“It is not for your sake, O house of Israel, that I am about to act,” God declares in Ezekiel 36:22, “but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came.”
God’s concern for his name shows that his glory is closely tied to how his people represent him. When his people live in a way that dishonors his name, his glory is obscured before the world. Conversely, when his people live in faith, gratitude, and obedience, his name is exalted, and his character made known.
Why Should We Know the Names of God?
The Westminster Shorter Catechism teaches us that “man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever” (WSC 1). These two purposes are inseparable. To glorify God is also to enjoy him, for we can only delight in what we truly know. And to know God rightly, we must know his name.
Zacharias Ursinus, in his Commentary on the Heidelberg Catechism, explains that since the greatest good of humanity consists in glorifying God, the greatest evil is found in reproaching him or taking his name in vain. To glorify God, therefore, is to honor his name. It is to speak of him with reverence, to live according to his will, and to reflect his character in our daily conduct.
We must know God’s name because he is our Father, and we are his children. It is natural for children to know the name of their father. The Lord reveals his names in Scripture so that we might know him personally and intimately. We did not give him these names; rather, he graciously disclosed them to us so that we might understand who he is. Through his names, God invites us into relationship with him, strengthens our faith, comforts our hearts, and teaches us to walk in his ways.
Sometimes the Hebrew or Greek names of God may feel distant or difficult to remember, but they are gifts. They remind us that the God who reigns over the universe also draws near to comfort and guide his people. Each name reveals something about his nature, his power, and his faithfulness. When we pray, sing, or read Scripture with these names in mind, we are not simply repeating words; we are calling upon the living God who has made himself known to us.
Names of God in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, God reveals himself through several names that uncover his attributes (or character) and covenant relationship with his people. The name Elohim refers to God in the fullness of his power and majesty, reminding us that everything exists by his creative might. The name Adonai means “Lord” or “Master,” expressing his sovereign rule and authority over all creation. El Shaddai, meaning “God Almighty,” speaks of his all-sufficiency and power to sustain both heaven and earth. The name Yahweh, perhaps the most holy of all, was revealed to Moses when God said, “I am who I am” (Exod. 3:14). It means “I am that I am,” or “I shall be what I shall be.” This name expresses his eternal, self-existent, and unchangeable nature. The God who was with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the same God who is with us today. His covenant faithfulness endures through all generations. God calls us into a covenant relationship—a relationship of promises and responsibilities—in which he is our God and we are his people. As human beings, we are finite and destined to pass away from this earthly life. Yet the eternal God establishes the same gracious covenant with all his people across generations. He assures us of his unchanging presence by transcending both time and place.
Another deeply comforting name in Scripture is Yahweh Tsebhaoth, which means “the Lord of Hosts.” This title portrays God as the King of glory who reigns over the heavenly armies. He is surrounded by angels at his throne, ruling heaven and earth for the good of his people. When we feel overwhelmed by the challenges of life, we can take refuge in knowing that the Lord of Hosts is fighting for us. He governs all things for his glory and for the good of those who belong to him.
A Living God
These names are not relics of ancient history. They reveal the same living God who continues to act on behalf of his people. When we call upon him as Yahweh, we are reminded that he does not change. When we worship him as El Shaddai, we remember that his strength is sufficient for every weakness we face. When we pray to Adonai, we acknowledge his rightful authority over our lives. The eternal God who called Israel into covenant relationship now calls us into that same relationship through Jesus Christ, who has made God’s name known to us perfectly.
To glorify God, then, is to live in a way that reflects the holiness of his name. We glorify him by knowing who he is, receiving comfort from his grace, obeying his commandments, and making his name known to others in every part of our lives. Whether in our families, our work, or our communities, we carry his name as his covenant people.
When we encounter trials or moments of uncertainty, remembering the names of God strengthens our faith. He is El Shaddai, our all-sufficient provider. He is Yahweh, faithful and unchanging. He is Adonai, the Lord who reigns. He is Yahweh Tsebhaoth, the Lord of Hosts, mighty to save.
To know God’s name is to know his heart. The more we remember who he is, the more we will glorify him in our lives and find joy in his presence.
