El Shaddai

In addition to the major names for God in the O.T. (Elohim, Yahweh, Adonai) several other compound names are used in the O.T. to refer to Him. The name El Shaddai combines El (meaning strength, power, might) with the noun Shad meaning "breast". "Shad implies sustenance, strength, satisfaction, sufficiency. It is invariably used in Scripture for a mother's breast, through which she transmits sustenance and strength and satisfaction to her babe."(1) When speaking of God as El Shaddai the author means to imply that our God is everything to His children that a mother is for her child and then some. He is our Almighty God who satisfies our Souls and offers us strength and sufficiency. The name is first used of God in Genesis seventeen:

Genesis 17

1When 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

At a difficult time in Abraham's spiritual life God reminds him that He will be his power and sufficiency. God offers Abraham, safety in His loving arms. Years later when Issac sends Jacob away he blesses him saying, "3 God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples. 4May he give the blessing of Abraham to you and to your offspring with you, that you may take possession of the land of your sojournings that God gave to Abraham!" Genesis 28:1-4.

El Shaddai offers all His children His almighty strength. He nourishes us with a mother's love and holds us steady in shaky times. No foe can overpower Him and no circumstance perplexes El Shaddai. Let us rest in Him.

(1)Quoted from "The Godhead" by Lehman Strauss, 1990.