Topical Bible: God on High

◄ God on High ►

Jump to: Topical • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The term "God on High" is a designation that emphasizes the transcendence, sovereignty, and supreme authority of God over all creation. This title reflects the biblical portrayal of God as exalted above all, reigning from a position of ultimate power and majesty. The concept of God on High is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, where God's elevated status is consistently affirmed.

Biblical References

1. Transcendence and Sovereignty: The Bible frequently describes God as dwelling in the highest heavens, a metaphor for His supreme authority and separateness from His creation. In Isaiah 57:15 , it is written, "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'"

2. God's Exalted Position: The Psalms often celebrate God's exalted position. Psalm 113:4-5 declares, "The LORD is exalted over all the nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like the LORD our God, the One enthroned on high?" This passage underscores God's unparalleled status and His dominion over all earthly and heavenly realms.

3. Divine Authority: The authority of God on High is evident in His role as the ultimate judge and ruler. In Daniel 4:34-35 , King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledges God's supreme rule: "At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: 'What have You done?'"

4. Worship and Reverence: The recognition of God on High calls for worship and reverence. In Revelation 4:8-11 , the heavenly beings continually worship God, saying, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!" The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being."

Theological Significance

The concept of God on High is central to understanding the nature of God as both immanent and transcendent. While God is intimately involved with His creation, He remains distinct and above it, governing with absolute authority. This duality is reflected in the biblical narrative, where God's highness does not preclude His closeness to humanity. The incarnation of Jesus Christ, as described in Philippians 2:6-8 , exemplifies this: "Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross."

Conclusion

The title "God on High" encapsulates the majesty, authority, and holiness of God as depicted in the Bible. It serves as a reminder of His rightful place as the sovereign ruler of the universe, deserving of all worship and reverence. Through the Scriptures, believers are called to acknowledge and honor God on High, recognizing His ultimate authority and the profound mystery of His divine nature.

Topical Bible Verses

Micah 6:6-8
With which shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
Topicalbible.org

Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Topicalbible.org

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.
Topicalbible.org

Greek

399. anaphero -- to carry up, lead up
... Short Definition: I carry up, lead up, offer up Definition: (a) I carry up, lead
up, (b) I offer up (on a high altar) as a sacrifice, offer up to God on high. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/399.htm - 7k

5310. hupsistos -- highest, most high
... Superlative from the base of hupsos; highest, ie (masculine singular) the Supreme
(God), or (neuter plural) the heavens -- most high, highest. see GREEK hupsos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5310.htm - 6k

2409. hiereus -- a priest
... hiereus Phonetic Spelling: (hee-er-yooce') Short Definition: a priest Definition:
a priest, one who offers sacrifice to a god (in Jewish ... priest, high priest. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2409.htm - 7k

4576. sebo -- to worship
... 4576 -- properly, ; to hold something (someone) in high respect; showing the or
(veneration ... verb Definition to worship NASB Word Usage devout (1), God-fearing (3 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4576.htm - 7k

842. autarkes -- self-sufficient, sufficient
... sense of being satisfied because living in God's content (fulness). This inward
sufficiency is as valid in "low times" (suffering) as in "high times" (temporal ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/842.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

5943. Illay -- "highest," a name of God
... most high. (Aramaic) corresponding to illiy; supreme (ie God) -- (most) high. see
HEBREW illiy. 5942, 5943. Illay. 5944 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5943.htm - 6k

5945b. Elyon -- "high," a name of God
... 5945a, 5945b. Elyon. 5946 . "high," a name of God. Transliteration: Elyon
Short Definition: high. Word Origin from alah Definition ...
/hebrew/5945b.htm - 5k

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

5920. al -- height
... From alah; properly, the top; specifically, the highest (ie God); also (adverb)
aloft, to Jehovah -- above, high, most High. see HEBREW alah. 5919, 5920. ...
/hebrew/5920.htm - 6k

Library

Strong Faith in a Faithful God
... CH SPURGEON,. At the [2]Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "I will cry unto God
most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.""Psalm 57:2. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/strong faith in a faithful.htm

LM Lange. The Most High God.
... II. GOD. 71. LM Lange. The Most High God. 1 Unchangeable, all-perfect Lord!
Essential life's unbounded sea! What lives and moves ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/71 l m lange the.htm

The Fifty-Eighth Chapter: High Matters and the Hidden Judgments of ...
... MY CHILD, beware of discussing high matters and God's hidden judgments"why this
person is so forsaken and why that one is favored with so great a grace, or ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the fifty-eighth chapter high matters.htm

Christ as Righteousness; as the Demiurge, the Agent of the Good ...
... Book I. 40. Christ as Righteousness; As the Demiurge, the Agent of the
Good God, and as High-Priest. Having expiscated the "to us ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/40 christ as righteousness as.htm

The World was not Formed by Angels, or by any Other Being ...
... Against Heresies: Book II Chapter II."The world was not formed by angels, or by
any other being, contrary to the will of the most high God, but was made by ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter ii the world was not.htm

"By the Assay of this Falling we Shall have an High Marvellous ...
... POINTS IN THE FOREGOING FOURTEEN REVELATIONS CHAPTER LXI "By the assay of this falling
we shall have an high marvellous knowing of Love in God, without end. ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxi by the assay.htm

A Jealous God
... faithfulness, mingled with sorrow, I persuade you who have been deluded by it, to
see well to your ways and receive the truth which sets God on high, and lays ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/a jealous god.htm

High Priest
... The Church makes men high priests which have infirmity but the power of God makes
every man a high priest, who offers up himself to live and work for the ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter iv high priest.htm

The Birth of Mary the Holy Mother of God, and Very Glorious Mother ...
... And he brought her to the chief priests; and they blessed her, saying: O God most
high, look upon this child, and bless her with the utmost blessing, which ...
/.../unknown/the protevangelium of james/the birth of mary the.htm

General Prayers.
... holy Jesus! Jesus, Son of God most high, Who didst in the manger lie,
Who upon the cross didst die" Hear us, holy Jesus! Amen. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/little folded hands/general prayers.htm