Daily Devotionals

Exploring the Wonder of God's Grace

August 3, 2016 Devotional - El Elyon

Our text for this week, Genesis chapter 14, is rich in theologically important information.  A new title for Yahweh (the LORD) in introduced here: God Most High, or El Elyon in Hebrew. 

El Elyon

Our text for this week, Genesis chapter 14, is rich in theologically important information.  A new title for Yahweh (the LORD) in introduced here: God Most High, or El Elyon in Hebrew.  There are four occurrences of El Elyon in chapter 14, and I have underlined them for quick identification below.
This title of God is a favorite of Daniel, as he used it four times (Daniel 3:26; 4:2; 5:18, 21) where
El Elyon is translated as the “Most High God.” 
In verse 22 Abram said to the king of Sodom that he has “sworn to the LORD God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth."  This one statement tells us three things about the identity of
El Elyon:

  1. He is Yahweh (YHWH).  This means He is God, the only God, the LORD.
  2. He is Most High. He has no equal and is over all other people and things.
  3. He is the Creator. “Possessor” (verses 19 and 22) comes from a Hebrew word that also means maker, or Creator.  (See footnote in the NASB).
What else does this title, God Most High, tell you about our God?
Genesis 14:17 Then after his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).
Genesis 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.
Genesis 14:19 He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;
Genesis 14:20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” He gave him a tenth of all.
Genesis 14:21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself.”
Genesis 14:22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the LORD God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, — Genesis 14:17-22, New American Standard Bible