In the Old Testament we first find the Hebrew word Elohim, which is translated in our Bibles as “God”. The word Elohim appears in the plural, as it contains in itself the various attributes, in which God revealed Himself — as Creator, Sustainer, Saviour, etc. We find the words El, Elah and Elohim every time GOD is meant. The compound names constitute the fullness of God. In Genesis 14: 18, God revealed Himself as El Elyon which means “Most High”. To Abraham the Lord God appeared as El Shaddai, which means “Almighty God” (Genesis 17: 1). This shows God as the One who cares, who gives strength, who is the all-sufficient One. The wording El Shaddai is found in the book of Job over thirty times.

In Genesis 21: 33, we find the Hebrew word El Olam, which simply means “Everlasting God”. In Isaiah 9: 6, we read about El Gibbor, which means “Mighty God”. This description is of very special importance, because it is given in reference to the promised Redeemer. This in itself proves His deity. We shall read the context, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God (Hebr.: El Gibbor), The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9: 6). As we shall see, the testimony of God and His prophets are the same, speaking of the fact that He was to come Himself as the “Immanuel”, which means “God with us” (Isaiah 7: 14; Matthew 1: 22-23).

In connection with Elohim, the word Yahweh (original: YHWH) is being used. Yahweh simply means “The Eternal within Himself Existing One”. In our Bibles it was translated as “Lord”. Genesis, chapter 1, only records the word Elohim. There God made man in His own image, which was in a spiritual body. In Genesis 2: 4, we find for the first time the combination of the two words “Lord God” (Elohim Yahweh). This is in connection with man, created from the dust of the earth, being put into the body of flesh.

The significance of the name Yahweh God made known in the time of Moses, when He became a Saviour. Therefore we read, “And God spoke unto Moses, and said unto him, I am YAHWEH (the Lord); and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of El Shaddai (God Almighty), but by my name ELOHIM YAHWEH I was not known to them.” (Exodus 6: 2-3). The prophet Moses knew that Yahweh was the visible appearance of Elohim. When the Torah was written — the five books of Moses — always the right name in a certain connection was chosen.

According to the promise God gave Abraham in Genesis 15:13-16, the people of Israel were to be saved. The account of their deliverance can be read in Exodus 6-13. The name Yahweh is used in that connection, because with it the Lord appeared to Moses, who was to lead the exodus under God. Yahweh became therefore the covenant–name of God in the Old Testament. In this name, Israel was to be blessed (Numbers 6: 22-27).

In the Old Testament we first find the Hebrew word Elohim, which is translated in our Bibles as “God”. The word Elohim appears in the plural, as it contains in itself the various attributes, in which God revealed Himself — as Creator, Sustainer, Saviour, etc. We find the words El, Elah and Elohim every time GOD is meant. The compound names constitute the fullness of God. In Genesis 14: 18, God revealed Himself as El Elyon which means “Most High”. To Abraham the Lord God appeared as El Shaddai, which means “Almighty God” (Genesis 17: 1). This shows God as the One who cares, who gives strength, who is the all-sufficient One. The wording El Shaddai is found in the book of Job over thirty times.

In Genesis 21: 33, we find the Hebrew word El Olam, which simply means “Everlasting God”. In Isaiah 9: 6, we read about El Gibbor, which means “Mighty God”. This description is of very special importance, because it is given in reference to the promised Redeemer. This in itself proves His deity. We shall read the context, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God (Hebr.: El Gibbor), The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9: 6). As we shall see, the testimony of God and His prophets are the same, speaking of the fact that He was to come Himself as the “Immanuel”, which means “God with us” (Isaiah 7: 14; Matthew 1: 22-23).

In connection with Elohim, the word Yahweh (original: YHWH) is being used. Yahweh simply means “The Eternal within Himself Existing One”. In our Bibles it was translated as “Lord”. Genesis, chapter 1, only records the word Elohim. There God made man in His own image, which was in a spiritual body. In Genesis 2: 4, we find for the first time the combination of the two words “Lord God” (Elohim Yahweh). This is in connection with man, created from the dust of the earth, being put into the body of flesh.

The significance of the name Yahweh God made known in the time of Moses, when He became a Saviour. Therefore we read, “And God spoke unto Moses, and said unto him, I am YAHWEH (the Lord); and I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of El Shaddai (God Almighty), but by my name ELOHIM YAHWEH I was not known to them.” (Exodus 6: 2-3). The prophet Moses knew that Yahweh was the visible appearance of Elohim. When the Torah was written — the five books of Moses — always the right name in a certain connection was chosen.

According to the promise God gave Abraham in Genesis 15:13-16, the people of Israel were to be saved. The account of their deliverance can be read in Exodus 6-13. The name Yahweh is used in that connection, because with it the Lord appeared to Moses, who was to lead the exodus under God. Yahweh became therefore the covenant–name of God in the Old Testament. In this name, Israel was to be blessed (Numbers 6: 22-27).