God's 24 Names: Self Revealed vs. Human Given
- Brother Pastor
- Jul 17
- 7 min read
Below are God’s 24 biblical names that were self-revealed versus those assigned to Him by the biblical writers (Jehovah, Trinity, Godhead, Deliverer, etc).
"I AM WHO I AM"
Biblical Text: Exodus 3:14 – “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And he said, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: “I AM has sent me to you.” This revelation was in response to the prophet’s request for a name.
What Does ‘I AM WHO I AM’ mean: In some translations, this reads, “I Am That I Am.” God reveals Himself to Moses as the self-existent, eternal One. This name, the basis for ‘Yahweh,’ emphasizes His unchanging nature, sovereignty, and independence from creation but further, is the most complete description.
"The Lord (also Yahweh)
Biblical Text: Exodus 6:2-3 – “God spoke to Moses and said to him, ‘I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by my name the LORD, I did not make myself known to them.’”
What Does the Lord Mean: Yahweh declares “I am the LORD” as a covenant name, signifying a very personal relationship with His people and faithfulness to all promises. Let it not be missed that Jesus Christ is referred to as the same in the New Testament multiple times as well.
"God Almighty (El Shaddai)"
Biblical Text: Genesis 17:1 – “When Abram was ninety-nine years old the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless.”
What Does God Almighty mean: Yahweh introduces Himself to Abram, later ‘Abraham,’ as El Shaddai, emphasizing an all-sufficient power and ability to fulfill any covenant promises. Among these was granting Abraham a son and a homeland for his descendents.
"Jealous"
Biblical Text: Exodus 34:14 – “for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God)”
What Does God’s Name Jealous mean: The LORD announces His name as ‘Jealous,’ highlighting a passionate commitment to His people and a Holy demand for exclusive worship. This form of jealousy isn’t the human emotion which has a basis in fear. I mean, what has the Creator of the universe to fear?
"The Lord, The Lord, a God Merciful and Gracious"
Biblical Text: Exodus 34:6-7 – “The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty…’”
What Does LORD, the LORD, a Merciful and Gracious God mean: God's attributes of mercy, grace, patience, love, and justice, reveals God’s compassionate yet righteous character. What is even heavier, at least in my view, is God not only possesses these virtues but also created and defined them.
"Alpha and Omega (Beginning and the Ending)"
Biblical Text: Revelation 1:8 – “I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
What Does God as Alpha and Omega mean: God declares, through Jesus Christ, the Son manifestation of the Godhead, that He and He alone is the beginning and end of all things, emphasizing eternal sovereignty.
"The First and The Last"
Biblical Text: Isaiah 44:6 – “Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.’”
What Does God is the First and Last mean: Yahweh asserts sovereign supremacy, declaring Himself the sole Deity who encompasses all existence from beginning to end, leaving no doubt “I AM THAT I AM.”
"Holy One of Israel"
Biblical Text: Isaiah 41:14 – “Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I am the one who helps you, declares the LORD; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.”
What Does Holy One of Israel mean: In this revelation, our God declares He is the Holy One, emphasizing a perfect purity, a set-apart nature, as well as His role as Israel’s Redeemer. Furthermore, and through Jesus, He is also the Savior of the entire world who, once saved, are the ‘Israel of God.’
"Your (Our) Redeemer"
Biblical Text: Isaiah 43:14 – “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: For your sake I will send to Babylon and break down all the bars…”
What Does God is a Redeemer mean: As the Redeemer, our God delivers all who are willing from bondage, reflecting an eternal saving power and love for a creation who has fallen away. This theme is the entire basis for the existence of the biblical narrative.
"LORD of Hosts"
Biblical Text: Isaiah 6:3 – “And one called to another and said: Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” (i.e. God’s presence and self-revelation in the vision).
What Does the Lord of Hosts mean: Yahweh reveals another character trait as the commander of heavenly armies, signifying a supreme authority over all spiritual and earthly forces.
"Light of the World"
Biblical Text: John 8:12 – “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.’”
What Does Jesus Light of the World mean: Thus far, we have mainly presented The Father’s essence of the Godhead but as The Son, Jesus Christ also warrants presentation as well. In this “I Am” statement from the gospel of John, Christ declares He is the source of spiritual revelation, guiding humanity to truth and salvation as part of the Godhead.
"The Bread of Life"
Biblical Text: John 6:35 – “Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
What Does Jesus Bread of Life mean: In this “I Am” statement from the gospel of John, Jesus self-identifies as the sustainer of spiritual life, fulfilling the deepest desire of humanity to connect with our Creator through divine provision.
"Gate for the Sheep"
Biblical Text: John 10:7 – “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.”
Why is Jesus a Gate for the Sheep: Our Lord Jesus describes Himself as the only way to salvation and safety for His followers. This should not be taken lightly because He later referred to Himself as ‘the Door.’
"The Good Shepherd"
Biblical Text: John 10:11 – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
What Does I Am the Good Shepherd mean: In this “I Am” statement, our Lord refers to Himself as The Good Shepherd, emphasizing an exclusive role as a caring, sacrificial leader who protects and guides His people.
"The Door"
Biblical Text: John 10:9 – “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”
How Can Jesus Be a Door: Jesus declares that He, and He alone, is the exclusive entryway to salvation, providing access to The Father’s kingdom. More plainly and if God’s Throne is a house, there is no basement, side, emergency or other access point: only the front door and His Name is Jesus Christ!
"The Way, The Truth and The Life"
Biblical Text: John 14:6 – “Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
What Does The Way, Truth and Life mean: Jesus asserts Himself as the sole path to God, embodying ultimate truth and the source of eternal life. Adding to the last section, not only is Christ the ‘door,’ He is what is on the inside of the house as well.
"True Vine"
Biblical Text: John 15:1 – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.”
How Can Jesus Be a Vine: Jesus describes Himself as the source of spiritual vitality, connecting believers to God and enabling them to bear fruit. He is the spiritual connective tissue between a redeemed people and their God.
"The Resurrection and The Life"
Biblical Text: John 11:25 – “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.’”
What Does The Resurrection and Life mean: Jesus declares His authority over death and His power to grant eternal life to those who believe in Him. More plainly, this means He will come back to Earth, resurrect the dead (bodily) and judge them.
"Lord God Almighty"
Biblical Text: Revelation 4:8 – “And the four living creatures… never cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!’”
Meaning of Lord God Almighty: Jesus is both Father and Son and along with the Holy Spirit, compromise the Godhead and is the all-powerful, eternal ruler, worshipped for His holiness and sovereignty.
"The God of Israel"
Biblical Text: Exodus 5:1 – “Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, “Let my people go…”’”
Who Is The God of Israel: God identifies as uniquely tied to Israel, emphasizing His covenant relationship with a chosen people. However, and through the life of Jesus Christ, there also now exists the ‘Israel of God’ which goes beyond the borders of any single nation!
"The Creator"
Biblical Text: Isaiah 40:28 – “Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth.”
Is the God of the Bible Creator: The Lord God declares Himself the Creator, the one who made all things, underscoring His ultimate authority and power over the entire universe and anything that may be beyond what our limited sight can see.
"The Everlasting Father"
Biblical Text: Isaiah 40:28 (see above).
Why is God Everlasting: God is everlasting, eternal and without time-based limits which highlights eternal existence beyond time as we understand it.
"The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob"
Biblical Text: Exodus 3:15 – “God also said to Moses, Say this to the people of Israel: The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.” This is my name forever…”
Who is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: Yahweh ties His identity to a covenant established with the patriarchs, emphasizing faithfulness across generations.
"Us/Our"
Biblical Text: Genesis 1:26 – “Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.’”
Why Does God Say Us: Yah uses plural pronouns, presenting the Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), and revealing their/His communal nature while affirming one God.
These 24 names are not by the declaration of humans like “Jehovah Jireh” and others and are assigned by the Lord, to Himself, reflecting eternal sovereignty.
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