In Genesis, 'God' refers to Elohim—the triune Creator—while 'Lord God' adds the name Jehovah, whom Les identifies as God the Son.
Genesis chapter 1 consistently uses the word 'God,' which Les teaches is the Hebrew Elohim, encompassing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Beginning in Genesis 2:4, the text suddenly introduces 'Lord God.' The capitalized 'LORD' represents Jehovah, and Jehovah is God the Son, the person of the Godhead who will communicate with man and become the Redeemer.
Genesis 1:1 — Shows the opening use of 'God' in the creation account.
Genesis 2:4 — The verse where the text changes from 'God' to 'Lord God' for the first time in Genesis.
Genesis 1:1 opens, 'In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.' Throughout the rest of chapter 1, the text repeatedly uses the simple name 'God'—'And God said,' 'And God created,' 'And God made.' Then Genesis 2:4 reads, 'These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.' This verse marks the first appearance of the compound name 'LORD God' in the biblical record. The Bible itself does not comment on the shift, but the change in wording is clearly present in the text.
Les teaches that the 'God' of Genesis 1 is Elohim—the triune God, comprising God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that the term 'God' is used consistently throughout the first chapter because there we are dealing with God as Creator. Then, at Genesis 2:4, as soon as the six days of creation are complete and man is on the scene, the Bible introduces the name 'Lord God.' This is not a misprint or an accident; it is purposeful and points to a specific person of the Godhead. The capitalized 'LORD' represents Jehovah, and Les states clearly that Jehovah is God the Son, Jesus the Christ. This new title, 'Lord God' or 'Jehovah God,' reveals the Redeemer—the One who will communicate with fallen man and bring about redemption. Les also explains that translators used 'Lord' instead of 'Jehovah' out of courtesy to Jewish scribes, who held the name Jehovah in such awe they would not write it. Whenever readers see L-O-R-D in capital letters, they can simply substitute 'Jehovah.'
Genesis 1:1 begins with 'In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.' The phrase 'God' is used repeatedly through the first chapter. At Genesis 2:4, the text suddenly reads 'the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.' This is the first occurrence of the compound name 'LORD God' in the creation account.
Les Feldick teaches that the 'God' of Genesis 1 is Elohim—the triune God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. He points out that throughout chapter 1, we are dealing with God as the Creator.
According to Les, the introduction of 'Lord God' in Genesis 2:4 is not a misprint or a translator's mistake. It comes after creation is complete and man is on the scene. The change identifies a person of the Godhead who is set apart as special—called 'Lord God'—and who is later called the Redeemer and the communicator with man.
Les explains that our translators used the word 'Lord' instead of the Hebrew name Jehovah out of courtesy to Jewish writers, who had such awe for the name Jehovah that they would not write it. Whenever the word LORD appears in capitals, Les says, the reader may substitute 'Jehovah.'
Les teaches that Jehovah is always God the Son—Jesus the Christ—with only one or two exceptions. He says the reason the name appears after man's creation is that man must be able to identify with his Creator, fellowship with Him, and know that He is. Thus the 'Lord God' of Genesis 2:4 points to the God-man relationship and ultimately to redemption.
Les notes that in Genesis 15:2 Abram says 'Lord God' with the word 'Lord' not capitalized. This is not a typographical error; in Hebrew it is Adon/Adonai, another name of deity—distinct from the capitalized L-O-R-D that represents Jehovah.
Who is Melchizedek? Understanding the "Most High God" & His Names
can possibly imagine, not only because of its gold casing, but because of the very working within it. I want you to picture a watch that is so complicated, and is so meticulous in its makeup, that even the average watchmaker wouldn't even attempt to fiddle with it. Over against that, I want you to picture just an old $5 Big Ben alarm clock.
LORD = Jehovah = God the Son
Les explains that when the text says L-O-R-D in capitals it is Jehovah, and Jehovah is God the Son, Jesus the Christ.
The Introduction of Lord God
Les points to Genesis 2:4 as the place where Scripture changes from 'God' throughout chapter 1 to 'Lord God,' purposefully setting apart a person of the Godhead.
God the Creator vs. Lord God
Les contrasts Genesis 1, where God is the Creator, with Genesis 2:4, where the term becomes 'Lord God' after man is on the scene.
Lord Without Capital Letters = Adon
Les shows that when 'Lord' is not capitalized, as in Abram's 'Lord God,' the Hebrew is Adon/Adonai—a different name of deity, not Jehovah.
Jehovah God After Creation
Les reiterates that after the six days of creation, with man on the scene, God's name is introduced as 'Lord God' or 'Jehovah God.'
Man Needs to Identify With His Creator
Les teaches that God the Son is always Jehovah, and the introduction of this name after man's creation is about man being able to fellowship with and know his Creator.
Why Translators Wrote 'Lord'
Les explains that translators rendered the divine name as 'Lord' in capitals out of courtesy to Jewish awe for the name Jehovah, so readers can substitute Jehovah whenever they see LORD.
Genesis 1:1: In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
This is the first use of 'God' in Genesis, setting the stage for the creation account.
Genesis 2:4: These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
This is the first verse in Genesis where the text changes from 'God' to 'LORD God.'
Genesis 15:2: And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?
Les uses this verse to show that 'Lord' without a capital letter represents the Hebrew name Adon/Adonai, distinguishing it from Jehovah.
No. Les teaches that the word 'God' (Elohim) covers the triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit. 'Lord God' continues that same deity but specifically introduces Jehovah, who is God the Son, the Redeemer and communicator.
Because the six days of creation are complete and man is on the scene. Les says this is purposeful: man must be able to identify with his Creator, and the name reveals the Son's role as Jehovah, the Redeemer.
Les says it stands for Jehovah, the personal name of God. Translators used 'Lord' out of respect for Jewish custom, but you can substitute 'Jehovah' when reading.
No. Les shows that when 'Lord' is not capitalized, it is the Hebrew Adon or Adonai, another name of deity, not the divine name Jehovah.
Watch the Teaching: Who is Melchizedek? Understanding the "Most High God" & His Names