El Shaddai (אֵל שַׁדַּי)

The divine name אֵל שַׁדַּי (El Shaddai)—combining אֵל (El, 'God' or 'Mighty One') with שַׁדַּי (Shaddai)—appears 48 times in the Old Testament, emphasizing God's omnipotence, sufficiency, and ability to fulfill His promises despite human impossibility. This name was particularly precious to the patriarchs, the designation by which God revealed Himself to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob before the fuller disclosure of His covenant name YHWH at Sinai. When circumstances appeared hopeless—barrenness, famine, danger, delay—El Shaddai demonstrated power to accomplish what human effort could never achieve.

God first revealed this name to Abram at age 99, when both he and Sarai were 'well stricken in age' and long past childbearing: 'I am the Almighty God (El Shaddai); walk before me, and be thou perfect' (Genesis 17:1). Immediately following this revelation, God changed Abram's name to Abraham ('father of many nations') and established the covenant of circumcision, promising that Sarah would bear Isaac within the year. The name declared that nothing is too hard for the Lord; His power transcends natural limitations. To aged, barren Abraham and Sarah, El Shaddai promised descendants numberless as stars; He alone possessed sufficiency to fulfill that impossible word.The etymology of שַׁדַּי (Shaddai) remains debated among Hebrew scholars. Three primary theories exist: (1) derivation from שַׁד (shad), meaning 'breast,' suggesting God as nourisher and sustainer who provides abundantly, like a nursing mother supplies her infant's every need; (2) connection to שָׁדַד (shadad), meaning 'to overpower' or 'to destroy,' emphasizing irresistible might; (3) derivation from an Akkadian word meaning 'mountain,' suggesting God's strength and immovability. The first etymology—God as all-sufficient nourisher—finds support in Jacob's blessing: 'by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings... of the breasts, and of the womb' (Genesis 49:25), directly connecting Shaddai with provision and fertility. The Septuagint translates it pantokratōr ('all-powerful'), emphasizing omnipotence.

Isaac invoked this name blessing Jacob: 'God Almighty (El Shaddai) bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee' (Genesis 28:3). Jacob later testified, 'God Almighty appeared unto me at Luz in the land of Canaan, and blessed me, and said unto me, Behold, I will make thee fruitful, and multiply thee' (Genesis 48:3-4). The name consistently appears in contexts of divine blessing, multiplication, and fulfillment of promises against impossible odds. When natural resources fail, when human ability reaches its limit, when circumstances appear hopeless, El Shaddai manifests as the all-sufficient One whose power knows no constraint.

The book of Job employs Shaddai 31 times (more than all other biblical books combined), usually without El. In Job's extremity—having lost children, wealth, health, and comfort—the name that sustained the patriarchs in their trials becomes central. Job's friends invoke Shaddai's justice; Job appeals to Shaddai's sovereignty; God ultimately answers from the whirlwind, demonstrating Shaddai's incomprehensible power over creation. The Almighty who promised Isaac to Abraham, who multiplied Jacob's descendants, reveals Himself as sovereign over all suffering, all providence, all purpose—sufficient for every trial, adequate for every need, powerful enough to accomplish every promise. New Testament revelation connects this name to Christ, 'the Almighty' (pantokratōr) of Revelation 1:8, whose sufficiency supplies grace for every situation.