El Shaddai is the Hebrew divine name translated 'God Almighty' in the KJV, and its significance is that it reveals God as the all-sufficient One who makes His people fruitful.
Les Feldick teaches that 'Almighty' only scratches the surface; Shaddai implies the sustainer, the provider, and the security of God's people. In Scripture this name appears in contexts of fruitfulness and multiplication, especially in God's covenant with Abraham.
Genesis 17:1 — God first reveals Himself to Abram as 'the Almighty God' (El Shaddai), immediately followed by a promise to multiply him exceedingly.
Exodus 6:3 — God tells Moses that He appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by this name, but was not yet known to them by the name JEHOVAH.
The King James Version records God revealing Himself to Abram with the words: "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." The very next verse attaches a covenant promise to this revelation: "And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly." Later, in Exodus 6:3, God reminds Moses, "And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them." The biblical context therefore connects the name God Almighty to the covenant promises of fruitfulness and multiplication given to the patriarchs.
Les Feldick explains that the King James rendering 'Almighty' actually captures only part of the meaning of El Shaddai. He describes Shaddai as expressing God as the sustainer, the provider, the All-Providing One, and the 'security blanket' of His people. God was literally the security of Israel, and that is all wrapped up in this name of deity. Les repeatedly points out that whenever the term 'Almighty God' appears in Scripture, it is associated with fruitfulness. In Genesis 17, God appears to Abram as El Shaddai and immediately promises to make him the father of many nations. Abraham's physical fruitfulness is based on this name. He also distinguishes El Shaddai from the name Jehovah. God said to Moses that the patriarchs knew Him as El Shaddai, but by the name Jehovah—the I AM—He was not known to them. For Les, these names show the careful precision of Scripture and the different aspects of God's relationship with Israel.
Les teaches that El Shaddai, the Hebrew word translated 'Almighty God' or 'God of fruitfulness,' always refers to God as the all-sufficient One who enhances fruitfulness. Whenever you see the term 'the Almighty God,' it is going to be associated with fruitfulness. In Genesis 17, God appears with this name and promises Abram, 'I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly,' and then says he will be a father of many nations.
In Exodus 6:3, God tells Moses that He appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by the name God Almighty, but by the name JEHOVAH He was not known to them. Les explains that Jehovah implies the 'I Am,' while El Shaddai is the name that stressed God as the All-Providing One and the security of His people. The two names reveal different aspects of God's dealings with Israel.
According to Les, it is unfortunate that El Shaddai was translated simply as 'Almighty,' because the Hebrew word Shaddai implies so much more than power. It implies the sustainer, the provider, the provisions, and what Les calls the security blanket. God was literally the security of His people, and that is all involved in this Hebrew word of deity.
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lived pretty much their everyday life according to the laws of Hammurabi. And Hammurabi also definitely laid down the law that he who murdered had to have his life taken, and they weren't going to fool around for four or five years of appeals and so on and so forth. You know what she says here? In one day. In other words, if he would kill Jacob, his life would be taken within a matter of hours.
El Shaddai in Genesis 17
Les identifies El Shaddai as the name used in Genesis 17, where God is called the God of fruitfulness, distinguishing it from other divine names like El Olam.
The Fuller Meaning of Shaddai
Les explains that El Shaddai, though translated 'God Almighty,' implies the sustainer, the provider, and the security blanket—far more than the English word 'Almighty' suggests.
El Shaddai as the Security of Israel
Les connects El Shaddai to God being the security of His people and contrasts it with Jehovah, the 'I Am,' noting the patriarchs knew God as El Shaddai before the name Jehovah was revealed.
El Shaddai and Fruitfulness
Les teaches that whenever 'the Almighty God' appears in Scripture, it is associated with all-sufficiency and enhancing fruitfulness, as in God's charge to Abram to walk before Him and be perfect.
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Well then as a result of that, the name Jehovah was coined Jehovah-Nissi, our banner. It was Jehovah who won the battle. And then there's a couple more. I think the last one I can remember is Jehovah-Sidkenu, which is translated Jehovah, our righteousness. Now these are all names of deity that were intrinsic with God's dealing with Israel.
El Shaddai and the Covenant Promise
Les identifies El Shaddai as the Hebrew word translated 'Almighty God' or 'God of fruitfulness' and shows that God uses it while promising Abram that he will be a father of many nations.
El Shaddai and Physical Multiplication
Les emphasizes that Abraham's physical fruitfulness is based on the name El Shaddai, since God says 'I will multiply thee exceedingly' in the same context.
Genesis 17:1: And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
The first place in Scripture where God reveals Himself by this name, introducing the covenant blessing of multiplication.
Genesis 17:2: And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.
Shows that the name God Almighty is immediately connected to fruitfulness and multiplication.
Genesis 17:4: As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
God uses this covenant language with Abram under the same El Shaddai revelation.
Exodus 6:3: And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
God's own explanation of how He revealed Himself to the patriarchs and the distinction between El Shaddai and Jehovah.
El Shaddai is the Hebrew name that the King James Version translates as 'God Almighty.' Les Feldick explains that it implies God as the sustainer, provider, and security of His people, and it is closely tied to fruitfulness.
Every time the 'Almighty God' appears in Scripture, Les says it is associated with fruitfulness. In Genesis 17, God uses this name when promising Abraham that he will be the father of many nations.
God told Moses that He appeared to the patriarchs as God Almighty, but by the name JEHOVAH He was not known to them. Les explains that Jehovah means 'I Am,' while El Shaddai stresses all-sufficiency, provision, and security.
Les says the translation is unfortunate because Shaddai means much more than just power. It includes the ideas of sustaining, providing, and being a security blanket for God's people.
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