When it comes to Bible Study, and to my personal walk with God, I appreciate being able to go back to the original languages when I can. I’m not a Hebrew or Greek scholar, but I know how to use a concordance and a lexicon for sure. A while back, we were given a beautiful table book that included all the original Hebrew and Greek names of God in beautiful calligraphy lettering with art and details about the attributes of God described by each name. I love that book! So, when I heard about The Names of God Bible, I was very intrigued.
About The Names of God Bible
Open the door to a more intimate relationship with God
- Discover the Hebrew names of God within the biblical text
- Encounter God through prayers, promises, and devotional readings
- Experience God’s character more deeply by studying his names
One of the best ways to get to know God on a deeper level is to know his names and titles as revealed in Scripture. Now, the bestselling author of Praying the Names of God and Praying the Names of Jesus, Ann Spangler uncovers the richness of God’s character and love found in his names right within the Bible text.
The Names of God Bible restores more than 10,000 occurrences of specific names of God–like Yahweh, El Shadday, El Elyon, and Adonay–to help readers connect with the Hebrew roots of their Christian faith and experience a deeper understanding of God’s character. Perfect for personal study, prayer, and reflection, The Names of God Bible includes these special features:
More than 10,000 names and titles of God restored to their Hebrew equivalent and printed in brown ink to stand out within the biblical text
Names of God reading paths lead readers to the next reference of the name so they can pray and study the names of God throughout Scripture
Name Pages feature:
- background information associated with the most important names and titles of God
- key Scripture passages in which the name is revealed
- devotional readings for each of the featured names
- specific Bible promises connected to each of the featured names
Calling God by Name sidebars shed light on the relationship between biblical people and the specific names they called God
My Review
The version of The Names of God Bible I have is the God’s Word version. I wasn’t familiar with this translation at all, usually reading the New International Version, New Living Translation, New American Standard Bible, or The Message. The God’s Word translation is more of a thought-for-thought kind of translation, endeavouring to put historic sayings, phrases and teachings into a more modern and understandable context. We’ve used this Bible for our Christmas devotions all through December so far. We’ve found it to be accurate in telling familiar stories, without being glaringly different from the versions we are most accustomed to.
I’ve also been enjoying learning about the names of God, and seeing those names, as they were originally used, throughout the text. My kiddos picked up on that difference right away. The name “Jesus” is originally “Yeshua”. Each time we’ve bumped into that difference in the tell of the Christmas story, it catches our attention, and makes us think about it. In this case, that the name is bold and in a bright color reminds us again that Jesus (Yeshua) really was, really is God. Highlighting his name, making that distinction, reinforces Jesus’ true divinity in our minds.
I find that having the original name of God in a contrasting color and boldface type really does cause me to pause, if only for a second, to realize the fullness of the character of God, as described with another name. It becomes clear how extremely insufficient we are in the way we use one name for God to describe all of who He is.
The background info on each of the Names of God is solidly based on the original language and context. Ann has done her homework! I really like learning how that specific name of God came into being – who used it first, who prayed to God using that name, when and why. It gives a great picture into how the Lord revealed himself to people throughout history. The devotional readings tied to each name are also enlightening and insightful, and they have helped me to focus on the specific attribute described in the featured name.
There are many more names of God than I thought there were. I may yet discover an all-time ‘favorite’ one, but right now my new ‘favorite’ name of God is GO’EL (pronounced go-EL) – Redeemer, Defender. Job is the first one to use this name, in Job 19:25, “But I know that my Go’el lives, and afterwards, he will rise on the earth.”
I would say that this hard cover Names of God Bible would make a great gift. It’s beautifully laid out, with rich warm coloring and easy-to-read print. It’s not overly large, but it is substantial, considering the amount of information inside of it. It would be a fantastic option for anyone who enjoys Bible study!
I am looking forward to years of study with The Names of God Bible, God’s Word Translation. The Scripture with the highlighted names, the background info and the devotions, have already added depth to my understanding of the Lord, and I know they will continue to do so. I recommend The Names of God Bible, if you really want to know the Lord more fully, more closely, more intimately. Also check out either of Ann’s other books, Praying the Names of God, or Praying the Names of Jesus, for specifics on prayers directed at specific attributes of our Father and our Saviour.
Find more information about The Names of God Bible, including a 2-minute overview video, at The Names of God Bible page at Baker Publishing.
Bible has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
