Yahweh Elohim יהוה אֱלֹהִים

This name can be translated as “LORD God,” but it emphasizes God’s creative nature as in Genesis 2:4. One variation on this is יְהוָֽה אֱלֹהָי, Yahweh Elohai, which means “the LORD my God” instead. Another variation is when God addresses His people: “I am the LORD your God.” This is Yahweh Elohechem, יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם.

Yahweh El Elyon יהוה אֵל עֶלְיֹון

This term means “LORD God most high,” found in Genesis 14 when Melchizedek blesses Abram just before God promises him a son and countless descendants. It’s also found in Psalms in the form of praise to God.

Yahweh Elohei David יהוה אֱלֹהֵי דָּוִד

Isaiah prophecies to Hezekiah on his supposed deathbed that the “God of his father, David,” would add fifteen years to his life. We can see that God was indeed the God of King David as we get to know many aspects of God through David in Psalms and otherwise.

Yahweh Roie יהוה רֹעִי

Most Christians are very familiar with this aspect of God. This name means “God my shepherd” and is found in the first verse of Psalm 23. It’s translated as “The LORD is my shepherd…”.

Old Testament Hebrew Vocabulary Cards: Second Edition

Yahweh Tsuri V’goali יהוה צוּרִי וְגֹאֲלִי

Here’s another name given to God by King David in the Psalms. From Psalm 19:14, God is called David’s “rock and Redeemer” after giving glory to God for His Laws, judgments, and commands.

Yahweh Sali יהוה סַלְעִי

This name, also given by King David, means “God my hiding place.” This phrase is similar to “God, my rock and redeemer” above, but here, the word “rock” can also mean “cliff” or “boulder.” It can also be translated as “refuge.”

Yahweh Avienu יהוה אָבִינוּ

“God, our Father” is what this Hebrew name for God means. It’s found in the book of Isaiah, chapters 63 and 64, where Isaiah pleads for mercy for the people of Israel, as well as David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:10-20.

Yahweh Shalom יהוה שָׁלֹום

“The LORD is peace” is what Gideon named the altar he built in Judges 6:24. This was just after an angel appeared to him and told him that God would help him defeat the Midianites, which he later did.

But wait, didn’t God bring war and not peace in this case? Why say that God is peace if He promised the Israelites a war victory?

The peace was brought to God’s people through the defeat of the Midianites because Midian had greatly oppressed the Israelites. Defeating them with God’s help brought freedom and peace.

Yahweh Rof’ekah יהוה רֹפְאֶךָ

Also, Yahweh Rafa (רָפָא) is a name God gave to Himself in Exodus 15:26. He said that he would spare the Hebrew people from the plagues he put on the Egyptians if they were obedient. This name means “healer,” and He has control over our bodies as our Creator. He can heal and protect.

Yahweh Yir’eh יהוה יִרְאֶה

This name comes from Genesis 22:14 when Abraham is about to sacrifice Isaac out of obedience to God. It means “God provides” or “God who sees”.

Although this name is commonly translated as “Jehovah Jireh,” there’s no “j” sound in Hebrew as there is in English, so a more accurate pronunciation of this name would be “Yuh-hoe-vah yeer-eh”.

For us today, throughout the Bible, even in situations of great persecution like what Paul experienced, God sees our circumstances and knows exactly what’s needed to fulfill His plan for His people. We can be sure that He’s faithful and will always provide!

Yahweh Elohai Yisrael יהוה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

This one is used many times throughout the Old Testament to emphasize that our God is the one being referred to and to distinguish Him from the gods of the people in the surrounding areas.

Yahweh Nissie יהוה נִסִּי

Used only once in the Bible, Exodus 17:15, this is the name Moses gave the altar he built after the Israelites defeated the Amalekites. It means “God, my banner.” The word “banner” could also be “exaltation” or “refuge” as well. Whichever of those he meant, Moses was attributing their victory to God in naming the altar.

Yahweh Maqadashem יהוה מְקַדִּשְׁכֶֽם

This is a name God gives Himself, mostly while He’s giving His Law to His people. It means “LORD, your sanctifier.” We don’t have the power to sanctify ourselves or anything, for that matter. Only our holy God can declare something holy.

Yahweh Oseinu יהוה עֹשֵׂנוּ

This name refers to God’s creative abilities and means “God, our Maker.” It’s found in Psalm 95, which implores us to worship Him and recognize that we’re His people. God is our Creator! He made us, and we are His! Isn’t that amazing?!

Yahweh Shamah יהוה שָׁמָּה

“God is there” is what this name means. From Ezekiel 48:35, this is a prophecy stating the name of the city God will inhabit in the Millennial Kingdom. The city’s name clarifies that God will be physically present there. How amazing! I wonder what it will be like!

Yahweh Tsidqenu יהוה צִדְקֵנוּ

Tsidqenu (pronounced tseed-qay-noo) means righteousness, so this name means “God, our righteousness.” It’s used twice in Jeremiah, chapters 23 and 33, to predict the Messiah. We’re not righteous. But through Jesus, we can appear righteous before God!