Theophory in the Bible

Theophory is the practice of embedding the name of a god or a deity in, usually, a proper name.^{[note 1]} Much Hebrew theophory occurs in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible). The most prominent theophory involves names referring to:

El, a word meaning might, power and (a) god in general, and hence in Judaism, God and among the Canaanites the name of the god who was the father of the 70 Sons of God, including Yahweh and Baal.
Yah, a shortened form of Yahweh.
Levantine deities (especially the storm god, Hadad) by the epithet baal, meaning lord. In later times, as the conflict between Yahwism and the more popular pagan practices became increasingly intense, these names were censored and baal was replaced with bosheth, meaning "shame".

El theophory

The following is an alphabetical list of names referring to El (אל) and their meanings in Hebrew:


Root	Root Meaning	El theophory	Meaning
Abdi (עֲבְדִּי)	My Servant	Elabdi/Abdiel	My God serves/Servant of God
Abi (אֲבִי)	My Father	Elabi/Abiel	My God is my Father/My Father is God
Abima (אֲבִֽימָ)	A Father	Elabima/Abimael	My God is a father/A Father sent from God
Adbe (אַדְבְּ)	Discipline	Eladbe/Adbeel	My God disciplined me/Disciplined of God^[1]
Adi (עדי)	Ornament, Jewel	Eladi/Adiel	Ornament of God
Adri (עדרי)	Flock, Herd, Pack	Eladri/Adriel	My God herds/Flock of God
Ammi (עַמִּי)	My People	Elammi/Ammiel	People of God
Ari (אֲרִי)	Lion	Elari/Ariel	Lion of God
Auri (אורי)	Flame	Elauri/Auriel	My God is my Flame/Flame of God
Aza (עֲזָא)	Courage	Elaza/Azael	Whom God 'Strengthens/Encourages'
Azaz (עֲזָאזֵ)	Courage as a weakness (Foolhardiness)	Elazaz/Azazel	My God Strengthens me My God is Arrogant/Arrogant to God
Azra (עֲזַרְ)	Help, Assistance	Elazra/Azrael	My God has helped/Help of God
Barach (בָּרַכְ)	Blessing	Elbarach/Barachel	My God has blessed/Blessed of God
Beth (בֵּית)	House	Elbeth/Bethel	House of God
Betzal (בְּצַלְ)	Shadow, Protection	Elbezal/Betzalel	In the 'Path/Shadow' of God
Cassi (קַצְפִּי)	Wrath, Anger	Elcassi/Cassiel	My God is my Wrath/Wrath of God
Caftsi (קַפְצִי)	Leap, Spring	Elcaftsi/Caftsiel	My God is my Leap/Leap of God
Casti (קסטי)	Cast, Shield, Cover	Elcasti/Castiel	My God is my Cover/Shield of God
Dani (דָּנִיֵּ)	Judgement	Eldani/Daniel	My God is my Judge/Judged by God Judgement of God
Ead (עד)	Eternity	Elead/Eadel	My God Forever
Emmanu (עִמָּנוּ)	Presence	Elemmanu/Emmanuel	My God is 'with us/present'
Ezeki (יְחֶזְקֵ)	Will strengthen	Elezeki/Ezekiel	God will Strengthen
Gabri (גַּבְרִי)	Male, Man, Masculine, Virile	Elgabri/Gabriel	My God is Masculine/Man of God My God has shown Himself Mighty My God is Heroic/Hero of God My God is strong/Strong one of God
Gamali (גַּמְלִי)	Reward	Elgamali/Gamaliel	Reward of God
Hanni (חני)	Glory	Elhanni/Hanniel	Glory of God
Iana (יעָנָה)	Answer	Eliana/Ianael	My God Answers/Answered by God
Iezer (יעֶזֶר)	Help	Eliezer/Iezerel	My God was my Help/Help from God
Ijah (יהו)	Tetragrammaton, Yahweh, Jehovah	Elijah/Ijahel	My God is 'Jah/Yah'
Imelech (ימלך)	Monarch, King	Elimelech/Imelechel	My God is my Monarch
Immanu (עִמָּנוּ)	Presence	Elimmanu/Immanuel	My God is 'with us/present'
Isha (ישע)	Salvation	Elisha/Ishael	My God is my Salvation/Salvation of God
Ishah (ישָׁה)	Rescue, to deliver	Elishah/Ishahel	My God is my Rescuer/Deliverance of God
Ishama (ישמע)	Will Hear, Will Listen	Elishama/Ishamael	My God will Hear
Isheba (ישֶׁבַע)	Oath	Elisheba/Ishebael	My God is my Oath
Isheva (ישֶׁבַע)	Oath	Elisheva/Ishevael	My God is my Oath
Ishma (יִשְׁמָעֵ)	Hearing, Listening	Elishma/Ishmael	Heard by God Named by God My God Hearkens
Ishua (אישוע)	Salvation	Elishua/Ishuael	My God is my Salvation/Salvation of God
Isra (שָׂרָה)	Struggle, Contention	Elisra/Israel	My God has struggled/He who struggles with God My God strives/He who strives with God
Izabeth (יזבת)	Oath	Elizabeth/Izabethel	My God is my Oath/Abundance of God
Jekuthi (ג'קותי)	Support	Eljekuthi/Jekuthiel	My God will support
Jerahme (יְרַחְמְ)	Pity, Mercy, Compassion	Eljerahme/Jerahmeel	My God pities
Jezre (יִזְרְעֶ)	Will sow	Eljezre/Jezreel	My God will sow
Jo (יוֹ)	Tetragrammaton, Yahweh, Jehovah	Eljo/Joel	Jah is God
Kanah (קָנָה)	Purchase, Possession, Ownership	Elkanah/Kanahel	My God has Possessed/Possessed by God My God has Purchased/Purchased by God My God has Owned/Owned by God My God has Created/Created by God
Lemu (לְמוּ)	'Go to him', Dedication	Ellemu/Lemuel	Dedicated to God
Mahalal (מַהֲלַלְ)	Shining One	Elmahalal/Mahalalel	The blessed God The shining light of God The glory of God
Micha (מיכ)	'Who is?'	Elmicha/Michael	My God is like who?/Who is like God? One who is like God
Misha (מיש)	'What is?'	Elmisha/Mishael	My God is like what?/Who is what God is?
Nathana (נְתַנְ)	Gift	Elnathana/Nathanael	Given by God/God has Given, Gift of God
Nathani (נתני)	Gift	Elnathani/Nathaniel	Given by God/God has Given, Gift of God
Nemu (נמו)	Day	Elnemu/Nemuel	Day of God
Nuri (נוּרִי)	Flame, Light, Torch	Elnuri/Nuriel	My God is my fire/Fire of God My God is my light/Light of God
Ori (אוֹרִי)	Light	Elori/Oriel	My God is my light/Light of God
Othni (עָתְנִי)	Hour, Time	Elothni/Othniel	Hour of God
Yisra (יִשְׂרָ)	To rule, have power, prevail over	Elyisra/Yisrael	My God rules/Prince of God
Peni (פני)	Face	Elpeni/Peniel	Face of God
Penu (פְּנוּ)	'to turn', About-face, Sudden change	Elpenu/Penuel	Face of God
Phanu (פאנו)	Face	Elphanu/Phanuel	Face of God
Rapha (רפא)	Healing	Elrapha/Raphael	My God is Healing/Healing one of God
Reu (רְעוּ)	Friend	Elreu/Reuel	My God is my friend/Friend of God
Ragu (רְעוּ)	'to pasture' (like a shepherd)	Elragu/Raguel	My God shall pasture/Pasturer of God
Samu (שְׁמוּ)	Name	Elsamu/Samuel	Name/Heard of God
Shealti (שְׁאַלְתִּי)	'I asked'	Elshealti/Shealtiel	I asked God [for this child]
Uri (אוּרִי)	Flame, Light, Flare	Eluri/Uriel	My God is my Sun/Sun of God My God is my Light/Light of God My God is my Fire/Fire of God
Uzzi (עֻזִּי)	Power, Strength	Eluzzi/Uzziel	Power from God

Incorrect El theophory

The name Abel, which appears to refer to El, in fact is not an instance of theophory. Abel can be translated as "breath", "temporary" or "meaninglessness" and is the word translated as "vanity" in Ecclesiastes 1:2 in the King James Version.

The name Jael also appears to refer to El in English, but contains ayin rather than the aleph of El.

The name Eli also appears to refer to El in English, but contains ayin rather than aleph.

The name Rachel also appears to refer to El in English, but contains chet.

Shaddai theophory

The following is an alphabetical list of names referring to Shaddai and their meanings in Hebrew:

Zurishaddai – Shaddai is my rock

Yah theophory

The following is an alphabetical list of names referring to Yah/Yahweh and their meanings in Hebrew:

Abiah – Yahweh is my father

Abijah – Yahweh is my father (2 Chron. 13:3)

Adaiah – ornament of Yahweh

Adonijah – my lord is Yahweh

Ahaziah – vision of Yahweh

Ahiah – brother of Yahweh

Ahijah – brother of Yahweh

Amariah – Yahweh says; integrity of Yahweh

Amaziah – strength of Yahweh

Ananiah – Protected by Yah

Athaliah – Yahweh is exalted

Azariah – Yahweh has helped

Bathiah – Daughter of Yah

Bealiah – Yahweh is Lord^[2]

Dodavah(u) – Beloved of Yahweh

Elijah – My God is Yah

Hananiah – Yahweh is gracious

Gedaliah – Yahweh is great

Hezekiah – Yahweh has strengthened

Hodaviah/Hodiah – Give thanks to Yahweh, The splendour of Yahweh

Isaiah – Salvation of Yahweh

Isshiah – Yahweh exists

Jeconiah – Yahweh has firmly established

Jedaiah – Yah knows

Jedidiah – Beloved of Yah

Jehiah – Yahweh lives

Jehoiachin – Yahweh is firmly established

Jehoiada – Yahweh knows

Jehoshaphat – Yahweh is judge

Jehosheba – Yahweh is my oath

Jehozadak – Righteous is Yahweh

Jekamiah – Yahweh raises

Jeremiah – Yah exalts

Jeshaiah – Salvation of Yahweh

Joab – Yahweh is father

Jochebed – Yahweh is glory

Joel – Yahweh is El/God

John – Yahweh is gracious

Jonathan – gift of Yahweh

Joshua – Yahweh saves/is (my) Saviour/Salvation or Yahweh is lordly (Niqqud dependent)

Josiah – supported of Yahweh

Malchijah – Yahweh is king

Micaiah – Who is like Yahweh

Matityahu – Gift from Yah

Neariah – Servant of Yahweh

Nedabiah – Yahweh impels

Nehemiah – Yah comforts

Nethaniah – gift of Yahweh

Obadiah – Yahweh's servant or worshiper

Pedaiah – Redemption of Yahweh

Pelatiah – Yah has delivered

Pelaiah – Yah has distinguished

Pelaliah – Yah has judged

Pekahiah – Yah has observed

Reaiah – Yahweh has seen

Rephaiah – Yah has healed

Seraiah – Servant/prince of Yahweh

Shecaniah – One intimate with Yahweh

Shephatiah – Judged of Yahweh

Toviah – Good of Yahweh or Yahweh is Good

Uriah – My light is Yahweh

Uzziah – Yahweh is my strength

Zebadiah, Zabdi – Gift of Yahweh

Zedekiah – justice of or righteous is Yahweh

Zephaniah – Yahweh hides or protects

Zechariah – Yahweh remembers

Baal theophory

Ba'al is a generic term meaning master; it can also be translated "Lord". In the Bible, it is frequently a reference to Hadad, although it is sometimes used to refer to other specific deities, including Yahweh (referred to as Ba'al Yahweh), and on other occasions is used to refer to an arbitrary lord of this area.

The following is an alphabetical list of names referring Ba'al, and their meanings in Hebrew:

Baalah – her lord; she that is governed or subdued; a spouse

Baalath – a rejoicing; our proud lord

Baalath-Beer – subjected pit

Baal-berith – lord of the covenant

Baale – same as Baalath

Baal-gad – lord Gad, or lord of Gad, or lord of fortune/felicity

Baal-hamon – he who rules a crowd

Baal-hanan – Ba'al is gracious

Baal-hermon – lord of destruction / of a cursed-thing

Baali – my lord; lord over me

Baalim – lords; masters; (later Jewish use: false gods)

Baalis – a rejoicing/proud lord

Baal-meon – lord/master of the house

Baal-Peor – master of Peor; master of the opening

Baal-perazim – lord of divisions

Baal-shalisha – the lord that presides over three; the third idol

Baal-tamar – master of the palm-tree

Baal-zebub – lord of the fly (satirical corruption of Ba'al-zebul - lord of princes)

Baal-zephon – the lord/possession of the north/hidden/secret

Jerub-baal – the lord contends

Bosheth

In later biblical and Jewish writing, some of the theophories in Ba'al were bowdlerised, with ba'al replaced by bosheth ((the) shameful (thing)):

Ishbosheth, from Ishba'al, man of ba'al.

Jerubbeshet, from Jerubbaal "Ba'al contends"

Mephibosheth, from Mephibaal "from the mouth of Ba'al"

Yam theophory

Yam is the Canaanite god of the Sea.

Abiyam – My father is Yam (1 Kgs. 14:31)

Zedek theophory

Zedek (or Sydyk or Sedek) was the name of a Phoenician deity worshiped in Canaan. In Hebrew, "tzedek" (from the root tz-d-k) means "righteous".

The following is an alphabetical list of names referring Zedek, and their meanings in Hebrew:

Melchi-zedek – My king is Zedek

Adoni-zedek – My lord is Zedek

Hadad

Apart from oblique references to Hadad by means of the word ba'al, some theophory references him directly:

Hadadezer – Hadad is my help

Rib-Hadda – Great is Hadad

Ben-hadad – Son of Hadad

Others

Asenappar – Ashur is creator of an heir

Belshazzar – Bel, protect the king

Chedorlaomer – Servant of Lagamar

Nebuchadnezzar – Nabu, preserve my firstborn son

Sennacherib – Sin has replaced brothers

Shalmaneser – Shulmanu is the best

Notes

^ From the Greek θεοφορία from θεοφόρος from Θεός "God" and φόρος "bearer" from φέρειν "to bear"; confer Φωσφόρος.

References

^ "Adbeel" retrieved from "Strong's Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon"
^ Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, "Bealiah" (1915). [1]

[1] From the Greek θεοφορία from θεοφόρος from Θεός "God" and φόρος "bearer" from φέρειν "to bear"; confer Φωσφόρος.

[2] "Adbeel" retrieved from "Strong's Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon"

[3] Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, "Bealiah" (1915). [1]

[note 1]

[1]

[2]