The Divine Names And Titles I. ELOHIM occurs 2,700 times. Its first occurrence connects it with creation, and gives it its essential meaning as the Creator. It indicates His relation to mankind as His creatures (see note on 2Chronicles 18:31, where it stands in contrast with Jehovah as indicating covenant relationship). Elohim is God the Son, the living "Word" with creature form to create (John 1:1. Colossians 1:15-17. Revelation 3:14); and later, with human form to redeem (John 1:14). "Begotten of His Father before all worlds; born of His mother, in the world." In this creature form He appeared to the Patriarchs, a form not temporally assumed. Elohim in indicated (as in the Authorized Version) by ordinary small type, "God". See table below. II. JEHOVAH. While Elohim is God as the Creator
of all things, Jehovah is the same God in covenant relation to those whom He
has created (compare 2Chronicles 18:31).
Jehovah means the Eternal, the Immutable One, He Who WAS, and IS, and IS TO
COME. The Divine definition is given in Genesis 21:33. He is
especially, therefore, the God of Israel; and the God of those who are redeemed, and are
thus now "in Christ". We can say "My God,"
but not "My Jehovah", for Jehovah is "My God."
We have seven of these, experimentally referred to, in
Psalms 23, inasmuch as Jehovah, as the "Good," "Great,"
and "Chief Shepherd," is engaged, in all the perfection of His
attributes, on behalf of His sheep: III. JAH is Jehovah in a special sense and relation. Jehovah
as having BECOME our Salvation (first occurrence Exodus 15: IV. EL is essentially the Almighty, though the
word is never so rendered (see below, "Shaddai"). EL is Elohim in
all His strength and power. It is rendered "God" as Elohim is, but
El is God the Omnipotent. Elohim is God the Creator
putting His omnipotence into operation. Eloah (see below) is God Who wills and orders all,
and Who is to be the one object of the worship of His people. El is the God
Who knows all (first occurrence Genesis 14:18-22) and
sees all (Genesis 16:13) and that performeth all
things for His people (Psalms 57:2); and in Whom all the Divine
attributes are concentrated. V. ELOAH is Elohim, Who is to be worshipped. Eloah is God in
connection with His Will rather than His power. The first occurrence
associates this name with worship (Deuteronomy 32:15,17). Hence it
is the title used whenever the contrast (latent or expressed) is with false gods or idols.
Eloah is essentially "the living God" in contrast to inanimate
idols. VI. ELYON first occurs in Genesis 14:18
with El, and is rendered "the most high (God)". It
is El and Elohim, not as the powerful Creator, but as "the possessor of heaven
and earth." Hence the name is associated with Christ as the Son of "the
Highest" (Luke 1:35). VII. SHADDAI is in every instance translated "Almighty", and is indicated by small capital letters ("ALMIGHTY"). It is God (El), not as the source of strength, but of grace; not as Creator, but as the Giver. Shaddai is the All-bountiful. This title does not refer to His creative power, but to His power to supply all the needs of His people. Its first occurrence is in Genesis 17:1, and is used to show Abraham that He Who called him out to walk alone before Him could supply all his need. Even so it is the title used in 2Corinthians 6:18, where we are called to "come out" in separation from the world. It is always used in connection with El (see above). VIII. ADON is one of three titles (ADON, ADONAI, and ADONIM),
all generally rendered "Lord"; but each has its own peculiar usage
and association. They all denote headship in various aspects. They have to
do with God as "over-lord." |