What Are All the Different Names of God in the Holy Bible?
The seven main categories of different names given to God in the Old and New Testaments include: Elohim, Yahweh or YHWH, Adonai, Theos, Kurios, Despotes and Father. There are also at least seven instances where the name of God is referenced without an actual name being given.
Within some of the categories of the names of God in the Bible, compound names exist; these generally add additional titles to extol a particular facet of the deity. The name Elohim, for example, which is the plural form of the Hebrew word “El,” meaning “strong one,” is combined to form other names: El Shaddai, meaning “God Almighty,” El Elyon, “The Most High God,” and El Olam, “The Everlasting God.”
Likewise, the name Yahweh, which comes from the Hebrew verb meaning “to exist or be,” is combined with other words to forms virtue-specific designations. Yahweh Jireh, also spelled Yireh, means “The Lord will provide,” while Yahweh Nissi means “The Lord is my banner.” The words Shalom, meaning “Peace,” Sabbaoth, defined as “Hosts,” and Maccaddeshcem, interpreted as “the Sanctifier,” also accompany the name Yahweh.
The names Theos, Kurios and Despotes are Greek words that translate into “God,” “Lord” and “Master,” respectively. These terms are used mostly in the New Testament, as is the term Father.
