YHWH of the Old Testament was the LORD JESUS CHRIST in the New Testament

 Does Matthew says, that YHWH in Old Testament is "the Father" in New Testament?

Disclaimer:

This is not systematic theology question. I am asking about specific passages content, and how and why they correlate. Hermeneutics allows to make exegesis on narrations, also, not only on passages. For evidence of that, please, see all answers on this site.

Context:

There is a major name of God in Old Covenant, used right throughout it, since Genesis 2:4, spelled Yahweh. First statement for Yahweh is whom be The Creator of all, "earth and heavens".

There is an expansively used term for God's name, "The Father", in New Covenant, used not that much as is Yahweh used in Old C., but still quite significantly, since Matthew 5:16. First statement for "The Father" is that Him being "in heavens"; though that don't give much right in the eye, but later we do have bold description that "The Father" is The Creator of all:

Matthew 5:45: His sun He doth cause to rise on evil and good, and He doth send rain on righteous and unrighteous

Matthew 6:26: look to the fowls of the heaven, for they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather into storehouses, and your heavenly Father doth nourish them

Matthew 11:25: Father, Lord of the heavens and of the earth (the most bold one)

Conclusion to examine:

It is clear (seems to me), that what is applied to Yahweh in Genesis 2:4, is applied similarly, or I would say equally, to "The Father" in Matthew 11:25, and other places.

To note for the context, it is also known, that NT is full of quotes and rephrased quotes from OT.

Question:

Does, by doing that, NT author (here - Matthew) state, that YHWH in Old Testament is "the Father" in New Testament.

The New Testament including Matthew projects God the Father as the Yahweh in Old Testament. It also projects Lord Jesus Christ as the Yahweh in Old Testament.

Explanation

The fact is, God the Father is Lord of Heaven and of earth as described by Lord Jesus Christ and apostles.

“Answering at that time, Jesus said, I praise You, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth” (Mat 11:25).

“Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit, and said, I praise You, Father, Lord of Heaven and of earth” (Luke 10:21).

“The God who made the world and all things in it, this One being Lord of Heaven and of earth” (Acts 17:24).

We see the same in the Old Testament.

“I have lifted up my hand to Jehovah, the most high God, the possessor of Heaven and earth” (Gen 14:22).

“But now, Jehovah, You are our Father. We are the clay, and You are our Former; yea, we all are Your handiwork” (Is 64:8).

The fact also is that Lord Jesus Christ created the Heaven and earth on behalf of God the Father. This is witnessed by God the Father.

“God spoke…to the Son…You, Lord, at the beginning founded the earth, and the heavens are works of Your hands. They will vanish away, but You will continue; and they will all become old, like a garment, and You shall fold them up like a covering, and they shall be changed. But You are the same, and Your years shall not fail” (Hebrews 1:1, 8, 10).

“For all things were created in Him (Son), the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, the visible and the invisible; whether thrones, or lordships, or rulers, or authorities, all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Col 1:16).

“All things came into being through Him, and without Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being” (John 1:3).

We see the same in Old Testament.

“Before time You founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They shall perish, but You shall endure; yea, all of them shall wear out like a garment; You shall change them like clothing, and they shall be changed” (Ps 102:25-26).

[This is the passage God the Father quotes in Hebrews 1:10]

“Ah, Lord Jehovah! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and Your outstretched arm; not any thing is too difficult for You” (Jer 32:17).

“For all the gods of the peoples are idols; but Jehovah made the heavens” (Ps 96:5).

The truth is, God the Father made everything through Lord Jesus Christ. He did not make anything that was ever made without through His Son, the Word.

“but to us there is one God (Elohim), the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him, and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we by Him” (1 Cor 8:6).

“the fellowship of the mystery having been hidden from eternity in God, the One creating all things through Jesus Christ” (Eph 3:9).

“And He is before all things, and all things have subsisted in Him” (Col 1:17).

Do we see both the Father and the Word together in the Old Testament?

Yes.

“And Jehovah rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from Jehovah out of the heavens” (Gen 19:24).

[The one Yahweh was already on earth in human form who had visited Abraham together with two of His angels, also in human forms, described in detail in chapter 18]

Jesus clarifies who He really is:

“And on the seventh day God completed His work which He had made. And He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because He rested from all His work on it, which God had created to make” (Gen 2:2-3).

“For in six days Jehovah made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all which is in them, and He rested on the seventh day; on account of this Jehovah blessed the sabbath day and sanctified it” (Ex 20:11).

The above shows that it is Yahweh who is the Lord of the Sabbath.

But in the New Testament, we see it is Jesus who is the Lord of the Sabbath.

“And He said to them, The Son of Man is Lord of the sabbath also” (Luke 6:5).

Conclusion

So, the answer is in the affirmative: Yahweh in the Old Testament is God the Father. Yahweh in the Old Testament is Lord Jesus Christ

This morning, as my wife and I took our daily walk along a country road in northern California, I was thinking about this question. The clear blue sky highlighted the spectacular pine and redwood trees. The weather was crisp and the bright morning sun created sharp shadows of us on the road.

It occurred to me that my umbra was the projection of my 3D body onto a 2D world. Everything I did, my 2D shadow instantly copied. Nothing that my shadow did was from its own initiative. We were separate and yet united. The 2D world could not possibly comprehend 3D. And any 3D explanation by a 2D philosopher or theologian would be ridiculously incomplete, flawed, and inadequate.

How much more so are our own puny attempts to describe God and his relationship with his son, Jesus? (a kal v’chomer argument)

Question: Does Matthew say that YHWH in Old Testament is "the Father" in New Testament?

Answer: The question is basically as misleading as asking whether my 3D self is my 2D shadow on the road. However, Jesus gives us an approximation using a father-son analogy, which is likely more accurate than my shadow analogy.

Scriptural background and support

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And my thoughts than your thoughts. – Isaiah 55:8-9 NASB

How high are the heavens above the earth? Can the tallest person on earth jump up and touch the sun? Could I have taught my silly poodle, Papi, to solve even simple linear equations or to read even children’s books? Yeah, good luck with that. But I did take him on walks and we had fun playing fetch.

Šəmaʿ Yīsrāʾēl YHWH ʾĕlōhēnū YHWH ʾeḥād. - Deuteronomy 6:4

Note: When recited, YHWH is pronounced “Adonai.”

This is the Shema, which can be translated as “Hear, O Israel. The LORD is our God, the LORD is one."

The word “one” in this verse is not yachid (one solitary, SH3173) but echad (one unity, SH259) as in Genesis 2:4 where Adam and Eve shall become one (echad) flesh--joined together as one in unity. This is a hint on the relationship between the Father and the Son.

The fabric of context

It’s been estimated that the Bible contains nearly 64,000 allusions, references, and quotes with it, making a complete “fabric of context.” From that perspective, we need to be careful about picking out a single thread. So let me pick out several with care.

On the nature of Jesus

What do we know from scripture about the identity and nature of Jesus of Nazareth? All of the following are considered true statements:

In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Word (Logos) was with God, and the Word (Logos) was God. – John 1:1 NASB (see also Hebrews 11:3 and Revelation 19:13)

And GOD SAID . . . (way·yō·mer ’ĕ·lō·hîm) – Genesis 1:3a

The “God Said” is the “Word of God.”

[God] . . . in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. - Hebrews 1:2-3a NASB

I and the Father are one. – John 10:30 NASB

These statements can be very roughly applied to my 2D shadow, except that my shadow is not an exact representation of me, a manifestation of my glory (such as it is), or the personification of my thoughts and words.

You heard that I said to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. – John 14:28 NASB

Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in the same way. – John 5:19 NASB

These sound a little like my shadow, but again in a very rough and limited sense.

On that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you. - John 14:20 NASB

Interesting. So, Jesus is telling us that sometime in the future, we will fully know that our relationship with Jesus will be similar to the relationship between Jesus and the Father.

We will then accurately know how we’re in Jesus and Jesus is in us as well as the relationship between the Father and the Son.

God's Calling The Saints

 CALLING IN THE MYSTERY OF GOD

Dearly beloved, if you have been walking in the Light of this hour, you should by now have realised the depth of God's love for us when he sent a Prophet-Messenger to turn us back to His Full Word which our Apostolic Fathers (the Church's first Apostles) had laid down in the Holy Scriptures. 

In so doing, He is separating the God's few chosen ones, from the many so-called Christians, to be prepared as a Bride for His glorious coming. 

From as early as the First Century A.D., the Church of God has been in spiritual darkness under the leadership of wicked and evil men, and many truths have either been watered down or distorted. 

But the hour has come for God to perfect His Endtime Church by His Word under the “Ascension Gifts” Ministry of Ephesians 4:11-16. 

{Ephesians 4:11-16; King James Version;¹¹ And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

¹² For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

¹³ Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

¹⁴ That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

¹⁶ From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.}

We are to adorn ourselves with the Revelation of the Word which God has so graciously bestowed upon us at this present time. 

Let us not forget that it is the very Love of God which is shed upon us by the Spirit that opens our spiritual eyes to see His Precious Word of Truth, and to understand the Mystery of His Will, even the Truth of our calling in the Gospel of His Son. 

Apostle Paul prayed: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe,…”– Ephesians 1:17-19a

In one way or another, all Bible lovers understand the Gospel of God, how that God sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, into this world to save us from our sins (John 3:16-21). 

We know that He came through the nation of the Jews unto whom the Gospel was first given (Rom.1:16). But because they rejected their Messiah, God blinded them temporarily and turned to the other nations until the full number of the Gentiles is complete (Rom.11:25). Of course, all these were foreknown and predestinated of God as evidenced in the various prophecies of the Old Testament prophets even before they happened. This is the MYSTERY which the Apostle Paul received from the Lord and which he later disclosed in his letters to his converts (Eph.2:8-3:12 and Rom.16:25-26). This “MYSTERY OF GOD” — the grafting in of the Gentiles to the Gospel of God that was ordained for the children of Israel (and which was declared unto His servants, the prophets [of the Old Testament]) — will be brought to a close at the sounding of the Voice of the Seventh Star-Messenger to the Laodicean Church Age (Rev.10:7).

All those who are called into this Gospel of Christ have the same hope for there is only one Body of Christ as there is only one Spirit (Eph.4:4). However, not all who claim to be called are truly called by the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many are called into a social gospel. There are those who follow the religious traditions and philosophy of men. Paul said that there is only “ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD and FATHER of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph.4:5-6). But what do we have today? There are no less than 30,000 different sects and divisions among the 300-odd denominations in Christendom!

In the little text of Ephesians 4:4-6, apostle Paul used the word “ONE” seven times to help us understand that the Gospel CALLING is related to the ONE (not two or three) PERSONALITY OF GOD. 

It is not (One) God in (another) God, or (One) God in three persons, but (One) God in the Man, Christ Jesus, reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19; 1 Timothy 3:16). 

Because there is only ONE BODY, there is only ONE SPIRIT of God, not Three Spirits (or 3 Persons) of God. The ONE and the SELFSAME SPIRIT (the Father – Jhn.14:10) that dwelled in Christ Jesus and raised Him up from the dead is the ONE that baptizes the believers into the ONE BODY of Christ. This is the essential ONE BAPTISM that puts a believer into the ONE BODY (1 Cor.12:13). There is only ONE LORD (not Three Lords); ONE GOD (not Three Gods), and FATHER of all, who is above all, and through all, and in all the saints.

Yes, all the “ONE” that Paul mentioned cannot be divided. Read Ephesians 1:10.

HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS 

understand the simplicity of the Truth of God

 PREDESTINATION BY FOREKNOWLEDGE

The Doctrine of Predestination has been misunderstood by many church-goers. 

While some would discard this Truth for some other traditional explanations, others would fight it as being from the pit of hell.

Carnal religious men, trapped in the framework of church traditions and theology, could never understand the simplicity of the Truth of God. 

How could they claim to believe in an Omnipotent and Omniscient God while denying Him the power to foreordain what He has foreknown.

Now, when God predestinates, He does not merely choose a sinner to make a Christian out of him, and leave another in his own sinful state to be cast into the Lake of Fire. 

No, certainly not, for that would make God unjust in His thoughts and actions. 

But God is a just God (Deuteronomy 32:4; Isaiah 45:21). 

{Amplified Bible: Deuteronomy 32:4,“The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness without iniquity (injustice), Just and upright is He.}

{Isaiah 45:21, New International Version;

 Declare what is to be, present it—

    let them take counsel together.

Who foretold this long ago,

    who declared it from the distant past?

Was it not I, the Lord?

    And there is no God apart from me,

a righteous God and a Savior;

    there is none but me. }

How could He be just if He picked and chose some to be His children and left the others to be condemned?

The answer lies in His foreknowledge of all things even before they existed. 

Being All-knowing, He was able to know who would and who would not accept His Gospel of salvation in Christ Jesus. 

For those who would, God then chose and predestinated them, in His love and according to the good pleasure of His Will, to be adopted as His children through Christ Jesus. 

Apostle Paul said: “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them he also called: and whom He called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them He also glorified.” – in Romans 8:29-30 .

“…but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to HIS own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”– 2 Timothy 1:8b-9

Thank God for His Divine Purpose in us. Amen!

See, what had the ALL-POWERFUL God done? 

He predestinated, called, justified and glorified all those whom He foreknew BEFORE the foundation of the world TO BE CONFORMED TO the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. 

(Hence, we do not merely believe in the Doctrine of Predestination, but in the Doctrine of Predestination by Foreknowledge.) 

Apostle Paul was even persuaded that nothing — absolutely nothing — can separate the chosen ones from the LOVE of God which is in Christ Jesus. 

God's gifts and calling are irrevocable. 

(Read Romans 8:35-39; 11:29 { for God’s gifts and HIS call are irrevocable.}) 

{Romans 8:35-39; New International Version; ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

    we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”[Psalm 44:22]

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[nor heavenly rulers] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.}

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS 

THE OMNIPOTENT AND OMNISCIENT GOD

 THE WILL AND PURPOSE OF GOD

Now, since God is omnipotent and omniscient He has always been able to look into the future from the beginning, even before anything was created.

 As such, He was able to prepare a remedy for man whom He knew would fall.

“But why did God go ahead and create man if He knew that he would fall and cause the miserable conditions that exist in the world today?” 

This is a very common question often asked by many people who could not accept God as their Creator. 

I pity such people. 

It is often their pride which causes them to think that they are smarter or wiser than their Creator. 

If only they could realise what Isaiah the prophet of God had written:

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returned not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall MY WORD be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:7-11

The WORD which goes forth out of the mouth of God is the Expression of God's Thought, and It will accomplish Its purpose. 

Therefore no one can thwart whatever God had planned to do. 

The carnal-minded men of the earth cannot understand God's purpose for mankind. 

The things of God are spiritually discerned; only the spiritually minded can appreciate them. (Read 1 Corinthians 2:6-16). 

{1 Corinthians 2:6-16, King James Version: 

⁶ Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

⁷ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

⁸ Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

⁹ But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

¹⁰ But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

¹¹ For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

¹³ Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

¹⁴ But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

¹⁵ But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

¹⁶ For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.}

Yes, the Thoughts of God are higher than our thoughts. 

He is the Creator and we are His creations. 

He is the Potter and we are the clay. Can the clay say to the Potter, “Why have you made me so?” The Potter has the power over the clay to fashion it whichever way He pleases. And the clay will never know the Potter's intention unless it submits to His will.

It is obvious that God had a plan and purpose for fallen mankind even before He created them for He is the God of Love Who is rich in Grace and Mercy. 

Through His creations, God manifests Himself as the Creator. 

It is for His Own good pleasure (Genesis1:1; Colossians1:16-18a; Revelation 4:11). 

{ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ~ Genesis 1:1}

{Colossians 1:16-18 , New King James Version:¹⁶ For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or [rulers] principalities or [authorities] powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. ¹⁸ And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. }

{ “You are worthy, [our Lord and God]O Lord,

To receive glory and honor and power;

For You created all things, 

And by Your will they exist and were created.” ~ Revelation 4:11}

But in all that, He wants a family as a tabernacle to dwell in, and a people to dwell with. 

He wants a people that is perfect and obedient to Him. 

However, nothing can truly reach the state of perfection unless it is put to the test — like gold being put in the furnace, clay being put in the fire and diamond being cut and polished. 

Similarly, man must be tested. 

It is just God's purpose. 

St. Paul wrote: “For the creation (nature) was subjected to frailty – to futility, condemned to frustration – not because of some intentional fault on its part, but by the will of Him Who so subjected it. [Yet] with the hope that nature (creation) itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption [and gain an entrance] into the glorious freedom of God's children.”– Romans 8:20-21 (Amplified Bible)

Praise God! May He grant us the understanding of His ways. (Read Psalm 119:27; Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.)

HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS 

question about God's power

 The most famous paradoxical question about God's power is, "Can God create a rock so heavy that He cannot lift it?"

People call this puzzle the omnipotence paradox.

 It tests the idea that God can do anything.

How the Paradox Works

If God cannot make the rock: Then His power has a limit, meaning He is not all-powerful.

If God makes the rock and cannot lift it: Then He faces a limit again, meaning He is still not all-powerful.

How Philosophers Answer It

Thinkers and theologians usually respond in a few ways:

• Logical Limits: Being all-powerful means doing everything that is logically possible. It does not mean doing logical nonsense. Asking for a rock too heavy for an all-powerful God is like asking for a "square circle." It is a misuse of language, not a real limit on power.

• Redefining Power: Power means having all actual power. It does not include the ability to make a self-contradiction happen.

THE ALL-KNOWING & ALL-POWERFUL GOD

And during the seminar, this question was raised: “Does God know who would accept the Gospel and who would not?”

He said: “God knows everything, but in this matter He chose not to know.”

What folly! That answer reminded me of a paradoxical question often asked by the unbelievers concerning God's power: “If God is All-Powerful, can He make a rock big enough that He is unable to carry?” 

A positive or a negative answer to the question would immediately render the All-Powerful God helpless and hopeless. 

Similarly, if the answer given was right, it would mean that God had chosen not to care about the welfare of mankind when He really did, and does, care (Psalm40:5; 1Peter 5:7). 

{ Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered. ~ Psalm 40:5 }

[Amplified Bible: casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].~ 1 Peter 5:7]

Then again, can a person choose not to know something which he already knew? 

Of course, the Almighty God can choose to do that, but to do so would mean that He has to blot out from His thoughts those things which He had purposed to do.

God does not change His Mind about His Original Word or Plan. 

He cannot contradict Himself. 

He must fulfill His Word, even if it means hurting Himself. 

And He demonstrated His great Divine Love for humanity when He sent His Only Begotten Son to die on the cross to redeem mankind. 

He not only chose to redeem but had also chosen to forgive and forget the sins of all who would call upon Him as their Saviour. 

Yes, in this case we can say that He had chosen to forgive and forget all our sins which He knew that we would commit even before we came into existence in this world. 

And redemption is given through the Blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will and the riches of His Glorious Grace.

May God help us to see His Purpose in us as we seek to understand His Word.

Could an omnipotent being create a rock so big that it cannot move it?

This question has occupied the minds of philosophers, scientists, theologians, and atheists for centuries. 

It is sometimes called the paradox of the stone, or the omnipotence paradox because it seems to get at the core difficulty in the assumption that some deity might possess the power to do…everything. 

If such a supposed deity cannot create some really big thing, then it can’t be said to be truly omnipotent. 

Heck, you or I could do that, right? 

So let’s assume any being with the rocks to call itself omnipotent would also possess the ability to do something even you or I can do. 

But then there’s this other problem: once such a rock has been created, the all-powerful deity isn’t powerful enough to move it, which takes some of the potency out of that supposed omnipotence.

The paradoxical question can be restated as a proposition X:

X: An omnipotent deity can create a rock so big it cannot move it.

Since theology is not science or mathematics (despite some attempts to axiomatize it), this proposition can never be formally proved one way or another within that realm. 

Nevertheless, many different arguments have been made over the centuries, often by Christian apologists, that start to feel like attempts to prove or disprove the omnipotence proposition and thereby rescue the idea of omnipotence. Here are some of them, in highly abbreviated form.

God could create the rock, but He would never choose to do something that contradicts His omnipotence, therefore X is false, but only because He would choose not to exercise omnipotence in this case — Augustine of Hippo, c. 400

X is illogical, and God cannot do anything illogical, therefore X is false, but does not diminish His omnipotence— Thomas Aquinas, c. 1260

God is not bound by the rules of logic and reason, therefore X is true — Rene Descartes, 1641

Our language is insufficiently expressive to even talk about omnipotence, therefore X is neither true nor false — Ludwig Wittgenstein, 1922

X is nonsense…

HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS 

Revelation of the One True God

 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved, in whom we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; ⁹ having made known unto us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure which He hath purposed in Himself: that in the dispensation of the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him: in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, ¹¹ being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.” – Ephesians1:3-11

This passage of the Holy Scriptures clearly shows us that all born again children of God were chosen in Christ by the Almighty God Himself before the foundation of the world and should be holy and blameless before Him in love. 

It also tells us that the Loving God had predestinated us to be adopted as His own children through Christ according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of His Glorious Grace which He has so freely given to us in His Beloved One. 

Yes, it is in Christ Jesus and through His Blood that we are redeemed and forgiven of our sins.

The first chapter of the Book of Ephesians is indeed rich in spiritual nutrients for the souls of the saints of God. Meditate on the Word of God, day and night, and receive the revelational knowledge of your Father God concerning Himself. 

 It is one of several places in the Holy Scriptures where God has so clearly revealed His Personality and His divine purpose unto His elect.

 The singular personal pronouns such as “He”, “Him”, “His” and “Himself” which apostle Paul used when referring to the Almighty God clearly show us that God is ONE SPIRIT. 

Apostle Paul would not have written it that way if he had believed that God was a Trinity of three co-equal Gods, namely the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, which most Christians today believe. 

Verse 9 alone is sufficient for any true child of God to understand that God is ONE and not Three. 

It says “having made known unto us the mystery of His (not Their) will, according to HIS (not Their) good pleasure which He (not They) hath purposed in HIMSELF (not Themselves).” 

[Note carefully the last phrase of verse 11 which states: “…after the counsel of HIS OWN (not Their) will”.]

HIS INHERITANCE IN THE SAINTS 

Yahweh and other names of God in the Bible

 Yahweh

Who is Yahweh?

Yahweh is the name for the God of the Israelites, representing the biblical pronunciation of YHWH, the Hebrew name revealed to Moses. This name, known as the tetragrammaton, consists of the Hebrew consonants Yod, Heh, Waw, and Heh.

After the Babylonian Exile, Jews began to use "Elohim" (meaning "God") more frequently, and the name Yahweh was considered too sacred to utter. It was replaced in synagogue rituals with "Adonai" (meaning "My Lord"). Christian scholars later combined the consonants YHWH with the vowels of Adonai, resulting in the Latinized name "Jehovah".

Scholars now widely use the form Yahweh, as early Christian writers also used this pronunciation. The meaning of Yahweh is debated, but many scholars suggest it means "He Brings into Existence Whatever Exists". Yahweh is considered the creator and ruler of the universe.

Yahweh is central to Judaism as the name revealed to Moses, representing the God of the Israelites. This name signifies a personal relationship between God and the Jewish people, emphasizing divine sovereignty and guidance throughout history. While later Jews substituted "Adonai" (My Lord) out of reverence, the concept of Yahweh as the one true God is fundamental to Jewish faith and practice. This belief underscores God's role as creator, lawgiver, and redeemer, shaping Jewish identity and their unique covenantal relationship with the divine.

In the Hebrew Bible, Yahweh is described as the God of the Israelites, revealed to Moses in the book of Exodus. The name YHWH, known as the tetragrammaton, is the Hebrew name for God. While early interpretations suggest meanings like "He Brings into Existence Whatever Exists" or "He Brings the Hosts into Existence," the precise meaning has been debated. After the Babylonian Exile, the name Yahweh was used less frequently, replaced by "Elohim" (meaning "God") and "Adonai" (meaning "My Lord") out of reverence. The pronunciation "Yahweh" has been used by scholars since the 19th century, with early Christian writers also using similar forms.

The worship of Yahweh began with Moses, who encountered the deity at a burning bush in Midian. This God identified himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and revealed his name to Moses as Yahweh, meaning "He Who Creates". This revelation established Yahweh as the sovereign Lord over nature and the world.

Later, at Mount Sinai, Yahweh appeared in a storm, solidifying a covenant with the Hebrews. This covenant established Yahweh as the sole God for Israel, emphasizing obedience to his will and law. While initially a storm god like the Canaanite Baal, Yahweh evolved into the Lord of history, a transcendent deity who presided over his chosen people and eventually all of world history. This understanding of Yahweh as the one God who counts for Israel, and the rejection of other deities, forms the basis of Jewish faith.

Yahweh, name for the God of the Israelites, representing the biblical pronunciation of “YHWH,” the Hebrew name revealed to Moses in the book of Exodus. The name YHWH, consisting of the sequence of consonants Yod, Heh, Waw, and Heh, is known as the tetragrammaton.

After the Babylonian Exile (6th century bce), and especially from the 3rd century bce on, Jews ceased to use the name Yahweh for two reasons. As Judaism became a universal rather than merely a local religion, the more common Hebrew noun Elohim (plural in form but understood in the singular), meaning “God,” tended to replace Yahweh to demonstrate the universal sovereignty of Israel’s God over all others. At the same time, the divine name was increasingly regarded as too sacred to be uttered; it was thus replaced vocally in the synagogue ritual by the Hebrew word Adonai (“My Lord”), which was translated as Kyrios (“Lord”) in the Septuagint, the Greek version of the Hebrew Scriptures.

The Masoretes, who from about the 6th to the 10th century ce worked to reproduce the original text of the Hebrew Bible, added to “YHWH” the vowel signs of the Hebrew words Adonai or Elohim. YAHWEH 

Latin-speaking Christian scholars replaced the Y (which does not exist in Latin) with an I or a J (the latter of which exists in Latin as a variant form of I). 

Thus, the tetragrammaton became the artificial Latinized name Jehovah (JeHoWaH). 

As the use of the name spread throughout medieval Europe, the initial letter J was pronounced according to the local vernacular language rather than Latin.

NAMES OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT / HEBREW BIBLE

Name of God / Meaning in English (Bible Verses)

El Shaddai / God Almighty (Genesis 17:1, Genesis 28:3, Genesis 35:11)

’Eh·yeh / I Am (Exodus 3:14)

El Elyon / The Most High God (Psalm 57:2, Genesis 14:18, Psalm 78:35)

Adonai / Lord (Genesis 15:2, Exodus 4:10, Joshua 7:8)

YHWH / He Who Is (Genesis 2:4, Genesis 2:21, Deuteronomy 6:2)

YHWH Nissi / The Lord Is My Banner (Exodus 17:15)

YHWH Raah / The Lord My Shepherd (Psalm 23:1, Genesis 49:24, Psalm 80:1)

YHWH Rapha / The Lord Who Heals (Exodus 15:26)

YHWH Shammah / The Lord Is There (Ezekiel 48:35)

YHWH Tsidkenu / The Lord Our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6, Jeremiah 33:16)

YHWH Mekoddishkem / The Lord Who Sanctifies (or sets apart) [Exodus 31:13, Leviticus 20:8]

El Olam / God the Eternal (Genesis 21:33, Jeremiah 10:10, Isaiah 26:4)

Elohim / God (Genesis 1:1, Exodus 3:12, Deuteronomy 7:9)

Qanna / Jealous God (Exodus 20:5, Exodus 34:14, Deuteronomy 5:9)

YHWH Jireh / The Lord Will Provide (Genesis 22:14)

YHWH Shalom / The Lord Is Peace (Judges 6:24)

YHWH Sabaoth / Lord of Hosts or Lord of the Powers (Jeremiah 9:15, 1 Samuel 1:3, Malachi 1:6)

Looking at all the different names of God, you’ll notice that most of them begin with either El or YHWH. 

El was originally the name of the supreme god of the Canaanites, some of whom became the Israelites later. 

Once the Israelites separated themselves as a people, some continued to call their own supreme deity El.

YHWH, on the other hand, is a set of four consonants in Hebrew (Yod, He, Waw, He) often called the tetragrammaton, Greek for “four letters,” and is the most common name of God in the Hebrew Bible, occurring 5,410 times. 

At the time the name first appeared, Hebrew had no written vowels. 

Instead, those who could read and write the language simply knew which vowel sounds occurred in the relation between certain consonants.

In his commentary on the Hebrew Bible, Robert Alter argues that the original pronunciation of the tetragrammaton would have been “YAH-way.” 

However, there is no perfect scholarly consensus on this pronunciation. 

 In The Invention of God, Thomas Römer claims people would have pronounced the Tetragrammaton as 'Yahô' or 'Yahû. 

However, Max Reisel argues in The Mysterious Name of Y.H.W.H that YHWH would instead have been pronounced YeHūàH. 

In addition, some Christian groups, starting in the Middle Ages, pronounced the name as “Jehovah,” a pronunciation that some, like Jehovah’s Witnesses, continue to this day. 

As far as I’m aware, no biblical scholar agrees that this is the correct pronunciation of the tetragrammaton.

Another interesting point about the tetragrammaton is that Jews are forbidden to pronounce it out of reverence, a practice that goes back centuries. 

When reading biblical passages in which YHWH is written, the most common practice is to substitute either the word Adonai, the Hebrew word for Lord or Master, or HaShem meaning simply “the name.”

Technically, Elohim is the plural of El and would thus mean “gods.” 

However, it is clear in the Old Testament that despite its grammatical plurality, the word is meant to signify a singular God since it’s used with singular verbs and adjectives.

Another interesting divine name is I Am, found only in Exodus 3:14. 

In this verse, after Moses has asked God’s name, God says “I am what I am (other translations say “I will be what I will be).” 

God then tells Moses to tell the Israelites “I am has sent me.” 

This could be understood as signifying that God is being itself, a metaphysical interpretation that both Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Aquinas derived from the name.

Qanna, Jealous God, is used by God himself in Exodus to command the Israelites not to worship any of the other gods which exist. 

This demonstrates, by the way, that the earliest parts of the Old Testament are not monotheistic, meaning that only one God exists, but henotheistic, meaning that although many gods exist, our God is the greatest.

Many of the YHWH names above are given to sacred places or things in the Old Testament. 

For example, YHWH Shalom, God is Peace, is given as a name to an altar made by Gideon in the book of Judges. 

YHWH Jireh, the Lord Provides, is given to Mount Moriah by Abraham after God intervenes to prevent the sacrifice of Isaac.

 And YHWH Shammah, The Lord Is There, is a symbolic name given to Jerusalem in the book of Ezekiel to indicate God’s presence in the holy city.

When the Hebrew Bible was translated into a Greek version called the Septuagint, the word YHWH was most often translated as Kyrios, the Greek word for Lord or Master. 

Interestingly, the Hebrew name YHWH never appears in the New Testament. 

This makes sense, though, because the New Testament authors read the Septuagint rather than the original Hebrew version of the Old Testament, and would thus have used the Greek word themselves in their writings.

Speaking of the New Testament, let’s look now at the names of God and their meaning, which changes depending on the verse.

NAMES OF GOD IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Name of God / Meaning in English (Bible Verses)

Theos / God (Mark 2:7, John 20:28, Romans 15:6)

Kyrios / Lord  (Matthew 2:19, Mark 11:3, Acts 9:11)

Pater / Father (Matthew 5:45, Mark 14:36, John 10:32)

Ho Theos Abraam, kai ho Theos Isaak, kai ho Theos Iakob / God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Mark 12:26, Acts 3:13, Matthew 22:32)

Pantokrator / Almighty (2 Corinthians 6:18, Revelation 1:8, Revelation 15:3)

To Alpha kai To Omega / The Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8, Revelation 21:6)

Ho Hosios / The Holy One (Revelation 16:5, Acts 2:27, 1 John 2:20)

Theos is by far the most common name for God in the New Testament, occurring 1,318 times. 

This makes sense since we know the authors of the New Testament were reading the Septuagint, where the Hebrew name Elohim had been translated into Theos. 

As such, the New Testament authors most often used this term to refer to God the Father.

The word Kyrios is also used to refer to God the Father but also refers often to Jesus. 

Like the Hebrew word Adonai, Kyrios can simply mean lord or master over anyone, a problem solved in the English version by capitalizing Lord when it refers to the divine.

Pater or Father seems to be Jesus’ preferred designation for God. 

In Harper's Bible Dictionary, it says that many ancient civilizations called their supreme gods father. 

This includes the ancient Greeks who called Zeus their father, as well as many near-eastern civilizations adjacent to the ancient Israelites. 

In the New Testament, the word Father also reinforces, of course, the notion that Jesus is God’s son.

When God is called “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” in the New Testament, it is a conscious effort to emphasize that the God of Jesus is the same God who intervened in the history of the Israelites.

 Pantokrator, literally “ruler over all,” is used mostly in the book of Revelation. 

This makes sense since Revelation is about God’s vindication of Christians despite the seemingly all-powerful rule of Rome. 

In the Septuagint, it is used as a translation of the Hebrew El Shaddai.

Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. 

As such, they signify the first and the last as a designation for God. 

This is made clear in Revelation 22:13 when Jesus claims the title for himself, adding that he is “The first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 

As a divine name, it emphasizes the eternality of God who existed before everything else and will exist after everything else has passed away, according to Revelation.

Ho Hosios or The Holy One refers to God the Father explicitly only once (Revelation 16:5). 

It refers to Jesus several times (Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34; and John 6:69) and could refer to either God or Jesus in 1 John 2:20.

Conclusion

There are many names of God in the Bible. 

In the ancient near-east, gods were always named and never simply called “god.” 

The Israelites of the Hebrew Bible inherited some of the names for their God from other near-eastern civilizations such as the Canaanites (El). 

Other names attributed characteristics to God such as peace, strength, everlastingness, and power.

The names for God in the New Testament weren’t nearly as prolific. 

The generic Greek word theos simply meant “God” and was the name used most often for the divine. 

Other names indicated how Christians and Jews viewed God — as a Father, as a ruler, as holy.

How Many Names of God Are There Are in the Bible? (Complete Answer)

August 25, 2026 by Lenny William

Have you ever wondered how many names God holds in the Scriptures? This inquiry reveals not only His identity but also His character, power, and relationship with humanity. Understanding the many names of God deepens our faith and helps us grasp how we can relate to Him more intimately.

This article explores the names of God found in the Bible, illuminating their meanings and significance. By learning about these names, you can enrich your prayer life and strengthen your connection with the Father.

How Many Names Of God Are There In The Bible?

The Bible contains over 100 distinct names and titles for God. Each name provides a unique perspective on His character, revealing His attributes and the ways He interacts with the world. This variety reminds believers of God’s multifaceted nature.

Navigating the Names

Understanding God’s names is not just an academic exercise; it changes how we pray and worship. Each name reflects a different aspect of God’s personality and actions.

These names are often used in various contexts, helping us relate to God personally. For example, some names emphasize His power, while others highlight His love or mercy. Reflecting on these names can enhance our understanding of His nature.

Significant Names of God

Let’s explore some of the most significant names used for God in the Bible.

Yahweh (LORD) – This personal name of God signifies His eternal existence (Exodus 3:14).

Elohim – A name that emphasizes God’s power as Creator (Genesis 1:1).

Adonai – Meaning “Lord” or “Master,” this name reflects God’s authority (Psalm 8:1).

El Elyon – This title signifies “God Most High,” showing His supremacy over all (Genesis 14:18).

El Roi – “The God Who Sees Me,” illustrating God’s awareness and care (Genesis 16:13).

Jehovah Jireh – Meaning “The Lord Will Provide,” reflecting God’s provision (Genesis 22:14).

Jehovah Shalom – This name means “The Lord Is Peace” (Judges 6:24).

Jehovah Nissi – “The Lord Is My Banner,” symbolizing victory (Exodus 17:15).

Jehovah Rapha – Means “The Lord Who Heals” (Exodus 15:26).

Exploring Specific Names

Each name carries weight and importance, shedding light on different attributes of God.

For instance, the name Yahweh captures God’s covenant relationship with His people. Consider how this relationship influences your walk of faith.

Elohim can deepen our awe for God’s omnipotence as we understand He spoke creation into existence. Have you ever marveled at the beauty of creation and recognized God’s hand in it?

The Power of God’s Names in Prayer

Understanding the names of God transforms prayer. When praying, invoking specific names can align our thoughts with God’s character.

Using the name Jehovah Jireh can remind you of God’s provision in times of need. You may find yourself comforted in acknowledging Him as Jehovah Rapha when seeking healing.

Practical Applications of God’s Names

Here are some practical ways to incorporate God’s names into your daily life:

Mediate on one name of God each day. Reflect on its meaning and how it applies to your life.

Use specific names of God in prayer to reinforce your faith in His provision, protection, or peace.

Share the significance of God’s names with others, helping them understand His character better.

Memorize scripture where these names appear, anchoring them in your heart.

The Names of God in the New Testament

The New Testament introduces names that highlight Jesus’ role and His relationship with God the Father.

Names such as Emmanuel, which means “God with us,” signifies the incarnation of Christ (Matthew 1:23). When you feel alone, remember that God is with you.

Jesus also refers to God as Father, introducing a relationship built on intimacy and trust. How can you embrace this aspect of God in your daily prayers?

Names That Speak to God’s Nature

Many names describe God’s attributes and qualities.

For example, God’s title as The Holy One emphasizes His purity and separation from sin (Isaiah 40:25). Contemplate how this quality shapes your understanding of His holiness.

His name, The Just One, reveals His righteousness and fairness (Acts 7:52). Reflect on how this understanding comforts you when faced with injustice.

The Relationship Between God’s Names and His Will

Understanding God’s names can lead to a clearer understanding of His will.

As you comprehend how God operates through His names, you see His plan more clearly. His names provide assurance of His presence and His working in every situation.

For example, knowing Him as Jehovah Shammah, “The Lord is There,” encourages you to trust Him in challenging times (Ezekiel 48:35).

Worship Through God’s Names

The names of God enrich our worship. Each name reflects a different facet of who He is, prompting us to respond in awe.

Incorporating these names into worship can deepen your experience. For instance, singing songs that declare Him as Jehovah Jireh can enhance recognition of His provision.

Consider creating a personal worship playlist that highlights songs related to God’s names. Feel His presence as you worship Him in spirit and truth.

Confession and the Names of God

The names of God can play a crucial role in confession. When we acknowledge God as our Righteous Judge, we recognize our need for His forgiveness.

Embracing His name as El Shaddai, “God Almighty,” reminds us of His sovereignty over our lives. In confession, how does recognizing His power encourage you to confess and receive His grace?

The Comprehensive Nature of God’s Names

The sheer number of names used for God illustrates His complexity. Each name opens a door to deeper understanding.

While it can be tempting to reduce God to a single attribute, these names invite believers to explore His many aspects. God’s nature must be experienced in its fullness.

Encouragement in God’s Names

The names of God serve as encouragement during hardship. When trials arise, recalling His name as “The God Who Sees Me” can bring comfort.

Reflect on specific instances where one of God’s names provided hope during tough times. How does this awareness shape your expectations in current struggles?

The Names and Their Implications for Us

Recognizing the names of God can lead to action. Each name presents an opportunity for personal application.

For instance, knowing God as Jehovah Rapha encourages us to pray for healing, both for ourselves and for others. Are you actively seeking God’s help through these names in your life?

Building Community Through God’s Names

Sharing the names of God fosters community within the body of Christ. Discussing how different names impacted individual experiences builds stronger connections.

In study groups, consider focusing on one name each week. Delve into its meaning, discover how it connects to the lives of group members, and pray collectively.

Continuing to Learn About God’s Names

As you grow in your faith, commit to continually learning about the many names of God. Scripture is rich with references waiting to be uncovered.

Read through the Psalms or the Prophets, where many names and attributes are celebrated. These readings can increase your admiration and worship of God.

In your exploration, engage with commentaries or blessed resources that delve deeper into the significance of God’s names. This diligent study cultivates a richer understanding of who God is.

Conclusion

In summary, the names of God in the Bible reveal His character, provide insight into His relationship with humanity, and encourage believers in their daily lives. Each name holds profound meaning and application, helping us grow deeper in our faith.

Consider integrating these names into your prayer life, worship, and fellowship. Embrace the richness of God’s names and let them transform your understanding of His nature.

Let this newfound knowledge inspire you to worship, pray, and serve boldly, knowing that each name reflects God’s magnificent character. Pray for insight and let His names guide you on your spiritual journey.