What are the main names of God in Hebrew?

The main names include Elohim (God, the Mighty One), YHWH (the personal name, “the LORD”), Adonai (Lord, Master), El Shaddai (God Almighty), El Elyon (God Most High), and compound names like Jehovah-Jireh (the LORD will provide).

What is the most sacred name of God?

YHWH (יהוה), the Tetragrammaton, is the most sacred name — God's personal name revealed to Moses. Out of reverence it is traditionally not pronounced; readers say “Adonai” (Lord) instead.

His names

The Names of God in Hebrew

In Hebrew, God is not named once but many times — and each name opens a different window onto who He is. Here are the great ones, and what they reveal.

Ancient Hebrew loves to name God by what He does and who He is. Learn a handful of these names and the Old Testament deepens everywhere — because each one is a small revelation.

Elohim — God, the Mighty One

אֱלֹהִים — the first name for God in the Bible, in Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning, Elohim created.” It is a plural form used with singular verbs — a fullness and majesty in the One God. Its root, El, means “mighty, strong.” Read the full article on Elohim →

YHWH — the personal Name

יהוה — the sacred, personal name of God (the Tetragrammaton), tied to “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). Most Bibles print it as “the Lord.” It is the name of the God who simply is. Read the full article on YHWH →

Adonai — Lord, Master

אֲדֹנָי — “my Lord,” “Master.” Out of reverence, Jewish readers say Adonai wherever the written name YHWH appears. It speaks of God's rightful ownership and rule over all.

El Shaddai — God Almighty

אֵל שַׁדַּי — “God Almighty,” the name by which God revealed Himself to Abraham (Genesis 17:1). It carries the sense of the all-sufficient, all-powerful God who is more than enough.

El Elyon — God Most High

אֵל עֶלְיוֹן — “God Most High,” first spoken by Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18–20). This is the name at the heart of this whole site: the Highest One, above every other power and every other so-called god.

Jehovah-Jireh — the LORD will provide

יְהוָה יִרְאֶה — “the LORD will provide,” the name Abraham gives after God provides a ram in place of his son (Genesis 22:14). It points forward to the ultimate provision at the Cross. Read the full article on Jehovah-Jireh →

No single word could hold Him. So He gave us many names — and every one is true at once.

Other names fill out the picture: El Roi, “the God who sees me” (Hagar, Genesis 16:13); YHWH Rapha, “the LORD who heals”; YHWH Nissi, “the LORD my banner”; YHWH Shalom, “the LORD is peace.” Learn to spot them, and the God of the Bible steps into sharper and sharper focus.