I cracked open my Bible app earlier today wondering about all the different names for God. Seen a bunch in sermons and stuff but never wrote ’em down properly. Figured I’d make a list to finally get it straight.
Where I Started Digging
Flipped straight to Genesis like you do. Right there in the creation story – Elohim pops up repeatedly. Realized it’s not just one name but kinda like saying “Supreme Being.” Weird how I never noticed that word shows up over 2,000 times!
Checked Exodus next cause Moses always gets the big God moments. Boom – burning bush scene hit different this time. When God says “I AM WHO I AM,” Hebrew calls that YHWH. Pastor explained that’s so holy Jews don’t even say it aloud. Mind blown.
The Hunting Got Tricky
Started scribbling notes but dang – some names blend together. Like El Elyon (God Most High) in Deuteronomy versus El Shaddai (God Almighty) in Genesis. Almost quit when the app crashed losing 20 minutes of work. Nearly threw my phone before restarting.
Googled like crazy (no bookmarking though – rules say no links). Random Bible study site mentioned Jehovah Nissi from Exodus 17. That’s Moses’ “The Lord My Banner” moment after battle. Never realized God had war titles too!
Coolest Finds On My List
- Yahweh Yireh – Abraham’s “God Will Provide” during the Isaac test
- Yahweh Rapha – That “God Who Heals” bit after bitter water turned sweet
- Yahweh Shalom – Gideon’s peace moment pre-battle
- Immanuel – Isaiah’s prophecy about God with us
Spent like two hours cross-checking all these in different books. Felt kinda dumb needing three translations just to get Adonai vs Yahweh straight. My notebook looks like a toddler’s grocery list now – ink smears everywhere.
Final Realizations
Turns out it’s less about memorizing fancy titles and more how each name shows God’s personality. Like when David shouts Jehovah Rohi (The Lord My Shepherd) in Psalms – that’s pure trust mode. Wrapped up thinking how wild it is that ancient shepherds used these same names daily.
Honestly? Expected dry facts but got punched in the feels instead. Never clicked before how each name’s tied to specific moments where real people needed God showing up different. Might reread Exodus this weekend seeing it fresh now.
