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This name is first
used in connection with Abram.
Gen 17:1-2
1 And when Abram was
ninety years old and nine, the LORD (Jehovah) appeared to Abram, and
said unto him, I am the Almighty God (El-Shaddai); walk before me, and
be thou perfect.
2 And I will make my
covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
(KJV)
El-Shaddai is translated "God (El) Almighty
(Shaddai)". The name Elohim is also translated into "God Almighty". How
then do these two names differ? Elohim (meaning "All Powerful One") is
evident throughout the story of creation. It is derived from the root
"El" which means "Power, Might, Exceeding Greatness" and is translated
into Almighty God as well many times in the Bible. Many scholars believe
the difference lies in the fact that in God’s dealings with Abram,
special circumstances (the age of Abram and the deadness of Sarai’s
womb) required special powers to bring about the fulfillment of His
promise. Powers which cause nature to perform contrary to natural law.
Scripture certainly seems to support this theory in the account of God’s
dealings with Abram and Sarai. We know from God’s Word that, in spite of
natural law, Sarai (Sarah) bore Isaac. However, many believe that the
meaning of Shaddai is much deeper than this.
In the year 250 B.C., a group of Jewish
scholars translated the Scriptures into Greek. This version of the Bible
is called the Septaugint. These scholars translated the Hebrew Shaddai
into the Greek word ikanos which means "all-sufficient". The word
Shaddai occurs some 48 times in the Old Testament and is always
translated "almighty" in the King James Version. Now consider that fact
that the Hebrew word shad is used 24 times and is always translated as
"breast". In the same way that a mother’s breast is "all-sufficient" for
her newborn’s nourishment, God is "all-sufficient" for His people.
Hence, when we combine El (Almighty God) with Shaddai (All-sufficiency)
we have " The Almighty God who pours out sustenance and blessing". Now
the remaining question is "Does God’s Word support this theory?" Let’s
look at Genesis Chapter 49. In this chapter, we see Jacob giving last
words to his sons. Let’s begin reading at verse 24.
Gen 49:24-25
24 But his bow abode
in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of
the mighty God (El) of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of
Israel:)
25 Even by the God (El) of thy father, who
shall help thee; and by the Almighty (Shaddai), who shall bless thee
with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under,
blessings of the breasts, and of the womb:
The usage of the names here is obvious. It
is God as El (Omnipotent, Almighty, All-Powerful) who helps in time of
need, but God as Shaddai (All-Sufficient) who satisfies with abundant
blessings "of the breasts and of the womb". This clearly indicates that
the righteous and loving God Jehovah cares for us as a mother cares for
a newborn child. Everything we could possibly need, exactly when we need
it, God IS!
(For other references to
this same usage, see Isaiah 60:15-16 and Isaiah 66:10-13.) |
