Theophory in the Bible

El theophory

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

Abdiel – Servant of GodAbiel – God my FatherAbimael – A Father sent from GodAdbeel – Disciplined of GodAdiel – Witness of GodAdirael – Magnificence of GodAdriel – Flock of GodAdvachiel – Happiness of GodAmbriel – Energy of GodAmmiel – People of GodAnaniel – Rain of GodArael – Light of God or Vision of GodAriel, Auriel – Lion of GodArmisael – Mountain of Judgment of GodAsmodel – Greatness of GodAzael – Whom God StrengthensAzazel – God Strengthens or Arrogant to GodAzrael – Help of GodBarakiel, Baraquiel – Lightning of GodBarbiel – Illumination of GodBarachiel – Kindness of God or Ray of GodBardiel – Humiliated Son of GodBethel – House of GodBetzalel – Shadow/Path of GodBithiel – Daughter of GodBoel – God is in HimCamael – He who Sees GodCassiel – Speed of GodCastiel – Shield of GodChakel – Wisdom of GodChamuel – He who Seeks GodDaniel – Judged by God or Judgement of GodElad – God ForeverEli – a variant on the name of God, or "my God"Eliana – My God AnswersElijah (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 GodElishama – My God HearsElishua – God is my salvationEliezer – My God HelpsElimelech – My God is KingElizabeth – My God is OathElkanah – God has Possessed, or God has CreatedEmmanuel – God is with usEzekiel – God will StrengthenEzequeel – Strength of GodEzrael – Help of GodGabriel, Gavriel – Man of God, God has shown Himself Mighty, Hero of God or Strong one of GodGadreel, Gadriel – wall of GodGaghiel – Roaring Beast of GodGamaliel – Reward of GodHamaliel – Grace of GodHanael – Glory of GodImmanuel – God with usImriel – Eloquence of GodIruel – Fear of GodIshmael, Ishamael – Heard by God, Named by God, or God HearkensIsrael, Yisrael – Struggles with God or Prince of GodJekuthiel – God will supportJerahmeel – God's exaltationJeremiel – God's mercyJezreel – God will sowJoel – Jah is GodJegudiel – Glorifier of GodJophiel, Lophiel, Yofiel, Zophiel - Beauty of GodKatriel – Crown of GodKazbiel – He who lies to GodKushiel – Rigid One of GodLee-El, Lee-el, Leeel – For GodLeliel – Jaws of GodLemuel – Dedicated to GodMahalalel – The blessed God, The shining light of God, or The glory of GodMalahidael – King of GodMatarael – Premonition of GodMichael – Who is like God? a questionMishael – Who is what God is? a questionNathanael, Nathaniel – Given by God or God has Given or "Gift of God"Nemuel – Day of GodOthniel – Hour of GodPeniel, Penuel, Phanuel – Face of GodPriel – Fruit of GodRachmiel – God is my ComforterRamiel – Thunder of GodRaphael – God is Healing or Healing one of GodRaziel – Secret of GodRemiel – Mercy of God or Compassion of GodReuel – Friend of GodSachiel – Price of God or Covering of GodSalatheel – I have asked GodSahaquiel – Ingenuity of GodSamael, Sammael – Severity of God, see also Samael (disambiguation)Samiel – Blind God, epithet for Baal or the DemiurgeSamuel – Name/Heard of GodSariel – Command of GodSealtiel – Intercessor of GodShamshel – Lonely Conqueror of GodShealtiel – I asked God [for this child]Suriel – Moon of GodTamiel – Perfection of GodTarfiel – God NourishesTzaphkiel – Beholder of GodTzaphquiel – Contemplation of GodUriel – Sun of God, Light of God or Fire of GodUzziel – Power from GodVerchiel – Shining of GodZa'afiel – Wrath of GodZadkiel – Righteousness of God (rabbibic)Zagzagel – Splendor of GodZaphkiel – Knowledge of GodZeruel – Arm of GodZophiel – Beauty of God

False El theophory

The name Abel, 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 Ecclesiastes 1:2 in the King James Version.

The name Jael also appears to refer to El in English, but contains ayin rather than the aleph of El.

The name Rachel 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 fatherAbijah – Yahweh is my father (2 Chron. 13:3)Adaiah – ornament of YahwehAdalia – Yahweh is justAdonijah – my lord is YahwehAhaziah – vision of YahwehAhiah – brother of YahwehAhijah – brother of YahwehAmariah – Yahweh says; integrity of YahwehAmaziah – strength of YahwehAnaniah – Protected by YahAthaliah – Yahweh is exaltedAzariah – Yahweh has helpedBatyah – Daughter of YahBealiah – Yahweh is LordDodavah(u) – Beloved of YahwehElijah (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)Hananiah – Yahweh is graciousGedaliah – Yahweh is greatHezekiah – Yahweh has strengthenedHodiah – The splendour of YahwehHodaviah – Give thanks to YahwehIsaiah – Salvation of YahwehIsshiah – Yahweh existsJeconiah – Yahweh has firmly establishedJedaiah – Yah knowsJedidiah – Beloved of YahJehoiachin – Yahweh is firmly establishedJehoiada – Yahweh knowsJehoshaphat – Yahweh is judgeJehosheba – Yahweh is my oathJehozadak – Righteous is YahwehJekamiah – Yahweh raisesJeremiah – Yah exaltsJeshaiah – Salvation of YahwehJesse – Yahweh existsJoab – Yahweh is fatherJochebed – Yahweh is gloryJoel – Yahweh is El/GodJohn – Yahweh is graciousJonathan – gift of YahwehJoseph – Yah has increasedJosiah – supported of YahwehMalchijah – Yahweh is kingMicaiah – Who is like YahwehMatityahu – Gift from YahNeariah – Servant of YahwehNedabiah – Yahweh impelsNehemiah – Yah comfortsNethaniah – gift of YahwehNetanyahu – gift of YahwehObadiah – Yahweh's servant or worshiperOdelia – Thanks to YahPedaiah – Redemption of YahwehPelatiah – Yah has deliveredPelaiah – Yah has distinguishedPelaliah – Yah has judgedPekahiah – Yah has observedRannaniah – Yah is the reason I shout for joy, Yah is my JoyReaiah – Yahweh has seenRephaiah – Yah has healedSeraiah – Servant/prince of YahwehShecaniah – One intimate with YahwehShephatiah – Judged of YahwehToviah – Good of Yahweh or Yahweh is GoodUriah – My light is YahwehUzziah – Yahweh is my strengthYehoshua (Joshua, Jesus) – Yahweh saves, Yahweh is Savour, Yahweh is my SalvationZebadiah, Zabdi – Gift of YahwehZedekiah – justice of or righteous is YahwehZephaniah – Yahweh hides or protectsZechariah – Yahweh remembers

Baal theophory

Ba'al is a generic term meaning master; it can also be translated "Lord". In the Bible, it is frequently a reference to Hadad, although it is sometimes used to refer to other specific deities, including Yahweh, 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; lordBaalah – her lord; she that is governed or subdued; a spouseBaalath – a rejoicing; our proud lordBaalath-Beer – subjected pitBaal-berith – lord of the covenantBaale – same as BaalathBaal-gad – lord Gad, or lord of Gad, or lord of fortune/felicityBaal-hamon – he who rules a crowdBaal-hanan – Ba'al is graciousBaal-hermon – lord of destruction / of a cursed-thingBaali – my lord; lord over meBaalim – lords; masters; (later Jewish use: false gods)Baalis – a rejoicing/proud lordBaal-meon – lord/master of the houseBaal-Peor – master of Peor; master of the openingBaal-perazim – lord of divisionsBaal-shalisha – the lord that presides over three; the third idolBaal-tamar – master of the palm-treeBaal-zebub – lord of the fly (satirical corruption of Ba'al-zebul - lord of princes)Baal-zephon – the lord/possession of the north/hidden/secret

Bosheth

In later biblical and Jewish writing, some of the theophories in Ba'al were bowdlerised, with ba'al replaced by bosheth ((the) shameful (thing)):

Ishbosheth, from Ishba'al, man 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, "zedek" (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 ZedekAdoni-zedek – My lord is ZedekRabi-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 - Hadad is my helpRib-Hadda - Great is Hadad

Others

Asenappar - Ashur is creator of an heirNebuchadnezzar - Nabu, preserve my firstborn sonSennacherib - Sin has replaced brothersShalmaneser - Shulmanu is the best