How to Study the Names of God in the Bible

Studying the names of God means tracing each Hebrew or Greek name back to the moment in Scripture where God reveals Himself that way. Names like Yahweh, Elohim, El Shaddai, and Jehovah-Jireh aren't titles God picked at random — each one shows up in a specific story, attached to something He does or promises. To study them well, you read the surrounding passage first, then the name.

Why the Names of God Are Worth Studying

In the ancient Near East, names carried meaning. A name described character, role, or destiny. When God names Himself, He's telling you something about who He is — and when He renames someone (Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel), He's reshaping their identity.

Most English Bibles flatten this. "LORD" in small caps usually means Yahweh (the personal covenant name). "God" usually means Elohim (the powerful Creator). "Lord" without caps usually means Adonai (master). Once you start noticing which name is being used, the same verse opens up in new ways.

A Simple Method for Studying One Name at a Time

You don't need Hebrew classes to do this well. Pick one name and work through these steps:

Find the first mention. Where does this name first appear in Scripture? Read the chapter around it. Genesis is where many of the big ones (Elohim in Genesis 1:1, Yahweh in Genesis 2:4, El Shaddai in Genesis 17:1) show up first.
Look up what the name means. A study Bible, a free online interlinear, or a name-of-God reference list will give you the literal meaning.
Track it through Scripture. Use a concordance or Bible app search to find other places the name appears. Note who uses it, when, and why.
Write down one attribute of God. Each name reveals something — provider, healer, peace, righteousness. Keep a running list.
Pray the name back. When you're anxious, call on Jehovah-Shalom (peace). When you're stretched thin, Jehovah-Jireh (provider). The names become prayer prompts.

Names worth starting with: Elohim, Yahweh, Adonai, El Shaddai, Jehovah-Jireh, Jehovah-Rapha, Jehovah-Nissi, Jehovah-Shalom, Jehovah-Raah, Jehovah-Tsidkenu, Jehovah-Shammah, El Roi, and in the New Testament, the "I Am" statements of Jesus in John.

Fitting This Into a Daily Reading Plan

You don't have to drop your regular reading plan to study God's names. The easiest approach is to keep a small notebook (or notes app) next to your Bible. When you hit a name of God in your daily reading, jot it down with the reference and one sentence about what He's doing in that passage. Over a year, that list becomes a portrait.

If you're following a structured plan like Bible In A Year, the app's daily reminders keep you moving through both testaments, which means you'll naturally encounter dozens of names of God over twelve months without having to plan it. Mark them as you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many names of God are there in the Bible?

There's no fixed count, but most reference works list around 16 to 20 primary names and titles, plus dozens of descriptive phrases ("Rock," "Shepherd," "Fortress"). The exact number depends on how you classify compound names like the Jehovah-titles.

What's the difference between Yahweh and Jehovah?

They're the same name. Yahweh is the closer transliteration of the Hebrew YHWH. Jehovah is an older English form that combined YHWH with the vowels from "Adonai." Most modern scholars prefer Yahweh, but Jehovah is still common in older hymns and translations.

Should I memorize the names of God?

Memorizing a handful is genuinely useful — especially the compound Jehovah names — because they give you specific language to pray when you're in specific situations. Start with three or four that match what you're walking through right now.