El Elyon
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Definition and Meaning:
El Elyon is a Hebrew term that translates to "God Most High" or "Most High God." It is a title that emphasizes the supreme sovereignty and exalted nature of God above all other gods and powers. The name El Elyon is used to denote God's ultimate authority and majesty, highlighting His position as the highest being in the universe.

Biblical References:
The title El Elyon appears in several key passages in the Old Testament, underscoring God's supreme authority and His role as the sovereign ruler over all creation.

1. Genesis 14:18-20: The first occurrence of El Elyon is found in the account of Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High. Melchizedek blesses Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand." This passage highlights God's role as the Creator and His active involvement in the affairs of humanity.

2. Psalm 7:17: The psalmist declares, "I will thank the LORD for His righteousness and sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." Here, El Elyon is associated with God's righteousness and His worthiness of praise.

3. Psalm 47:2: The psalmist proclaims, "How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth!" This verse emphasizes God's kingship and His dominion over the entire earth, reinforcing His position as the supreme ruler.

4. Daniel 4:34: In the account of King Nebuchadnezzar's humbling, he acknowledges God's sovereignty, stating, "I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever." This passage illustrates the recognition of God's supreme authority even by a powerful earthly king.

Theological Significance:
El Elyon is a title that conveys the transcendence and omnipotence of God. It affirms that God is above all earthly and heavenly powers, ruling with absolute authority. This title reassures believers of God's control over all circumstances and His ability to accomplish His divine purposes.

Relation to Other Names of God:
El Elyon is often used in conjunction with other names of God, such as Yahweh (LORD) and El Shaddai (God Almighty), to provide a fuller understanding of His character. While El Elyon emphasizes God's supreme position, Yahweh highlights His covenantal relationship with His people, and El Shaddai underscores His power and sufficiency.

Historical and Cultural Context:
In the ancient Near Eastern context, the title El Elyon would have been understood as a declaration of God's superiority over the pantheon of gods worshiped by surrounding nations. By using this title, the biblical authors assert the uniqueness and unrivaled status of the God of Israel.

Application for Believers:
For believers, the name El Elyon serves as a reminder of God's ultimate authority and the assurance that He is in control of all things. It encourages trust in His sovereignty and inspires worship and reverence for His majesty. Recognizing God as El Elyon invites believers to submit to His will and find peace in His supreme governance.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
El Elyon

EL ELYON

el e-li'-on.

See GOD, NAMES OF.

Strong's Hebrew
5946. Elyon -- "high," a name of God
... 5945b, 5946. Elyon. 5947 . "high," a name of God. Transliteration: Elyon
Phonetic Spelling: (el-yone') Short Definition: One. Word ...
/hebrew/5946.htm - 6k
Library

Chapter xiv
... 76 c. 18. And Melchizedek, the king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine,
and he was a priest of El Elyon. Another prominent personage ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xiv.htm

Chapter xxi
... with God. It may be well to compare that in Genesis 14:22 'El Elyon and in
Genesis 17:1 'El Shadday had already appeared. The tamarisk ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxi.htm

Appendix iv. An Abstract of Jewish History from the Reign of ...
... of Hyrcanus which were abolished referred to the introduction in official documents,
after the title of the High-Priest, of the expression El Elyon' - the Most ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix iv an abstract of.htm

At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple.
... 82:6 the titles God' (Elohim) and Sons of the Highest' (Beney Elyon) had been ... location
of this Porch' in the passage under the present mosque El Aksa (proposed ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiv at the feast.htm

Resources
What is the significance of Bethel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why is God described as God Most High? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Melchizedek? | GotQuestions.org

El: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

El

El Elyon

El Roi

El Shaddai

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El-
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