Of the many names or titles ascribed to God, the English-speaking world is probably most familiar with the name Lord God. We see it capitalized two different ways in literal translations of the Bible such as the KJV--Lord GOD and LORD God. This difference may escape our notice, but it is at the crux of what we want  to share. (See The name Lord God for a more extensive discussion.)     

Though God has expressed Himself through Christ, He has left much for us to search out. There are the “hidden things” of God. “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2; see also Isa 48:6, Jer. 33:3). In accordance with this, we would search more deeply God's name as it relates to Jesus’ words in John 17:3 in his prayer before going to the Cross.

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

To investigate these names is our purpose, and to do so we must know the meaning of the Hebrew words used in the manuscripts from which our Bible versions are translated. Not being skilled linguists, we will rely on Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary for their meaning.

The first Hebrew word having a bearing on these names is in Genesis 1:1 where God introduces Himself by the Hebrew word, Elohim.  The word, so intriguing because of its plural nature, surely speaks of God’s power but leaves much to be known of His nature. Consequently, it must give way to the specific name by which He has chosen to be known. We find it first mentioned in Genesis 2:4 by two Hebrew words, Jehovah and Elohim, that when coupled together are translated as LORD God in our Bibles:

These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.

It is next used in Exodus 3:15 where the Angel of the Lord in the burning bush told Moses:

Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.’ 

Anyone having a good Bible computer program can search for the words Lord God to verify that Jehovah Elohim always refers to how God chose to be known by His creation. However, in the search, another Hebrew word coupling also will come to light—Adonai Jehovah, also translated Lord GOD. Do you see the difference between the two? A sharp eye will reveal that the capitalization of the two is different. In the scores of listings of Lord God, this distinction in capitalization never varies. Since, when translated into English from the two different Hebrew word couplings, they both read as Lord God, the only means to distinguish between them was by different capitalization. If your Bible is a literal translation, KJV, NASV, RSV, etc., you will see the different capitalization throughout the Old Testament—LORD God and Lord GOD. Bear this distinction in mind; it is most crucial—LORD God (Jehovah Elohim) and Lord GOD (Adonai Jehovah). Why so important? Examine the verses where the two are used. For example, notice the context of Isaiah 61:1, 2a:

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD…”

Here are the very words Jesus used in Luke 4:1 as he initiated his ministry at Nazareth. His words, “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,” show us that the Lord GOD (Adonai Jehovah) must be the Father, the one true God. See similar verses in Isaiah: 28:16, 48:16, 50:4, 5, 9.

Now that we can see that the Lord GOD (Adonai Jehovah) refers to God the Father, let’s consider the other word coupling, Jehovah Elohim. Here, Exodus 3:14 is most significant. When asking the Angel of the Lord by what name God was to be called, we read, “And God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM.’ And He said, ‘Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, I AM has sent me to you.’” Though already mentioned we repeat the Angel’s words that follow in verse 15:

“Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘The LORD God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations [this is how I am to be remembered].’” 

These scriptures enable us to see that LORD God (Jehovah Elohim), first mentioned in Genesis 2:4 and now here again, is the name by which God would make himself known to Israel and the Church. Of course, every Christian knows that name must be the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Incidentally, remember Jesus’ words in John 8:58 when the Jews sought to stone him when he declared, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” The LORD God and the “I AM” are one and the same. The word coupling LORD God (Jehovah Elohim) is used close to 300 times in the King James Version of the Old Testament as God dealt with His people from Adam to Israel. Following are just a few of many verses showing the use of LORD God to show the truth of this:

 Adam and Eve, in Genesis 3:8, “heard the voice of the LORD God…and hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God.”

In Exodus 9:1, Moses, addressing the Pharaoh, says, “Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, let my people go…”

In I Samuel 10:18, speaking to Israel, Samuel says, “Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians.”

In I Kings 18:21, Elijah asks the people, “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD God be God, follow him, but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered not a word.”  

Notice in II Samuel 7:25-28 that David prays to both LORD God and Lord GOD: "Now, O LORD God, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, establish it forever and do as You have said ...Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to You. 28) "And now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant.” [Two Gods or One God with two names?]

You have been given a lot to digest, so it may be time for a breather. What is being reported here, to our knowledge, is so new and opposite to common opinion as to be difficult to appreciate; but it most certainly is scriptural, without any speculation. We see that God has ingeniously used two distinct word couplings throughout the Old Testament--Adonai Jehovah, Lord GOD, and Jehovah Elohim, LORD God. Can there be any other explanation for their use than to prophetically point to and distinguish between God the Father from His Son?  With this advantage, passages, once obscure, take on new clarity. Even in the New Testament where Greek is used rather than Hebrew, references to Old Testament passages must necessarily be translated with the same meaning. Clearly, the LORD God of the Old Testament is the Son of God in the New Testament. Do your homework and you will see. For now, let us continue. There is more to say regarding Adonai Jehovah, the Father and Jehovah Elohim, the Son.

Both Adonai and Jehovah are words used exclusively of God the Father, whether used in coupling form or separately. They are never used of any other. We might surmise from His using the two words that alone designate Divinity that God chose to give Himself a kind of “double billing” Why? Perhaps to emphasize a “double witness” that He is the only deity existing. However, having said this, at once a question arises. What of the Jehovah Elohim, the Son of God? Was he not God? Certainly he is called God; and with respect to Israel and the Church, he is the One by whom God has chosen to be known. About this there is much to be said, but bear with us while first we examine the name Jehovah Elohim.

Jehovah, obviously speaks of Deity and has already been noted, so let us focus on the meaning and significances of Elohim that follows it. Remember the use of the plural noun Elohim in Genesis 1:1? Although normally used in the singular sense, in Genesis 1:26 with regard to the creation of mankind, we read, “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image.” We ask why? It’s no typographical error. What motive in this instance might God have had to refer to Himself as “US”? Might the answer be that He wanted to give a subtle clue of His union before creation with His Son? Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary defines the word Elohim as follows:

plural of gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative:--angels.

Simply put, Elohim is a generic term used in two ways, both of the supreme God and in a lesser sense of people, e.g., men, devils, gods, angels, judges, etc. Even the Lord Jesus Christ is spoken of as an Elohim, as in Deuteronomy 10:17 “For the LORD your God [elohim] is God [elohim] of gods [elohim] and Lord of lords.” Bearing this in mind, God’s choice of the word Elohim to characterize His Son is ingenious in speaking of him as God, yet as a god who is a man. Linking the name Jehovah with the name Elohim provides a picture of God in union with Christ. The words of John 14:10 come to mind:

Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.

To clarify even more his words, consider John 5:30, “I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” Jesus who was “meek and lowly” reigned supreme as he allowed the will and sufficiency of his Father to rule his life. In him was life, and the life that was the light of men was that of the one true God. There is much to say about this, but for now we won’t digress.

Our examination of names would not be complete without comparing the words Adonai and Adon. Strong’s defines Adonai as “an emphatic form of Adon; the Lord (used as a proper name of God only).” We have already seen that Adonai is used in the Hebrew word coupling referring to God. A search will show that in over 400 verses in the KJV, Adonai is always used of God whether linked with Jehovah in the word couplings or when used separately. It is never used of God’s Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

With respect to Christ as Lord the word Adon is used. Adon, like the word elohim, can refer to human rulers. The definition in Strong’s shows it to be “from an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)—lord, master, owner.” Included in 287 verses in the KJV, it is used of Christ 28 times. But it is never used of God the Father.

Is not God, who is so precise in his use of words, trying to tell us something? Most definitely, but the truth will escape us if we fail to discern the difference between these words. Right now, before going any further, etch theses key words indelibly in your mind. Now, let us do a quick recap.

The words Adonai Jehovah are always prophetic of the Father whether linked together or used separately.

The word coupling Jehovah Elohim always points to God’s Son. Elohim can refer to Jesus’ humanity while Jehovah speaks of God indwelling him, a Father/Son relationship.

Adonai and Adon are miles apart in their useage. Adonai always and only refers to God the Father, while Adon is used of men, even of Christ, but never of the Father.

If all this be true, and you have scripture’s word for it, does it not confirm that there is only one true God who has appointed a man through whom He will share His deity to rule as Lord of lords in the millennium?

We began with the mention of John 17:3 that eternal life is to know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. We trust the significance of Christ's words is now more easily and accurately discerned. The two names of God--one, testifying to the only true God, and the other revealing Him in terms we can better understand by His Son. Each, with opposite natures, bound by a common will and purpose, played their separate  roles to bring about our redemption. 

To anyone believing that Christ is God and equal with the Father, all this may come as a shock in disbelief. It certainly was to us at first, and we understand you may have questions just as we did. Many passages seem to substantiate it. Well, like Radio Shack’s commercial says, “You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers.” There is an alternative view that unravels the “mystery that cannot be explained” offered in defense of the Trinity conception.

We close with a question. Do you really believe what the Bible says or just what others say about it? With all due respect to those who crafted the Trinity doctrine, they were fallible men. Their speculations cannot be compared to the scriptures. For most of our Christian lives, we never challenged the Trinity view; it had been affirmed by the Church fathers, declared in the Creeds, and ultimately accepted by the majority of believers. Today it is included in the statement of faith of almost every church and Christian organization and is defended by theologians we highly respect. But there is one thing wrong. It is not scriptural! There is no substitute for a personal investigation of the claims of scripture. For those who are hungry to understand and obey it, the reward is “out of this world.” 

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