El or Elohim
– generic word for ‘God’
– over 2,500 times in the Old Testament (OT)
– means strength, power or greatness
– Elohim is plural and indicates intensity and hints at trinity
El Shaddai
– ‘El’ often combined with another word to describe God in more detail
– El Shadai means ‘all powerful, self-sufficent’ ruler
El Elyon
– means ‘the God most High’
El Olam
– speaks of God’s timeliness, often connected with hope and security.
Jahweh
– occurs in the OT 6,800 times
– proper name for OT Israel’s God. Not used for pagan gods
– verb “to be” (debated by scholars)
Jahweh Sabbaoth
– often translated “the Lord Almighty”
Theos
– greek word for ‘God’
– in New Testament about 1,000 times
Kurios
– Jahweh often translated meaning “Lord”