El Shaddai (Part 1) (Genesis 17:1-8; 28:3-4; 35:11-12; 48:3)

Genesis 17:1 says, [to Abraham] "...I (am) the Almighty God; walk before me, and be perfect".

This is the first instance in the scriptures where the word "Shaddai" occurs, translated consistently, in the KJV, as "Almighty". It occurs 48 times in the OT, 31 of which, are in the book of Job. Even though the LXX translates it as "pantokratos" ["all powerful" or, "all mighty"]; "Theos" [God]; and "Kurios" [Lord]; and the Latin Vulgate translates it as "omnipotens" [from which the English word "omnipotent" is derived], it is, as with any OT word, the Hebrew that truly defines and gives the word its flavor.

EL

The word "El" has been dealt with quite extensively, as the basic, or foundational name of "God", from which "Eloah", and "Elohim" are derived; successively being a more expressive revelation of who "God" is. The "El" names represent, first of all, the all powerful one, with all authority, who has chosen to make covenant with us, and to lead us in the direction of success and fulfillment, in Him.

ELOAH

Further, "Eloah" adds to this fact that the covenant is unmovable; unshakeable; and our family ["tent"] is secure in Him; and it is the "wow" of God that such an amazing thing could occur, that God would not only chose a people; but chose to be their God; and chose to be in covenant with them; and orchestrate their success, under His direction and for His purpose.

ELOHIM

"Elohim" is the full revelation of "God", as seen in the "El" forms, and the most extensive in use, being employed at least 2555 times, in the OT. "Elohim" is not only the most extensive in use, of the three terms, it is the most common use, for any Hebrew word, to describe God, in any form.

"Elohim" is also unique, in that it is the only one of the 3 representations of God, that is found exclusively in Hebrew, and not among other Semitic peoples. "Elohim" adds to the expression of "God", the reality of His hand extended, in and through His people, and the total incomprehensible extent of this revelation, to completely fathom the depths of "God", and what His awesomeness has done. [see Elohim: Part 1 and 2; the WOW of God; Understanding God: Part 1, 2, and 3].

SHADDAI

"Shaddai" is joined 7 times with the "EL" revelation of God, 5 of which are the first occurrences of the word [Gen.17:1; 28:3; 35:11; 43:14; 48:3; Ex.6:3; and Ez.10:5], and 41 times, it stands alone, of which 31 of these references occur in Job. [Interestingly enough, "Eloah" is also found predominantly in Job, 41 times].

"Shaddai" is defined:

1) first, by it's scriptural use

2) second, by it's ancient Rabbinic interpretation

3) and thirdly, by it's pictographic origins.

The first five uses of the word "Shaddai", are all in Genesis, and are all joined with "El", the God of all power and all authority. First of all, it would be nonsensical to assume that the word simply means "all mighty", or, "all powerful", [other than in a very generic, nonspecific sense], since the "El" revelation of "God" already defines Him under those terms, of all power and all authority, or right to rule. Therefore, "Shaddai", is adding something to the revelation of who God is, not merely reiterating what has been already said.

GOD to ABRAHAM (Genesis 17:1,2,4,6,7,8)

 "...I (am) Shaddai El; walk before me, and you be perfect...and I will make my covenant between Me and you [the "El" revelation of God], and I will multiply you exceedingly [the "Shaddai" revelation of God]...behold, My covenant (is) with you, and you shall be a father of many nations...I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come out of you...I will establish my covenant between Me and you and your seed after you in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be (Elohim) to you, and to your seed after you...and I will give to you, and to your seed after you, the land wherein you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their (Elohim)".

ISAAC to JACOB (Genesis 28:3-4)

"...(El Shaddai) bless you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, that you may be a multitude of people; and give you the blessing of Abraham, to you, and to your seed with you; that you may inherit the land wherein you are a stranger, which (Elohim) gave to Abraham".

GOD to JACOB (Genesis 35:11-12)

"And (Elohim) said to him, I (am) (El Shaddai): be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of you, and kings shall come out of your loins; and the land which I gave Abraham and Isaac, to you I will give it, and to your seed after you will I give the land".

JACOB to JOSEPH (Genesis 48:3)

"And Jacob said to Joseph, (El Shaddai) appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me, and said to me, 'Behold, I will make you fruitful, and multiply you, and I will make of you a multitude of people; and I will give you this land to your seed after you (for) an everlasting possession' ".

All 4 of the first 5 references of "Shaddai", are coupled with "El", the all powerful God, of all authority, who has joined Himself in covenant with His people, and, who now, as "Shaddai", is 'the God of fruitfulness; multiplication; and blessing', who gives possession and ownership, to His people. "El" is the covenant God, but "Shaddai" is 'the expression of that covenant God, being blessing; fruitfulness; multiplication; nations [people of a specific identity / a family of people]; kings [governance / rule]; and inheritance [possession / ownership], and this covenant is everlasting'.

GENERATIONAL

The covenant is generational in that it goes on forever. It will never end or cease to exist.

TWO OBSERVATIONS

Two observations are evident from the scriptural definition and revelation of God as "Shaddai" :

BLESSING

1) (Shaddai) is the expression of the covenant, or the effects of the covenant. In other words, being "hooked up" and connected, to the covenant keeping God, will produce blessing; fruitfulness; multiplication; nations [a family of people]; kings [rulers]; and an everlasting, generational, inheritance.

JOB

2) What is staggering, especially in view of the traditional misinterpretation of the book, is that the book of Job, is not about a Believer's suffering, and enduring despite God's seeming ill-treatment of one of His own, but rather, "Shaddai", the God of covenant blessing, is mentioned 31 of the total 48 uses, in the OT scriptures, in the book of Job.

In addition, "Eloah", which gives a further; stronger; more complete revelation of the covenant God, [of which the fullness is found in "Elohim"], is found 41 times, of it's 57 uses, in Job.

To state it another way, two thirds and three quarters of the mention of these aspects of 'the God of blessing and the God of covenant', are found in Job. In other words, Job is not a book about suffering, the book of Job is about 'the revelation of God who keeps covenant', and despite the attacks of the enemy, still 'fulfills His covenant, with His people', to make them come out on top, as the end of the book of Job clearly illustrates.

You Are God's Best and God's Best is Yours