THE NAMES OF GOD

NAMES OF GOD IN THE BIBLE: A DISPENSATIONAL APPROACH : PROF. M. M. NINAN
Greek Septuagint use: theou saddai — God Shaddai;
and pantokratôr (for Shaddai) — the Almighty
The Septuagint uses Greek "ikanos" meaning "all-sufficient" or "self-sufficient." The idols of the
heathen are called "sheddim." In Chaldean mythology the seven evil deities were known as
"shedim," storm-demons, and they are often represented in ox-like form.
Most English translations render El Shaddai as "God Almighty," probably because the translators of
the Septuagint (i.e., the Greek translation of the Old Testament) thought Shaddai came from a root
verb (shadad) that means "to overpower" or "to destroy." The Latin Vulgate likewise translated
Shaddai as "Omnipotens" (from which we get our English word omnipotent). God is so overpowering
that He is considered "Almighty."
According to some tradition, Shaddai is a contraction of the phrase, "I said to the world, dai(enough)"
(as in the famous word used in the Passover Haggadah, Dayeinu -- "it would have been
sufficient"). God created the world but "stopped" at a certain point. He left
creation "unfinished" because He wanted us to complete the job by means
of exercisingchesed (love) in repair of the world (tikkun olam) as part of
His divine body.
"God Almighty - El Shaddai, the Father-Mother God - proved sufficient for
everything. The wonder of El Shaddai (the power to create new things in
the old world) runs through the whole kingdom of grace." "The Everlasting
Yea is reached when we perceive that God is El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient
God."
- Oswald Chambers
On the doorposts of traditional Jewish homes you will find a small case
like the one pictured at left. This case is commonly known as a mezuzah
(doorpost), because it is placed upon the doorposts of the house. It is a
constant reminder of God’s presence and God's rule over all our daily
affairs. In Israel the mezuzah is attached to entrances of all public
buildings and synagogues, though it is only required for residences. Sh is
written on top of the mezuzah.
Deut. 6:4-9, commands to keep His words constantly in our minds and in our hearts, by (among other
things) writing them on the doorposts of our house. The words of the Shema are written on a tiny scroll
of parchment, along with Deut.. 11:13-21. On the back of the scroll the name of God as Shaddai is
written. The scroll is then rolled up placed in the case, so that the first letter of the name Shin is visible
El Shaddai occurs most frequently in the Book of Job, where it functions as a general name for the
deity. As El Shaddai, God disciplines (Job 5:17); he is to be feared (Job 6:14); he is just (Job 8:3); he
hears prayer (Job 8:5); and he creates (Job 33:4). This name occurs six times in the patriarchal
narratives. In most of those instances it is associated with the promise given by God to the patriarchs.
Yet the name is often paired with Yahweh in the poetic material, and thus shares the personal warmth
of that name. He is known for his steadfast love (Ps. 21:7) and his protection (Ps. 91:9-10).
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