Shaddai
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Introduction:
The term "Shaddai" is a significant name for God found in the Hebrew Bible, often translated as "Almighty." It is a name that conveys God's ultimate power and authority over all creation. The name is frequently used in conjunction with "El," forming the compound name "El Shaddai," which is commonly rendered as "God Almighty."

Etymology and Meaning:
The exact etymology of "Shaddai" is debated among scholars. Some suggest it derives from a root meaning "to destroy" or "to overpower," emphasizing God's omnipotence. Others propose a connection to a word meaning "mountain," symbolizing strength and stability. Regardless of its precise origin, the name "Shaddai" is consistently associated with God's supreme power and sufficiency.

Biblical Usage:
"Shaddai" appears primarily in the Old Testament, with notable occurrences in the books of Genesis, Exodus, Job, and Psalms. It is often used in contexts that highlight God's might and His ability to provide and protect.

1. Genesis 17:1 :
"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, 'I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless.'"
Here, God introduces Himself to Abram as "El Shaddai," emphasizing His power to fulfill the covenant promises, including the promise of numerous descendants and the land of Canaan.

2. Exodus 6:3 :
"I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by My name the LORD I did not make Myself known to them."
This verse highlights the progressive revelation of God's character and names. While the patriarchs knew God as "El Shaddai," the name "Yahweh" was revealed to Moses as part of God's redemptive plan for Israel.

3. Job 5:17 :
"Blessed indeed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty."
In the book of Job, "Shaddai" is used frequently, underscoring God's sovereign control over human affairs and His role as both a just judge and a compassionate redeemer.

4. Psalm 91:1 :
"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty."
This verse portrays "Shaddai" as a refuge and protector, offering safety and security to those who trust in Him.

Theological Significance:
The name "Shaddai" encapsulates the concept of God's all-encompassing power and His ability to sustain and nurture His creation. It reflects the belief in a God who is both transcendent and immanent, capable of intervening in the world while also being intimately involved in the lives of His people. The use of "Shaddai" in Scripture reassures believers of God's unchanging nature and His commitment to His promises.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In the ancient Near Eastern context, names of deities often conveyed attributes or roles. The use of "Shaddai" in the Hebrew Bible distinguishes the God of Israel from the gods of surrounding nations, emphasizing His unparalleled might and authority. The patriarchal narratives, in particular, highlight God's identity as "El Shaddai" in the context of covenantal relationships, underscoring His faithfulness and power to fulfill His promises.

Conclusion:
The name "Shaddai" remains a profound testament to God's almighty nature, offering comfort and assurance to believers throughout the ages. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty, His ability to provide, and His unwavering commitment to His people.
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) [GOD]

Easton's Bible Dictionary
The Omnipotent, the name of God in frequent use in the Hebrew Scriptures, generally translated "the Almighty."
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
EL SHADDAI

el shad'-a-i, el shad'-i.

See GOD, NAMES OF.

SHADDAI

shad'-a-i, shad'-i.

See GOD, NAMES OF, II, 8.

Strong's Hebrew
5996. Ammishadday -- "my kinsman is Shaddai," a Danite
... Ammishadday. 5997 . "my kinsman is Shaddai," a Danite. Transliteration: Ammishadday
Phonetic Spelling: (am-mee-shad-dah'ee) Short Definition: Ammishaddai. ...
/hebrew/5996.htm - 6k
Library

Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision
... But if he had remembered what God now brings to his recollection, that God is El
Shaddai, the allsufficient One, he would have said, "No, I will remain true to ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/consecration to godillustrated by abrahams.htm

The Power of God
... He is called El-shaddai, God almighty. ... Let him remember God is El-Shaddai,
almighty; he will be too hard for them that oppose him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/6 the power of god.htm

Where to Find Fruit
... Let that ancient name, "El Shaddai""God all-sufficient, sound like music in thine
ear"as some translate it, "The many-breasted God," yielding from himself ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/where to find fruit.htm

Chapter xxviii
... 3, 4. And may El Shaddai (God Almighty) bless thee and make thee fruitful and multiply
thee and mayest thou become a company of peoples; and may He give to ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxviii.htm

Letter xxv. To Marcella.
... The ten names are El, Elohim, Saba??th, Eli??n, Asher yeheyeh (Exodus 3:14), Adonai,
Jah, the tetragram JHVH, and Shaddai. Written at Rome 384 ad. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxv to marcella.htm

Demonstration xvii. --Of Christ the Son of God.
... This is My Name for ever, and this is My memorial unto generations. [1050] And He
called His name Ahiyah ashar Ahiyah, El Shaddai and Adonai Sabaoth. ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration xvii of christ the son.htm

The Writings of Israel's Philosophers
... ideas of a much later age. The designation of God is no longer Jehovah
but El or Eloah or Shaddai. The character of Job suddenly ...
/.../xi the writings of israels.htm

A Divided Heart
... John Bunyan describes this as being one of the terms which old Diabolus was said
to make with King Shaddai,""Oh!" said he, "I will give up all the city of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a divided heart.htm

A Plain Description of the Essence and Attributes of God, Out of ...
... Let not God's children fear the power of enemies, for El, our God, is
stronger than they. 2. Shaddai, [21] that is, Omnipotent. ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/a plain description of the.htm

Exodus
... the passage, vi.2-13, which describes the revelation given to Moses, asserting that
the fathers knew the God of Israel only by the name El Shaddai, while the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/exodus.htm

Thesaurus
Shaddai
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EL SHADDAI. el shad'-ai, el shad'-i. See GOD,
NAMES OF. SHADDAI. shad'-ai, shad'-i. See GOD, NAMES OF, II, 8. ...
/s/shaddai.htm - 6k

Ammi-shaddai (1 Occurrence)
Ammi-shaddai. Ammishaddai, Ammi-shaddai. Ammishad'dai . Multi-Version
Concordance Ammi-shaddai (1 Occurrence). Numbers ...
/a/ammi-shaddai.htm - 6k

Ammishaddai (5 Occurrences)
... This is one of the few names compounded with the name of God, Shaddai,
"Almighty.". Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AMMISHADDAI. ...
/a/ammishaddai.htm - 8k

Shedeur (5 Occurrences)
... correctly conceives the name as an Assyrian compound, sad uri, "daybreak." Cf, however,
Gray, HPN, 169, 197, who emends the text to read Shaddai 'Ur, "Shaddai...
/s/shedeur.htm - 8k

Shackles (14 Occurrences)

/s/shackles.htm - 9k

El (8 Occurrences)
... See GOD, NAMES OF. EL ELYON. el e-li'-on. See GOD, NAMES OF. EL SHADDAI. el
shad'-ai, el shad'-i. See GOD, NAMES OF. Multi-Version Concordance El (8 Occurrences ...
/e/el.htm - 9k

Ammishad'dai (5 Occurrences)
Ammishad'dai. Ammi-shaddai, Ammishad'dai. Ammizabad . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See RSV). Ammi-shaddai, Ammishad'dai. Ammizabad . Reference Bible.
/a/ammishad'dai.htm - 7k

Almighty (242 Occurrences)
... ALMIGHTY. ol-mit'-i: (1) (shaddai (Genesis 17:1)): Found in the Old Testament
forty-eight times, most of these in the Book of Job; it occurs either alone or in ...
/a/almighty.htm - 35k

Shade (67 Occurrences)

/s/shade.htm - 31k

Anthropology
... In Job reference is made to his creative act, where Elihu says: "There is a spirit
in man, and the breath (nishmath) of the Almighty (shaddai) giveth them ...
/a/anthropology.htm - 38k

Resources
What is a Mezuzah? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different names of God, and what do they mean? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the word Elohim? | GotQuestions.org

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Shaddai

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Shackles
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