What is the meaning of the word God? Many people pray calling God by the name ‘God’ but what is the meaning of the word?
Meaning of the word ‘God’
The word means;
- Supernatural being: – one of the group of supernatural male beings in some religion, each of which is worshiped as the personification or controller of some of the universe
- Figure or image: – a representation of a god, used as an object of worship
- Something that dominates: – Something that is so important that it takes over somebody’s life
- Somebody admired: – a man who is widely admired or imitated; an idol.
Therefore, when a person uses the word ‘God’, s/he may be referring to something else and not what you’re getting, thinking or understanding.
The word ‘God’
The word is a: –
- Universal group name
God is a universal name, a group name and a title. Like the word ‘human being’ which refers to all humans, the word ‘god’ also refers to all gods.
There are many gods and all are referred by one universal name ‘god’. The bible identifies many gods but there is only one true living God.
The bible says that Satan is the prince of the world meaning a god of the world.
If a person says calls ‘ god’, h/she may be referring to Satan, a tree, a fellow man, an animal (like the birds, snakes etc), heavenly bodies, an image or the so many gods present.
- Has a plural form
Since it’s a group name which does not refer to someone or something specifically, it has a plural form, ‘gods’, meaning the entire group of supernatural beings viewed as deciding human fate.
Is there a plural form to your name like Brians, Joshuas, Esthers, Ruths? No. Why? Because it refers directly and specifically to you; identifying and defining you personally.
The word ‘God’ refers to who He is, like the word ‘human being’. Human being is what you are not your name, thus the name God is what He is not His name.
- A title
It is also a title like the word ‘Mr. President’. Mr. President is a title not someone’s name. Barrack Obama is referred to as ‘Mr. President’ now but when he retires this title ceases to exist to him.
It is a title for whoever is the president at that particular time. Also the name god is a title for someone or something that is god for that particular time and as long as it/he/she remains to be.
In writing, we denote the name of the true living God with a capital ‘G’ while other gods with a small ‘g’. In pronunciation, their is no difference.
Therefore the name of the true living God is not the name ‘God’. He gave us, Christians, a name to be calling Him. See the name of the true living God.
