Synopsis "Learning about God from His Attributes and Names"
The Hebrew word, 'elohiym, for "God" was used at least two thousand six hundred and six times in the Old Testament. Its first use in the scriptures was in Genesis 1:1. The Hebrew word, yhwh, for "LORD" was used six thousand five hundred and nineteen times in the Old Testament. Its first use in the scriptures was in Genesis 2:4-5. Those two Hebrew words when put together become yhwh 'elohiym and form the expression "LORD God." That combination appears five hundred and nineteen times in the Old Testament. But each of those words was also used separately throughout the scriptures with other combinations of words to describe different, unique characteristics about the Lord. Many of those characteristics or names will be discussed beginning with chapter four of this text. But the first three chapters will describe some of God's more significant personal attributes. Among them will be His omnipotence, His omniscience, and His omnipresence. Other personal attributes are that He is a person and personal. He is also love, truth, holy, righteous, gracious, merciful, longsuffering, good, and eternal. But while those attributes do not relate directly to His names, they do provide a very useful introduction to His nature and to His being a person. Beginning in chapter five, this text will consider 'elohiym (God) and His role in Creation. The conclusion of that chapter will be as the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 3:1-4. He wrote to let God be true and every person be a liar. In the sixth chapter, the name yhwh 'elohiym (the Lord God) will be discussed. His goodness is forever and ever and from everlasting to everlasting. He is a great God who does many wondrous things for those people who come to Him by faith and who trust in Him. But He is also the yhwh 'elohiym of hosts. That means that He can deliver anyone from any obstacle or from any conflict. God as yhwh 'elohiym also gave the Ten Commandments by which all people can interact with and relate to Him. Following those discussions will be successive chapters about 'el 'elyown (the Most High God), 'adonay yhwh (the Lord God), 'el ro'iy (the Lord Who Sees), 'el shadday (the Almighty God), 'el owlam (the Everlasting God), yhwh ra'ah (God Will Provide), yhwh rapha' (God who Heals), yhwh nicciy (the Lord is my Banner), 'el qanna' (the Jealous God), yhwh qadash (the Lord Who Sanctifies), yhwh shalowm (the Lord is Peace), yhwh tsaba' (the Lord of Hosts), yhwh ra ah (the Lord my Shepherd), yhwh tsedeq (the Lord our Righteousness), and yhwh sham (the Lord is There). Then, the final three chapters will show that Jesus was and is yhwh 'elohiym (the Lord God) and that He has all of the qualities shown by each of the other names for God. There is one note, however, to be made with respect to the organization of this text. Something that the reader might find useful is boxes throughout that show the different passages that are being referenced at the times and in the places where they are being referenced. That way, he or she will not have to jump all over the place or get into or out of the scriptures to locate a particular reference. Hopefully that inclusion will help the reader in trying to understand the various events and to also put them into their right context. So it is hoped that that will make this book easier to read and that the Lord will receive the praise, honor, and glory that He rightfully deserves.
