COMPOUND NAMES OF GOD

Why study and learn the names of God? We should do so because it teaches us about God’s character.

His names reveal His attributes: faithfulness, wrath, love, grace, mercy, and peace. The more we know God the more we can appreciate our great salvation. Our faith is strengthened by meditating on His compound names. To know God and Jesus Christ is to have eternal life (John 17:3).

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Yahweh is Israel’s special national name for God. The name Yahweh translates the Hebrew tetragrammaton YHWH.  Because the name was originally written without vowels, it is uncertain how it should be pronounced.  

The Old Testament, particularly the Five Books of Moses, connects the name with the Hebrew verb hayah (הָיָה), which means “to be” (Exodus 3:13, 14).  The sense of the word is explained in the passage which is rendered, “I am that I am” or “I shall be what I shall be.”  The name stresses the unchangableness of His Being.

Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am” – John 8:58.

The Mesha Stele bears the earliest archeological reference (840 BCE) to the sacred Hebrew name of God – YHWH.

Jewish scholars have generally pronounced it “Adonai” instead of pronouncing YHWH. In the English New Testament Yahweh, is rendered “the LORD.” Take note “LORD” is in the uppercase to indicate that the text is referring to YHWH.

YAHWEH-AB (יהוה אבינוּ) = “LORD, our Father” (Isaiah 63:16; 64:8). This compound name may be linked with Psalm 23:6.

In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men – John 1:1-4.

 ADONAI-ELOHIM ( אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהִים ) = “LORD [my] God” (Psalm 38:15). “Adonai”= “a name for God only, my Lord.”   Place this compound name with Psalm 23:1, 6.

 YAHWEH-ELOHIM (יהוה אֱלֹהִים) = “LORD, [my] God” (Psalm 7:1,3; 13:3; 18:28; 20:7; 30:2,12; 31:5; 35:24; 38:15,21; 40:5; 41:13)  Meaning: “Superlative, Supreme GOD.”    (Psalm 23:1,6).

Thomas answered and said to [Jesus], “My Lord and my God!” – John 20:28.

YAHWEH-EH-YAH-LOOTH (יהוה אילות ) = LORD, my Strength” (Psalm 22:19).
This may be linked with Psalm 23: 4.

YAHWEH-ELYON (יהוה אל עליון) = “The LORD, the most High” (See Genesis 14:22; Psalm 7:17; 47:2; 83:18; 91:9; 92:8).   Link this compound name with verse 6 of Psalm 23.

“He [Jesus] will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David …” – Luke 1:32.

YAHWEH-GAW-AL (יהוה גאל) = “LORD, my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14; Isaiah 44:6,24; 47:4; 48:17; 49:7,26; 54:8; 60:16; 63:16; compare to Jeremiah 50:34). Meanings: Redeem by kinship; buy back a relative’s property; marry a widow (as Boaz did with Ruth), purchase, ransom, redeem, avenge, deliver. Compare this with Psalm 23:4.

 … Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood … – Revelation 1:5.

YAHWEH-YI-REH (יהוה יראה) = “The LORD will provide” (Genesis 22:14). Place this compound name with Psalm 23:1,5.

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus – Philippians 4:19.

YAHWEH-KHAY-ZEK (יהוה חזקי) = “The LORD, my Strength” (Psalm 18:1). Link this compound name with Psalm 23:4.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me – Philippans 4:13.

YAHWEH-MAKH-SHEH (יהוה מחסה) = “The LORD, the Hope (of His people)” (Joel 4:16; compared to Psalm 14:6; 91:2,9 -“Refuge”). Meaning: “Shelter, hope, place of refuge, or trust; to trust, to confide.” Place the “Lord of hope and Refuge” with Psalm 23:4.)

And [Jesus] got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm … They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” – Mark 4:39, 41.

YAHWEH-MAW-OWZ (יהוה מעוז) = “The LORD, the Strength [of my life]” (Psalm 27:1; 28:8; 37:39; compare this to Joel 3:16).   This compound word may also be placed with Psalm 23:4.

YAHWEH-MEH-LEK (יהוה מלך) = “The LORD [my] King” (Psalm 10:16; 24, 8, 10; 84:3; 98:6; Isaiah 6:5; 33:22; 44:6).   This may be Place with Psalm 23:6.

Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice” – John 18:37.

YAHWEH-MIS-GAWB (יהוה משגב)= “The LORD, my Refuge” (Psalm 9:9). Meanings: “lofty, inac­cessible place, refuge, defense, high fort.”   Place this with Psalm 23:4.

YAHWEH-NISSI (יהוה נסי) = “The LORD, my Banner” (Exodus 17:15; compare to Psalm 20:5; 60:4). Study this compound name with Psalm 23:5.

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful. – Revelation 17:14

YAHWEH-ORE (יהוה אורי) = “The LORD, my Light” (Psalm 27:1). Meaning: “Luminary in every sense; e.g., lightning, happiness, glorious, set on fire.”   Place with Psalm 23:5.

Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” – John 8:12.

YAHWEH-RA-AH (יהוה רעי) = “The LORD, my Shepherd” (Psalm 23:1; compare to Philippians 4:19).

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me … – John 10:14.

YAHWEH-RAFA (יהוה רפא) = “The LORD that heals” (Exodus 15:26; Compare to 23:25; 103:3).
Link this compound name with Psalm 23:3.

Many followed [Jesus], and He healed them all … – Matthew 22:15.

YAHWEH-RISHON (יהוה ראשון), Akh-ar-one (אַחֲרוֹן) = “The LORD, the First, the Last.” (Isaiah 41:4; 44:6; 48:12). “First” = “Beginning, of old time.” “Last” = “facing western, uttermost.”   These also go with Psalm 23:4,6.

“I [Jesus] am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” – Revelation 22:13.

YAHWEH-SABAOTH (יהוה צבאות) = “The LORD of hosts” (280+ times in Old Testament) (1 Samuel 11:3; 2 Samuel 7:26,27; 1 Kings 18:15; Psalm 24:10; 59:5; 84:3; 89:8; Isaiah 3:1; 5:16; 6:1; 10:24; 19:16; 28:5; 44:6; 54:5; Jeremiah 7:3,11; 20:12; 32:18; 46:18; 51:57; Hos. 12:5; Amos 5:15,17; 9:5; Micah 4:4; Habakkuk 2:13; Haggai 2:4,8; Zechariah 1:14; 8:2,14; 14:16; Malachi 1:14; 2:7; etc.). “Hosts”= God’s royal, angelic Air Force. Compare to Hebrews 1:14-“Ministering spirits.”   Place this compound name with Psalm 23: 4, 6.

The Son of Man will send forth His angels … – Matthew 13:41.

YAHWEH-SHALOM (יהוה שלום) = “The Lord give (or is, or send) Peace” (Judges 6:24; Compare to John 14:27).   Connect this name with Psalm 23:2.

Jesus said “… Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful – John 14:27.

YAHWEH-SHAMMAH (יהוה שם היה) = “The LORD is there.” (Ezekiel 35:10; 48:35; Compare to Exodus 33:14,15; Psalm 16:11; 97:5; Isaiah 41:10; 43:2,5; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; etc.). Link the Lord’s presence with Psalm 23: 4,6.

… and, lo, I am with you always, [even] unto the end of the age – Matthew 28:20. 

YAHWEH-TOB (טוֹב יהוה) = “The LORD, good” (Psalm 34:8; 86:5; 100:5; 145:9). Meanings: “Good, kind(ness), beautiful, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, gracious, joyful, pleasant, precious”   This fits the entire Psalm 23.

Jesus said … Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls – Matthew 11:28-29.

Note: One may go through the attributes of God or the Lord—such as His love, grace, mercy, faithfulness, peace, joy, etc.—and link them with the LORD’s compound names: Lord of love; Lord, gracious; Lord, merciful; Lord, faithful; etc. The New Testament especially does this with the characteristics and attributes of God: “The Lord God omnipotent… and God of all comfort, God of all grace,” etc.

YAHWEH-TSIDKENU (יהוה צדקנו) = “Our Righteousness” (Jeremiah 23:6; 33:16; Compare to 1 John 2:1).   Place this name with Psalm 23:3.

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes – Romans 10:4.

YAHWEH-TSUR (יהוה צור) = “The LORD, my Strength” (Isaiah 26:4. “Tsur” is often translated “Rock” or “Refuge.”)   Link this with Psalm 23:4.

Finally, be strong in the Lord [Jesus] and in the strength of His might – Ephesians 6:10.

YAHWEH-YAY-SHAH (יהוה יִשְׁע) or, Yaw-shah. Also “YAHWEH-Jesh-oo-aw” (or, Tesh-co-aw). = “The LORD, my Salvation,” or “Savior.” (Psalm 27:1; 38:22; 88:1; 89:26 (Tesh-oo-aw); Compare to Isaiah 49:26-“Savior.”) Meaning: “Deliverance, salvation, safety, victory, prosperity, welfare; to be open and free, defend, help, preserve, rescue, save.”   Especially good for Psalm 23:4 and 6.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord – Luke 2:10-11.

This is not an exhaustive list. There are many other compound names for “the LORD.”

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Muslims do not worship Yahweh; therefore they worship a pagan deity.

One of many proofs that Muslims do not worship the one true God is that the god of Islam is not called יהוה.  Click here for more information regarding the false god of Islam.