The Names of God: El Shaddai | Blue Letter Bible: The Blog

The Names of God: El Shaddai | Blue Letter Bible: The Blog

(el shad-di’)


All-Sufficient One, Lord God Almighty

Use in the Bible: In the Old Testament El Shaddai occurs 7 times. El Shaddai is first used in Gen 17:1.

Strong’s Reference: 7706

El Shaddai in the Septuagint: theou saddai…God Shaddai;pantokratôr (for Shaddai)…the Almighty

Meaning and Derivation:

El is another name that is translated as “God” and can be used in conjunction with other words to designate various aspects of God’s character.

Another word much like Shaddai, and from which many believe it derived, is shad meaning “breast” in Hebrew (some other scholars believe that the name is derived from an Akkadian word Šadu, meaning “mountain,” suggesting strength and power).

This refers to God completely nourishing, satisfying, and supplying His people with all their needs as a mother would her child. Connected with the word for God—El—this denotes a God who freely gives nourishment and blessing, He is our Sustainer.

Our Lord God Almighty

Knowing that God is El Shaddai matters. It matters because it reminds us that the Lord is our mighty God, and like Him there is no other.
How does knowing about our God’s Mightiness minister to you?
Further references of the name El Shaddai in the Old Testament:

Gen 17:1; Gen 28:3; Gen 35:11; Gen 43:14; Gen 48:3

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