Names and Images of God
About this article
Helping students reflect on their image of God is a good way to nurture their spirituality and prayer life. This thorough handout from A Companion Way, by John Vitek (available from Saint Mary's Press), lists names and images of God found in the Scriptures. This handout can be used in a variety of ways, including as a Scripture search, discussion, or reflection activity.
Fill in the three columns ("Names for God," "Images of God," "Feelings Evoked by Names and Images") for each of the age categories in which you have lived to date. In the "Names for God" box, list all the names you have used for God. In the "Images of God" box, describe the images of God you have associated with the various names. In the "Feelings Evoked by Names and Images" box, list the feelings these various images and names have evoked in you. Do your best to recall your earliest names, images, and feelings.
| Names for God | Images of God | Feelings Evoked by Names and Images | |
| Early Childhood (0-11 years) |
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| Early Teens (12-16 years) |
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| Late Teens (17-19 years) |
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| Young Adult (20-34 years) |
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| Adult (35 years and on) |
Names and Images of God Found in the Scriptures
Below is a list of some names and images of God found in the Scriptures.
These are some of the ways that people of faith have named or pictured God
in the past. Review these biblical names and images of God. Notice some
of the personal images of God, such as Holy One, Shepherd, and King; as
well as some of the nature images of God, such as Rock, Bread of Life, and
Living Stone. Are any of these images new to you? Which images are the most
familiar to you?
| Passage | Name or Image |
| Genesis 17:1, Exodus 6:3 | the Almighty |
| Exodus 3:14 | "I am who am." |
| Deuteronomy 4:31 | Merciful, Faithful |
| Deuteronomy 6:4 | Lord, One God |
| 2 Maccabees 6:14-16 | Patient, Merciful |
| Psalm 7:12 | Just |
| Psalm 18:3 | Rock of Refuge, Shield, Deliverer, Protector |
| Psalm 23:1 | Shepherd |
| Psalm 103:8-9 | Kind, Merciful, Gracious, Slow to Anger |
| Psalm 136 | Warrior |
| Psalm 144 | Rock, Mighty Stronghold |
| Ecclesiastes 12:1 | Creator |
| Song of Solomon 2:8 | Beloved |
| Wisdom 1:7 | All-Embracing |
| Sirach 43:18 | the Most High |
| Isaiah 9:5 | Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace |
| Isaiah 11:2 | Spirit of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Strength, Knowledge, Forbidding |
| Isaiah 40:11 | Shepherd |
| Isaiah 41:20 | Holy One |
| Isaiah 42:14 | Being in Labor |
| Isaiah 44:6 | King, Redeemer |
| Isaiah 49:15-16 | Caring, Faithful Mother |
| Hosea 2:21-22 | Faithful Spouse |
| Hosea 11:1-4 | Loving Parent |
| Matthew 23:37 | Mother Hen Clucking over Her Brood |
| John 6:48-51 | Bread of Life |
| John 10:7 | Gate for the Sheep |
| John 10:11 | Good Shepherd |
| John 14:5-6 | the Way, the Truth, and the Life |
| John 14:25-26 | the Advocate, Teacher |
| John 15:1 | Vine Grower |
| 1 Corinthians 6:19 | Present Within Us |
| 1 Corinthians 12:7-13 | Giver of the Gifts of the Spirit |
| Galatians 5:22-23 | Giver of the Fruits of the Spirit |
| 1 Peter 2:4,6 | Living Stone, Cornerstone |
| 1 John 1:15 | Light |
| 1 John 4:7 | Love |
What are some other images of God that you have found in the Scriptures?
Acknowledgments
Copyright © 2009 Saint Mary's Press. Permission is granted for this article to be freely used for classroom or campus ministry purposes; however, it may not be republished in any form without the explicit permission of Saint Mary's Press. For more resources to support your ministry, call 800-533-8095 or visit our Web site at www.smp.org.Published February 29, 2000.
