God is My hope

My hope

In the Bible, hope is more than a wishful desire, it is an expectation of blessing.

My hope in Hebrew:

Tiqwati

The related Hebrew word, miqweh, means “to wait or look for with eager expectation.” God should be the focus of our expectation because no one and nothing else is so faithful to meet our needs and bless us with the very best for our physical, mental, and spiritual lives.

Strong’s Concordance number: 8615b

Bible reference: Ps. 71:5

For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth. (Psalm 71:5 KJV)

Similar names for God are “Hope of their fathers” and “Hope of Israel.” The people of Israel learned that God never disappointed them when they looked to Him expectantly; in the end, He always blessed them with what they needed.

Jesus is Cornerstone

Cornerstone

Cornerstone is another of the messianic names of Jesus (Yeshua‘). The Hebrew word pinna is used in Isaiah 28:16 of a foundation stone in a building. The New Testament verses describe Jesus as the most important foundation stone for the church. Some Bible versions call Jesus a precious cornerstone. He was also thoroughly tested through all that He suffered.

Jesus should be both the foundation of all we do, but also the final stone holding it all together. The NIV translates a similar name of Jesus as “capstone.”

While excavating Nineveh, archeologists discovered cornerstones to some buildings inscribed with the royal name. God wants His church to be so devoted to Him that when unbelievers look at the church they will see the character and attributes of God in His people.

Cornerstone in Hebrew:

Pinna

Strong’s Concordance number: 6438

Bible reference: Isa. 28:16

Therefore thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed.
He who believes in it will not be disturbed.” (Isaiah 28:16)

Cornerstone in Greek:

Akrogōniaios

Strong’s Concordance number: 204

Bible references: Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:6 (which quotes Isa. 28:16).

The church has “been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:20)

A very similar messianic name for Jesus occurs in both Testaments. He is called the Chief Cornerstone. That name might liken Jesus to a cornerstone at the top of a wall corner.

Abba Father

Abba

The English word Abba comes from the Hebrew word ’ab, meaning “Father.” It was taken into the Greek New Testament in a few places. A child would often use this word for his or her father, so the Message Bible replaces it with the English word, “Papa.” In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus (Yeshua‘) prayed to His heavenly Father and called Him by this title.

Abba means “Father” in Greek:

Abba!

Strong’s Concordance number: 5

Bible references: Mark 14:36; Rom. 8:15; Gal. 4:6

For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15)

Prince of princes

Prince of princes is a name of God that uses a generic Hebrew word that covers different kinds of headmen. To say that God is Prince of princes is to say that He rules all other rulers. In the same way, he is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Prince of princes in Hebrew:

Sar-sarim

Strong’s Concordance numbers: 8269, 8269

Bible reference: Dan. 8:25

The verse in Daniel talks about an insolent king:

Through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand, and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Dan. 8:25 KJV)

Two New Testament names of Jesus (Yeshua‘) are the Prince and Savior and the Prince of Life. One version of Rev. 1:5 calls Jesus the Prince of the kings of the earth (KJV).

A similar name of Jesus the Messiah (Christ) is simply Prince. In Messianic prophecy Jesus is called the Prince of peace and Messiah the Prince.

God Most High

God Most High (El elyon and Elohim elyon)

’El ‘elyon and ’Elohim ‘elyon are Hebrew names for God that are translated as God Most High in several places in the Old Testament. Occasionally, the English word order is altered and the name Most High God is used.

In Genesis 14:22, Abram worshipped God Most High but called Him Yahweh (Jehovah). Melchizedek called ’El ‘elyonPossessor or Creator of heaven and earth. It is possible that ’El and ‘Elyon were named for two Canaanite gods, which were later combined into one “lord of the gods.” Abram accepted the name that Melchizedek used for God but he was careful to correct him—Yahweh is the true God Most High.

Hebrews 7:1 quotes Genesis 14:19-20 (’El ‘elyon) and refers to God as the Most High God.

Two New Testament names of Jesus (Yeshua‘) derive from this name of God. In Mark 5:7 and Luke 8:28, Jesus is called the Son of the Highest God and in Luke 1:32, He is Son of the Highest.

God Most High in Hebrew:

’El ‘elyon

Strong’s Concordance numbers: 410, 5945b

Bible references: Genesis 14:18-22; Psalm 78:35 and about thirty times elsewhere.

Melchizedek said, “Praise be to God Most High,

    who delivered your enemies into your hand.” (Genesis 14:20, NIV)

’El ‘elyon occurs in parallel with Yahweh (Pss. 18:14; 21:8; 83:19), ’El (Ps. 107:11), and Shaddai(Ps 91:1).

’Elohim ‘elyon

Strong’s Concordance numbers: 430, 5945b

Bible references Pss. 57:2; 78:56

I cry out to God Most High,
    to God, who vindicates me. (Psalm 57:2, NIV)

One of the names of the LORD, LORD Most High (Yahweh ’El ‘elyon or Jehovah ’El ‘elyon) is similar (Pss.7:17; 47:2; 97:9).

Good Shepherd

I am the good shepherd

Good Shepherd is one of the I am names of Jesus (Yeshua‘) that occurs in John’s gospel. The Jews were expecting a Messiah who would combine the roles of king and shepherd just as King David had done. There are many Old Testament prophecies about the coming shepherd ruler.

Matthew quoted the prophet Micah, who promised: “a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.”

(Mic. 5:2)

Jesus spoke of His ministry in shepherding terms and said that Israel were like a scattered, shepherdless flock (Matt. 9:36; 18:12). Near the end of His life, Jesus applied another prophecy about the messianic shepherd to Himself (Zech. 13:7).

I am the Good Shepherd in Greek:

Egō eimi ho poimēn ho kalos

Strong’s Concordance numbers: 4166, 2570

Bible references: John 10:11, 14

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:11, NIV)

There are three similar names for Christ Jesus the Good Shepherd: the Great Shepherd of the sheep, Shepherd and guardian of our souls, and the Chief Shepherd. The Old Testament contains names for God like the Shepherd of Israel and, of course, the Lord is my shepherd.

The picture of God as a shepherd draws together many of the different ways in which God relates to His people. Jesus reflected several of the same attributes of God in His life and ministry. He was right when He said I am the Good Shepherd.

God my Rock

Everlasting Rock

Everlasting Rock is one of several Hebrew names for God that use the word ‘olam. About three hundred times the word ‘olam refers to the future, twenty times to the past.

The context tells which is meant but in both cases the subject is very distant and possibly perpetual. The word fits many things associated with God, especially His lovingkindness, covenant, truth, righteousness, kingdom, dominion, and ordinances.

The word tsur is used of a massive cliff or mountain that is virtually impenetrable.

Everlasting Rock in Hebrew:

Tsur ‘olamim

Strong’s Concordance numbers: 6697, 5769

Bible reference: Isa. 26:4

Trust in the Lord forever,
For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock. (Isaiah 26:4)

This name of God is translated in different ways, including the well-known title from the hymn, “Rock of ages” (J. N. Darby’s 1890 version, and in parentheses in Amp.). The NIV has “Rock eternal.”

Similar Old Testament names for God are Everlasting Father, Everlasting God, and Everlasting King. Redeemer from of old also uses the Hebrew word olam. In the New Testament, God is called the King Eternal and the Holy Spirit is the Eternal Spirit.