El-Shaddai's Meaning and Significance in the Bible
El-Shaddai, often translated as "God Almighty," is an ancient name for God found frequently in the Hebrew Scriptures [1, 2]. This name was particularly significant in God's self-revelation to the patriarchs, preceding the full revelation of the name Yahweh (Jehovah) [1]. For instance, God appeared to Abram, declaring, "I am El-Shaddai; walk before me, and be blameless" (Genesis 17:1 ESV). Similarly, Isaac blessed Jacob, saying, "May El-Shaddai bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become an assembly of peoples" [7]. God also identified himself as El-Shaddai to Jacob, promising fruitfulness and the emergence of nations and kings from him [4].
The term "Shaddai" itself is generally rendered as "Almighty" in English translations [1, 2]. Abraham Ibn Ezra, a medieval Jewish commentator, interpreted "Shaddai" as an adjective meaning "mighty," drawing parallels to its use in phrases like "a mighty voice" or "mighty silver" [9]. He noted the difficulty in fully explaining the word, mentioning Saadiah Gaon's view that "Shaddai" could be understood as "Who said to the world, enough," implying divine control or sufficiency [10]. Ramban (Nachmanides), another prominent Jewish scholar, viewed "El Shaddai" as two distinct divine names, with "El" meaning "mighty" and "Shaddai" conveying God's sufficiency for all creation, a perspective he attributed to Rashi [13].
The name El-Shaddai appears notably in the book of Job, where it is used to refer to God's power and sovereignty [3, 5, 6, 8]. For example, Job asks, "What is the portion of God from above or the heritage of Shaddai from on high?" [3]. The frequent use of "Shaddai" in Job underscores God's omnipotence and his ultimate control over human affairs and suffering [2].
The distinction between El-Shaddai and Yahweh is highlighted in Exodus 6:3, where God states, "I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty [El-Shaddai], but by my name the Lord [Yahweh] I did not make myself known to them" (ESV). This passage suggests a progressive revelation of God's nature and names [1]. Abraham Ibn Ezra interpreted this not as a complete unknowning of Yahweh, but that God did not make himself known only by the name Yahweh to the patriarchs, often appearing to them as El Shaddai [11]. He also noted that signs and wonders were not performed with the name El Shaddai, but with the "great and glorious name" (the Tetragrammaton, Yahweh) [12].
The significance of El-Shaddai, therefore, lies in its emphasis on God's power, sufficiency, and ability to fulfill his promises, particularly in the context of the patriarchal covenant [14]. It conveys the idea of God as the all-powerful one who provides and sustains, capable of bringing about what he has decreed, even when human circumstances seem impossible [4, 7].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Shaddai — (the Mighty), an ancient name of God, rendered "Almighty" everywhere in the Authorized Version, is found in connection with el, "God," El Shaddai being then rendered "God Almighty." By the name or in the character of El-Shaddai God was known to the patriarchs, (Genesis 17:1; 28:3; 43:14; 48:3; 40:25) before the name Jehovah, in its full significance, was revealed. (Exodus 6:3) [[1073]God]”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Shaddai — The Omnipotent, the name of God in frequent use in the Hebrew Scriptures, generally translated "the Almighty."”
- Job “Job 31:2 (LEB) — And what is the portion of God from above or the heritage of Shaddai from on high?”
- Genesis “Genesis 35:11 (LEB) — And God said to him, “I am El-Shaddai. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation and an assemblage of nations shall be from you, and kings shall go out from your loins.”
- Job “Job 27:10 (LEB) — Or, in Shaddai will he find delight? Will he call upon God at all times?”
- Numbers “Numbers 24:16 (LEB) — the declaration of the hearer of God’s words, and the knower of the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of Shaddai, who is falling, and his eyes are revealed.”
- Genesis “Genesis 28:3 (LEB) — Now, may El-Shaddai bless you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you, so that you become an assembly of peoples.”
- Job “Job 21:15 (LEB) — Who is Shaddai that we should serve him, or what would we benefit when we plead with him?’”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Genesis 17:1: GOD ALMIGHTY. Shaddai is an adjective meaning mighty. Shaddai in like a mighty voice (ke-kol shaddai) 1 Our translation follows that of I.E. Cf. Kimchi on Ezek. 1:24. I.E.’s point is that here, too, Shaddai is an adjective meaning mighty. (Ezek. 1:24) is similar. Also, Shaddai in And mighty will be thy silver 2 I.E. on Job. 22:24, 25 renders betzer by kesef (silver). And mighty will be thy silver means you will have a great amount of money. (shaddai betzarekha) (Job 22:25) is similar because the word betzarekha (thy silver) has the same meaning as the word bet”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 6:3: [ALMIGHTY.] It is difficult to explain the word Shaddai (Almighty). 5 Its meaning is not self-evident. Saadiah Gaon says that the shin of Shaddai is a preposition, like the shin prefixed to she-attah (that it is thou) in that it is thou that talkest with me (Jud. 6:17). The meaning of Shaddai is: Who said to the world, enough. 6 According to Saadiah Gaon, Shaddai is composed of two words, she-dai (who is enough). He further explained that she-dai is short for she-amar le’olam dai . Saadiah Gaon apparently interprets Shaddai as meaning the one who controls or set”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 6:3: Rabbi Saadiah Gaon says that the word le-vado (only) has been omitted from the end of our clause. Our text should be read as if written: but I made Me not known to them only by My name YHVH . 29 That is, u-vi-shemi YHVH should be interpreted as if written, u-vi-shemi YHVH le-vado . On the contrary, I at times appeared to them with the name El Shaddai (God Almighty) and at other times with the name YHVH . In my opinion, thy name shall not be called any more only Jacob, but Israel shall be used with it (Gen. 35:10) 30 I.E.’s paraphrase of thy name shall not be cal”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 3:13: AND MOSES SAID. Moses now asked which of God’s names he should relate to Israel, for with the name of El Shaddai (God Almighty) he could not perform signs. 100 The name by which God appeared to the patriarchs. Cf. Ex. 6:2, 3. The latter are only performed with God’s great and glorious name. 101 The Tetragrammaton (read Adonai and translated as Lord). Rabbi Joshua 102 A Karaite Bible commentator. See Vol. I, Introduction, note 14. says that the Israelites had a tradition from their forefathers that Israel’s savior would reveal a new name of God to them, a name t”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Kabbalistic/Philosophical)) “Ramban (Nachmanides) on Genesis 17:1: ‘E-IL SHA-DAI.’ These are two distinct Divine names, each one descriptive in itself. 367 And not as Abraham ibn Ezra has it, i.e., that they both constitute one descriptive noun: “a G-d who is almighty” and “an almighty G-d.” Now the meaning of the word eil is “mighty”, derived from the expression, Eilei Moab (the mighty ones of Moab). 368 Exodus 15:15. The meaning of Sha—dai , according to Rashi, is “He whose G-dship suffices for every creature.” In the book Moreh Nebuchim 369 I, 63 (toward the end). the Rabbi 294 Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (Rambam). See Sede”
- Genesis (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Genesis 17 (introduction): The covenant had been made with Abram for at least fourteen years, and yet Abram remained without any visible sign of its accomplishment, and was merely pointed in faith to the inviolable character of the promise of God. Jehovah now appeared to Him again, when he was ninety-nine years old, twenty-four years after his migration, and thirteen after the birth of Ishmael, to give effect to the covenant and prepare for its execution. Having come down to Abram in a visible form (Gen 17:22), He said to him, "I am El Shaddai (almighty God): walk before Me”