El shaddai, el shaddai,
El-elyon na adonia,
Age to age you're still the same,
By the power of the name.
El shaddai, el shaddai,
Erkamka na adonai,
We will praise and lift you high,
El shaddai.
I loved this Amy Grant and Michael Card song while I was coming up in the 80’s, and I still love it. It seems so worshipful and majestic, describing the Exodus experience, God’s ram as a substitute for Isaac, and the rejection of Christ’s ministry. But there came a point in my younger years when I wondered, what exactly does El Shaddai mean? This compound name for God is a good example of how the names of God in given contexts reveal His very character and allow us to receive a glimpse into the mind of our Lord. The two words that make up this compound are El and Shaddai.
The word “El” is translated God over 200 times in the Bible. If the word were meant to describe men, it would carry the connotation of might or power; therefore, it is descriptive of God’s might and/or power. The word “Shaddai” occurs 48 times in the Old Testament and means “almighty.” However, a closer look at the origin of the word indicates that it might be derived from the Akkadian word “sadu,” which means mountain. You can probably see how this will infer not only strength, but majestic stability and permanence. He is the God who sees from the mountain top. The connotation of this name helps the one seeking refuge in God to understand that He is like an unmoved pillar. Others perceive “shaddai” as originating from the Hebrew “shad,” which is most often translated breast. This would indicate that God sustains His people, giving them that which nourishes, supplies, and satisfies as He is the All-bountiful One.
Therefore, we might conclude that the compound name El-Shaddai communicates the idea of an All-powerful, All-bountiful, and All-sufficient God who desires to supply and sustain His people with blessing. In Genesis 17:1, God re-emphasized His covenant with Abraham at the age of 99, stating, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” Genesis 17:1–2 (ESV) In Genesis 28:3, Isaac sent Jacob to his relative, Laban, communicating that Jacob should not take a Canaanite wife. He further emphasized God’s ability to bountifully provide when he stated, “God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples.” Genesis 28:3 (ESV). Later, in God’s covenant to Jacob He promised, “I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply. A nation and a company of nations shall come from you, and kings shall come from your own body.” Genesis 35:11 (ESV) The Psalmist used this name as a great source of hope in the God with whom we take refuge. David wrote, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:1–2 (ESV) I leave you with the lyrics from the song El Shaddai. Reflect on them one more time.
El Shaddai, el Shaddai,
El-Elyon na Adonai,
Age to age you're still the same,
By the power of the name.
El Shaddai, El Shaddai,
Erkamka na Adonai,
We will praise and lift you high,
El Shaddai.
Through your love and through the ram,
You saved the son of Abraham;
Through the power of your hand,
Turned the sea into dry land.
To the outcast on her knees,
You were the God who really sees,
And by your might,
You set your children free.
Through the years you've made it clear,
That the time of Christ was near,
Though the people couldn't see
What messiah ought to be.
Though your word contained the plan,
They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done
Through the frailty of your son.
Until next time, this is Pastor Daniel writing, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.”
*Material for this newsletter article are taken from the notes of Jim Smith, Professor of Bible and Theology at Brookes Bible College.