Names of God: El-Elyon

As we go through this series on the names of God you might wonder at the fact that that you’ve never seen this name before while reading your Bible. That’s because the names are translated into English from their original language. Just like LORD stands in place of YHWH (Yahweh), El-Elyon translates from Hebrew to English as Most High or “the most exalted God.”

In the Old Testament, El-Elyon occurs 28 times with 19 of those being in the Psalms. The name El-Elyon conveys the extraordinary sovereignty, strength, majesty, and supremacy of God.

The first time this name is used is by the mysterious priest Melchizedek in Genesis 14. Melchizedek used “El-Elyon” to point that the same God who has power over the universe as Creator was powerfully working in Abram’s life.

Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Genesis 14:18-20 (NIV)

In the book of Daniel, Daniel prophesied against Babylon’s new king, Belshazzar. He began by reminding Belshazzar that El-Elyon decided who was king, even of the godless city of Babylon.

“Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor. Because of the high position he gave him, all the nations and peoples of every language dreaded and feared him…. But when his heart became arrogant and hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne and stripped of his glory…. until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.”
Daniel 5:18-21 (NIV)

The writer of Psalm 91 rejoices in the caring protection and the loving comfort of El-Elyon.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
Psalm 91:1-2, 9-10 (NIV)

Because God is El-Elyon - sovereign, creator, king, protector - we don’t have to worry about the future. Just like with Abram, God is powerfully at work in our lives. Like in the book of Daniel, God is in control of who rules the godless Babylon we presently live in. As the Psalmist said, we can find protection and comfort in the Most High.

For the Lord Most High is awesome, the great King over all the earth.
Psalm 47:2 (NIV)