Knowing God Through His Names, Part 2
Learn the meaning of four powerful names of God in the Old Testament and see how each one reveals His character and care for you.
God reveals His character and who He is through His names. In this series, we are learning the Names of God and why they matter so much.
In the Bible, God reveals His nature and His character through His names. In this post, The Names of God, Part 2, we will look at what God calls Himself and why these names are so important for us to know.
In ancient times, a name was closely tied to a person’s character. Even today, our names often carry meaning and shape how others think of us. When God reveals Himself by a specific name, He is showing us something very special about who He is.
The Names of God is a three-part series that introduces God’s revealed names in the Old Testament. If you have not read The Names of God, Part 1, you may want to begin there.
Last week, we studied seven names of God that show us His character. These names give us reason to cling to Him, not only in our times of need but with every breath we take. The Bible stories that surround His names reveal who God is and give us a glimpse of His power and love.
Today, let’s look at four more names of God in the Old Testament so we can know Him more personally.
The Names Of God And Their Meaning
JEHOVA RAPHA (yeh-ho-vah’ rah-fah’) – The Lord Who Heals
In Exodus 15:26, God reveals Himself as Jehovah Rapha. After leaving Egypt, the Israelites traveled three days without water. When they finally found water at Marah, it was bitter and undrinkable. The people began to complain, but Moses cried out to the Lord. God showed Moses a branch to throw into the water, and it became sweet and drinkable. The branch was a visible sign and pointed to God as the source of this miracle.
There, God made a promise: ” If you give earnest heed to the voice of the LORD your God (Yahweh Elohim), and do what is right in His sight, and give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your Healer.”
Jehovah Rapha means “The Lord Who Heals.” His healing reaches far beyond physical illness. He heals broken hearts, renews weary minds, restores relationships, and makes us whole spiritually. Are you in need of healing—physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually? Turn to Jehovah Rapha. Cry out to Him with your needs, for He is the Great Physician.
JEHOVA NISSI (yeh-ho-vah’ ni-see’) – The Lord My Banner, The Lord Is my Miracle
In Bible times, armies carried a banner into battle. This was not a fabric flag like we think of today, but a long pole topped with an insignia or bright ornament. Soldiers rallied under the banner, and it guided them in battle. It was a symbol of hope and encouragement.
The name Jehovah Nissi appears only once in Scripture, in Exodus 17. When the Amalekites attacked Israel, Moses raised his staff on a hill as the people fought. As long as his hands were lifted, Israel prevailed. When he grew tired, Aaron and Hur supported his arms, and Israel won the battle. Moses then built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.
Many scholars believe Amalek is a picture of our human flesh—always striving against the will of God, always demanding its own way. In the same way, we constantly battle against sin and weakness. Jehovah Nissi reminds us that God is our rallying point. He is the One who leads, strengthens, and secures victory for His people. When our eyes are fixed on Him, He shows us the way and gives us triumph over every enemy, including our own flesh.
JEHOVA MEKODDISHKEM (yeh-ho-vah’ M-qadash’-kem) – The Lord Who Sanctifies You, The Lord Who Makes Your Holy
Holy carries the idea of being set apart from everything else. When God is described as holy, it means He is completely “other than.” He is in a category all by Himself—separate, pure, and perfect. Nothing compares to Him.
When holiness is applied to us, it means God sets us apart for Himself. We are not to be defiled by our own whims or desires, nor are we to be corrupted by the world around us. Instead, we are called to live in a way that reflects God’s character. Believers are His special people, set apart for His purposes and His glory.
The word mekoddishkem comes from the Hebrew word qadash, which means sanctified, holy, and dedicated. Jehovah Mekoddishkem literally means “the Lord who sets you apart.” This name reminds us that God Himself is the One who makes us holy.
Jehovah Mekoddishkem is used twice in the Bible, with the first mention found in Exodus 31:13. God tells His people that He is the one who sanctifies them. This is not something we can do on our own. Holiness is always God’s work in us, as we yield to Him.
JEHOVA SHALOM (yeh-ho-vah’ sha-lome’) – The Lord Is Peace
The Hebrew word shalom is far deeper than our English word peace. It comes from the root word shalem, meaning whole, complete, and sound. Shalom speaks of well-being in every part of life—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It is the kind of peace that only God can give.
Shalom is a word to live by.
We see Jehovah Shalom in Judges 6:24. When Gideon built an altar to the Lord, he named it The Lord Is Peace. At that time, Israel was oppressed and desperately in need of God’s peace. Jehovah Shalom reminded them, and reminds us, that true peace is not found in circumstances but in God Himself.
God’s peace makes us whole. It quiets our hearts, gives rest to our minds, and secures us in His presence. The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:7: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Jehovah Shalom is a name to hold close. When life feels uncertain, or when fear and worry creep in, remember that God Himself is your peace.
Names Of God
Last week we looked at these names of God…
ELOHIM- GOD, CREATOR, JUDGE
EL ELYON- THE MOST HIGH GOD
EL ROI- THE OMNIPRESENT GOD
EL SHADDAI- THE ALMIGHTY GOD, THE SELF-SUFFICIENT ONE
ADONAI- LORD
YAHWEH- LORD, JEHOVAH, THE SELF-EXISTENT ONE, GOD’S MEMORIAL NAME TO ISRAEL
JEHOVAH RAPHA- THE LORD WHO HEALS
JEHOVAH NISSI- GOD IS MY BANNER
JEHOVAH MEKODDISHKEM- THE LORD WHO SANCTIFIES, THE LORD WHO MAKES HOLY
JEHOVAH SHALOM- THE LORD IS PEACE
Get a deeper look at these beautiful names HERE.
Next week, we will finish the names of God in the Old Testament.
God reveals Himself in His names. They are amazing glimpses of His character. He does not change but is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
Use the names of God when you pray. Yahweh is listening and loving you.
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I just wanted to thank you for this beautiful post. I learned something here, but mostly it was just a comfort to read.
Hi Dianna, I’m so glad you found comfort in our Great God’s names!
Look forward to your posts but for some reason for the last 2-3 weeks they have been delivered to my junk box. Has anyone else had this problem?
Lynn, take one of the newsletters and put them in you inbox and then they will start coming to your inbox.
Thanks, Yvonne, for another wonderful post. I have really enjoyed this study! Bless you for always bringing us your Sunday devotionals. There is always something we can take and put into practice in our walk with Him!
Thank you for sharing these lessons with us and I look forward to Part 3. May you experience GOD blessings as you teach others. ??????
Thank you and God bless you!
I guess I never really thought about it. I know several of these names but not all of them. What a wonderful God we celebrate. Aren’t we lucky? Several of these names immediately call songs to mind where the song is built around the name.
Have a blessed Sunday- Diana
So glad you hear from you, Diana! Call on God when you need Him by His names. God bless you.