An Apologetical Explanation of the

Names of God

How is God addressed in Scripture?

Moses said to God, “If I come to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what shall I say to them?”  God said to Moses, “I am who I am.”  And he said, “Say this to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.'”  (Ex 3:13-14)

“Do not be like [the Gentiles], for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  Pray then like this:

Our Father who art in heaven, / hallowed be thy name.”  (Mt 6:8-9)

In the Old Testament, out of reverence for his name, God was generally not addressed directly.  In the New Testament, at the bidding of Christ himself, we are invited to call God “Father”.

In the languages and cultures of Sacred Scripture, a name reflects a person’s character.  therefore, when God revealed his name, he also revealed something of his nature (cf. CCC 203).  Some of the names of God in Scriptures include the following:

  • Elohim, which is the plural of El, means “strong one.”  It evokes majesty, and its plurality hints at the three Persons of the Blessed Trinity.
  • Yahweh (YHWH) is the name revealed by God to Moses in the burning bush: “God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am” (Ex 3:14).  This name stresses God as independent and self-existent.  Out of reverence the Jews did not utter this name but substituted Adonai, a plural of majesty, which stresses God’s relationship to human beings as master andn provider.  (Cf. CCC 205-214)
  • Theos is Greek for “God” and is the primary name used in the New Testament.  It stresses that God is the only true God, the unique and transcendent Savior.  This name is also used to describe Christ.  Despotes is Greek for “master” and stresses ownership.  (Cf. CCC 450, 2096)
  • Kyrios, Greek for “Lord,” stresses authority and supremacy.  It can mean “sir,” “owner,” or “master.”  It is used for Jesus Christ, meaning “rabbi” and “God.”  (Cf. CCC 209, 446)
  • Father is strongly identified with the New Testament.  It is used for God fifteen times in the Old Testament, but it is used for God 245 times in the New Testament.  This name stresses God’s loving care; provision; discipline; and the way his people, who become adopted sons and daughters of God through Baptism, are to address him in prayer.  (Cf. CCC 238-240, 742, 1303, 2766, 2781)

The Catechism addresses this question in paragraphs 204 and 2781.

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