Biblical Descriptions of God's Attributes and Their Theological Significance

The Bible describes God through various attributes that reveal His nature and character. These attributes are not merely abstract concepts but are demonstrated through His actions in creation and redemption.

One fundamental attribute is God's power. The Hebrew word for God, 'El, derives from a root meaning "to be strong" ^[1]. This strength is evident in His creation of the world, where His "eternal power and divine nature" are "clearly seen" ^[7]. The psalmist declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork" ^[9]. This power is also displayed in His dominion over the natural world, as seen in Psalm 29, which celebrates God's mighty power over creation ^[13]. Jeremiah similarly affirms that the Lord's power, wisdom, and understanding are the attributes by which He creates and sustains all things ^[15].

God's holiness is another central attribute. The seraphim in Isaiah's vision cry out, "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!" (Isaiah 6:3). This triple repetition emphasizes the ultimate degree of His holiness ^[11]. This attribute is also linked to His glory, which is described as a tangible expression of His power and majesty ^[12]. The glory of God was revealed at significant moments in Israel's history, such as on Mount Sinai and at the dedication of the Tabernacle and Solomon's Temple ^[12].

God is also characterized by His wisdom and knowledge. Romans 11:33 exclaims, "O the depth of the abundant wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out" ^[8]. This wisdom is integral to His creative and sustaining work ^[15]. The Scriptures themselves are considered "wonderful" because they testify to God's mind and will, revealing His wonderful works of creation, providence, and miracles ^[10].

The Bible also emphasizes God's eternal nature. The four living creatures in Revelation ceaselessly praise God's basic characteristics, including His eternity ^[11]. His glory is described as eternal ^[3].

Furthermore, God's attributes are revealed in His relationship with humanity and His Son, Jesus Christ. The "glory of God" is exhibited in Christ ^[3], who is described as the "image of God" and the one who manifested God's glory to the world ^[12]. Christ's excellency and glory are seen in His divinity, His sonship, His unity with the Father, and His roles as Creator, Mediator, Prophet, Priest, King, and Judge ^[6]. The preciousness of Christ is evident to God the Father and to believers, due to His goodness, beauty, excellence, grace, and His atoning work ^[5]. God's people are considered precious in His sight ^[14].

The existence of God is not argued for in the Bible but is taken for granted ^[1]. The names used for God in Hebrew, such as 'El, 'Eloah, and 'Elohim, convey His strength and divine nature ^[1]. The name Jehovah, often rendered "LORD" in English translations, is also used to denote the Supreme Being ^[1]. The beatitude of God and the honor of God are concepts found in biblical names like Asareel and Timotheus, respectively ^{[2, 4]}.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Asareel — the beatitude of God”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Glory of God, The — Exhibited in Christ -- Joh 1:14; 2Co 4:6; Heb 1:3. Exhibited in His name. -- De 28:58; Ne 9:5. His majesty. -- Job 37:22; Ps 93:1; 104:1; 145:5,12; Isa 2:10. His power. -- Ex 15:1,6; Ro 6:4. His works. -- Ps 19:1; 111:3. His holiness. -- Ex 15:11. Described as Great. -- Ps 138:5. Eternal. -- Ps 104:31. Rich. -- Eph 3:16. Highly exalted. -- Ps 8:1; 113:4. Exhibited to Moses. -- Ex 34:5-7; 33:18-23. Stephen. -- Ac 7:55. His Church. -- De 5:24; Ps 102:16. Enlightens the Church -- Isa 60:1,2; Re 21:11,23. Saints desire to behold -- Ps 63:2; 90:16. God”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Timotheus — honor of God; valued of God”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Preciousness of Christ — To God -- Mt 3:17; 1Pe 2:4. To Saints -- Song 5:10; Php 3:8; 1Pe 2:7. On account of his Goodness and beauty. -- Zec 9:17. Excellence and grace. -- Ps 45:2. Name. -- Song 1:3; Heb 1:4. Atonement. -- 1Pe 1:19; Heb 12:24. Words. -- Joh 6:68. Promises. -- 2Pe 1:4. Care and tenderness. -- Isa 40:11. As the corner-stone of the Church -- Isa 28:16; 1Pe 2:6. As the source of all grace -- Joh 1:14; Col 1:19. Unsearchable -- Eph 3:8. Illustrated -- Song 2:3; 5:10-16; Mt 13:44-46.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Excellency and Glory of Christ, The — As God -- Joh 1:1-5; Php 2:6,9,10. As the Son of God -- Mt 3:17; Heb 1:6,8. As one with the Father -- Joh 10:30,38. As the First-born -- Col 1:15,18. As the First-begotten -- Heb 1:6. As Lord of lords, &c -- Re 17:14. As the image of God -- Col 1:15; Heb 1:3. As creator -- Joh 1:3; Col 1:16; Heb 1:2. As the Blessed of God -- Ps 45:2. As Mediator -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 8:6. As Prophet -- De 18:15,16; Ac 3:22. As Priest -- Ps 110:4; Heb 4:15. As King -- Isa 6:1-5; Joh 12:41. As Judge -- Mt 16:27; 25:31,33. As Shepherd -- Isa 40:10,11; Joh”
Romans “Romans 1:20 (BSB) — For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.”
Romans “Romans 11:33 (Tyndale) — O the depnes of the aboundaunt wysdome and knowledge of God: how vnserchable are his iudgementes and his wayes past findyng out.”
Psalms “The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. -- Psalms 19:1”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:125: PE.--The Seventeenth Part. PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful,.... The Scriptures, which testify of God, his mind and will, are wonderful both with respect to the author of them, the things contained in them, and the use and advantage of them. They give an account of the wonderful works of creation; of their author and matter; of the manner, order, and time of their being wrought: they relate many wonderful events of Providence, both in a way of mercy and judgment; they declare several surprising miracles, wrought by Moses and others, and exhibit many marvellous t”
Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 4:8: 4:8 day and night: The four beings ceaselessly praised God’s basic characteristics: his holiness, his power (the Almighty), and his eternity (see study note on 1:4). • Holy, holy, holy comes from Isa 6:3 and is the highest worship affirmation in Scripture. To double something makes it emphatic; to triple it makes it ultimate.”
Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 9:6: 9:6 Just as holiness describes God’s person and nature, the glory of the Lord tangibly expresses his power and majesty (see Ezek 1:28; 10:4). His glory was revealed on Mount Sinai (Exod 24:16), at the dedication of the Tabernacle (Exod 40:34-35), and in Solomon’s Temple (1 Kgs 8:11; 2 Chr 7:1). Yet it remained as vast as the heavens (Ps 19:1). The New Testament speaks of Christ’s glory as the image of God (2 Cor 4:4), who manifested God’s glory to the world (John 1:14). He was glorified in his death and resurrection (John 17:1-5). See also Exod 24:15-17.”
Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 29 (introduction): Trust in God is encouraged by the celebration of His mighty power as illustrated in His dominion over the natural world, in some of its most terrible and wonderful exhibitions. (Psa 29:1-11) Give--or, "ascribe" (Deu 32:3). mighty--or, "sons of the mighty" (Psa 89:6). Heavenly beings, as angels.”
Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 17:8: Similar figures, denoting the preciousness of God's people in His sight, in Deu 32:10-11; Mat 23:37.”
Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 10:12: 10:12-16 This stanza contains several strong affirmations of God’s nature. 10:12 Jeremiah affirmed that the Lord’s power, wisdom, and understanding are the attributes with which he creates and sustains creation.”

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