What Is In a Name?

In biblical times, a person's name represented their character. We see God changing the names of several people throughout the Old Testament when He was about to make a change in their life. But, what about God's name? We know His is our Father, but what other attributes does God have?

 

                    Elohim                       

This is the name of God first used in scripture. This is the name used for God as Creator, and is used the most throughout scripture.

 

El means strong or mighty, and is used in reference to all gods, including the Almighty God. 

 

him is a plural ending that means more than one

 

(Deut. 6:4 The Father, Son and Spirit are one.)

 

This is God, our creator and maker, represented first in Genesis 1:1.



 

El Elyon



This name for God is our strength, sovereignty, and stability. This name means the Most High. This the name in which sovereignty exists. In the passage of Abram defeating the kings in Genesis 14 is where we meet The Most High. This is where we meet Melchizedek, king of Salem, who was the priest of the Most High God. So, out of the sovereignty of God is where Jesus, our high priest, comes from.

 

                                                    El Roi

This is the name of for God who sees. When Hagar runs away from Sarai, this is the aspect of God that finds her in the desert and tells her to return to Sarai and submit herself. God does not sleep, and His eyes are not shut. He is not blinded to our needs, and supplies them in due time.

 

Baruch Haba Adonai

This name refers to the name of God when we submit our will to His, making Him Lord and Master over us. It is the name of God that we acknowledge when we give ourselves over to Him completely, giving Him absolute rule and reign in our lives.

El Shaddai

Shaddai means breasted, coming from the Hebrew word shad that means the breast. This is the name of God that says He will feed you, whether it be physically or spiritually. This is where the life and nourishment comes from. This is the aspect of God that sustains us, especially when our 'supplies' are diminished.

                                                    Yahweh/YHWH

This is the name used most frequently in the Old Testament. The Latinized version is Jehovah. It comes from the Hebrew word that means to be, or become. This is the God that always has been and aways will be. This is the I AM THAT I AM that was revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14. This is the Alpha and Omega, the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

                                             Jehovah - Jireh

This is name that Abraham gave to God when he provided the ram caught in the bush, to be sacrificed in place of his son Isaac. This is the name we call on when we are in a place of desperation, and our need can only be met through divine intervention.

                                         Jehovah - Rapha

This is the name of The Lord Who Heals. Gilead was a city in Judah known for its healing ointment. It had both medicinal and cosmetic values. Jeremiah proclaimed that there was no balm in Gilead. He asked the question "Was there no physician there?" No doubt this name could be applied to Jesus as he went about the countrysides healing people as he went.

                                          Jehovah - Nissi

This is the name we proclaim when we hold the Lord up for all to see. The meaning, The Lord is Our Banner, is easily understood in military language. In the heat of battle, the soldiers knew to keep fighting as long they could see the banner of their king raised high above the fray. Jesus says "If I be lifted up (like a banner) I will draw all men to me."

                                    Jehovah - M'Kaddesh

The Lord Who Sanctifies. This is the name of God that sets us apart as one of His in the world. This is the name we use to recognize who our personal father is. This name says to us 'You belong to me.' 

                                        Jehovah - Shalom


The Lord is Peace. This is the name we call on when we are troubled, and nothing but His calming touch will bring contentment. Jesus said 'Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you...In the world you will have tribulation; but take courage; I have overcome the world.' John 14:27a, 16:33b 

                                       Jehovah - Sabaoth


This is the name we call out when we have come to a place where we can go no further, and must have deliverance to survive. This is the name that Hannah cried out when praying for a son; when her mouth moved but she uttered no words. She had come to the end of her endurance, and is described as a woman greatly distressed and oppressed in spirit. This is the name to call on when there is no other help, and our own perspective and resources do not apply anymore.

                                           Jehovah - Raah


The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not (be in) want. Coming from David, a shepherd himself, he understood the name better than anyone else. As a shepherd, God is leader, protector, and provider of rest. The name is the aspect of God that looks after our well-being and makes sure we are not devoured by the enemy. Also, as shepherd, this is the part of God that comes to find us if we go astray.

                                       Jehovah - Tsidkenu

This name is The Lord of Our Righteousness. This is the name of God to call on when we feel hopeless. When we think we have gone past the place of forgiveness, never to be in God's good graces. It is clear that, as human beings, we cannot attain righteousness on our own. It is a gift of God, and comes as a new heart He created within us when we accept Jesus into our lives as Lord and Savior.

                                      Jehovah - Shammah

This name means The Lord is There. This is the Lord of the future. The place of the unknown for us, but all known to Him. A quote applies here: Do not worry about tomorrow, for God is already there.

In all these names we find different aspects of God but, ultimately, they all make up His character. 

(This is not an exhaustive list, but covers most names of God found in scripture.)

The Spiritual Meaning of the Gates of Jerusalem

The Sheep Gate Neh. 3:1 And *Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests. And they built the Sheep Gate. They sanctified it and set up its doors. Even to the Tower of Meah they sanctified it, to the Tower of Hananeel.

In scripture, there are instances in which some issues in the Old Covenant have spiritual meanings in New Covenant. In Nehemiah chapter 3, we find examples of this. The gates of Jerusalem have a very clear spiritual meaning. 

The Sheep Gate is the first gate mentioned in Nehemiah. The building of the wall and gates begins from the Sheep Gate in Nehemiah 3, because everything begins from the offering of the Lamb (Jesus Christ).The spiritual meaning of the Sheep Gate is that the high priest built it, and that through that gate, lambs and sheep were brought to the temple for sacrifice. (Note that the sheep gate had no locks or bars, for the door of salvation is open to everyone. This was the only gate sanctified, setting it apart as a special gate.)

Jesus Christ is the High Priest of the New Covenant, who is the Lamb, who was offered for the sake of our sins. As the spiritual high priest, Jesus set up doors of the Sheep Gate, which means that He is the Door of the sheep. To receive salvation and, therefore enter God's kingdom, a man must enter through the blood of the Lamb (Jesus Christ).   (John 10:7 Then said Jesus to them again, Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. American King James Version)

*It is very significant that Eliashib in Hebrew means 'God restores.' It is not an accident that, as high priest, he rebuilt  the Sheep Gate and the walls surrounding it.  

The Fish Gate Neh 3: 3 But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

 
The significance here is that fishermen brought in through this gate fish to sell in the market. The spiritual meaning of the Fish Gate is  that after our redemption we begin to follow him,  making us, his disciples, 'fishers of men'. In other words, preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 4:19 And he said to them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.)

The Old Gate Neh 3:6 Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

 When we pass through the Old Gate, which spiritually speaking, we die out to the old man. Jesus Christ does not repair the old man, but makes a new man through the regeneration in the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit)

Scripture teaches that the Holy Spirit leads us in righteousness,  killing the deeds of our flesh. The Old Gate represents that the old 'us' must die, because the new 'us' has been reborn. The Holy Spirit gives to the believer the power to resist temptation and choose God's righteousness instead of sin. Without the death of the flesh, a believer cannot truly follow God's will. This is grace at work, and by it we have ability to walk and live according to the will of God.

The Valley Gate Neh 3:13 The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate.

The Valley Gate represents the  journeys of Jesus' disciples.

{Gen. 26:19 And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.

Deut. 8:7 For the LORD your God brings you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.
Ezek. 3:22 And the hand of the LORD was there upon me; and he said unto me, Arise, go forth into the plain, and I will there talk with you.}

We, as Jesus' disciples, must understand the bringing of our flesh under subjection so that we can begin our journey with God. Genesis 26:19 tells us that by digging in the valley, Isaac's servants found a well of springing water. The purpose of digging was to find water and, spiritually, we are to dig deeper than the outer surface to find what God has in store for us.

The Dung Gate Neh 3:14 But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof;

While the Valley Gate represents the realization of the flesh brought under subjection, the Dung Gate represents how we put it into practice. Through the Dung Gate, refuse was taken out of Jerusalem, to the valley of Hinnom, where it was burnt. In the same way that trash would not have been left to stink up the city, so must sin be taken out the heart of believer and destroyed. 

Under the Old Covenant, the burnt offerings of animals represents the subjection of the flesh in the New Covenant. These were animals, cut in pieces, and then burnt. The offering animals inward parts and feet were washed with pure water. This teaches us that dying out to self is a process; we subdue the flesh 'piece by piece', as the offering was also burnt in pieces. The inward parts and feet, which were washed with pure water, represents the renewing of our minds, and difference in our actions.

The Fountain Gate Neh 3:15 But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king’s garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David. 

The Fountain Gate, located near the pool of Siloah (Siloam), is where water flowed. The pool of Siloam is the place where Jesus said to the blind man to wash, John 7:9. At the time of Nehemiah and afterward, many washed themselves before they entered to temple area. The representation of the Fountain Gate tells us that God,  through the Holy Spirit, is our source for healing and spiritually cleanliness.

The Water Gate Neh 3:26 Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.

In the Old Testament, water  represented the Holy Spirit. The spiritual meaning of the Water Gate is living an obedient life guided by the Holy Spirit. Whereas the Fountain Gate represents being bathed, or baptized, by the Holy Spirit, the Water Gate represents ingesting it, so that it lives inside of us.

The Horse Gate Neh 3:28 From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.

The Horse Gate was located next to the horse stables. Horses were used in the wars against enemies. The spiritual meaning of the Horse Gate is spiritual warfare: Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

The East Gate Neh 3:29 After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.

The Eastern Gate was where freewill offerings were given by the king, to be distibuted to the people by the keeper of the gate.

{ 2 Chronicles 35:7-8 And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance. And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen.
2 Chronicles 31:14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things.}

The spiritual meaning of the East Gate is that, once we become established in God, we are to share our blessings with others.



 The Gate Miphkad (aka The Inspection Gate)Neh 3:31 After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith’s son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.

Miphkad means numbering, as in a census,  and an appointed place. The Gate Miphkad is the gate through which we must pass when we die.

Psalm 39:4 LORD, make me to know my end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.

Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed to men once to die, but after this the judgment.

 The Order of the Gates

The order of the gates is a clear order of growth in the faith. The description in the book Nehemiah about repairing the wall and the gates starts at the Sheep Gate and ends at the Sheep Gate (Neh 3:32.) Everything begins with our redemption in Jesus Christ and ends with it, because it is foundation of our salvation. 

Notice that the city of Jerusalem in Nehemiah's time was roughly shaped like a footprint. If we successfully pass through each of these gates, then when our life is finished, we should have completed a journey that has left a footprint for God on the world.

 

The Seven Steps to Jesus

from Matthew 14:24-33 

1. Recognize you’re in a storm. (v.24)

2. Ask Him to bid you, and He will say “Come.” (v.28)

3. TAKE THE STEP (v.29)

4. Do not be afraid, and do not doubt. (v.30)

5. But, if you falter, He will take you by the hand, and lead you to safety. (v. 31)

6. The storm will cease. (v. 32)

7. You will see Him for who He is. (v.33)

Mary~The Honorable

Mary was called ‘highly favored’, the Lord was with her, and ‘blessed’ among women by the angel. That was how God saw her. However, her people would not see her that way. She was young, poor, female, and unmarried, and could have been stoned to death for being with child.

How many of us are willing to do what God asks when that job will cause most people to view us in the negative, or even cast us out, even though God has seen us as honorable in order to have given us the job in the first place?

Mary was the only human being to go with Jesus from birth to death, and beyond. When she said ‘be it unto me according to your will’, she accepted the honorable position of physically carrying the son of God. (Luke 1:28, 30, 48)

How many of us have been asked to carry the son of God? The answer? ALL of us that have asked Him to be our personal savior. Mary was chosen to carry Him physically, but we are chosen to carry Him spiritually. Like Mary, God bestows on us an honor-one that we should not turn away through disobedience.

By the time Jesus was a grown man, Mary knew He was no ordinary man. At the wedding, she asked Jesus to miraculously restock the wine. Even though He says His ‘hour is not yet come’, He honored His mother’s request. (John 2:3-5)

As time goes on, we will better understand our purpose and His will. By the time Jesus has matured in us, we will be able to ask Him for a miracle even if the occasion doesn’t necessarily warrant it.

When Mary desired to speak to Jesus, He used that opportunity to show the relationship with His spiritual family. Here He puts the emphasis on His disciples, the ones who were following Him . (Matthew 12:46-50)

As we mature in Christ, we will begin to see past our physical family and friends to the spiritual relationship we have with ALL believers.

When Mary watched her son dying on the cross, He made a point of telling her to look at Him. (John 19:25-27) If there was ANY question in her mind about who or what He was, it was made clear at that moment.

That is the way for all of us-when we see Jesus truly for why He came, then there is no question in our minds as to who He is.

Mary was among the group of people waiting for the spirit to come down on the day of Pentecost . (Acts 1:14)

If we nurture Jesus within us-from conception to the cross, then we must pray and supplicate for the receiving of the Holy Spirit. It is in the Spirit that we share Him with others, as well complete the journey, as Mary did, from the beginning to the end.

Rachel~The Beloved

How hard would it be to share your husband with someone else? Namely, your sister, whom your father betrothed to him in your place? How would it make you feel if she continually bore him sons, while you had no children to give him, in a culture where children were regarded as your wealth?

Genesis 29:6-9

When Jacob met Rachel she was bringing the sheep to the well to be watered. She was their keeper, taking care of the sheep for her father.

How many of us, as Christians, are responsible for the well-being, safety and growth of other Christians? Do we do what is called of us willingly and responsibly?

Genesis 29:25

Rachel became Jacob's wife, but only after he had been tricked by her father into marrying her older sister first.

How many times have traditions and ceremony stood in the way of a Godly union?

Genesis 29:31

Even though Jacob loved Rachel, he still fulfilled his husbandly obligation to Leah. Out of this union came four sons, but Rachel was still childless. Because Leah was hated in Jacob's eyes, the Lord gave her children, but not Rachel.

Can we justify our love for someone by hating another? The answer is 'NO'-hate is wrong in the eyes of God, even if it seems right to us.

Genesis 30:22-24

When Rachel finally conceived, many years had passed since she and Jacob were married. God had taken away her reproach-or in today's terminology-her shame.

Has God moved you into a place where you're fully qualified, yet someone else who does not have the training hold the position? When God moves us into another position in life, and we're fully trained and ready, He might postpone our responsibility to give someone else the chance who will not have any other glory in their life.

Genesis 31:14-16

All scriptural accounts show Rachel and Leah envious and jealous toward one another, in competition. But when Jacob decides to leave his father-in-law, to go back to his home country, they are in full agreement and supportive of his decision.

Even though we might disagree with one another over what seems important issues, such as doctrine and procedure, can we put those aside to do what needs to be done for the greater good?

Genesis 31:19

Rachel stole the images that belonged to her father.

{The word images here translates to the word 'teraphim' in Hebrew, which were graven images set up in houses to represent the gods they worshiped. In stealing these, Rachel repaid her father for stealing her husband and giving him to Leah, as well as their inheritance that he withheld from both of them. (v.14-16)}

How many of us, for spite, would do something against someone who had wronged us, instead of forgiving them and moving on with our life? When our life is changing for the better, we should not drag into it any baggage from the past, because it will do nothing but weigh us down.

Genesis 31:30-32

When Laban accuses Jacob of stealing his gods, he denies it because he has no knowledge of what Rachel has done. He speaks out a prophecy of death to perpetrator, and later it is fulfilled when Rachel dies in childbirth. (35:18)

How many of us think that we have to have some worldly influence in our marriage to prove a spouse's love, instead of relying on the evidence of the past? (In Rachel's case, it had been 20 years since she and Jacob had met, and he had resided with her the whole of their married life. Surely that was enough to prove his love.) Is there anything in our life that is there 'just for show", to prove to others our love to one another? Or does the evidence come from the heart and actions of the past?