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What is…
God

written “G-d” by pious Jews and some Christians

The name “God” is one of many names of the Divine Creator.

Origin of the word

The word “God” does not appear in the original Hebrew or Greek manuscripts of the Bible, as this particular name came into being much later in human history. “God” is an old English word which developed from an Indo-European word, meaning “that which is invoked”—which is also the predecessor of the German word Gott and the Danish “Gud,” both meaning “God.”

As such, the word is not an authentic name of our Creator, however, since it is so widely used in modern culture when referring to Him, Believers widely consider it best to treat it with similar respect to that of His actual names.

Original Hebrew and Greek words and their translation

In English translations of Holy Scripture, the name “God” is used in these cases…

  1. Hebrew: 'El, from a word meaning to be strong

  2. Hebrew: 'Eloah, plural 'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in biblical poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible.

The Hebrew word YHWH (transliterated: Yehovah or Jehovah) is another word often used to refer to our Creator. In the King James Version, it is usually translated as “LORD,” printed in small capital letters. This tradition has been adopted by most modern English translations.

► What are other NAMES of the one true God? Answer

God’s attributes and nature

The attributes of God are set forth in order by Moses in Exodus 34:6-7. (see also Deuteronomy 6:4; 10:17; Numbers 16:22; Exodus 15:11; 33:19; Isaiah 44:6; Hab. 3:6; Psalm 102:26; Job 34:12.)

They are also systematically classified in Revelation 5:12 and 7:12.

God’s attributes are spoken of by some as absolute, i.e., such as belong to his essence as Jehovah, Jah, etc.; and relative, i.e., such as are ascribed to him with relation to his creatures. Others distinguish them into communicable attributes, i.e., those which can be imparted in degree to his creatures: goodness, holiness, wisdom, etc.; and incommunicable, which cannot be so imparted: independence, immutability, immensity, and eternity. They are by some also divided into natural attributes, eternity, immensity, etc.; and moral, holiness, goodness, etc.

Where is He?

Communication from or with God

Actions of God

Judgments of God

Providence

God’s existence

The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argument to prove it. He who disbelieves this truth is spoken of as one devoid of understanding (Psalm 14:1).

The arguments generally adduced by theologians in proof of God’s existence are:

  1. The a priori argument, which is the testimony afforded by reason.

  2. The a posteriori argument, by which we proceed logically from the facts of experience to causes. These arguments are:

    1. The cosmological, by which it is proved that there must be a First Cause of all things, for every effect must have a cause.

    2. The teleological, or the argument from design. We see everywhere the operations of an intelligent Cause in nature.

    3. The moral argument, called also the anthropological argument, based on the moral consciousness and the history of mankind, which exhibits a moral order and purpose which can only be explained on the supposition of the existence of God. Conscience and human history testify that “verily there is a God that judgeth in the Earth.”

More information

Article Version: September 24, 2021