El Shadday
El Shadday
All-Sufficient One, Lord God Almighty
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 the 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.
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.
El Shaddai (God’s Mightiness) means that no matter how difficult our circumstances God is completely able and equipped to handle them and provide the avenues to deliverance that we so desperately require.
when the storms of life arise around us, our focus on Him as El-Shaddai, the Almighty God gives us that tenacity of faith sustains the smile on our face, the songs of the Lord on our lips even while we are in a strange land, because like E-lie-sha our eyes are not looking at and counting the army of Syria, rather our eyes are glued on the greater One that is in us. Seasons come and seasons go, The Almighty God, the Elshaddai remains unchanging in His character and in His Almightiness. When the storm is over we will still be praising Him and guess what, we are better than when the storm just started; stronger, more peaceful, more tenderhearted, and then He is more glorified than ever.
El Shaddai is the Almighty Sufficient God. No circumstance or situation is impossible for Him. Yet for us, life can be overwhelming, even impossible sometimes. But amidst everything we face, we can trust in El Shaddai, the Almighty Sufficient God. And in doing so we place ourselves in the most capable hands of all. El Shaddai is first introduced to us in Genesis 17, so in our Bible study message on the Names of God, we explore this text to examine the undeniable lesson that Abraham and Sarah learned as El Shaddai revealed Himself to them and kept His promise. Why? Because much like Abraham and Sarah's life was, we too live with the unknown, the what-ifs, and problems that often seem to have no clear solutions. But amidst all of it, there is one constant that remains, one hope, El Shaddai - our Almighty God! God has promised His children that He will never leave them or forsake them (Hebrews 13 verse 5). He walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death and carries us when we can walk no more! His power is inexhaustible and mighty, no matter what circumstance or situation you may be facing. God Almighty is strong and compassionate. His forgiveness knows no bounds.
There is considerable debate surrounding the name Shaddai. I believe the various possibilities are shades of meaning that give us greater understanding of who God is and what He does.
Among Christians, the most common interpretation of shaddai today is “mighty,” and El Shaddai would translate to “God Almighty.” Coinciding with this, one suggested root meaning for El Shaddai is “The Overpowerer,” meaning God will do what He purposes to do, overpowering all opposition.
Some interpret shaddai as “sufficient,” and God is the “All-sufficient One.” Either interpretation—mighty or sufficient—works for me, because the Almighty is the God who is enough! He is more than sufficient to meet any need. He is power and provision. In great compassion, He sustains, nourishes and protects me. He takes my weakness and gives me strength. He takes my inadequate resources and in His sufficiency uses them for His great and powerful purposes.
Yet another possible meaning of El Shaddai is “The God of the Mountain.” Some Messianic teachers say shaddai comes from the word shaddu, meaning “mountain.” God lives in heaven, but He also inhabited a mountain top—Mount Sinai. It was on this mountain Moses met with God and received the Ten Commandments.
It might be argued God’s presence on that mountain reminded the Israelites of His power and provision. The God of the Mountain was the same God who mightily led His people from Egypt and appeared to them as a cloud by day and a fire at night. He is the God who expected obedience to His commands, and swiftly and powerfully took action against those who rebelled and ignored His will.
The name El Shaddai is found repeatedly in the book of Joob, and that is no surprise. Though Joob initially contended with the Almighty, God’s display of power and wisdom caused the Patriarch to shut his mouth before the Lord’s sovereignty and authority.
“Lord God Almighty” who will someday exert His great power and reign forever. He is the God who chooses us to make us a holy people and He transforms us with His power. He is to be honored with reverence and awe—holy “fear of the Lord.”
With Permission:
https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-is-the-meaning-of-the-name-shaddai.html
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Bible Study Tools
https://blogs.blueletterbible.org/blb/2012/06/28/the-names-of-god-el-shaddai/