What are the different names for Jesus and God and why do they have them?
The Devotional Answer
The names of God and Jesus are not just labels; they are windows into the heart of the Almighty. Devotionally, knowing their names helps you know Them. When you are seeking provision, you call Him Jehovah Jireh (The LORD Will Provide). When you need salvation, you call Him Jesus (God Saves).
By using these names and titles in your prayers and study, you are deliberately engaging with that specific aspect of His character, which deepens your trust and faith in His complete sufficiency for every situation.
The Simple Answer
God the Father and Jesus Christ have many names because no single word can capture their infinite nature. Each name reveals a specific function or attribute:
For God (The Father): The names often emphasize His power as Creator and His covenant relationship with humanity. The most central names are Elohim (Creator God) and Yahweh (The LORD, the self-existent One).
For Jesus (The Son): The titles emphasize His dual identity as both God and man, and His role as Savior and King. The most central titles are Jesus (Savior) and Christ (Anointed One/Messiah).
The Deeper Dive
Here are some of the most important names and titles and the truth they reveal:
A. Names for God the Father (Old Testament Focus)
Elohim (Strong One): This is the generic Hebrew term for God, emphasizing His power and creative might (Genesis 1:1, In the beginning Elohim created...). It is often plural in form, hinting at the Trinity.
Yahweh (The LORD): This is God’s personal, covenant name revealed to Moses ("I AM WHO I AM"—Exodus 3:14). It emphasizes His eternal, self-existent nature and His promise to be present with His people. When you see "LORD" in all caps in English Bibles, it is translating Yahweh.
Adonai (Lord/Master): This emphasizes God's authority and sovereignty as the Master to whom we owe obedience.
Compound Names (Revealing Roles): These names link Yahweh with a verb to describe His provision:
Jehovah Jireh: The Lord Will Provide (Genesis 22:14).
Jehovah Rapha: The Lord Who Heals (Exodus 15:26).
Jehovah Shalom: The Lord is Peace (Judges 6:24).
B. Names and Titles for Jesus (New Testament Focus)
Jesus: This is His human name, given by the angel, and it means "The LORD Saves" (Matthew 1:21). This name states His mission: to save His people from their sins.
Christ / Messiah: This is not His last name; it is a title meaning "Anointed One." In the Old Testament, kings, priests, and prophets were anointed. This title confirms that Jesus is the long-awaited, specially appointed King/Savior of Israel.
Son of God: This title emphasizes His divinity and shared nature with the Father. It affirms He is equal to God (John 5:18).
Son of Man: This title, which Jesus most often used for Himself, emphasizes His full humanity and His role as the prophesied figure from Daniel 7 who would establish an eternal kingdom.
Immanuel: Meaning "God with us" (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). This name perfectly captures the Incarnation—that God, in the person of Jesus, literally came to dwell among us.
Word (Logos): The Apostle John uses this title to emphasize Jesus’ role in creation and His function as the expression of God’s mind (John 1:1, 14).
God’s Assurance
God assures you that His names are powerful and reflect a character that is completely trustworthy.
"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe." — Proverbs 18:10 (NIV)
You are assured that every one of God's names stands as a promise. When you call upon Him using His names, you are expressing faith in that specific, glorious aspect of His nature.
Your Takeaway Thought
Do not treat these names as just words. Use them in your devotional life! When you are afraid, call Him Jehovah Shalom (The Lord is Peace). When you need forgiveness, remember His name is Jesus (The Lord Saves). Learning these names will transform your prayer life into a deeper conversation based on the certainty of His character.
