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The Name and Title of Elohim (God)

Please Note

1…If you are Jewish – we hereby advise that this page contains the most Holy Name of the Almighty (YAH).

2…This study has been written from the Hebrew viewpoint, which will guide Messianic believers to understand, the Names and Titles we use for the Almighty, blessed be He!

“Thus you shall say to the Children of Israel: YHVH Elohim (HaSHEM / the LORD G-d) of your fathers, the Elohim of Avraham, the Elohim of Yitzchak, and the Elohim of Ya’akov, has sent me to you. This is My Name forever, and this is My Memorial to all generations’” Shemos (Exod) 3:15

(1) … The Significance of Names

In Hebrew thought, a name is not merely an arbitrary designation, a random combination of sounds. The name conveys the nature and essence of that which is named. It represents their history and reputation.

This is not as strange concept as it may seem at first. In English, we often refer to a person’s reputation as his “good name.” When a company is sold, one thing that may be sold is the company’s “good will.” That is, the purchaser will have the right to use the company’s name. The Hebrew concept of a name relates to that thought. An example of this usage occurs in Shemos (Exod) 3:13-22 Moshe asks the Almighty, what His “name” is. Moshe did not ask, “What should I call you,” rather he was asking, “who are you, what are you like and what have you done.” This is clear from the Almighty’s response. The Almighty replies that He is eternal, that He is the Elohim (G-d) of our ancestors, that He has seen our affliction and will redeem us from bondage.

Another example of this usage is the concepts of “Chillul HaSHEM” and “Kiddush HaSHEM.” An act that causes the Hebrews (the Jewish People) to come into disrespect, or a commandment to be disobeyed, which is referred to as “Chillul Ha-SHEM,” meaning, “Profanation of the Name.” Clearly, we are not talking about a harm done to a word; we are talking about harm to the reputation. Likewise, any deed that increases the respect accorded to Elohim, or the Children of Israel is referred to as “Kiddush Ha-SHEM,” meaning “Sanctification of The Name.”

Because a name represents the reputation of that which is named, a name should be treated with the same respect as its reputation. For this reason, Elohim’s Name, in all of their forms, are to be treated with enormous respect and reverence by all Israel, and those that have come into the faith of Israel.

(2) … What does “God” or “Elohim” Mean?

1… “God” - Is this, or the Hebrew word “Elohim” the name of the Almighty? No, its not!

2… Then what does God, or Elohim mean? The Hebrew word Elohim tells us what and who the Almighty is. Thus, Elohim is the Attribute of the Almighty.

3… “God” - Is this the correct word to use as the Attribute of the Almighty? History and the Tanach (incorrectly called the OLD Testament) prove that it is not! 1. Tanach - Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 65:11 “But you are those who have forsaken YHVH, who forget My holy mountain, who prepare a table for Gad, and who give a drink offering for Meni.” Rabbis of old and all commentators agree that “Gad” is a pagan deity, as is “Meni.” Gad is interpreted as the well known Syrian or Canaanite deity of “Good Luck” or “Fortune,” and Meni is their deity of “destiny.” In Hebrew Gad is written with two letters Gimel and a Dalet – GD. 2. History - Later the Massoretes vowel-pointed it and added an “a,” to give us “Gad.” Gad is used in other Scriptures ea; in Yahoshua (Joshua) 11:17, 12:7, 13:5, we find “Baal Gawd” or “Baal God,” according the vowel-pointed Massoretic Hebrew text. We also know from Joshua that “Gawd,” – “God” was also a place named after their deity. Astrologers identified “Gad with Jupiter, the “sky-deity / sun deity.” As Gad was the sun deity, Meni was regarded as “Lord of the Moon.” Later the words “gawd, gott, god” became common Teutonic word for religious worship. “Gawd” and “Gott,” were the attributes applied to superhuman beings of heathen myths. Later on conversion to (Roman Catholic) “Christianity,” this word was then applied to the “Supreme Being,” including the “Three Persons of the Trinity.”

The question arises, why does Israel, and Christians for that matter use this hideous word, being the attribute, and names of pagan gods? In the Tanach, the attribute of the Creator is “Elohim,” thus, we should ONLY use this word / attribute, as it distinguishes our Elohim, the Creator of the Heaven and the Earth, and all that is therein, from the pagan gawd’s and gods!

(3) … The Name of Elohim

I have often heard people refer to the Judeo-Christian Creator (G-d) as “The nameless G-d,” which is a contrast to the Almighty Elohim of Israel in relation to the ancient Teutonic / Celtic pagan gods. However, Elohim does have a Name, but it is never used, as if He does not have one. I find this odd, because Israel clearly recognizes that Elohim has a Name. This blessed Name was given to Moshe in Shemot (Exod) 3:15, a Name, which was to be “remembered.”

“Y-H-V-H the Elohim of your fathers, the Elohim of Avraham, the Elohim of Yitzchak, and the Elohim of Ya’akov, has dispatched me to you. This is My Name forever, and this is My remembrance from generation to generation.”

The Rabbis explain that the Name had to be concealed on the basis that the word “forever,” in Hebrew, “le’olam” is written defective, as it is without the letter “VAV.” Does this argument stand up against other Scriptures in the Tanach? No it does not. The following verses are just a few examples, were the word “le’olam” – “olam” does not have the letter “VAV,” yet it clearly means “forever” – “eternally.” In this case, I will use the KJV version.

“Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, 'I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it (le’olam) forever.’” Shemot (Exod) 32:13.

“For I raise My hand to heaven, and say, ‘As I live (le’olam) forever’” Davarim (Deut) 32:40.

“He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” 2 Sam 7:13.

“But You, YHVH, are on high (le’olam) forevermore.” Tehillim (Psalms) 92:8.

“This is My Name forever” Shemot (Exod) 3:15, means exactly what it says “FOREVER.” How do we know this? Check the next statement by the Almighty, “this is My remembrance (zichri / zecher) from generation to generation.” As the Torah says that we are to “remember (the Name) … from generation to generation,” why then is it “concealed?” To “conceal” opposes “remembrance.” Based on the Rabbis argument, they could not possibly say that “olam,” without the “VAV” does not mean “forever” – “eternal.” If they continue to hold to that concept, they in fact are denying that the Elohim Avraham, the Elohim of Yitzchak, and the Elohim of Ya’akov IS “le’olam “eternal”!

Due to the great error made by the Rabbis so long ago, the most Holy Name has not been used since before the Second Temple days.

The most important of Elohim’s Names is the four-letter Name represented by the Hebrew letters Yod Heh Vav Heh (Y-H-V-H). It is often referred to as the ineffable Name, the unutterable Name, or the distinctive Name. Linguistically, it is related to the Hebrew root Heh-Yod-Heh (to be), and reflects the fact that Elohim’s existence is eternal. In the Holy Scriptures, this Name is used when discussing Elohim’s relation with human beings, and when emphasizing His qualities of loving-kindness and mercy. It is frequently shortened to Yah Yod-Heh, Yahu or Yeho Yod-Heh-Vav, especially when used in combination with names or phrases, as in YahoShua, being the Hebrew for Joshua. His name means. “YaH-V-H is my Salvation,” Eliyahu, Elijah, means “my Elohim is YaH-V-H”), and HalleluYah is “praise YaH-V-H.”

The first title (attribute) used for the Almighty in Scripture is “Elohim.” In form, the word is a masculine plural of a word that looks feminine in the singular “Eloha.” The same word is used to refer to princes, judges, other gods, and powerful beings. This title is used in Scripture when emphasizing Elohim’s might, His creative power, and His attributes of justice, and rule. Variations on this attribute includes El, Eloha, Elochai (my G-d) and Elohenu (our G-d).

Elohim is also known as “El Shaddai.” This title is usually translated as “G-d Almighty,” however, the derivation of the word “Shaddai” is not known. According to some views, it is derived from the root meaning “to heap benefits.” According a Hebrew study, it means, “The One who said ‘dai’” (“dai” meaning enough, or sufficient) and comes from the fact that when Elohim created the universe, it expanded until He said “Dai.” The word “Shaddai” is the one written on the Mezuzah Scroll (door post ornament with a parchment Scripture enclosed as per Davarim (Deut) 11:20). Some note that “Shaddai” is an acronym of “Shomer Daltot Yisroel,” – “Guardian of the Doors of Israel.”

Another significant title of Elohim is “Y-H-V-H Tzva’ot.” This Name and title is normally translated as “LORD of Hosts.” The word “Tzva’ot” means “host” in the sense of a military grouping or an organized array. This title refers to Elohim’s leadership and sovereignty. Interestingly, this title is rarely used in Scripture. It never appears in the Torah (the Five Books of Moshe). It appears primarily in the prophetic books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, as well as many times in the Psalms.

Writing the Name of Elohim

Hebrew's do not casually write any Name of Elohim. This practice does not come from the commandment not to take YHVH’s Name in vain, as many suppose. In Hebrew thought, that commandment refers solely to the taking of an oath, and is a prohibition against swearing by Elohim’s Name falsely, or frivolously (the word normally translated as “in vain” literally means “for falsehood”).

Israel does not prohibit writing the Name of Elohim per se; it prohibits only erasing or defacing a Name of Elohim. However, observant Hebrew's avoid writing any Name of Elohim casually because of the risk that the written Name might later be defaced, obliterated, or destroyed accidentally, or by one who does not know better.

The commandment not to erase or deface the name of Elohim comes from Davarim (Deut) 12:3. In that passage, the people are commanded that when they enter the “Promised Land,” they must destroy all things related to the idolatrous religions of that region, and should utterly destroy the names of the local deities. Immediately afterwards, Israel is commanded not to do the same to the Elohim of Israel. From this, the Rabbis inferred that we are commanded not to destroy any holy thing, and not to erase or deface a Name of Elohim.

It is worth noting that this prohibition against erasing or defacing Names of Elohim applies only to Names that are written in some kind of permanent form, and recent rabbinical decisions have held that writing on a computer is not a permanent form, thus it is not a violation to type Elohim’s Name into a computer, and then backspace over it, or cut and paste it, or copy and delete files with Elohim’s Name in them. However, once you print the document out, it becomes a permanent form. This is why observant Hebrew’s avoid writing a Name of Elohim on web sites like this one, or in newsgroup messages, because there is a risk that someone else will print it out and deface it.

Normally, Israel avoids writing the Name by substituting letters or syllables, for example, writing “G-d” instead of “God.” In addition, the number 15, which should be written in Hebrew as Yod-Heh (10-5), is normally written by observant Hebrews as Tet-Vav (9-6), because Yod-Heh is part of the Holy Name of Elohim (Yah).

Pronouncing the Name of Elohim

Nothing in the Torah prohibits a person from pronouncing the blessed Name of Elohim. Indeed, it is evident from scripture that Elohim’s Name was pronounced routinely. Many common Hebrew names contain “Yah” or “Yahu,” part of Elohim’s four-letter Name. The Name was pronounced as part of daily services in the Temple.

Hebrew teaching confirms that there was no prohibition against pronouncing The Name in ancient times. In fact, the priests in ancient times recommended the use of Elohim’s Name as a routine when greeting a fellow Hebrew. However, by the time of the Talmud (various commentaries of the Rabbis), it became a custom to use substitute Names for Elohim. Some Rabbis asserted that a person who pronounces YHVH according to its letters (instead of using a substitute) has no place in the World to Come, and should be put to death. Instead of pronouncing the four-letter Name, we usually substitute the Name “Adonai” (written as “LORD” in most Scriptures) or simply say “Ha-SHEM” (which means the Name).

Although the prohibition on pronunciation applies only to the four-letter Name, Hebrew's customarily do not pronounce any of Elohim’s many titles except in prayer or during a Word study. The usual practice is to substitute letters or syllables, so that “Adonai” becomes “Adoshem” or “Ha-Shem.” “Elohenu” and “Elohim” becomes “Elokenu” and “Elokim,” etc.

With the Temple destroyed in 69 AD, and considering the prohibition of pronouncing the blessed Name outside the Temple, pronunciation the Name fell into disuse. Scholars passed down knowledge of the correct pronunciation of YHVH for many generations, but eventually the correct pronunciation was lost according the Rabbis. They say that we do not know what vowels were used. Some religious scholars suggest that the Name was pronounced “Yahweh,” but others do not find this pronunciation particularly persuasive.

Some people render the four-letter Name as “Jehovah,” however this pronunciation is particularly erroneous. The word “Jehovah” comes from the fact that ancient Hebrew texts used to put the vowels of the Name “Adonai” (the usual substitute for YHVH) under the consonants of the Memorial Name, “YHVH” to remind Israel not to pronounce YHVH as written. A sixteenth century “German Christian Scribe,” while transliterating the “Christian Bible” ⁽¹⁾ into Latin for the Pope, wrote the Name out as it appeared in his texts, with the consonants of YHVH and the vowels of Adonai, and came up with the erroneous word JeHoVaH, and sadly, due to the total lack of Hebrew understanding by “Christians” the name stuck.

Thus, we may now ask the question, “What is the blessed Memorial Name of Elohim?” to answer this question in detail go to the following study for further clarification! “The Memorial Name.”

Related Scriptures 

“But for you who revere My Name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.” Malochi (Mal) 4:2.

“Because he loves Me’ says YHVH, ‘I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My Name. He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” Tehillim (Psalms) 91:14-16.

“Therefore this is what YHVH, who redeemed Abraham, says to the house of Jacob: ‘No longer will Jacob be ashamed; no longer will their faces grow pale.’ When they see among them their children, the work of My hands, they will keep My Name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the Elohim of Israel.” Yeshayahu (Isa) 29:22-23

“Therefore, My people will know My Name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I.” Yeshayahu (Isa) 52:6.

“They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their fathers forgot my name through Baal worship.” Yirmyahu (Jeremiah) 23:27.

“‘In that day I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be … so that they may possess the remnant of Edom and all the nations that bear My Name,’ declares YHVH, who will do these things. ‘The days are coming,’ declares YHVH, ‘when the reaper will be overtaken by the ploughman, and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills will bring back My exiled people Israel; they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and drink their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them,’ says YHVH your Elohim.” Amnos (Amos) 9:11-15.

“They will call on My Name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘YHVH is our Elohim.’” Zecharyah (Zech) 13:9.

“‘My Name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to My Name, because My Name will be great among the nations,’ says YHVH Almighty.” Malochi (Mal) 1:11.

“My people will know My Name; therefore in that day they will know that it is I who foretold it. Yes, it is I.” Yeshayahu (Isa) 52:6.

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