The Names of God: El Shaddai

Northshore Christian Church

Speaker: Dr. Sanjay Merchant, Adjunct Teaching Pastor The name El Shaddai is discussed as a mysterious and ancient term that signifies God's supreme greatness, traditionally translated as "God Almighty." In Exodus 6:2-3, God reveals to Moses that while He has made Himself known as Yahweh, He also appeared to the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—as El Shaddai. This indicates that the name El Shaddai predates the full revelation of Yahweh and was known to the earliest worshipers of the true God. Notably, El Shaddai is frequently mentioned in the Book of Job, which some scholars consider to be the earliest biblical text, potentially featuring the first prophet or figure with detailed information. Job's narrative occurs before Abraham’s time, suggesting a rich, ancient tradition of worship that predates the formal establishment of the Israelite covenant. The text invites readers to recognize the historical depth and significance of El Shaddai within the broader biblical narrative.