### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term Shadday (`{{H7706}}`), transliterated as "Shaddai" or "Shadday," is most commonly translated as "Almighty" in English Bibles. Its base definition, as provided, links it to the root shadad (`{{H7703}}`), which conveys concepts of might, power, destruction, or devastation. This etymological connection suggests an aspect of overwhelming power, an irresistible force that can either bless or bring judgment.
While "Almighty" remains the primary and most widely accepted translation, scholarly discussion has proposed other nuanced meanings:
* **"All-Sufficient One":** This interpretation links Shadday to the Hebrew word dai (sufficiency), suggesting God as the one who is fully sufficient in Himself and abundantly provides for His creation. This aligns well with biblical contexts where God promises fruitfulness and provision.
* **"Breasted One" or "Nourisher":** Some scholars connect Shadday to the Hebrew word shad (breast), implying God as the one who nourishes and sustains His people, much like a mother. This emphasizes God's nurturing and life-giving aspect.
* **"My Mountain":** Less common, this view proposes a derivation from shad (mountain) plus the possessive suffix "ay," depicting God as a source of steadfast strength and refuge.
Despite these alternative proposals, the prevailing understanding, supported by ancient translations (e.g., the Septuagint's use of *pantokratōr* - "all-powerful"), emphasizes God's absolute power, omnipotence, and sovereign control over all things. The connection to shadad (`{{H7703}}`) underscores a power that is not merely great, but overwhelming and irresistible, capable of both blessing and judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Shadday (`{{H7706}}`) appears 48 times in the Old Testament. Its distribution and contextual usage reveal significant theological nuances:
1. **Genesis - The Patriarchal Narratives (as El Shadday):**
* The term frequently appears in conjunction with El (`{{H410}}`, "God"), forming the compound divine name El Shadday (God Almighty).
* In these contexts, El Shadday is intimately connected with God's covenant promises, particularly those concerning fruitfulness, multiplication, and the establishment of a great nation. For example, in [[Genesis 17:1]], God appears to Abram, establishing the covenant of circumcision and promising numerous descendants, saying, "I am God Almighty (El Shadday); walk before me and be blameless."
* Similarly, [[Genesis 28:3]] records Isaac blessing Jacob, invoking El Shadday to make him fruitful, and in [[Genesis 35:11]], God reiterates the promise of fruitfulness and nationhood to Jacob.
* These occurrences highlight God's power to bring about His promises, even when human circumstances seem impossible (e.g., Abraham and Sarah's old age). El Shadday is the God who provides and enables.
2. **Exodus - Revelation of YHWH:**
* A pivotal passage is [[Exodus 6:3]], where God declares to Moses, "I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob as God Almighty (El Shadday), but by my name the LORD (YHWH) I did not make myself known to them." This verse signifies a progression in divine revelation. While El Shadday was the name by which the patriarchs knew God's powerful provision and covenant faithfulness, the name YHWH (`{{H3068}}`) revealed a deeper, more intimate, and redemptive aspect of God's covenant relationship with Israel.
3. **Job - God's Sovereignty in Suffering:**
* The book of Job accounts for the vast majority (31 out of 48) of Shadday occurrences. In Job, the name emphasizes God's unchallengeable power, wisdom, and sovereignty in the face of human suffering and questioning.
* Job's friends and Job himself frequently appeal to Shadday to describe God's absolute authority, His inscrutable ways, and His ultimate control over all circumstances ([[Job 5:17]], [[Job 6:4]], [[Job 8:3]], [[Job 11:7]], [[Job 13:3]], [[Job 22:3]], [[Job 23:16]], [[Job 27:2]], [[Job 31:35]], [[Job 32:8]], [[Job 33:4]], [[Job 34:10]], [[Job 35:13]], [[Job 37:23]], [[Job 40:2]]). Here, Shadday underscores God's omnipotence as a source of both comfort and terror, demanding humility and submission from humanity.
4. **Prophetic Books - Judgment and Awe:**
* In passages like [[Isaiah 13:6]] and [[Joel 1:15]], the "day of the LORD" is described as coming "from Shadday," implying a day of overwhelming judgment and devastation.
* [[Ezekiel 1:24]] and [[Ezekiel 10:5]] compare the sound of the cherubim's wings to the "voice of Shadday," conveying an immense, awe-inspiring power.
* These contexts reinforce the aspect of Shadday linked to shadad (`{{H7703}}`), highlighting God's power to execute His will, including judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **El (`{{H410}}`):** The generic Semitic term for "God," often combined with Shadday to form El Shadday, emphasizing "God Almighty."
* **YHWH (`{{H3068}}`):** The personal covenant name of God, "LORD." As seen in [[Exodus 6:3]], El Shadday and YHWH represent different, yet complementary, aspects of God's self-revelation. YHWH emphasizes God's active presence and covenant faithfulness in redemption, while El Shadday highlights His powerful ability to fulfill promises and provide.
* **Elohim (`{{H430}}`):** Another common Hebrew term for God, emphasizing His role as Creator and sovereign ruler.
* **Adonai (`{{H136}}`):** Meaning "Lord" or "Master," focusing on God's authority and sovereignty.
* **Tzeva'ot (`{{H6635}}`):** "Hosts" or "Armies," as in "LORD of Hosts" (YHWH Tzeva'ot), which emphasizes God's power as the commander of heavenly and earthly forces.
* **Divine Attributes:** Shadday is intrinsically linked to the attributes of:
* **Omnipotence:** God's unlimited power.
* **Sovereignty:** His absolute rule and control over all things.
* **Sufficiency:** His ability to provide all that is needed.
* **Justice and Judgment:** His power to bring about righteous retribution.
### Theological Significance
The name Shadday (`{{H7706}}`) carries profound theological weight:
1. **God's Absolute Power and Authority:** Shadday reveals God as the all-powerful, omnipotent being whose might is limitless and irresistible. He is not constrained by human limitations, natural forces, or the schemes of evil. This attribute is foundational to understanding His ability to create, sustain, and ultimately redeem.
2. **Covenant Fulfillment and Provision:** As El Shadday, God is the one who empowers the patriarchs to fulfill their destiny, promising and delivering descendants when it seemed humanly impossible. This name underscores His ability to bring His promises to fruition, even against all odds. It is a name of divine enablement, blessing, and abundant provision, particularly in the context of fruitfulness and the establishment of His people.
3. **Comfort and Challenge in Suffering:** In the book of Job, Shadday serves as a constant reminder of God's unchallengeable sovereignty and wisdom, even when His ways are inscrutable to humanity. While Job grapples with immense suffering, the presence of Shadday implies that God is still in control, and His power and justice are beyond human comprehension or challenge. It invites both submission and trust in His ultimate, perfect plan.
4. **Divine Judgment and Awe:** The potential link to shadad (`{{H7703}}`, "destroy" or "devastate") and its usage in prophetic contexts imbues Shadday with a sense of awe and reverence. God's power is not merely benevolent but can also be exercised in righteous judgment against sin and rebellion, making Him a God to be feared and respected.
5. **Progressive Revelation of God:** The distinction in [[Exodus 6:3]] between God being known as El Shadday to the patriarchs and then revealing His name YHWH to Moses signifies a deeper, more intimate covenant relationship. While El Shadday emphasized God's powerful provision for the family, YHWH revealed His active, redemptive presence for the nation. Yet, Shadday remains a vital aspect of His character, underscoring the power behind all His covenant dealings and redemptive acts.
### Summary
Shadday (`{{H7706}}`), primarily translated as "Almighty," is a powerful divine name in the Old Testament, appearing 48 times. Its etymological connection to shadad (`{{H7703}}`, "to be mighty" or "to devastate") highlights God's overwhelming and irresistible power. While scholarly debate offers alternative interpretations like "All-Sufficient One" or "Breasted One" (nourisher), the core meaning consistently points to God's omnipotence and absolute sovereignty.
Contextually, Shadday reveals God in two significant ways. As El Shadday (God Almighty) in the patriarchal narratives, it emphasizes God's power to fulfill covenant promises, grant fruitfulness, and provide abundantly, often overcoming human limitations ([[Genesis 17:1]]). In the book of Job, where it is most frequent, Shadday underscores God's unchallengeable power and wisdom in the face of suffering, inviting human humility and trust ([[Job 40:2]]). Prophetic passages also associate Shadday with divine judgment and awesome might ([[Isaiah 13:6]]).
Theologically, Shadday reveals God as the one with limitless power, capable of accomplishing all His purposes, bringing forth blessing, and executing judgment. It provides a foundational understanding of God's ability to fulfill His promises, offering a basis for profound trust and reverence. The progression in revelation from El Shadday to YHWH ([[Exodus 6:3]]) demonstrates the unfolding depth of God's character and His relationship with humanity.
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