Names of God
What is your name? It’s one of the first questions we ask when we meet someone new—because names matter. They carry meaning, identity, and often a glimpse into the character of the person who bears them. The same is true with God. In Scripture, God reveals Himself through many names, each one unveiling a different aspect of His nature, His heart, and His relationship with His people. Many of us begin our journey with God by asking, “Who are You?” The names of God are His answer—personal, powerful, and deeply revealing. This study invites you to discover those names and, through them, to know God more intimately.
Week 1: El Roi - God who sees me
Passage: Genesis 16; Psalm 139
Name of God: El Roi – “The God who sees me”
Have you ever felt invisible? Overlooked? Forgotten by the world around you?
The name El Roi reveals something profoundly comforting: God sees us, especially in the moments when no one else does.In Genesis 16, we meet Hagar—a woman who found herself alone, mistreated, and fleeing into the wilderness. In the middle of her distress, God meets her. He speaks to her, reassures her, and gives her hope. In response, Hagar becomes the only person in all of Scripture to give God a name: El Roi—“You are the God who sees me.”
She says, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” (Genesis 16:13)The Hebrew word Ro’iy can mean “shepherd,” “to see,” “to gaze,” or “to look upon.” It carries the sense of someone not just noticing, but truly observing and caring for what they see. God's seeing is active, intimate, and intentional.
Even though the name El Roi appears only once in the Bible, its truth echoes throughout Scripture. Psalm 139 beautifully reminds us that God knows every detail of our lives—He sees us when we rise, when we lie down, and even perceives our thoughts from afar. Nothing is hidden from His sight.
And 1 Peter 3:12 reassures us:
“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are attentive to their prayer.”
God not only sees, but He listens. He cares. He responds.
Key truth: God chooses to see the unseen. Even when you feel invisible to others, you are never hidden from El Roi.
Reflection Questions
Have you ever felt unseen or forgotten? How does knowing God is El Roi speak to that experience?
In what areas of your life are you tempted to hide behind a “facade”? What would it look like to invite God into those places?
How does the story of Hagar challenge your view of who God notices, values, and uses for His purpose?
What promises of God can you hold onto when you feel alone or abandoned?
How can you remind yourself daily that God truly sees and knows you?
Week 2: Jehovah Jireh - God will provide
Passage: Genesis 22: 1-19, Philippians 4:19, Romans 8:32
Name of God: Jehovah Jireh - God will provide
Jehovah Jireh means “The Lord will provide.”
This powerful name of God first appears in Genesis 22:14, in one of the most intense moments in Scripture—when Abraham is asked to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac. Just as Abraham raises the knife in obedience, God intervenes and provides a ram caught in the thicket as a substitute offering. Abraham names that place Jehovah Jireh, declaring that “on the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.
This isn’t provision in the sense of material abundance—like food, money, or convenience. It’s provision in the face of the deepest human need: the sparing of life, the substitution of death, and the fulfillment of God's promise. God didn’t just supply a ram that day; He foreshadowed the greatest provision the world would ever know: Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God (John 1:29), who would one day take our place and carry the sins of the world.
Abraham’s willingness to obey—no matter the cost—revealed a heart aligned with God. As 1 Samuel 15:22 reminds us, “Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.” God's provision flows from the place of surrendered faith.
When we walk in obedience and trust, God meets us with exactly what we need—even if it's not what we expected. In our moments of testing, pain, or uncertainty, we can stand firm knowing that the same God who provided a ram for Abraham, and His own Son for the world, will provide for us too.
Key Truth: God provides exactly what we need when we walk in obedience and faith—even when we don't yet see how. His ultimate provision is Jesus, the Lamb of God, given in our place.
Reflection Questions
What does God’s provision in Genesis 22 teach you about His timing and character?
How does the story of Abraham and Isaac challenge your understanding of obedience?
Can you think of a time when God provided for you in a way you didn’t expect? What did that teach you about Him?
In what areas of your life are you currently being asked to trust God as Jehovah Jireh?
How does knowing that Jesus is God's ultimate provision shape your response to trials and uncertainty?
Week 3: Jehovah Nissi- Lord is my banner
Passage: Exodus 17:8-16, Psalm 20:5-8, Psalm 60:4, Isaiah 62:10
Name of God: Jehovah Nissi- Lord is my banner
This name of God is revealed in Exodus 17, during a fierce battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites. As the battle rages, Moses stands on a hill with the staff of God raised in his hands. As long as his hands are lifted, Israel prevails. When he lowers them, the enemy gains ground. With the help of Aaron and Hur, Moses keeps his hands steady until victory is won. Afterward, Moses builds an altar and names it Jehovah Nissi, declaring that the Lord is Israel’s banner of triumph.
In ancient times, a banner was more than a flag—it was a rallying point, a symbol of identity, and a declaration of allegiance. When Moses called God his banner, he was proclaiming that God Himself was the source of victory, the standard under which His people marched, and the One who fought on their behalf.
This name reminds us that we don’t fight our battles alone. Whether we’re facing spiritual warfare, emotional struggles, or life’s daily challenges, God is our banner—our covering, our strength, and our victory. He goes before us, stands with us, and lifts us up when we grow weary.
Psalm 20:5 says, “May we shout for joy over your victory and lift up our banners in the name of our God.” When we lift high the name of the Lord, we declare our trust in His power, not our own.
Key Truth:
God is our banner—our victory and our identity. When we lift Him high in faith and obedience, He fights for us and leads us to triumph.
Reflection Questions
What does the image of God as a banner mean to you personally?
In what areas of your life are you currently in a battle? How can you lift up Jehovah Nissi in those situations?
How does the story of Moses, Aaron, and Hur encourage you about the power of community and support in spiritual battles?
What does it look like to “lift up your banner in the name of God” in your daily life?
How can you remind yourself that victory belongs to the Lord, not your own strength?
Week 4: El Deah- God of Knowledge
Passage: 1 Samuel 2:3, Psalm 139: 1-6, Proverbs 3:19-20, Isaiah 55:8-9, Romans 11:33-36, Colossians 2:3, 1 John 3:20
Name of God: El Deah- God of Knowledge
This name appears in 1 Samuel 2:3, in Hannah’s prayer of praise: “For the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.” In a world full of uncertainty, shifting opinions, and limited understanding, El Deah stands as the One who knows all things—perfectly, completely, and eternally.
God’s knowledge is not limited by time, space, or circumstance. He inhabits eternity. He sees the beginning, the middle, and the end—all at once. Nothing is hidden from Him. Not a hair falls from our heads without His knowledge (Luke 12:7). He is never surprised, never caught off guard, and never says, “Oops, I never thought of that.”
Psalm 139 paints a beautiful picture of this intimate knowledge: God knows our thoughts before we think them, our words before we speak them, and our paths before we walk them. He is not only all-knowing—He is personally involved in every detail of our lives.
Proverbs 3:19–20 reminds us that God used His knowledge to lay the foundations of the earth. Isaiah 55:8–9 tells us His thoughts are higher than ours. Romans 11:33–36 bursts with awe at the depth of His wisdom and knowledge. And in Colossians 2:3, we learn that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Even when we don’t understand what’s happening, we can rest in the truth that God does. 1 John 3:20 assures us that “God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything.” That’s why we can have complete confidence and peace, even in uncertain times. We may not know the specifics, but El Deah does. He has nothing left to learn. He is the God of all knowledge.
Key Truth:
God knows all things—past, present, and future. His knowledge is perfect, personal, and trustworthy. When we don’t understand, we can rest in the One who does.
Reflection Questions
This verse originates from a prayer offered by Hannah after the Lord blessed her with a child, Samuel. What insights does this verse provide about God's nature?
Can you share about a time when you felt anxious about how situations would unfold, but God ultimately orchestrated everything perfectly for you?
Week 5: Elohim- Mighty Creator
Passage: Genesis 1:1
Name of God: El Deah- God of Knowledge
The very first name God reveals in Scripture to us is “ELOHIM”
The word Elohim is plural, and it implies that God is a triune being, made up of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Elohim is one of the most frequently used names for God in the Scriptures. It is this word which is used in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth.” In fact the word appears more than 2500 times in the Old Testament.
The literal translation of the name Elohim is “strong/ mighty one.” He is Supreme, the true God in a world that promotes many false gods and religions. He is the one on whom we can fully rely, He is Sovereign, He is the one we can completely trust. He is the Mighty One over all of nature, this world, and the heavens above, our creative God who has worked wonders by His hands. God reminds that He is Elohim every single day.
Elohim in Our Lives: Recognizing God as Elohim can transform our perspective on life's challenges. Knowing that the Mighty One who created the universe is also personally involved in our lives can bring immense comfort and strength. Elohim's sovereignty assures us that nothing is beyond His control, and His creative power reminds us that He can bring beauty and order out of chaos. Every sunrise, every heartbeat, every breath is a reminder that Elohim is still at work. He is not distant—He is present, powerful, and purposeful.
Key Truth:
Elohim is the Mighty Creator—sovereign, powerful, and trustworthy. He is the God who made everything and still holds everything together. When life feels chaotic or uncertain, we can rest in the hands of the One who created it all.
Reflection Questions
How does knowing that Elohim is the Creator of the heavens and the earth influence your view of the natural world?
How can you reflect the creativity and power of Elohim in your daily life?
Week 6: Jehovah Rapha- The Lord Heals
Passage: Exodus 15:22-27, Mark 2:1-12 , Psalm 147:3
Name of God: Jehovah Rapha- The Lord Heals
Jehovah Rapha means “The Lord who heals.”
This name is first revealed in Exodus 15:26, where God tells the Israelites, “I am the Lord who heals you.” After delivering them from Egypt and parting the Red Sea, God leads them to bitter waters at Marah. When Moses cries out, God makes the water sweet and declares His identity as Jehovah Rapha—the God who heals not only bodies, but hearts, nations, and souls.
Healing is a central theme throughout Scripture. It’s not limited to physical ailments—it includes spiritual restoration, emotional renewal, and relational reconciliation. God’s healing is holistic and deeply personal.
Healing from Sickness and Sin
In Mark 2:1–12, Jesus heals a paralyzed man. But before He restores the man’s body, He forgives his sins. This moment reveals a powerful truth: God’s healing begins in the heart. Jesus, as Jehovah Rapha in the flesh, addresses both the man’s spiritual and physical needs.
Thoughts for Meditation:
Forgiveness and Healing: Jesus sees the whole person. His healing touches both body and soul.
Holistic Healing: God’s desire is not just to fix what’s broken, but to make us whole.
Healing from Emotional Wounds
Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” God is not distant from our pain. He draws near to the hurting, offering comfort, peace, and restoration.
Thoughts for Meditation:
God’s Compassion: Jehovah Rapha is tender with the brokenhearted. He sees every tear and hears every cry.
Restoration: God doesn’t just numb the pain—He restores what was lost and renews what was damaged.
Key Truth:
Jehovah Rapha is the God who heals—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. His healing is complete, compassionate, and always available. Whether we are battling illness, grief, sin, or sorrow, we can turn to the One who restores all things.
Reflection Questions
What does it mean to you that God reveals Himself as Jehovah Rapha?
In what areas of your life do you need healing—physically, emotionally, or spiritually?
How does Jesus’ healing of the paralytic challenge your understanding of what true healing looks like?
Have you experienced God’s healing in your life? How did it shape your faith?
How can you extend the healing love of Jehovah Rapha to others around you?
Week 7: Jehovah Shalom- The Lord is Peace
Passage: Judges 6:1-24
Name of God: Jehovah Shalom- The Lord is Peace
Jehovah Shalom means “The Lord is Peace.”
This name is revealed in Judges 6, when the Lord appears to Gideon during a time of fear and oppression. Gideon, overwhelmed by the threat of the Midianites and his own insecurities, is met by the angel of the Lord who calls him a “mighty warrior.” After a divine encounter and reassurance from God, Gideon builds an altar and names it Jehovah Shalom, declaring that God is peace.
The Hebrew word shalom means more than just the absence of conflict. It speaks of completeness, soundness, welfare, and wholeness. When Gideon called God “Jehovah Shalom,” he was recognizing Him as the Lord of Completeness, Wholeness, Contentment, and Perfection. Though this is the only place in Scripture where God is directly called Jehovah Shalom, the theme of God as our peace runs throughout the Bible.
The Prince of Peace
In Isaiah 9:6–7, the prophet foretells the coming of the Messiah:
“And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Jesus is the fulfillment of Jehovah Shalom. He is the embodiment of peace, and His reign brings a peace that will never end.
The Peace Through the Cross
Isaiah 53:5 reveals how this peace is achieved: “The punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” True shalom begins with reconciliation to God. Through Jesus’ suffering and death, we are made whole. Colossians 1:19–20 confirms this: “...and through him to reconcile to himself all things... by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
Key Truth: Jehovah Shalom is the God of Peace—our source of wholeness, contentment, and restoration. True peace is not found in circumstances, but in relationship with the One who makes all things whole through Christ.
Reflection Questions
What is God revealing to you about Himself in these scriptures?
How can we experience shalom on earth?
What is our responsibility when it comes to living in shalom?