Judaism has different names given to God, which are considered sacred: יהוה (YHWH), אֲדֹנָי (Adonai transl. my Lord[s]), אֵל (El transl. God), אֱלֹהִים (Elohim transl. Gods/Godhead),[n 1] שַׁדַּי (Shaddai transl. Almighty), and צְבָאוֹת (Tzevaoth transl. [Lord of] Hosts); some also include I Am that I Am.[1] Early authorities considered other Hebrew names mere epithets or descriptions of God, and wrote that they and names in other languages may be written and erased freely.[2] Some moderns advise special care even in these cases,[3] and many Orthodox Jews have adopted the chumras of writing "G-d" instead of "God" in English or saying Ṭēt-Vav (טו, lit. '9-6') instead of Yōd-Hē (יה, '10-5', but also 'Jah') for the number fifteen or Ṭēt-Zayin (טז, '9-7') instead of Yōd-Vav (יו, '10-6') for the Hebrew number sixteen.[
- Adonai
- Meaning: "Lord" or "Master" (Hebrew).
- Context: Used in Jewish tradition as a substitute for pronouncing the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) to avoid taking God’s name in vain. Common in prayers and liturgy (e.g., Psalm 8:1). In Christianity, it emphasizes God’s sovereignty.
- Example: "O Lord [Adonai], our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" (Psalm 8:1).
- El
- Meaning: "God" or "Mighty One" (Hebrew).
- Context: A generic Semitic term for deity, used in the Hebrew Bible to denote the God of Israel (e.g., Genesis 14:18). Found in compound names like El Shaddai.
- Example: "And he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High [El Elyon]’" (Genesis 14:19).
- Elohim
- Meaning: "God" or "Gods" (plural form, used singularly for God in Hebrew).
- Context: Common in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing God’s majesty and creative power (e.g., Genesis 1:1). Used in both Jewish and Christian scriptures.
- Example: "In the beginning, God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).
- El Elyon
- Meaning: "God Most High" (Hebrew).
- Context: Highlights God’s supremacy over all other deities or powers (e.g., Genesis 14:18–20). Used in Jewish and Christian worship.
- Example: "Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine... and he blessed him and said, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High [El Elyon]’" (Genesis 14:18–20).
- El Shaddai
- Meaning: Often translated as "God Almighty" or "God All-Sufficient" (Hebrew).
- Context: Used in the Hebrew Bible, particularly in the patriarchal narratives (e.g., Genesis 17:1). Emphasizes God’s power and provision. Adopted in Christian theology.
- Example: "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty [El Shaddai]’" (Genesis 17:1).
- YHWH (Yahweh/Jehovah)
- Meaning: The Tetragrammaton, the personal name of God, often rendered "Yahweh" or "Jehovah" (Hebrew).
- Context: The most sacred name in Judaism, revealed to Moses (Exodus 3:14). In Jewish tradition, it is not pronounced, substituted with "Adonai" or "Hashem" (The Name). In Christianity, often translated as "LORD" in English Bibles or historically as "Jehovah" (e.g., in older translations like the KJV).
- Example: "God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: I AM [YHWH] has sent me to you’" (Exodus 3:14).
- I Am that I Am
- Meaning: The self-existent One (Hebrew: Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh).
- Context: Revealed to Moses at the burning bush, emphasizing God’s eternal, self-sufficient nature (Exodus 3:14). Central in Jewish theology and echoed in Christian teachings, especially in Jesus’ "I Am" sayings (e.g., John 8:58).
- Example: "God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM’" (Exodus 3:14).
- Jah/Yah
- Meaning: A shortened form of YHWH (Hebrew).
- Context: Appears in poetic texts and compound words like "Hallelujah" (Praise Yah). Used in both Jewish (e.g., Psalm 68:4) and Christian worship.
- Example: "Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD [Yah]” (Psalm 68:4).
- God
- Meaning: General English term for the deity (from Hebrew El or Elohim, Greek Theos).
- Context: Used broadly in Christian scriptures (New Testament) and English translations of the Hebrew Bible to denote the one true God.
- Example: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God [Theos], and the Word was God" (John 1:1).
- Lord
- Meaning: A title of authority and divinity (Hebrew: Adonai, Greek: Kyrios).
- Context: Used in both Jewish (for YHWH) and Christian contexts (for God and Jesus). In the New Testament, Jesus is frequently called "Lord" (e.g., Romans 10:9).
- Example: "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [Kyrios] and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).
- God the Father
- Meaning: The first person of the Trinity in Christian theology.
- Context: Exclusive to Christianity, emphasizing God’s paternal relationship to believers and Jesus (e.g., Matthew 6:9). Not used in Jewish tradition, which does not hold a Trinitarian view.
- Example: "Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name’" (Matthew 6:9).
- God the Son
- Meaning: Refers to Jesus Christ, the second person of the Trinity in Christian theology.
- Context: Unique to Christianity, affirming Jesus’ divinity (e.g., John 1:14). Not applicable in Jewish tradition.
- Example: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father" (John 1:14).
- God the Holy Spirit
- Meaning: The third person of the Trinity in Christian theology.
- Context: Exclusive to Christianity, referring to the Spirit of God active in the world and believers (e.g., Acts 2:4). In Jewish tradition, the "Spirit of God" (Ruach Elohim) is an attribute or presence of God, not a distinct person (e.g., Genesis 1:2).
- Example: "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:4).
- Holy Spirit
- Meaning: The active presence or power of God (Hebrew: Ruach HaKodesh, Greek: Pneuma Hagion).
- Context: In Judaism, the Holy Spirit denotes God’s inspiration or presence (e.g., Psalm 51:11). In Christianity, it is the third person of the Trinity, indwelling believers (e.g., 1 Corinthians 3:16).
- Example: "Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit [Ruach HaKodesh] from me" (Psalm 51:11).
- Ein Sof
- Meaning: "The Infinite" or "Without End" (Hebrew).
- Context: A term from Jewish Kabbalistic tradition, describing God’s boundless, transcendent nature beyond comprehension. Not explicitly biblical but rooted in Jewish mysticism. Rarely used in Christian contexts.
- Example: Found in Kabbalistic texts like the Zohar, not directly in scripture.
- Hashem
- Meaning: "The Name" (Hebrew).
- Context: A reverential Jewish term used to avoid pronouncing YHWH, common in modern Jewish practice and conversation. Not typically used in Christian contexts.
- Example: Used in Jewish liturgy and speech, e.g., "Blessed be Hashem, the God of Israel."
- Shalom
- Meaning: "Peace" (Hebrew), sometimes used as a name for God.
- Context: In Jewish tradition, God is associated with peace, as in Gideon’s altar named "The Lord is Peace" (Judges 6:24). Used in both Jewish and Christian contexts symbolically.
- Example: "And Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and called it The Lord Is Peace [YHWH-Shalom]" (Judges 6:24).
- Tzur
- Meaning: "Rock" (Hebrew).
- Context: A poetic title for God in Jewish scripture, emphasizing stability and refuge (e.g., Psalm 18:2). Adopted in Christian hymns and theology.
- Example: "The Lord [YHWH] is my rock [Tzur] and my fortress and my deliverer" (Psalm 18:2).
- Elyon
- Meaning: "Most High" (Hebrew).
- Context: Used alone or with "El" to denote God’s supreme authority (e.g., Psalm 7:17). Common in Jewish and Christian worship.
- Example: "I will give thanks to the Lord [YHWH] because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the Lord Most High [Elyon]" (Psalm 7:17).
- Sabaoth
- Meaning: "Hosts" or "Armies" (Hebrew: YHWH Tzevaot).
- Context: Refers to God as the commander of heavenly armies in Jewish and Christian scriptures (e.g., Isaiah 6:3). Used in liturgy like "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts."
- Example: "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts [YHWH Sabaoth]: the whole earth is full of his glory!" (Isaiah 6:3).
- Roi
- Meaning: "Shepherd" (Hebrew).
- Context: A metaphor for God’s guidance and care in Jewish scripture (e.g., Psalm 23:1) and applied to Jesus in Christianity (e.g., John 10:11).
- Example: "The Lord [YHWH] is my shepherd [Roi]; I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1).
- Jehovah
- Meaning: An English rendering of YHWH, often combined with vowels from "Adonai."
- Context: Popularized in Christian translations (e.g., KJV) and by groups like Jehovah’s Witnesses. Less common in modern Jewish practice, where "Adonai" or "Hashem" is preferred.
- Example: "That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth" (Psalm 83:18, KJV).
Seven names of God
The names of God that, once written, cannot be erased because of their holiness[5] are the Tetragrammaton (YHWH), Adonai, El, Elohim[n 1] Shaddai, Tzevaot; some also include I Am that I Am, from which "YHWH" is believed to be derived.[1] In addition, the name Jah—because it forms part of the Tetragrammaton—is similarly protected.[6] The tanna Jose ben Halafta considered "Tzevaot" a common name in the second century[7] and Rabbi Ishmael considered "Elohim" to be one.[8] All other names, such as "Merciful", "Gracious" and "Faithful", merely represent attributes that are also common to human beings.[9]
Uncommon or esoteric names
- Abir – 'Strong One'
- Adir – 'Great One'
- Adon Olam – 'Master of the World'
- Aleim – sometimes seen as an alternative transliteration of Elohim
- Ani Sh'ani - 'I am that I am': another modern Hebrew form of "Ehyeh asher Ehyeh"
- Aravat (or Avarat) – 'Father of Creation'; mentioned once in 2 Enoch, "On the tenth heaven is God, in the Hebrew tongue he is called Aravat".
- Av Harachamim – 'Father of Mercy'
- Avinu Malkeinuⓘ – 'Our Father, Our King'
- Boreⓘ – 'The Creator'
- Bore Olam – 'Creator of the World'
- Dibbura or Dibbera – 'The Word (The Law)' – used primarily in the Palestinian Targums of the Pentateuch (Aramaic); e.g. Num 7:89, The Word spoke to Moses from between the cherubim in the holy of holies.
- Ehiyeh sh'Ehiyeh – 'I Am That I Am': a modern Hebrew version of "Ehyeh asher Ehyeh"
- Eibishter/Aybishter – 'The One Above' (Yiddish: אײבערשטער)
- Ein Sof – 'Endless, Infinite', Kabbalistic name of God
- El ha-Gibbor – 'God the Hero', 'God the Strong' or 'God the Warrior'
- Emet – 'Truth' (the "Seal of God". [Cf.] The word is composed of the first, middle, and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet. See also Alpha and Omega#Judaism)
- HaKadosh, Barukh Hu (Hebrew); Kudsha, Brikh Hu (Aramaic) – 'The Holy One, Blessed Be He'
- Hayah, Hoveh, v'Yihye – 'Was, Is, and Will be'
- Kadosh Israel – 'Holy One of Israel'
- Magen Avraham – 'Shield of Abraham'
- Makom or HaMakom – literally 'The Place', perhaps meaning 'The Omnipresent' (see Tzimtzum)
- Malbish Arumim – 'Clother of the Naked'
- Matir Asurim – 'Freer of the Captives'
- Mechayeh HaKol – 'Life giver to All' (Reform version of Mechayeh Metim)
- Mechayeh Metim – 'Life giver to the Dead'
- Melech HaMelachim – 'The King of Kings' or Melech Malchei HaMelachim 'The King, King of Kings', to express superiority to the earthly ruler's title
- Melech HaOlam – 'The King of the World'
- Memra d'Adonai – 'The Word of the LORD' (plus variations such as 'My Word') – restricted to the Aramaic Targums (the written Tetragrammaton is represented in various ways such as YYY, YWY, YY, but pronounced as the Hebrew Adonai)
- Mi She'amar V'haya Ha`olam – 'He who spoke, and the world came into being'.
- Netzakh Yisrael – 'The Glory of Israel' (1 Samuel 15:29)
- Oseh Shalom – 'Maker of Peace'
- Pokeach Ivrim – 'Opener of Blind Eyes'
- HaRachaman – 'The Merciful One'
- Rachmana – 'The Merciful One' (Aramaic)
- Ribon Kol HaOlamim – 'Master of all Worlds'
- Ribono shel'Olam – 'Master of the World'
- Ro'eh Yisra'el – 'Shepherd of Israel'
- Rofeh Cholim – 'Healer of the Sick'
- Shomer Yisrael – 'Guardian of Israel'
- Somech Noflim – 'Supporter of the Fallen'
- Tzur Israel – 'Rock of Israel'
- YHWH-Yireh (Adonai-jireh) – 'The LORD Will Provide'
- YHWH-Rapha – 'The LORD that Healeth'
- YHWH-Niss'i (Adonai-Nissi) – 'The LORD Our Banner'
- YHWH-Shalom – 'The LORD Our Peace'
- YHWH-Tzevaot – 'The LORD of Hosts'
- YHWH-Ro'i – 'The LORD My Shepherd'
- YHWH-Tsidkenu – 'The LORD Our Righteousness'
- YHWH-Shammah (Adonai-shammah) – 'The LORD Is Present'
- Yotsehr 'Or – 'Fashioner of Light'
- Zokef kefufim – 'Straightener of the Bent'