El Shaddai: What Does It Mean?

El Shaddai: What does it mean?

The shortcut way to understand what El Shaddai means is God Almighty. But this name for God goes even deeper.

Last week I wrote about what El (Elohim) means. If you missed it, here is the link:

So when we see the word “El” used alone or as part of a word like IsraEL or DaniEL, remember that El means The one True God, ruler of all nations, strong God.

Some names of God include the word El combined with other words. This week is one of those names: El Shaddai. This is one of the names of God that shows us the character of God.

We know what El means, but what does Shaddai (Shadday) mean?

This word means: almighty, unlimited, absolute power. Shaddai is also identified with a Hebrew word used to designate the bosom of a nursing mother. It carries with it the idea of one who sustains, nourishes, and satisfies their child.

This indicates that God is the sustainer and satisfier of His children.

But when we put together all of the meanings of the name El Shaddai, the character of God shines through:

El Shaddai – The One true Almighty God, The creator with absolute, unlimited power, The all sufficient One who sustains and satisfies His children.  

All these meanings are encapsulated in the name God Almighty (El Shaddai).

The meaning of God’s name, El Shaddai, is deep. As we study this name, our understanding of God’s character gets deeper still.  

This name for God appears for the first time in scripture in Genesis 17:1. It is when God describes HIMSELF as El Shaddai.

“Now when Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before Me, and be blameless.’” Genesis 17:1.

This is the time in Abram’s life after Ishmael has been born, but before the birth of Isaac. God is about to change Abram’s name to Abraham and make a covenant with him that he will become the father of nations.  

This verse says the Lord appeared to Abram. Don’t miss that. God appeared to Abram!

Then God told Abram who HE was: God Almighty (El Shaddai). Don’t miss that either.

God explained to Abram and to everyone else who has ever read this verse who HE IS. God describes HIMSELF as El Shaddai – The One true Almighty God, The creator with absolute unlimited power, The all sufficient One who sustains and satisfies His children.  

Do you want to see the verses in Genesis where God is called El Shaddai?

Genesis 17:1

Genesis 28:3

Genesis 35:11

Genesis 43:14

Genesis 48:3

Note: In each case, the verses deal in some way with children.

Carla Killough McClafferty