Glossary of Theological Terms
Foundational words and definitions that are integral to the understanding of scripture and the “Christian” faith.
YHVH (Yahuah, Yahweh, Jehovah)
The formal name of the one Almighty God (of the Torah/Bible) that is also referred to as the Tetragrammaton (4 letters/words). This name was first spoken directly to Moses from the burning bush as seen in Exodus 3:15-16. This name has largely been omitted/replaced in Judaism by “Adoni” in Hebrew, “Kyrios” in Greek and “LORD” in English/Christianity (specifically in all-caps as it pertains to God the Father). YHVH has been replaced with “LORD” nearly 7,000 times in the English Bible (canon of 66 books).
LORD (all caps)
Greek: Kyrios
Hebrew: Adoni
Prince, Ruler, Master. When presented in all-caps it is meant as a direct replacement for the formal name of God the Father, YHVH. In the original Hebrew Torah/Tanakh, God the Father is either referred to by His proper name YHVH, or as Adoni (prince, ruler, master) or collectively by Elohi/Elohim (God).
Adoni
lord, master, teacher, ruler. At least 100 years prior to the birth of Jesus, the title Adoni had replaced the use of YHVH. The Greek Septuagint and New Testament continues in this fashion with the use of the word Kyrios (Lord) or Theos (Elohim/God) instead of YHVH. Adoni is a title of high respect that is used often throughout the Old Testament. It is like an honor given to a king. Often it is also used with simultaneous worship or respect by bowing one’s self down to the ground in a sign of humility or surrender.
Lord/lord
Greek: Kyrios
Hebrew: Adoni (or Hashem in modern Judaism)
Sir, Prince, Ruler, Master. When presented in upper/lower or all lower case it is meant to be a title of respect and dignity or honor. This is applied to many individuals throughout the Bible, including the Messiah, Jesus. Lord in lower case is used as Adoni in Hebrew as a title or sign of respect and acknowledgement of superiority. It does not inherently imply divinity. Primarily in old English and even today it is used as a title for a land owner.
El, Eloha, Elohi, Elohim
English: God
Greek: Theos
A title denoting ultimate superiority or supreme deity, a god, THE God, gods, a divine being. Elohim is a plural form that is most commonly seen used as a more generic title for A/THE supreme deity. Throughout the Torah/Tanakh the term Elohim is often used synonymously with YHVH and also more generically refers to a “heavenly host” or possibly “godhead”. It is also used of false gods or of elohim that are not the one true God. El is the root of Elohim and is used as a deity or divinity identifier of sorts. The various names provided throughout scripture of certain Angelic beings seem to all carry a reference to el in the original Hebrew… Mika’el, Rapha’el, Gavri’el, etc. The names of Moses and the Patriarchs were often provided with a prefix of el… el Mosheh, el Avraham, el Yitschach, etc. The human use of el is thought to be similar to that of Adoni, or a title of high respect and honor or as one that is considered a representative of YHVH.
Jesus (Yahusha, Yeshua, Yahoshua, iesus)
The Messiah/Christ of the New Testament. The self-proclaimed Son of God. The same name appears in the English Old Testament as Joshua or in the Hebrew Tanakh as Yahusha. This name was translated in Greek to iesus, which then became Jesus in English. The meaning is YHVH is My Salvation.
Yeshua
Salvation. The name often used for Jesus. This is never actually used as a formal name for Jesus directly in the New Testament but since Yahusha is very close in form and meaning it is often used.
Ruach
English: spirit
Greek: pneuma
Breath or wind. Many times used as the “breath of God.” There are many times this word is used both as it pertains to an aspect of God, an unseen realm or being and also that of an aspect or element of humanity that exists beyond a person’s physical existence; the core or essence of one’s being. A ruach can be either a real being/entity/presence or also a “quality” or likeness of a characteristic, either way, a ruach can fill, possess, control, define and/or overcome a human being. ie, the “spirit of drunkeness”, or the “spirit of wisdom and revelation”.
Ruach Ha’qodesh
The Holy Spirit. Considered by an overwhelming majority of Christians as the 3rd “person” of the trinity. It simply means the sanctified or set apart breath of God. This term is often used distinctly apart from other uses of ruach to distinguish this power/essence of God from other ruach or spirits. The Holy Spirit may enter and fill a human being to assist them in doing the will of God the Father. John the Baptist was said to have been the only person to ever have been filled with the Holy Spirit before he was even born. When Jesus is baptized by John, the Holy Spirit is said to have descended upon Jesus like a dove. Jesus says that John was actually the 2nd coming of Elijah. While John denied that he was Elijah, what Jesus likely meant is that John had the “spirit of Elijah” which was the Holy Spirit. Contrary to popular Christian belief, nowhere throughout the Old or New Testaments does it explicitly declare the Holy Spirit to be a separate, unique or distinct being from God. Jesus does mention to the disciples that after His death and resurrection that a “comforter” will be sent to help them. In Acts 2 we see a group of believers that receive the filling of the Holy Spirit in a unique fashion. This moment is largely considered by Christianity as the fulfillment of the promise given by Jesus to send the comforter. Paul later talks of a baptism of the Holy Spirit as possibly something similar to that of the Acts 2 filling that according to Paul should follow soon after a confession of faith/belief in Jesus as the Messiah and baptism in water for the remission of sins.
Mashiach
English: Messiah or Christ
Greek: Christos
The Messiah or anointed/blessed one. A messiah was prophesied throughout the old testament, albeit these prophecies can often be rather cryptic or unclear. Regardless of what is or is not considered a prophecy, it is generally accepted by Judaism and Christianity that a Messiah was prophesied to come. Jesus claims to be the Son of God, however prophesies of the coming Messiah do not appear to include clear indication of divinity. This is certainly a point of contention between all religions but primarily with Judaism as they believe that Jesus was in no way divine and any such claim would be outrageous, therefore the Messiah has not yet come or maybe that there are multiple other individuals that could be considered a Messiah throughout history. Christianity believes that Jesus was and still is the Messiah. Paul declares in Romans that Jesus, the Messiah is actually the goal of the Torah.