Adonai

The name Adonai, translated "Lord" (only the "L" capitalized), occurs approximately 300 times in the Old Testament. It's interesting to note that it is almost always used in the plural possessive form meaning "My Lords". This, once again, confirms the concept of The Trinity as found in the name "Elohim". Also consider the fact that this same word is used of men approximately 215 times in the Old Testament and is predominantly translated as "master". Note, however, that, when used of men, it is always used in the singular form. The implication of The Trinity in this name is obvious in Psalms 110:1.

Ps 110:1

1 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

(KJV)

More accurately translated, this verse would read "Jehovah said unto my Adonai, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool".

The true meaning of this name in the Hebrew language indicates "mastership" or "ownership". From this, we can clearly see God's outright ownership of all things in Heaven and Earth. This also clearly defines our role as servants to our Adonai.

The first use of this name occurs in Genesis 15:2. Let's examine this portion of Scripture beginning with verse 1.

Gen 15:1-2

1 After these things the word of the LORD (Jehovah) came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield (implicating the name Elohim), and thy exceeding great reward (implicating the name El-Shaddai).

2 And Abram said, Lord GOD (Adonai-Jehovah), what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

(KJV)

Consider, for a moment, the true depth of meaning in Abram's reply. He said "Righteous and loving Master (Adonai-Jehovah), what will you give me…" It's a well established fact that Abram was master (adoni -- in the singular form) over a considerable number of people and as such, he very well understood the role of each in the relationship. The master exercised complete and total possession on the one hand while the servant demonstrated absolute submission on the other. In addressing God as Adonai-Jehovah, Abram acknowledged God's complete and perfect right of possession to all that he was and had.

Throughout the New Testament, this same concept of God being master and owner of all prevails. Numerous times it is said that we are not our own because we have been "bought with a price". The precious blood of Jesus paid a debt He did not owe to ransom us from bondage to sin. For that reason, God commands us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice.

Rom 12:1-2

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

(KJV)

Our "reasonable service" is a complete surrender to the will of God our Father. God will never ask us to do anything we can not accomplish. Because He is a kind and loving master; he equips us with all we need to succeed in the tasks He requires of us.

EPH 4:1-13

1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:

(KJV)

Clearly, it is God as our master that calls us to service and here we see that He has given us the tools we need to fulfill our service to Him. Through our service, we draw ever closer to our Adonai, our Lord and Master who is our exceeding great reward!

Elohim

(Almighty God)

The name Elohim indicates that God is full of creating and governing power and who created all things by speaking His Word. This name of God is used 35 times in the account of creation (Genesis 1:1 – Genesis 2:4) and is the only word used to describe God in this passage. The very power of God’s Word brought all things into existence.

Heb 11:3

3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

(KJV)

It’s interesting to note that modern scientists have discovered that sound can generate light when interacting with water under certain circumstances. (See the Feb 1995 issue of Scientific American Magazine).

There are two schools of thought as to where the name Elohim is derived. The first theory and the most widely accepted is that it is derived from the root word El, which means mighty, strong, and prominent. This word itself is translated to "God" in the Bible 250 times, most often where the great power of God is indicated

The second theory is that Elohim is derived from the root word Alah, which means to declare or to swear. In other words, the general meaning of this root is "covenant maker".

In order for one to make covenant, one must have the power, right, and authority to do so. God further establishes His absolute authority in that because there is no authority higher, He swears by Himself.

Gen 22:15-17

15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time,
16 And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son:
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

(KJV)

So we see that regardless of the root, whether El or Alah, God is the only absolute power that exists.

Jehovah

The Hebrew word Jehovah is translated into "LORD" (all capitals) in the King James Bible to distinguish it from the Hebrew word Adonai, which is translated into "Lord" (only the L capitalized). The name Jehovah is the most often used name of God in the Old Testament and is used more than 6800 times beginning in Genesis 2:4.

Gen 2:4

4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD (Jehovah) God (Elohim) made the earth and the heavens,

(KJV)

In it's first instance it is used as a compound name (Jehovah-Elohim) and continues to be used in this manner through the remainder of the second and third chapters of Genesis. The notable exception to this is in the account of "The Temptation" where Elohim alone is used.

The name Jehovah is taken from the Hebrew word havah, which is a verb meaning "to be" or "being". It is closely related to another Hebrew verb chavah, meaning "to live" or "life". Therefore, when we read the name Jehovah, we should think of God as the "Being who is life and possesses eternal existence".

Isaiah 43:10-12

10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD (Jehovah), and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God (Elohim) formed, neither shall there be after me.

11 I, even I, am the LORD (Jehovah); and beside me there is no Savior.

12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD (Jehovah), that I am God (Elohim).

(KJV)

When Moses asked God what name to use to tell the Children of Israel who sent him, God said "I Am that I Am…" (more closely translated "I will be that I will be"). The ultimate and underlying meaning of the name Jehovah. When God wanted to make a special revelation of Himself, He used the name Jehovah and said "…this is my name forever, and this is my memorial unto all generations." (Exodus 3:15)

Another attribute of the name Jehovah can be derived from its usage in the Old Testament. It is Jehovah-Elohim (The Eternally Living Almighty One) who created Man in His image. It is Jehovah who sent sinful Man out of The Garden of Eden. It is Jehovah who rained fiery judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah. It is also Jehovah who said "Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book." (Exodus 32:33) Thus we can see that Jehovah is "Living Righteousness". The name Jehovah was so Holy and righteous to the Children of Israel, they refused to utter it. Even to this day, orthodox Jews substitute the word Adonai or a word meaning "The Name" for Jehovah.

Finally, we see in other Old Testament Scripture that, even though Jehovah is righteous and must punish sin, Jehovah is grieved at the misery of His people.

 Judges 10:16

 Isaiah 63:9

9 In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them: in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old.

(KJV)

So we can conclude that Jehovah is "The Eternally Existent Righteous and Loving Being".