CELEBRATING EL-SHADDAI

By the God of your father who will help you, and by the Almighty who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lies beneath, BLESSINGS of the BREASTS and of the womb – Genesis 49:25

El is the generic name for god; hence, “El-Shaddai” one of the best-known “El” compound names for God. The two most typical meanings attached to ‘Shaddai’ are: “God, the one of the mountain” which is closely associated to the Akkadian word Shadu, meaning “mountain” and suggesting great strength; and in Hebrew, the word shad, which means “breast.” Both reflect the pictures of fertility and blessings (Gen.49:25). Mountains in the ancient cultures were viewed as the dwelling places of deities and represented their thrones, sovereignty and kingship.

God’s first revelation of Himself as El Shaddai is in Genesis 17:1 when God gave Abraham the sign of His covenant with him: “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless.’” That is, it was in connection with blessings of fertility and multiple descendants. He exhorted Abram to go the extra mile in obedience and then He will confirm His covenant with him of multiple descendants (v.2). He said: “I will make you extremely fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you” (v.6a). Later, God told Moses that the patriarchs knew Him by only the name El Shaddai: “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by My name, LORD, I was not known to them” (Exo.6:3).

In Jacob’s farewell address, he linked the title of ‘El Shaddai’ and the promises of blessings of the breast and womb (Gen.49:25). Furthermore, the Hebrew word “dai” – meaning “sheds forth”, “pours out, or “to heap benefits” – suggests provision, sustenance, and blessing. Thus, we are celebrating the All-Sufficient, All-Bountiful God. Throughout the rest of the Bible, ‘El Shaddai’ is used in the context of the sovereign God of blessing and multiple descendants. As we celebrate El-Shaddai, He has promised: “You shall drink dry the milk of the Gentiles, and shall milk the breasts of kings; you shall know that I, the LORD, am your Saviour and Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob” (Isa.60:16).

As we rejoice in Him, we will feed and be satisfied with the consolation of Jerusalem’s bosom, and drink deeply and be delighted with the abundance of her glory (Isa.66:10-13). JESUS – our El-Shaddai, guarantees divine nourishment, supplies and satisfaction. In Hebrew literature Mount Zion was seen as the mountain from which El Shaddai rules: “Sing praises to the Lord, who rules in Zion! Tell the nations what He has done!” (Psa.9:11). By faith therefore, let’s receive the Lord’s blessings: “May the Lord bless you from Zion, that you might see Jerusalem prosper all the days of your life, and that you might see your grandchildren. May Israel experience peace!” (Psa.128:5-6).