Names of God

The various names of God found in the Bible are not just labels; they are deep revelations of His character, power, and relationship with humanity. The NIV Bible uses English terms like "LORD," "God," and "Almighty" to translate the original Hebrew and Greek names, but the underlying names reveal specific truths.

The name Jesus is considered supremely significant because it perfectly encapsulates God's identity, mission, and saving power. Here are the key points illustrating the depth and renown of the name Jesus:

While the Bible uses "the LORD" and "Jesus," many scholars and believers look to the original Hebrew to find the names Yahuah and Yahusha.

The Sacred Names:
Yahuah and Yahusha

In our study of prophecy, names are more than labels—they are declarations of divine nature. Here we recognize that the names used in the original Hebrew texts provide a deeper layer of meaning to the promises of the Messiah.

Yahuah (The Father)

The name Yahuah (often transliterated from the Tetragrammaton YHWH) is the personal name of the Creator. In the NIV and most English Bibles, this name is represented by the word "LORD" (in all capital letters).

Where it is written: It appears over 6,800 times in the Old Testament (the Tanakh).

The Prophetic Meaning: It is derived from the Hebrew verb "to be." It signifies the Self-Existent One—the One who was, who is, and who is to come.

Exodus 3:15
"God also said to Moses, 'Say to the Israelites, "The LORD [Yahuah], 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...'"

Yahusha (The Son, God Born into Flesh)

Yahusha (often transliterated as Yeshua or Yehoshua) is the Hebrew name for the one the world knows as Jesus. In the prophetic context, this name is a "sentence name" that describes exactly what the Messiah came to do.

Where it is written: While the New Testament was written in Greek (using the name Iēsous), the Hebrew name Yahusha is essentially the same name as "Joshua" in the Old Testament.

The Prophetic Meaning: The name is a combination of Yahu (a shortened form of Yahuah) and sha (meaning "salvation" or "delivers"). Therefore, the name Yahusha literally means "Yahuah is Salvation."

Matthew 1:21
"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus [Yahusha], because he will save his people from their sins."

The Meaning of Gods Names

God's Mission Revealed

The English name "Jesus" is derived from the Greek Iēsous, which is a transliteration of the Hebrew/Aramaic name Yeshua (or Yehoshua).

Meaning: Yeshua means "Yahweh saves" or "The Lord is salvation."

Divine Command: The angel told Joseph to name the child Jesus "for he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). The name itself is a declaration of God's redemptive purpose carried out through His Son. It merges God's own name (Yahweh) with His saving action.

The Name Above Every Name

The New Testament makes an extraordinary claim about the status of this name:

Exaltation: The Apostle Paul writes that because Jesus humbled Himself to death on a cross, "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:9-11, NKJV).

Authority: This passage suggests that the name Jesus has been granted the authority of God Himself, often linked to the Old Testament name of God (Yahweh), which is rendered as Lord in English translations.

Salvation and Power

The name is foundational to Christian experience and practice.

Only Name for Salvation: The Bible asserts that salvation is exclusively found through Him: "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved"

(Acts 4:12, NKJV). Source of Miracles and Authority: The apostles performed healings and cast out demons "in the name of Jesus Christ" (e.g., Acts 3:6), signifying that they acted with His personal authority and power.

Foundation for Prayer: Believers are instructed to pray "in My name" (John 14:13), meaning to pray in alignment with His character, authority, and will, as the mediator between God and humanity.

God's Most Known Revelation

While God has many titles and names (Yahweh, Elohim, Adonai, Immanuel), the name Jesus represents the ultimate, tangible revelation of God to the world.

God With Us: Jesus is called Immanuel ("God with us," Matthew 1:23). His name is known globally because His person is the literal incarnation of God (Colossians 2:9). The man, Jesus, revealed God's character (mercy, love, justice) perfectly.

The profundity of the name Jesus lies in its function as the bridge between humanity and the otherwise unapproachable deity, carrying the ultimate authority and purpose of God—salvation.

Other Names of God
(NIV Scriptures)

Here is a list of some of the most other significant names of God, including the original Hebrew/compound names and a key scripture reference from the NIV. These are the most basic and frequent names used for God, emphasizing His nature as the Supreme Being.

1. Primary Names of Deity

Elohim (God, Creator, Mighty One)

Genesis 1:1

YHWH (Yahweh) (The Self-Existent One, I AM) "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

Exodus 3:14

Adonai (Lord, Master) "God said to Moses, 'I AM WHO I AM.' This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM’ has sent me to you.”

Genesis 15:2

(God Almighty, The All-Sufficient One) "But Abram said, “Sovereign LORD, what can you give me since I remain childless...?" El Shaddai

Genesis 17:1

"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.”

2. Compound "Jehovah" Names (Revealing Relationship)

These names combine YHWH/ Jehovah with a descriptive word, revealing specific ways God provides for His people. Jehovah-Jireh (The LORD Will Provide)

Genesis 22:14

Jehovah-Rapha (The LORD Who Heals) "So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”

Exodus 15:26

Jehovah-Nissi (The LORD Our Banner) "for I am the LORD, who heals you."

Exodus 17:15

Jehovah-Shalom (The LORD is Peace) "Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner."

Judges 6:24

Jehovah-Rohi (The LORD Our Shepherd) "So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace."

Psalm 23:1

(The LORD Our Shepherd) "The LORD is my shepherd; I lack nothing." Jehovah-Tsidkenu

Jeremiah 23:6

(The LORD Our Righteousness)." This is the name by which he will be called:

Descriptive Names & Titles

In the biblical tradition, to know someone’s name was to have a bridge to their heart. By revealing these specific names to humanity, God moved from being an abstract concept of a "higher power" to an approachable Father who invites us into a covenant. Each name acts as a specialized invitation to trust Him in a specific area of life—whether we are in need of healing, provision, or peace.

Ultimately, the progression of these names throughout the scriptures leads us to a singular, profound truth: God does not want to remain hidden. He uses His names to meet us exactly where we are, proving that the Creator of the universe is also the intimate Sustainer of our daily lives. These names highlight God's rank, attributes, and roles.

El Elyon (God Most High)

Genesis 14:18

El Roi (The God Who Sees)
"Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High."

Genesis 16:13

Abba (Father)
"She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”

Romans 8:15

Immanuel (God With Us)
"The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Matthew 1:23