By Lynn Mosher

Did you know God has a multiplicity of names? Isn’t God just God, you ask?

Well, yes and no. God is just God but His many names tell us who He is; they explain His character. Even the definitions of the word ‘name’ tell us that. In Hebrew and Greek combined, “name” means a mark of individuality, reputation, rank, power, majesty, authority, honor, character, and so on.

So, what does God’s Word say about His names? Beginning in Genesis 1, the Creator of the universe is known as Elohim, which is plural, meaning supreme God or the Triune God, as the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In Genesis 2:4, Jehovah Elohim is used. Jehovah means the Existing or Eternal One, or the Lord.

When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, He told Moses He had heard His people’s cry and had come down to deliver them from the Egyptians through Moses. Moses asked God what to tell them when they asked who sent him, and God answered, “I AM WHO I AM,” (Ex. 3:14 NKJV) which was more of a description of God’s character than His name.

Then, God told Moses to announce to them, “Jehovah 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 title from generation to generation.” (Ex. 3:15 Masoretic Text)

God chose the name Jehovah to be called by His covenant people. From the beginning, man called on the name of Jehovah, but the fullness of His name was not known until the time of the exodus.

To reveal more of Himself, God said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh…I am Jehovah…I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty [El-Shaddai], but by My name the Lord [Yahweh - the redemptive name of God] I did not make Myself known to them [in acts and great miracles].” (Ex. 6:1a, 2b Masoretic Text, Ex. 6:3 Amp)

Through the years, God also revealed Himself to His people through His other names, such as Jehovah-jireh, the Lord will see and provide; Jehovah-raphah, the Lord our healer; Jehovah-shalom, the Lord our peace; Jehovah-nissi, the Lord our banner; Jehovah-tsidkeenu, the Lord our righteousness; Jehovah-tsebaoth, the Lord of hosts; Jehovah-elyon, the Lord Most High; Jehovah-rohi, the Lord my Shepherd, Jehovah-hoseenu, the Lord our Maker; Jehovah-eloheenu, the Lord our God, and Jehovah-shammah, the Lord is present or there. (And this is just a partial list.)

Did you know you can call on God by any of these names? And if you have His name written across your heart, you are called by His name. God said, “Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.” (Is. 43:7 NKJV)

God’s name, all of them, are to be reverenced and not taken in vain. To take in vain or to blaspheme the name of God in the Old Testament incurred the death penalty by stoning, as it violated the third commandment.

In the third commandment, God said, “You shall not use or repeat the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, lightly or frivolously, in false affirmations or profanely]; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” (Ex. 20:7 Amp)

To blaspheme in the Greek means vilifying or abusive language against someone, especially God, injurious speech against someone’s good name, slander, evil speaking, reviling, and so on.

David said to God, “Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk and live in Your truth; direct and unite my heart [solely, reverently] to fear and honor Your name.” (Ps. 86:11 Amp)

If we live and walk in God’s truths, being called a Christian, do we honor that Name that is written upon our hearts?

Have you realized your eternal value through your heavenly Father’s Name? May you walk in His truths and honor His name…all of them!

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