ALMIGHTY GOD
The word “Almighty” is translated from the Hebrew word Shad·dayʹ and the Greek word Pan·to·kraʹtor. Both words evidently convey the idea of strength or power.
ALMIGHTINESS IN HEBREW SCRIPTURES
In the Hebrew text Shad·dayʹ is used seven times along with ʼEl (God), forming the title “God Almighty.” (Gen. 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; 43:14; 48:3; Ex. 6:3; Ezek. 10:5) In the other forty-one occurrences it stands alone and is translated “the Almighty” or “the Almighty One.” Similar to ʼAdho·nayʹ (Lord) and ʼElo·himʹ (God), Shad·dayʹ is in the plural to denote the plural of excellence.—Gen. 49:25; Num. 24:4; Ps. 68:14.
Root meaning
The exact derivation of the word Shad·dayʹ is a matter of discussion. The translators of the Septuagint used several Greek words in translating it, but did employ the word Pan·to·kraʹtor (all powerful) sixteen times for Shad·dayʹ in translating the book of Job. In a few cases they rendered it by a Greek term (hi·ka·nosʹ) meaning “sufficient” or “fit” (Ruth 1:20, 21; Job 21:15; 31:2; 40:2), and several later Greek translators followed this interpretation, thereby presenting Shad·dayʹ as the “Sufficient (Fit) One.”
The view of some modern critics is expressed in the comment on Genesis 17:1 in the Catholic translation known as The Jerusalem Bible (footnote b), which states: “The usual translation ‘Almighty God’ is inaccurate; ‘Mou[n]tain God’ is the probable meaning.” Such extreme view, however, is based on an imagined linkage of Shad·dayʹ with the Akkadian term shadu (mountain). Unger’s Bible Dictionary (p. 1000) comments: “This view, however, is unacceptable and Shaddai is best taken from the root shadad [sha·dhadhʹ], ‘to be strong or powerful,’ as in Arabic.”—See also The Analytical Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon, by Benjamin Davidson, p. 702.
Sha·dhadhʹ in the Bible text commonly implies violent power, as used in devastating or despoiling. (Compare Psalm 17:9; Proverbs 11:3.) Isaiah 13:6 states: “Howl, you people, for the day of Jehovah is near! As a despoiling [shodh] from the Almighty [Shad·dayʹ] it will come.” While the idea of violent action is basic in the Biblical use of this root word, some authorities suggest that its original sense or primary meaning was simply “to be strong” or “to act strongly.” The Jewish Encyclopedia (1909 ed.; Vol. IX, p. 162) states: “It is possible, however, that the original significance was that of ‘overmastering’ or ‘overpowering strength,’ and that this meaning persists in the divine [title].”
Irresistible power related to divine purpose
Jehovah used this title (ʼEl Shad·dayʹ) when making his promise to Abraham concerning the birth of Isaac, a promise requiring great faith on Abraham’s part in God’s power to carry out his promise. It was thereafter used with reference to Isaac and Jacob as heirs of the Abrahamic covenant.—Gen. 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; 48:3.
In harmony with this, Jehovah could later say to Moses: “I used to appear to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as God Almighty [ʼEl Shad·dayʹ], but as respects my name Jehovah I did not make myself known to them.” (Ex. 6:3) This could not mean that the name Jehovah was unknown to these patriarchs since it was frequently used by them, as well as by others before them. (Gen. 4:1, 26; 14:22; 27:27; 28:16) In fact, in the book of Genesis, which relates the lives of the patriarchs, the word “Almighty” occurs only six times, whereas the personal name Jehovah occurs 171 times in the primitive Hebrew Bible text. The names of some of the offspring of Jacob’s sons even included the name of Jehovah, as Jahleel and Jahzeel. (Gen. 46:14, 24) Yet, while these patriarchs had come to appreciate by personal experience God’s right and qualifications for the title of “the Almighty One,” they had not had opportunity to appreciate the full meaning and implications of his personal name, Jehovah. In this regard, after pointing out that ʼEl Shad·dayʹ is not a name, Douglas’ New Bible Dictionary comments (p. 479): “The former revelation, to the Patriarchs, concerned promises belonging to a distant future; it supposed that they should be assured that He, Yahweh, was such a God (ʼel) as was competent (sadday) to fulfill them. The revelation at the bush was greater and more intimate, God’s power and immediate and continuing presence with them being all wrapped up in the familiar name of Yahweh.”
Might implies strength or power to perform and to accomplish a thing purposed, as well as to overcome obstacles or opposition, and Jehovah’s almightiness manifests his irresistible power to accomplish his purpose. At times violent action is presented in connection with God’s title of “the Almighty One,” as at Psalm 68:14, when he ‘scatters abroad the kings,’ at Joel 1:15, which describes the “despoiling [shodh] from the Almighty One [Shad·dayʹ]” to come in the “day of Jehovah,” and at Isaiah 13:6, quoted earlier. It also gives assurance of his ability to bless (Gen. 49:25) and is a guarantee of security to those trusting in him: “Anyone dwelling in the secret place of the Most High will procure himself lodging under the very shadow of the Almighty One.”—Ps.91:1.
In the book of Job, Shad·dayʹ occurs thirty-one times, being used by all the characters in the drama there presented. Jehovah’s power to punish or to afflict are set forth (Job 6:4; 27:13-23), so that the ones saying, “What does the Almighty amount to, that we should serve him, and how do we benefit ourselves in that we have come in touch with him?”, and who therefore trust in their own power, can expect to drink of “the rage of the Almighty.” (21:15, 16, 20) The Almighty, therefore, merits awe, even dread, since his will cannot be ignored nor his law violated with impunity (6:14; 23:15, 16; 31:1-3), even though the expression of his might is not immediately seen. (24:1-3, 24; compare Exodus 9:14-16; Ecclesiastes 8:11-13.) Yet his power and might are always used in strict accord with justice and righteousness, never in an uncontrolled, wanton, erratic or irresponsible manner. (Job 34:10, 12; 35:13; 37:23, 24) Hence, there is no just cause for men to contend or find fault with him. (40:2-5) Those practicing righteousness can confidently approach him, and enjoy a personal relationship with him. (13:3; 29:4, 5; 31:35-37) As the Creator he is the Source of life and wisdom.—32:8; 33:4.
In the prophecy concerning the Messiah at Isaiah 9:6 the title “Mighty God” is applied to the promised Prince of Peace. This expression, however, translates the Hebrew ʼEl Gib·bohrʹ, not ʼEl Shad·dayʹ, as in the above scriptures.
CORRESPONDING GREEK TERM
In the Christian Greek Scriptures the word Pan·to·kraʹtor occurs ten times, nine of them in the book of Revelation. The word basically means the Almighty One, or Ruler of all, the One who has all power. Its use in the Christian Scriptures lends weight to the understanding of the Hebrew term Shad·dayʹ as meaning “Almighty One,” since otherwise there would be no corresponding term for Pan·to·kraʹtor in the Hebrew Scriptures.
At 2 Corinthians 6:18 Paul quotes from the Hebrew Scriptures in urging Christians to avoid false worship and the use of lifeless, powerless idols, thus qualifying as children of “the Almighty [Pan·to·kraʹtor].” In view of the apostle’s quotations, it is obvious that the title here applies to Jehovah God.
Similarly, throughout Revelation the title Pan·to·kraʹtor is applied to the Creator and King of Eternity, Jehovah, as in the “song of Moses the slave of God and the song of the Lamb [Jesus Christ],” which acclaims Jehovah God as the One worthy of worship and fear by all nations. (Rev. 15:3; compare Revelation 21:22.) The title’s application to Jehovah God is made obvious at Revelation 19:6 by the use of the expression Hallelujah (“Praise Jah”). Likewise, the expression “the One who is and who was and who is coming” (Rev. 1:8; 4:8) clearly points to the God of eternity (Ps. 90:2), who not only “was” the Almighty in ancient times but continues to be so and “is coming” as such with an expression of his all-powerfulness. Again, violent action is indicated, following his ‘taking his great power’ to rule as king, by the expression of his wrath against the opposing nations, at the “war of the great day of God the Almighty.” (Rev. 11:17, 18; 16:14) His Son, Christ Jesus, the “Word of God,” is shown as expressing this “wrath of God the Almighty” against the nations in his position as God’s anointed king. (Rev. 19:13-16) Yet such mighty expressions of God’s judicial decisions continue to be in full accord with his standards of truth and righteousness.—Rev. 16:5-7; see GOD.