Theophory A theophoric name (from Greek: , ''theophoros'', literally "bearing or carrying a god") embeds the word equivalent of 'god' or God's name in a person's name, reflecting something about the character of the person so named in relation to that deit ...

is the practice of embedding the name of a god or a deity in, usually, a proper name. Much

Hebrew Hebrew (; ; ) is a Northwest Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Historically, it is one of the spoken languages of the Israelites and their longest-surviving descendants, the Jews and Samaritans. It was largely preserved ...

theophory occurs in the

Bible The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts ...

, particularly in the Old Testament. The most prominent theophory involves names referring to: * El, a word meaning ''might'', ''power'' and (a) ''god'' in general, and hence in

Judaism Judaism ( he, ''Yahăḏūṯ'') is an Abrahamic, monotheistic, and ethnic religion comprising the collective religious, cultural, and legal tradition and civilization of the Jewish people. It has its roots as an organized religion in t ...

, ''God'' and among the Canaanites the name of the god who was the father of

Baal Baal (), or Baal,; phn, , baʿl; hbo, , baʿal, ). ( ''baʿal'') was a title and honorific meaning "owner", "lord" in the Northwest Semitic languages spoken in the Levant during antiquity. From its use among people, it came to be applied t ...

. * Yah, a shortened form of

Yahweh Yahweh *''Yahwe'', was the national god of ancient Israel and Judah. The origins of his worship reach at least to the early Iron Age, and likely to the Late Bronze Age if not somewhat earlier, and in the oldest biblical literature he poss ...

. * Levantine deities (especially the storm god, Hadad) by the epithet ''

baal Baal (), or Baal,; phn, , baʿl; hbo, , baʿal, ). ( ''baʿal'') was a title and honorific meaning "owner", "lord" in the Northwest Semitic languages spoken in the Levant during antiquity. From its use among people, it came to be applied t ...

'', meaning ''lord''. In later times, as the conflict between

Yahwism Yahwism is the name given by modern scholars to the religion of ancient Israel. Yahwism was essentially polytheistic, with a plethora of gods and goddesses. Heading the pantheon was Yahweh, the national god of the Israelite kingdoms of Is ...

and the more popular pagan practices became increasingly intense, these names were censored and ''baal'' was replaced with ''bosheth'', meaning "shame".

''El'' theophory

The following is an alphabetical list of names referring to El and their meanings in Hebrew: :

Abdiel Abdiel ( he, עֲבְדִּיאֵל "Servant of El") is a biblical name which has been used as the name for a number of several notable people. The name has the same meaning as Obadiah and is cognate with the Arabic name Abdullah. Abdiel is mentio ...

– ''Servant of God'' : Abiel – ''God my Father'' : Abimael – ''A Father sent from God'' : Adbeel – ''Disciplined of God'' : Adiel – ''Witness of God'' :Adirael – ''Magnificence of God'' :

Adriel Adriel (Hebrew: עדריאל) (Aramaic: ܥܕܪܝܐܝܠ) (literallyעדר(flock) י (of) אל (El)) was a person mentioned in the Bible. Adriel was a nobleman in the ancient kingdom of Israel. The name Adriel is translated from the Hebrew word ע ...

– ''Flock of God'' :Advachiel – ''Happiness of God'' : Ambriel – ''Energy of God'' : Ammiel – ''People of God'' :

Ariel Ariel may refer to: Film and television *Ariel Award, a Mexican Academy of Film award * ''Ariel'' (film), a 1988 Finnish film by Aki Kaurismäki * ''ARIEL Visual'' and ''ARIEL Deluxe'', 1989 and 1991 anime video series based on the novel series ...

, Auriel – ''Lion of God'' :

Armisael The are fictional entities in the anime television series ''Neon Genesis Evangelion'', which was produced by Gainax studio and directed by Hideaki Anno. Angels also appear in the manga adaptation of the same name, which was illustrated by Yos ...

– ''Mountain of Judgment of God'' :

Azael Azrael (; , 'God has helped'; ) is the angel of death in some Abrahamic religions, namely Islam, Christian popular culture and some traditions of Judaism. He is also referenced in Sikhism. Relative to similar concepts of such beings, Azrael ...

– ''Whom God Strengthens'' :

Azazel In the Bible, the name Azazel (; he, עֲזָאזֵל ''ʿAzāʾzēl''; ar, عزازيل, ʿAzāzīl) appears in association with the scapegoat rite; the name represents a desolate place where a scapegoat bearing the sins of the Jews during ...

– ''God Strengthens'' or ''Arrogant to God'' :

Azrael Azrael (; , 'God has helped'; ) is the angel of death in some Abrahamic religions, namely Islam, Christian popular culture and some traditions of Judaism. He is also referenced in Sikhism. Relative to similar concepts of such beings, Azrael ...

– ''Help of God'' :Barakiel, Baraquiel – ''Lightning of God'' :

Barachiel Barachiel ( Hebrew: בַּרַכְאֵל ''Baraḵʾēl'', "God has blessed") is one of the Archangels in Judaism, as well as Byzantine Catholic and Eastern Orthodox tradition. He is the Archangel of Blessings. In the Third Book of Enoch, he i ...

, Bardiel – ''Kindness of God'' or ''Ray of God'' : Bethel – ''House of God'' : Betzalel – ''Shadow/Path of God'' : Bithiel – ''Daughter of God'' : Boel – ''God is in Him'' : Chakel – ''Wisdom of God'' : Chamuel – ''He who Seeks God'' :

Cassiel Cassiel ( he, קַצְפִּיאֵל ''Qaṣpīʾēl'', "God is my wrath"; also known as קַפְצִיאֵל ''Qap̄ṣīʾēl'', "God is my leap"; ar, كسفيائيل, '), is an angel appearing in extracanonical Jewish, Christian, and Islamic ...

– ''Speed of God'' or ''God is my anger'' :Castiel - ''My Cover is God'' : Denzel – Fortress of God : Daniel – ''Judged by God'' or ''Judgement of God'' :

Elad El'ad, also spelled Elad ( he, אלעד), is a city in the Central District of Israel. In the 1990s, it was built for a Haredi Jewish population and to a lesser extent, it was also built for a Religious Zionist Jewish population. Located about ...

– ''God Forever'' : Eliana – ''My God Answers'' :

Elijah Elijah ( ; he, אֵלִיָּהוּ, ʾĒlīyyāhū, meaning "My El (deity), God is Yahweh/YHWH"; Greek form: Elias, ''Elías''; syr, ܐܸܠܝܼܵܐ, ''Elyāe''; Arabic language, Arabic: إلياس or إليا, ''Ilyās'' or ''Ilyā''. ) w ...

(Elias) – ''Whose God is Jah'', ''God Jah'', ''The Strong Jah'', ''God of Jah'', ''My God is Jah''. Reference to the meaning of both ( Eli)-( Jah) : Elisha – ''Salvation of God'' : Elishama – ''My God Hears'' :

Elishua Elisha ( ; or "God is my salvation", Greek: , ''Elis îos'' or , ''Elisaié,'' Latin: ''Eliseus'') was, according to the Hebrew Bible, a prophet and a wonder-worker. His name is commonly transliterated into English as Elisha via Hebrew, Elis ...

– ''God is my salvation'' :

Eliezer Eliezer (, "Help/Court of El") was the name of at least three different individuals in the Bible. Eliezer of Damascus Eliezer of Damascus () was, according to the Targums, the son of Nimrod. Eliezer was head of the patriarch Abraham's house ...

– ''My God Helps'' : Elimelech – ''My God is King'' :

Elizabeth Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Elizabeth (biblical figure), mother of John the Baptist Ships * HMS ''Elizabeth'', several ships * ''Elisabeth'' (sch ...

– ''My God is Oath'' :

Elkanah Elkanah ( he, אֱלְקָנָה ''’Ĕlqānā'' " El has purchased") was, according to the First Book of Samuel, the husband of Hannah, and the father of her children including her first, Samuel. Elkanah practiced polygamy; his other wife, ...

– ''God has Possessed'', or ''God has Created'' :

Emmanuel Immanuel ( he, עִמָּנוּאֵל, 'Īmmānū'ēl, meaning, "God is with us"; also romanized: , ; and or in Koine Greek of the New Testament) is a Hebrew name that appears in the Book of Isaiah (7:14) as a sign that God will protect the ...

– ''God is with us'' : Ezekiel – ''God will Strengthen'' :Ezequeel – ''Strength of God'' :

Ezra Ezra (; he, עֶזְרָא, '; fl. 480–440 BCE), also called Ezra the Scribe (, ') and Ezra the Priest in the Book of Ezra, was a Jewish scribe ('' sofer'') and priest (''kohen''). In Greco-Latin Ezra is called Esdras ( grc-gre, Ἔσδρα ...

el – ''Help of God'' :

Gabriel In Abrahamic religions ( Judaism, Christianity and Islam), Gabriel (); Greek: grc, Γαβριήλ, translit=Gabriḗl, label=none; Latin: ''Gabriel''; Coptic: cop, Ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ, translit=Gabriêl, label=none; Amharic: am, ገብ ...

, Gavriel – ''Man of God'', ''God has shown Himself Mighty'', ''Hero of God'' or ''Strong one of God'' : Gaghiel – ''Roaring Beast of God'' :

Gamaliel Gamaliel the Elder (; also spelled Gamliel; he, רַבַּן גַּמְלִיאֵל הַזָּקֵן ''Rabban Gamlīʾēl hazZāqēn''; grc-koi, Γαμαλιὴλ ὁ Πρεσβύτερος ''Gamaliēl ho Presbýteros''), or Rabban Gamaliel I, ...

– ''Reward of God'' : Hamaliel – ''Grace of God'' : Hanael – ''Glory of God'' : Harel – ''Mountain of God'' :

Isabel Isabel is a female name of Spanish origin. Isabelle is a name that is similar, but it is of French origin. It originates as the medieval Spanish form of '' Elisabeth'' (ultimately Hebrew ''Elisheva''), Arising in the 12th century, it became popul ...

– ''God is my oath'' :

Immanuel Immanuel ( he, עִמָּנוּאֵל, 'Īmmānū'ēl, meaning, "God is with us"; also romanized: , ; and or in Koine Greek of the New Testament) is a Hebrew name that appears in the Book of Isaiah (7:14) as a sign that God will protect the H ...

– ''God with us'' : Imriel – ''Eloquence of God'' : Iruel – ''Fear of God'' : Ishmael, Ishamael – ''Heard by God'', ''Named by God'', or ''God Hearkens'' : Israel, Yisrael – ''Struggles with God'' or ''Prince of God'' : Jekuthiel – ''God will support'' :

Jerahmeel The name Jerahmeel (Hebrew , ''Yəraḥməʾēl''; Greek ) appears several times in the Tanakh. It means "He will obtain mercy of God",Alfred Jones, ''Dictionary of Old Testament Proper Names'' 1856, republished Kregel Publications 1990 "God pities" ...

– ''God's exaltation'' : Jeremiel – ''God's mercy'' : Jezreel – ''God will sow'' :

Joel Joel or Yoel is a name meaning "Yahweh Is God" and may refer to: * Joel (given name), origin of the name including a list of people with the first name. * Joel (surname), a surname * Joel (footballer, born 1904), Joel de Oliveira Monteiro, Brazili ...

– '' Jah is God'' :

Jegudiel Saint Iehudiel ( he, יַחְדִּיאֵל ''Yaḥdīʾēl,'' "God is One") is one of the seven Archangels in Eastern Orthodox tradition and in the eastern rites of the Catholic Church. Iconography He is often depicted in iconography holding a ...

– ''Glorifier of God'' : Katriel – ''Crown of God'' :Kazbiel – ''He who lies to God'' :

Kushiel In Judeo-Christian folklore the angel Kushiel, meaning "Rigid One of God", punishes individuals in Hell. In Hebrew writings Kushiel is one of seven angels of punishment along with Hutriel, Lahatiel, Makatiel, Puriel (also written Pusiel), R ...

– ''Rigid One of God'' : Lee-El, Lee-el, Leeel – ''For God'' :

Leliel Lailah (Hebrew language, Heb. לַיְלָה, ''Laylāh;'' Meaning: "Night") is an angel in some interpretations in the Talmud and in some later Jewish mythology, associated with the night, as well as conception and pregnancy. Etymology "Lailah" ...

– ''Jaws of God'' : Lemuel – ''Dedicated to God'' :

Mahalalel Mahalalel (, ) is an Antediluvian patriarch named in the Hebrew Bible. He is mentioned in the Sethite genealogy as the grandfather of Enoch and subsequently the ancestor of Noah. Etymology The meaning of the name could be translated as "the ...

– ''The blessed God'', ''The shining light of God'', or ''The glory of God'' : Malahidael – ''King of God'' :

Matarael Batriel, Batârêl ( Aramaic: מטראל, Greek: Βατριήλ) or Matriel, Matârêl (prob. compd. of ''matar''—"rain" + El—"God"; lit. "Rain of God") was the 12th Watcher of the 20 leaders of the 200 fallen angels that are mentioned in an an ...

– ''Premonition of God'' :

Michael Michael may refer to: People * Michael (given name), a given name * Michael (surname), including a list of people with the surname Michael Given name "Michael" * Michael (archangel), ''first'' of God's archangels in the Jewish, Christian an ...

– ''Who is like God?'' a question : Mishael – ''Who is what God is?'' a question :

Nathanael Nathanael is a biblical given name derived from the Hebrew נְתַנְאֵל (''Netan'el''), which means "God/ El has given" or "Gift of God/ El." Nathaniel is the variant form of this name and it stands to this day as the usual and most common s ...

Nathaniel , nickname = {{Plainlist, * Nat * Nate , footnotes = Nathaniel is an English variant of the biblical Greek name Nathanael. People with the name Nathaniel * Nathaniel Archibald (1952–2018), American basketball player * Nat ...

– ''Given by God'' or ''God has Given'' or "Gift of God" : Nemuel – ''Day of God'' :

Othniel Othniel (; he, עָתְנִיאֵל בֶּן קְנַז, ''ʿOṯnīʾēl ben Qenaz'') was the first of the biblical judges. The etymology of his name is uncertain, but may mean "God/He is my strength" or "God has helped me". Family The Hebr ...

– ''Hour of God'' : Peniel, Penuel, Phanuel – ''Face of God'' : Priel – ''Fruit of God'' : Rachmiel – ''God is my Comforter'' : Ramiel/Remiel – ''Thunder of God'' :

Raphael Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, better known as Raphael (; or ; March 28 or April 6, 1483April 6, 1520), was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. His work is admired for its clarity of form, ease of composition, and visual a ...

– ''God is Healing'' or ''Healing one of God'' :

Raziel Raziel, ( ''Rāzīʾēl,'' "God is my Mystery") also known as Gallitsur ( Hebrew: גַּלִּיצוּר ''Gallīṣūr'') is an angel within the teachings of Jewish mysticism (of the Kabbalah of Judaism) who is the "Angel of Secrets" and the "An ...

– ''Secret of God'' : Rameel – ''Mercy of God'' or ''Compassion of God'' :

Reuel Reuel or Raguel (; Edomite: 𐤓𐤏𐤀𐤋, ''RʿʾL''), meaning "God shall pasture" or more specifically " El shall pasture" (as a shepherd does with his flock) is a Hebrew name associated with several biblical and religious figures. Biblical ...

– ''Friend of God'' :

Sachiel In kabbalistic and Christian angelology, Sachiel (Ge'ez ሳቁኤል) is an archangel of the order of cherubim. The name 'Sachiel' originally occurs in the late 1500s grimoire called ''The Heptameron''. In the early mentions of that angel, its ...

– ''Price of God'' or ''Covering of God'' : Sahaquiel – ''Ingenuity of God'' :

Samael Samael ( he, סַמָּאֵל, ''Sammāʾēl'', "Venom/Poison of God"; ar, سمسمائيل, ''Samsama'il'' or ar, سمائل, label=none, ''Samail''; alternatively Smal, Smil, Samil, or Samiel) is an archangel in Talmudic and post-Talmudic ...

– ''Venom of God'' : Samiel – ''Blind God'', epithet for

or the

Demiurge In the Platonic, Neopythagorean, Middle Platonic, and Neoplatonic schools of philosophy, the demiurge () is an artisan-like figure responsible for fashioning and maintaining the physical universe. The Gnostics adopted the term ''demiurge'' ...

: Samuel – ''Name/Heard of God'' :

Sariel Sariel (Hebrew & Aramaic: שָׂרִיאֵל ''Śārīʾēl'', "God is my Ruler"; Greek: Σαριηλ ''Sariēl'', cop, ⲥⲟⲩⲣⲓⲏⲗ ''Souriēl''; Amharic: ሰራቁያል ''Säraquyael'', ሰረቃኤል ''Säräqael'') is an archange ...

– ''Command of God'' : Sealtiel – ''Intercessor of God'' :

Shamsiel Shamsiel (Hebrew and Aramaic: שִׁמְשִׁיאֵל ''Šīmšīʾēl'', "God is my sun" Greek: Σεμσιήλ Semsiḗl), also spelled ''Samsâpêêl'', ''Shamshel'', ''Shashiel'' or ''Shamshiel'', was the 16th Watcher of the 20 leaders of th ...

– ''Lonely Conqueror of God'' :

Shealtiel Shealtiel ( he, שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל, ''Shəʾaltīʾēl''), transliterated in Greek as Salathiel (Greek: Σαλαθιηλ, ''Salăthiēl''), was the son of Jehoiachin, king of Judah. (1 Chronicles, ) The Gospel of Matthew 1:12 also list ...

– ''I asked God or this child' : Suriel – ''Moon of God'' : Tamiel – ''Perfection of God'' : Tarfiel – ''God Nourishes'' : Tzaphkiel – ''Beholder of God'' : Tzaphquiel – ''Contemplation of God'' :

Uriel Uriel or Auriel ( he, אוּרִיאֵל ''ʾŪrīʾēl'', " El/God is my flame"; el, Οὐριήλ ''Oúriēl''; cop, ⲟⲩⲣⲓⲏⲗ ''Ouriēl''; it, Uriele; Geʽez and Amharic: or ) is the name of one of the archangels who is menti ...

– ''Sun of God'', ''Light of God'' or ''Fire of God'' :

Uzziel According to the Torah, Uzziel ( he, עֻזִּיאֵל, ''ʿUzzîʾēl''; meaning '' El is my strength'' or ''God is my strength'') was the father of Mishael, Elzaphan, and Zithri, and was a son of Kohath and grandson of Levi, consequently be ...

– ''Power from God'' : Verchiel – ''Shining of God'' : Yophiel – ''Beauty of God'' : Za'afiel – ''Wrath of God'' :

Zadkiel Zadkiel ( he, צִדְקִיאֵל , 'God is my Righteousness'), also known as Hasdiel, is the archangel of freedom, benevolence, kindness and mercy, and the patron angel of all who forgive. Names Zadkiel is also known by a variety of oth ...

– ''Righteousness of God'' (rabbinic) : Zagzagel – ''Splendor of God'' :

Zaphkiel Zaphkiel ( he, צַפְקִיאֵל ''Ṣafqīʾēl''), also written as Tzaphqiel, Tzaphkiel, Zafkiel, Zafchial, Zaphchial, Zaphiel, or Zelel, is an archangel. He is sometimes equated with Jophiel/Zophiel, but other times considered to be a diff ...

– ''Knowledge of God'' :Zeruel – ''Arm of God'' : Zophiel – ''Watchman of God'' : Zuriel – ''Rock of God''

Incorrect El theophory

The name ''

Abel Abel ''Hábel''; ar, هابيل, Hābīl is a Biblical figure in the Book of Genesis within Abrahamic religions. He was the younger brother of Cain, and the younger son of Adam and Eve, the first couple in Biblical history. He was a shepherd ...

'', which appears to refer to El, in fact is not an instance of theophory. ''Abel'' can be translated as "breath", "temporary" or "meaninglessness" and is the word translated as "vanity" in in the King James Version. The name '' Jael'' also appears to refer to El in English, but contains

ayin ''Ayin'' (also ''ayn'' or ''ain''; transliterated ) is the sixteenth letter of the Semitic scripts, including Phoenician , Hebrew , Aramaic , Syriac ܥ, and Arabic (where it is sixteenth in abjadi order only). The letter represen ...

rather than the aleph of El. The name ''

Eli Eli most commonly refers to: * Eli (name), a given name, nickname and surname * Eli (biblical figure) Eli or ELI may also refer to: Film * ''Eli'' (2015 film), a Tamil film * ''Eli'' (2019 film), an American horror film Music * ''Eli'' (Jan ...

'' also appears to refer to El in English, but contains

rather than aleph. The name ''

Rachel Rachel () was a Biblical figure, the favorite of Jacob's two wives, and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin, two of the twelve progenitors of the tribes of Israel. Rachel's father was Laban. Her older sister was Leah, Jacob's first wife. Her aun ...

'' also appears to refer to El in English, but contains chet.

Shaddai theophory

The following is an alphabetical list of names referring to Shaddai and their meanings in Hebrew: : Zurishaddai – ''Shaddai is my rock''

Yah theophory

The following is an alphabetical list of names referring to Yah/Yahweh and their meanings in Hebrew: : Abiah – ''Yahweh is my father'' :

Abijah Abijah ( ') is a Biblical HebrewPetrovsky, p. 35 unisex nameSuperanskaya, p. 277 which means "my Father is Yah". The Hebrew form ' also occurs in the Bible. Old Testament characters Women * Abijah, who married King Ahaz of Judah. She is a ...

– ''Yahweh is my father'' (2 Chron. 13:3) : Adaiah – ''ornament of Yahweh'' : Adonijah – ''my lord is Yahweh'' :

Ahaziah Ahaziah ( he, אֲחַזְיָהוּ, "held by Yah(-weh)"; Douay–Rheims: Ochozias) was the name of two kings mentioned in the Hebrew Bible: *Ahaziah of Israel *Ahaziah of Judah Ahaziah ( he, אֲחַזְיָהוּ, "held by Yah(-weh)"; Douay– ...

– ''vision of Yahweh'' :

Ahiah Ahijah ( ''’Ǎḥîyāh'', "brother of Yah"; Latin and Douay–Rheims: Ahias) is a name of several biblical individuals: # Ahijah the Shilonite, the Biblical prophet who divided the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. # One of the sons of Bela (1 Chr. ...

– ''brother of Yahweh'' : Ahijah – ''brother of Yahweh'' :

Amariah Amariah ( he, אֲמַרְיָה) means "promised by God" in Hebrew. It was commonly used as a name of priests in the History of ancient Israel and Judah. It appear several times in the Hebrew Bible: #One of the descendants of Aaron by Eleazar ( ...

– ''Yahweh says''; ''integrity of Yahweh'' :

Amaziah Amaziah or Amasias (in the Douay Rheims Bible, Douay-Rheims translation) ( he, אֲמַצְיָה, "strengthened by God"; la, Amasias) may refer to: * Amaziah of Judah, the king of Judah * A Levite, son of Hilkiah, of the descendants of Ethan (He ...

– ''strength of Yahweh'' : Ananiah – ''Protected by Yah'' : Athaliah – ''Yahweh is exalted'' :

Azariah Azariah ( ''‘Ǎzaryāh'', " Yah has helped") is the name of several people in the Hebrew Bible and Jewish history, including: * Abednego, the new name given to Azariah who is the companion of Daniel, Hananiah, and Mishael in the Book of Daniel ( ...

– ''Yahweh has helped'' : Batyah – ''Daughter of Yah'' : Bealiah – ''Yahweh is Lord''Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. ''International Standard Bible Encyclopedia'', "Bealiah" (1915)

/ref> : Dodavah, Dodavah(u) – ''Beloved of Yahweh'' :

– ''My God is Yah'', ''God Yah''. Reference to the meaning of both ( Eli)-( Yah) :

Hananiah Hananiah, Hanina, Chaninah, Haninah, Chananiah ( he, חנינא, חנניה) or Ananias ( grc-koi, Ἀνανίας) may refer to: Hebrew Bible * Hananiah ben Zerubbabel, (Old Testament: Chronicles) * Hananiah (aka Shadrach) of Shadrach, Meshach, a ...

– ''Yahweh is gracious'' :

Gedaliah Gedaliah, Gedalia, Gedallah Hirsch, E. G. and Greenstone, J. H. (1906)Gedallah Jewish Encyclopedia or Gedalya(h) ( or ; he, גְּדַלְיָּה ''Gəḏalyyā'' or ''Gəḏalyyāhū'', meaning "Jah has become Great") was, according to the na ...

– ''Yahweh is great'' :

Hezekiah Hezekiah (; hbo, , Ḥīzqīyyahū), or Ezekias); grc, Ἐζεκίας 'Ezekías; la, Ezechias; also transliterated as or ; meaning "Yahweh, Yah shall strengthen" (born , sole ruler ), was the son of Ahaz and the 13th king of Kingdom of Jud ...

– ''Yahweh has strengthened'' : Hodaviah/ Hodiah – ''Give thanks to Yahweh'', ''The splendour of Yahweh'' :

Isaiah Isaiah ( or ; he, , ''Yəšaʿyāhū'', "God is Salvation"), also known as Isaias, was the 8th-century BC Israelite prophet after whom the Book of Isaiah is named. Within the text of the Book of Isaiah, Isaiah himself is referred to as "the ...

– ''Salvation of Yahweh'' : Isshiah – ''Yahweh exists'' : Jaden/Yahden – ''Yahweh has heard'' :

Jeconiah Jeconiah ( he, יְכָנְיָה ''Yəḵonəyā'' , meaning "Yah has established"; el, Ιεχονιας; la, Iechonias, Jechonias), also known as Coniah and as Jehoiachin ( he, יְהוֹיָכִין ''Yəhōyāḵīn'' ; la, Ioachin, Joach ...

– ''Yahweh has firmly established'' :

Jedaiah Jedaiah was a priest of ancient Israel after the order of Aaron, during the reign of King David in the 10th century BCE. Jedaiah led the second of the 24 priestly divisions. The biblical passage of 1 Chronicles 24 documents the division of the prie ...

– ''Yah knows'' : Jedidiah – ''Beloved of Yah'' : Jehiah – ''Yahweh lives'' :

Jehoiachin Jeconiah ( he, יְכָנְיָה ''Yəḵonəyā'' , meaning "Yah has established"; el, Ιεχονιας; la, Iechonias, Jechonias), also known as Coniah and as Jehoiachin ( he, יְהוֹיָכִין ''Yəhōyāḵīn'' ; la, Ioachin, Joach ...

– ''Yahweh is firmly established'' :

Jehoiada Jehoiada ( ''Yəhōyāḏā‘'', "Yahweh knows") in the Hebrew Bible, was a prominent priest in the kingdom of Judah during the reigns of Ahaziah (reigned c. 842 - 841 BCE), Athaliah (reigned c. 841–835 BCE), and Joash (reigned c. 836–796 B ...

– ''Yahweh knows'' :

Jehoshaphat Jehoshaphat (; alternatively spelled Jehosaphat, Josaphat, or Yehoshafat; ; el, Ἰωσαφάτ, Iosafát; la, Josaphat), according to 1 Kings 22:41, was the son of Asa, and the fourth king of the Kingdom of Judah, in succession to his fathe ...

– ''Yahweh is judge'' :

Jehosheba Jehosheba (alternately Jehoshabeath; he, יְהוֹשֶׁ֫בַע ''Yəhōšeḇa‘'', "Yahweh is an oath"), or Josaba, is a figure in the Hebrew Bible. She was the daughter of King Jehoram of Judah, sister to King Ahaziah of Judah and wife of Je ...

– ''Yahweh is my oath'' :

Jehozadak Jehozadak is a man in the Bible, his name means "God had justified". He was the son of the high priest Seraiah at the time of the Babylonian exile (597-581 BCE, '' 1Chronicles'' 6:14, 15). He was taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar II (reigned c ...

– ''Righteous is Yahweh'' : Jekamiah – ''Yahweh raises'' :

Jeremiah Jeremiah, Modern: , Tiberian: ; el, Ἰερεμίας, Ieremíās; meaning " Yah shall raise" (c. 650 – c. 570 BC), also called Jeremias or the "weeping prophet", was one of the major prophets of the Hebrew Bible. According to Jewi ...

– ''Yah exalts'' : Jeshaiah – ''Salvation of Yahweh'' :

Jesse Jesse may refer to: People and fictional characters * Jesse (biblical figure), father of David in the Bible. * Jesse (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters * Jesse (surname), a list of people Music * ''Jesse'' ( ...

– ''Yahweh exists'' :

Joab Joab (Hebrew Modern: ''Yōʼav'', Tiberian: ''Yōʼāḇ'') the son of Zeruiah, was the nephew of King David and the commander of his army, according to the Hebrew Bible. Name The name Joab is, like many other Hebrew names, theophoric - de ...

– ''Yahweh is father'' : Jochebed – ''Yahweh is glory'' :

– ''Yahweh is El/God'' :

John John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Secon ...

– ''Yahweh is gracious'' : Jonathan – ''gift of Yahweh'' :

Joseph Joseph is a common male given name, derived from the Hebrew Yosef (יוֹסֵף). "Joseph" is used, along with "Josef", mostly in English, French and partially German languages. This spelling is also found as a variant in the languages of the mo ...

– ''Yah has increased'' :

Joshua Joshua () or Yehoshua ( ''Yəhōšuaʿ'', Tiberian: ''Yŏhōšuaʿ,'' lit. 'Yahweh is salvation') ''Yēšūaʿ''; syr, ܝܫܘܥ ܒܪ ܢܘܢ ''Yəšūʿ bar Nōn''; el, Ἰησοῦς, ar , يُوشَعُ ٱبْنُ نُونٍ '' Yūšaʿ ...

– (Yahoshua,

Jesus Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label= Hebrew/ Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religiou ...

) – ''Yahweh saves/is (my) Saviour/Salvation'' or ''Yahweh is lordly'' (

Niqqud In Hebrew orthography, niqqud or nikud ( or ) is a system of diacritical signs used to represent vowels or distinguish between alternative pronunciations of letters of the Hebrew alphabet. Several such diacritical systems were developed in the ...

dependent) : Josiah – ''supported of Yahweh'' : Malchijah – ''Yahweh is king'' :

Micaiah Micaiah ( he, ''Mīḵāyəhū'' "Who is like Yah?"), son of Imlah, is a prophet in the Hebrew Bible. He is one of the four disciples of Elijah and not to be confused with Micah, prophet of the Book of Micah. Prophecy The events leading up ...

– ''Who is like Yahweh'' : Matityahu – ''Gift from Yah'' : Neariah – ''Servant of Yahweh'' : Nedabiah – ''Yahweh impels'' :

Nehemiah Nehemiah is the central figure of the Book of Nehemiah, which describes his work in rebuilding Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. He was governor of Persian Judea under Artaxerxes I of Persia (465–424 BC). The name is pronounced o ...

– ''Yah comforts'' : Nethaniah – ''gift of Yahweh'' :

Netanyahu Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu (; ; born 21 October 1949) is an Israeli politician who served as the ninth prime minister of Israel from 1996 to 1999 and again from 2009 to 2021. He is currently serving as Leader of the Opposition and Chairman of ...

– ''gift of Yahweh'' :

Obadiah Obadiah (; he, עֹבַדְיָה – ''ʿŌḇaḏyā'' or – ''ʿŌḇaḏyāhū''; "servant of Yah", or "Slave of Yah HVH) is a biblical prophet. The authorship of the Book of Obadiah is traditionally attributed to the prophet ...

– ''Yahweh's servant'' or ''worshiper'' : Odelia – ''Thanks to Yah'' :

Pedaiah Shealtiel ( he, שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל, ''Shəʾaltīʾēl''), transliterated in Greek as Salathiel (Greek: Σαλαθιηλ, ''Salăthiēl''), was the son of Jehoiachin, king of Judah. (1 Chronicles, ) The Gospel of Matthew 1:12 also list S ...

– ''Redemption of Yahweh'' : Pelatiah – ''Yah has delivered'' : Pelaiah – ''Yah has distinguished'' : Pelaliah – ''Yah has judged'' :

Pekahiah Pekahiah (; he, פְּקַחְיָה ''Pəqaḥyā''; "YHWH has opened the eyes"; la, Phaceia) was the seventeenth and antepenultimate king of Israel and the son of Menahem, whom he succeeded, and the second and last king of Israel from the Hous ...

– ''Yah has observed'' : Reaiah – ''Yahweh has seen'' : Rephaiah – ''Yah has healed'' :

Seraiah Seraiah or Sraya (שְׂרָיָה "Soldier/Prince/Princess of/is the LORD", Standard Hebrew ''Səraya'', Tiberian Hebrew ''Śərāyā'') is the name of several people mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, and a name with other non-biblical uses. Biblica ...

– ''Servant/prince of Yahweh'' : Shecaniah – ''One intimate with Yahweh'' : Shephatiah – ''Judged of Yahweh'' : Toviah – ''Good of Yahweh'' or ''Yahweh is Good'' : Uriah – ''My light is Yahweh'' :

Uzziah Uzziah (; he, עֻזִּיָּהוּ ''‘Uzzīyyāhū'', meaning "my strength is Yah"; el, Ὀζίας; la, Ozias), also known as Azariah (; he, עֲזַרְיָה ''‘Azaryā''; el, Αζαρίας; la, Azarias), was the tenth king of t ...

– ''Yahweh is my strength'' : Zebadiah, Zabdi – ''Gift of Yahweh'' :

Zedekiah Zedekiah (), was the 20th and last king of Judah before the destruction of the kingdom by King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. His birth name was Mattaniah/Mattanyahu ( he, מַתַּנְיָהוּ, ''Mattanyāhū'', "Gift of God"; el, Μαθ� ...

– ''justice of'' or ''righteous is Yahweh'' :

Zephaniah Zephaniah (, ) is the name of several people in the Hebrew Bible and Jewish Tanakh, the most prominent one being the prophet who prophesied in the days of Josiah, king of Judah (640–609 BCE) and is attributed a book bearing his name among the ...

– ''Yahweh hides'' or ''protects'' : Zechariah – ''Yahweh remembers''

Baal theophory

''Ba'al'' is a generic term meaning ''master''; it can also be translated "

Lord Lord is an appellation for a person or deity who has authority, control, or power over others, acting as a master, chief, or ruler. The appellation can also denote certain persons who hold a title of the peerage in the United Kingdom, or are ...

". In the Bible, it is frequently a reference to Hadad, although it is sometimes used to refer to other specific deities, including

, and on other occasions is used to refer to an arbitrary ''lord of this area''. The following is an alphabetical list of names referring ''Ba'al'', and their meanings in Hebrew: :Baal – master; lord :'' Baalah'' – her lord; she that is governed or subdued; a spouse :''

Baalath Baalath is the name of either one or two towns in the Hebrew Bible.For the existence of one or two Balaaths, see Its name is the female form of Baal Baal (), or Baal,; phn, , baʿl; hbo, , baʿal, ). ( ''baʿal'') was a title and honorific ...

'' – a rejoicing; our proud lord :'' Baalath-Beer'' – subjected pit :'' Baal-berith'' – lord of the covenant :'' Baale'' – same as Baalath :'' Baal-gad'' – lord Gad, or lord of Gad, or lord of fortune/felicity :''

Baal-hamon Baal Hammon, properly Baʿal Ḥammon or Baʿal Ḥamon ( Phoenician: ; Punic: ), meaning “Lord Hammon”, was the chief god of Carthage. He was a weather god considered responsible for the fertility of vegetation and esteemed as King of the ...

'' – he who rules a crowd :''

Baal-hanan Baal-hanan (Hebrew: בַּעַל חָנָן / בָּעַל חָנָן, Standard ''Baʿal Ḥanan'' Tiberian ''Baʿal Ḥānān'' / ''Bāʿal Ḥānān'') means "Baal has been gracious". There are two men by this name in the Hebrew Bible. ...

'' – Ba'al is gracious :'' Baal-hermon'' – lord of destruction / of a cursed-thing :'' Baali'' – my lord; lord over me :''

Baalim Baal (), or Baal,; phn, , baʿl; hbo, , baʿal, ). ( ''baʿal'') was a title and honorific meaning "owner", "lord" in the Northwest Semitic languages spoken in the Levant during antiquity. From its use among people, it came to be applied t ...

'' – lords; masters; (later Jewish use: false gods) :''

Baalis Baalis (, ''Ba‘ălīs''; Ammonite: 𐤁𐤏𐤋𐤉𐤔𐤏, ''B‘LYŠ‘'') is the name given in the Book of Jeremiah for the king of Ammon. He instigated the murder of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed Jewish governor of Jerusalem. Seal of ...

'' – a rejoicing/proud lord :'' Baal-meon'' – lord/master of the house :''

Baal-Peor Numbers 31 is the 31st chapter of the Book of Numbers, the fourth book of the Pentateuch (Torah), the central part of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), a sacred text in Judaism and Christianity. Scholars such as Israel Knohl and Dennis T. Olson ...

'' – master of Peor; master of the opening :''

Baal-perazim Ba'al-Perazim (Hebrew ''Owner of Breakings Through'') was a place in ancient Israel. It was the scene of a victory gained by David over the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:20; 1 Chronicles 14:11). It is called Mount Perazim in Isaiah 28:21. It was near th ...

'' – lord of divisions :'' Baal-shalisha'' – the lord that presides over three; the third idol :''

Baal-tamar Baal-tamar (“Lord of the Palm”) is a place of uncertain identification near Gibeah, mentioned the Book of Judges () in the account of the battle between the Tribe of Benjamin and the other tribes of Israel. Eusebius Eusebius of Caesarea ( ...

'' – master of the palm-tree :'' Baal-zebub'' – lord of the fly (satirical corruption of ''Ba'al-zebul'' - lord of princes) :''

Baal-zephon Baal-zephon ( he, ''Baʿal Ṣəfōn''; Akkadian: ''Bēl Ḫazi'' ( dIM ḪUR.SAG); Ugaritic: ''baʿlu ṣapāni''; Hurrian: '' Tešub Ḫalbağe''; Egyptian: ''bꜥr ḏꜣpwnꜣ''), was the form of the Canaanite storm god Baʿal ( "The Lord" ...

'' – the lord/possession of the north/hidden/secret :'' Jerub-baal'' the lord contends

Bosheth

In later biblical and Jewish writing, some of the theophories in Ba'al were

bowdlerised Expurgation, also known as bowdlerization, is a form of censorship that involves purging anything deemed noxious or offensive from an artistic work or other type of writing or media. The term ''bowdlerization'' is a pejorative term for the practi ...

, with ''ba'al'' replaced by ''bosheth'' (''(the) shameful (thing)''): :Ishbosheth, from Ishba'al, ''man of ba'al''. :Jerubbeshet, from

Jerubbaal Gideon (; ) also named Jerubbaal and Jerubbesheth, was a military leader, judge and prophet whose calling and victory over the Midianites are recounted in of the Book of Judges in the Hebrew Bible. Gideon was the son of Joash, from the Abi ...

"Ba'al contends" :

Mephibosheth Mephibosheth (Biblical Hebrew: , ''Məfīḇōšeṯ'', also called Meribaal, , ''Mərīḇ-Baʻal'') was the son of Jonathan—and, thus, a grandson of Saul—mentioned in the Biblical Books of Samuel and Chronicles. Mephibosheth was five yea ...

, from Mephibaal "from the mouth of Ba'al"

Yam theophory

Yam is the Canaanite god of the Sea. :'' Abiyam'' – My father is Yam (1 Kgs. 14:31)

Zedek theophory

Zedek (or Sydyk or Sedek) was the name of a Phoenician deity worshiped in Canaan. In Hebrew, "tzedek" (from the root tz-d-k) means "righteous". The following is an alphabetical list of names referring Zedek, and their meanings in Hebrew: :'' Melchi-zedek'' – My king is Zedek :'' Adoni-zedek'' – My lord is Zedek :'' Rabi-zedki'' – My great one/master is Zedek ( EA 170)

Hadad

Apart from oblique references to Hadad by means of the word ''ba'al'', some theophory references him directly: :''

Hadadezer Hadadezer (; " he god Hadad is help"); also known as Adad-Idri ( akk, 𒀭𒅎𒀉𒊑, dIM-id-ri), and possibly the same as Bar-Hadad II ( Aram.) or Ben-Hadad II ( Heb.), was the king of Aram Damascus between 865 and 842 BC. The Hebrew Bible s ...

'' - ''Hadad is my help'' :''

Rib-Hadda Rib-Hadda (also rendered Rib-Addi, Rib-Addu, Rib-Adda) was king of Byblos during the mid fourteenth century BCE. He is the author of some sixty of the Amarna letters all to Akhenaten. His name is Akkadian in form and may invoke the Northwest Semi ...

'' - ''Great is Hadad''

Others

:'' Asenappar'' - '' Ashur is creator of an heir'' :'' Nebuchadnezzar'' - ''

Nabu Nabu ( akk, cuneiform: 𒀭𒀝 Nabû syr, ܢܵܒܼܘܼ\ܢܒܼܘܿ\ܢܵܒܼܘܿ Nāvū or Nvō or Nāvō) is the ancient Mesopotamian patron god of literacy, the rational arts, scribes, and wisdom. Etymology and meaning The Akkadian "nab ...

, preserve my firstborn son'' :''

Sennacherib Sennacherib ( Neo-Assyrian cuneiform: or , meaning " Sîn has replaced the brothers") was the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from the death of his father Sargon II in 705BC to his own death in 681BC. The second king of the Sargonid dynas ...

'' - ''

Sin In a religious context, sin is a transgression against divine law. Each culture has its own interpretation of what it means to commit a sin. While sins are generally considered actions, any thought, word, or act considered immoral, selfish, s ...

has replaced brothers'' :'' Shalmaneser'' - '' Shulmanu is the best''

Notes

References

{{Reflist

Biblical topics