:3; Mal. 3:2
124	The Cleanser	Lev. 14:4-31; 2 Kings 5:10; Ps. 51:2, 7; Is. 4:4; Zech. 13:1; Matt. 10:8; Luke 17:14-17; Eph. 5:26; Heb. 9:14, 22; 10:22; 2 Pet. 1:9;
125	God Who Seals	Deut. 29:12; 32:34; John 6:27; Rom. 4:11; 1 Cor. 9:2; 2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 1:13, 4:30; 2 Tim. 2:19
Names from Abounding Generosity
126	God of Hope	Jer. 14:8; 17:13; 29:11; Rom. 15:13; Col. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:16; 1 Tim. 1:1; 2 Tim. 2:25; Titus 2:13;
127	God of Honor	Deut. 26:19; 1 Chron. 29:12, 28; Pss. 8:5; 71:21; 84:11; 91:15; 112:9; Is. 9:1
128	God of Gifts	Gen. 30:20; John 4:10; Acts 2:38; 10:45; 11:17; Rom. 5:15-17; 6:23; 1 Cor. 12:1-11; Eph. 2:8; Heb. 2:4; Jas. 1:17; 1 Pet. 3:7; 4:10
129	God of Blessings	Gen. 49:25; Num. 6:23-27; Deut. 7:13; 12:7, 15; Pss. 3:8; 5:12; 29:11; 37:22; 67:1, 6-7; 115:12-13; 128:2; 132:15; Is. 19:25; Luke 24:51; Eph. 1:3;
130	God of Prosperity	Gen. 39:2; Deut. 28:11; 30:5, 9; Jos. 1:8; Pss. 1:3; 10:5; 20:4; 25:13; 72:3, 7; 106:5; 122:9; 128:2; Prov. 11:10; 11:25; 28:25; Is. 53:10; Jer. 29:11; Eze. 36:11; 3 John 2
131	God of Favor	Gen. 6:8; Deut. 33:23; Pss. 5:12; 30:5; 69:13; 84:11; 85:1; 90:17; Is. Is. 49:8; 60:10; 61:2; Luke 1:25; 1:30; 4:19; Acts. 7:46
132	God of Increase	Gen. 17:2; Deut. 8:1; 13; 12:20; 13:17; 28:63; 48:16; Ps. 115:14; 144:13; Mic. 7:11; Luke 6:38; 17:5; 1 Thess. 3:12
133	The Rewarder	1 Sam. 26:23; Pss. 62:12; Is. 40:10; 49:4; 61:8; Zec. 5:12
134	God Who Crowns	Pss. 8:5; 21:3; 65:11; 132:8; Prov. 4:9; 10:6; Is. 28:5; 35:10; 51:11; 61:3; 62:3; Rev. 2:10; 3:11; 4:4;
135	God Who Satisfies	Deut. 6:11; 8:10; 14:29; Pss. 22:26; 63:5; 81:16; 90:14; 91:16; 145:16; 103:5; 104:28; 107:9; 147:14; Is. 53:11; 58:11; Hos. 13:6; Matt. 13:14:20; 15:37; Luke 6:21
136	The Bestower (of good things)	Pss. 21:5; 31:19; 84:11; 89:19; 133:3; Prov. 8:21; Is. 45:4; 61:3;
137	God of Abundance	Ex. 34:6; Num. 14:18; Dt. 28:11; 32:2; 33:19; Jos. 17:14; Pss. 36:8; 65:9, 11; 66:12; 68:9; 78:15, 20; 86:5, 15; 103:8; 132:15; 145:7; Is. 23:18; 66:11; Joel 2:13; John 10:10; Rom. 5:17; 1 Tim. 1:14; 1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Pet. 1:2; Jude 2;
Names from Meeting Human Suffering
138	The Near One	Pss. 69:18; 75:1; 119:151; 145:18; Is. 50:8; Mark 1:15; Luke 10:9-11
139	The Miracle Worker	1 Chron. 16:12; Pss. 77:11, 14; 78:12; Mark 6:2; Rom. 15:19; 1 Cor. 12:28
140	The Helper	Ex. 18:4; Deut. 33:29; 2 Chron. 18:31; Pss. 10:14; 27:9; 28:7; 37:40; 86:17; 118:7, 13; Is. 50:7, 9; Rom. 8:26; Heb. 13:6
141	God Who Is Able	Matt. 9:28; Rom. 11:23; 14:4; 2 Cor. 9:8; Eph. 3:20; Heb. 2:18; 7:25; Rev. 5:5
142	The Healer	Ex. 15:26; Pss. 30:2; 103:3; 107:20; 147:3; Is. 30:26; 53:7; Matt. 8:6; Mark. 1:34; Luke 5:15; 6:18; 1 Pet. 2:24
143	The Lifter	Pss. 3:3; 9:13; 10:12; Is. 26:11; 49:22; Eze. 3:12, 14; 8:3; 11:1, 24; 43:5; Hos. 11:4; Mark 9:27
144	The Burden Bearer	Pss. 68:19; 81:6; Is. 9:4; 10:27; 14:25; Matt. 11:28-30
145	The Comforter	Pss. 23:4; 71:21; 86:17; 119:76; Is. 40:1; 49:13; 51:3, 12; 52:9; Jer. 31:31; Zech. 1:17; Matt. 5:4; John 11:49; 2 Cor. 1:3, 5-7; 7:6; Phil. 2:1;
Names from Commissioning
146	God of Outreach	Is. 11:11; Jer. 1:9; Mic. 5:4; Luke 5:13;
147	God Who Appoints	1 Kings 1:35; Ps. 61:7; 89:27; 102:13; Prov. 8:23; Jer. 1:5, 10; 29:26; Hab. 2:3; Zeph. 2:2; Matt. 26:18; Mark. 3:14; Luke 10:1; Acts 3:20; 26:16; Rom. 9:9; 1 Thess. 5:9; 1 Tim. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:11; Heb. 1:2; 3:2; 7:28
148	The Sender	Ex. 3:10, 14-15; 23:20; Deut. 6:22; 34:11; Judg. 6:14; Pss. 57:3; 105:26; 107:20; 147:15, 18; Zec. 2:9, 11; 4:9; 6:15; Matt. 10:16; Luke 10:3; John 20:21 Rom. 8:3; 10:14-15; Rev. 1:1; 28:18-20
149	God Who Anoints (with power and his Spirit)	Ps. 18:50; 20:6; 28:8; 45:2, 7; 84:9, 20; Is. 61:1; Mark. 6:13; Luke 4:18; Acts 4:26-27; 10:38; 2 Cor. 1:21; Heb. 1:9; 1 John 2:20, 27,
150	God Who Empowers (with his Spirit)	Ex. 31:3; 35:31; Num. 11:17-29; Judg. 3:10; 14:6; 1 Sam. 10:6-10; 1 Kings 18:12; 2 Kings 2:16; 2 Chron. 24:20; Is. 11:2; 32:15; 61:1; Matt.; 3:16; 10:20; 12:28; Luke 4:18; Acts 1:5-8; 2:1-38
It is clear that the names in this Table could continue almost endlessly.

How do I come to know God more intimately with this knowledge?

If we were to walk into the presence of a very important person, we would need to know what to call him. “Mister”? “Your Majesty”? “Mr. President”? Even by his first name? God asks of his creatures to call him by the names he revealed to us. He grants his creatures his revelations of his rich, deep and varied names. The very fact that he communicates with us tells us that we are put in a relationship with him—even apart from saving knowledge of him through Christ. We can now address God properly.

A name denotes honor, worth, personality and individuality. It runs much more deeply than a number. In Scripture names invariably mean something: Israel means “God strives”; Adam means “Man”; Sarah means “princess.” This is true of God’s names. They are not arbitrary, but he establishes them and are his revelation to us. They indicate his qualities and virtues and excellencies. They are aspects of his being and character. They are who he is.

Since God desired humans to know him and come into relationship with him, he had to communicate to humans. If he used divine—not human—language, no one could understand him. That’s how much higher God is than we humans. Therefore, he had to speak in human language.

How did he use human language? Anthropomorphism is a big word that literally means “in the form of man” (anthrop- = man, and morph- = form). Some theologians teach that the entire Scripture is anthropomorphic. It is certainly not written in God’s (unknown) heavenly language, especially since biblical Hebrew is a late development in the Semitic family of languages. He ordained Scripture to be written in human language and in a human context, over 1500 years. He permitted humans to use their everyday observations and draw from them to describe God.

And so we see God in his works, not as he is in his full splendor and glory—we would die if we caught too much of a glimpse of him, for our untransformed, unresurrected human bodies could not withstand the completely divine. God created the entire universe, and he permits it to reveal his names; he allowed the writers of the Bible to use metaphors and similes. Metaphors replace one word with another (this word stands in for another). Similes draw analogies between two concepts (this is like that). God is like a strong tower (simile). Even this: God is a strong tower (metaphor). Now he is a warrior, fighting against things and beings that hurt humanity—even when he has to fight against criminal humans. Yet in another passage he revealed himself in the form of a dove. God is the Morningstar. Whether by metaphors or similes, God graces his universe with this capacity to reveal his character to humans.

From the universe, we now learn more of God’s character. We know him more deeply. Through those names he condescends to our level. Now that’s grace.

Now let’s make it personal. If you were to look up just one Scripture per row, then you would have a greater and clearer knowledge of him, and your mind would be renewed. Or you could meditate on each of God’s names in the list and pray. The Spirit will give you deeper revelations of God. He is your Father, Shepherd, Knitter and Architect who puts you back together again and builds you up. He is the Giver of Gifts. He empowers you to walk in holiness and purity.

Meditate and pray on God’s name, one each per day.

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