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What are the four compounds for the name El?


A. El-Roi, “The strong one who sees.” In Genesis 16, an angered and barren Sarai had cast into the wilderness her pregnant and arrogant handmaiden, Hagar. When all hope for survival had fled, this pagan Egyptian girl was visited and ministered to by El-Roi himself—the strong God who sees (Gen 16:13).


B. El-Elyon, “The strongest strong one.” There are two significant places where this name was used in the Old Testament. One came from the lips of Jerusalem’s first sovereign, and the other from history’s first sinner.

1. Jerusalem’s first sovereign, Melchizedek (Gen 14:18–20). 2. History’s first sinner, Satan (Isa 14:13–14).

C. El Shaddai, “the breasted one.” Used 48 times in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word shad is used often to designate the bosom of a nursing mother.


The revelation of God as El Shaddai (Gen 17:1) came to Abraham at a much-needed time in his life. His sin in marrying Hagar (Gen 16) had doubtless prevented that full and unhindered fellowship that had previously flowed between him and God. In addition, his wife, Sarah, was now an old woman, nearly 90, humanly unable to give birth to Abraham’s long-anticipated heir. El-Shaddai is also found in Psalm 91:1.

D. El-Olam, “the everlasting God.” Isaiah 40 is usually regarded as one of the greatest Old Testament chapters. The prophet begins by predicting both the first and second advent of Christ. He then contrasts the awesome power of the true God with the miserable impotence of all idols. But carnal Israel had trouble accepting all this, wondering just how these wonderful events could transpire. Isaiah’s response is well-known (Isa 40:28–31).


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