King of Kings: Knowing God Through His Names

By Kathleen Riley

In this book, we will discover that God has revealed Himself to us through His many-faceted names, such as Abba Father, Healer, Provider, Sanctifier, Peace, Shepherd, King, Deliverer and many more! Kathleen Riley has spent years researching the hundreds of names of God in the hopes of understanding his character more deeply. He is able to be who

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Oct 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781647734497

Book preview

Introduction

When you sign your name on a check or a document, that signature legally stands for you—the person behind the name. And that signature is only as good as the character of the person who writes it. That’s why businessmen and women are jealous of their good name." They know that their name and their character are inextricably bound up together.

It’s the same with God. His names tell us who He is, what His character is like, and what we can expect from Him. (https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/questions/names-of-god)

The Bible is the story of God and the salvation He offers. It’s all wrapped up in His many names—His names reveal His very nature.

A name denotes identity, character, and authority. The Divine Names of God are a revelation of God’s essence and divine nature. God’s names reveal His fame, reputation, renown, glory, honor, splendor, and mighty marvels. The Lord has revealed His heart to us through His names.

God’s names reveal His attributes (the qualities of His divine Being). God reveals Himself by making known or proclaiming His Name (Exodus 6:3; 33:19; 34:5-6). When the Lord proclaimed the Name of the Lord in Exodus 34:5-7, He revealed Himself as the Lord who is merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that by no means will clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

Exodus 20:6 says, And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Him and keep His commandments.

God’s Name reveals His glory and power displayed in nature (Psalms 8:1).

The name of God is synonymous with His very presence (Psalms 75:1: Thy Name is near). To know the name of God is to know God Himself.

The Lord desires to be known by His creation and His names (especially Jehovah and Elohim). They reveal who He is.

The Name of God is, therefore, not a mere word, but the whole of the Divine manifestation, the character of God as revealed in His relations to His people and in His dealings with them (from International Standard Bible Encyclopedia).

God is the only one who never changes. His character, and His name, remains the same through all generations. He is fully trustworthy, always powerful, forever loving, and constantly present with us.

Studying what God’s Word says about who He is can help us to understand His very nature and character even more. These names will give you powerful insights about His character. Each of the many names of God describes a different aspect of His many-faceted character. He shows us through His names that He is the God of miracles and nothing is impossible for Him.

When you understand the meanings of God’s names, then you will understand His heart. He wants you to know Him. He wants to share sweet communion with you (2 Corinthians 13:14). Philippians 3:10, That I may know Him…

By spending time in prayer and meditation on each name of God we can come to know Him in a far more personal and intimate way.

Often, the Bible reveals a new name of God when the people either face a great need, or when they see God come through and bless them in a spectacular way.

In this book, we will discover that God has revealed Himself to us, through His many-faceted names, as Abba Father, Healer, Provider, Sanctifier, Peace, Shepherd, King, Deliverer and much more! He is able to be who you need Him to be in your life and family. He’s able to meet needs that no one else can meet.

Because God’s Name is so holy, it is iniquity to take God’s Name in vain and wickedness to profane and blaspheme His precious name.

Chapter 1

Primary Names of God

(God refers to the Triune Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit)

Yahweh (or Jehovah), Strong’s Old Testament #3068.

Definition: Eternal, Self-Existent; the Jewish National Name of God.

Among the Jews, the proper name of the one true God was unpronounced, and the vowels were omitted in speaking and writing because of its sacredness. The Name Adonai (Strong’s #136) was spoken in place of Yahweh. The Tetragrammaton Y-HW-H is traditionally pronounced as Jehovah (or Yehovah).

In the King James Version, Yahweh (or Jehovah) is usually translated as LORD (ALL CAPS), and in many instances translated as GOD (ALL CAPS).

The names YHWH and Jehovah are used interchangeably. YHWH is the original Divine Name and considered to be too holy to utter, and thus later was pronounced as Jehovah. Often times, the name Hashem (meaning: The Name) is used when referring to the Divine Name of God.

There are over 6,000 Old Testament Scriptures containing God’s Name Yahweh or Jehovah. Whenever you see LORD in all CAPS in the King James Version, the name Jehovah (Yahweh) is being referred to.

Isaiah 42:8, I am the LORD (YHWH); that is my name; and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images (KJV).

Exodus 6:3, And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob; by the name of God Almighty (El Shaddai), but by my name Jehovah was I not known to them.

Psalms 83:18, That men may know that Thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the Most High over all the earth.

Jeremiah 32:17, Ah Lord GOD (Adonai YHWH)! Behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for Thee.

Yehovih (Strong’s #3069) is a variation of Yahweh. It is translated as LORD or GOD, but is pronounced as Elohim (Strong’s #430).

Yah (Strong’s #3050) is a contraction of Yahweh and means the same as Yahweh. This shortened name is used in many compounds, such as names beginning with Je (in English) or names and words ending with iah or jah. Hallelu-jah means: Praise be to Jah (Praise be to Jehovah).

Hayah (I AM that I AM). The name Yahweh or Jehovah is derived from the Hebrew word hayah (Strong’s Old Testament #1961, translated as I AM). In Exodus 3:14, God said to Moses, Tell the people that I AM that I AM has sent you—‘hayah ‘aher hayah’). Meaning, I will be what I will be or I will be all that is necessary as the occasion will arise. Hayah is defined as to exist, to be or become."

El. Translated as God. Strong’s Old Testament #410.

Definition: God, the One True Almighty God, Yahweh. El can also be used to refer to a false god, mighty men, men of rank, mighty things in nature, strength, power and angels.

Eloah. Translated as God. Strong’s Old Testament #433.

Definition: God, the One True Almighty God. Eloah used of God, as the One and True Deity. Can also be used to refer to a false deity.

Elohim. Translated as God. Strong’s Old Testament #430. Plural of Eloah (#433).

Definition: Specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the Supreme God, Yahweh. Can also be used in reference to false gods. Occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates, and sometimes as a superlative (exceeding, great, excellent). Can refer to god-like ones. Can be used to denote rulers, judges, angels, works or special possessions of God.

Adonai. Translated as Lord. Strong’s Old Testament #136.

Definition: Adonai is a proper royal name and title of God spoken out of reverence in place of Yahweh. Adonai denotes majesty, respect, honor and authority. Also used of men (lord, master).

In the King James Version, Adonai (when in reference to God) is translated as Lord (title case), while Yahweh is translated as LORD (upper case).

Adonai is an emphatic form of Adown (Strong’s #113). Adown means: sovereign, to rule, strength, lord, master, king, governor, husband, prophet, prince, priest, captain, Theophanic Angel, one designated as having authority. Used for names beginning with Adoni-.

Shaddai. Strong’s Old Testament #7706. Definition: The Almighty God. Most Powerful. Referring to the one and only true and living God, Yahweh. The all-sufficient One. The many breasted one (His provision never runs dry, and He is nurturing).

Elyon. Strong’s Old Testament #5945. Definition: Most High God. The Highest. A Name of God. The Supreme God. Also used in reference to rulers, angels, princes, Davidic kings exalted above monarchs.

Lord (Kurios in the Greek, defined as Supreme in Authority, Master or Controller). In the Greek, Lord (kurios) is more of a respectful title than a name (Lord, Master, Sir). Also translated in some passages as God. Strong’s New Testament #2962.

God (Theos in the Greek). New Testament Strong’s #2316. Defined as: A Deity, the Supreme Divinity; figurative, a magistrate.

Ruwach (Spirit). Strong’s #7307 and #7308. Defined as: wind, breath, a mind, a spirit, the seat of the mind and moral character. An ancient angel, and later the Shekinah.

Pneuma (Spirit). Strong’s New Testament #4151. Defined as: from 4154; a current of air, breath (blast) or a breeze; to blow. By analogy or figuratively, a spirit, the rational soul, mental disposition, angel, demon, Divine God, Christ’s spirit, the Holy Spirit. Pneumatology is the study of the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 2

Names of Jehovah