A – 4. Names and Key Concepts in Hebrew Imagery

Here’s our comprehensive glossary-style appendix that you can use as a guide to Hebrew imagery whenever you encounter these terms in our renderings.

The Divine Names

Yahweh — The covenant name of Israel’s God, “He Who Is,” the Eternal One who binds Himself to His people in loyalty and presence.
Yeshua — The Hebrew name of Jesus, meaning “Yahweh saves.”
Yeshua Ha Mashiach — the Anointed King, Shepherd, and Deliverer who gave Himself for His people.
Ruach Ha Kadosh — The life-breath of Yahweh moving among His people with power, guidance, and presence.
Elohim — Plural form for “Mighty One”; used for Yahweh, emphasizing His power and majesty, but also applied generically to rulers or false gods.
El Shaddai — “Mighty Mountain” or “God of Abundance”; the nurturing, all-sufficient One who provides life and sustenance.
Adonai — “Master, Lord”; the title of honor given to Yahweh as Ruler over all.

Covenant & Faithfulness

Emunah — Trust, firmness, faithfulness; not abstract belief but steady walking, reliability, and loyalty to Yahweh’s path.
Ahavah — Love; not mere emotion but covenant loyalty expressed in concrete acts: serving, giving, carrying burdens.
Chesed (Hesed) — Covenant loyalty, steadfast love; enduring kindness rooted in commitment rather than passing feeling.
Shalom — Wholeness, completeness, covenant peace; nothing missing, nothing broken, all things set in right order.
Tikvah — Hope; a cord stretched forward, fastening us securely to Yahweh’s promises and to Yeshua’s return.
Brit (Covenant) — A binding agreement, sealed in blood and loyalty, joining Yahweh and His people as one household.
Torah — Instruction or teaching; Yahweh’s covenant guidance given through Moses, not merely legal code but a father’s household wisdom.
Tzedakah (Righteousness) — Concrete justice, walking upright in Yahweh’s ways, treating others rightly, aligned with His path.
Mishpachah — Family, clan, household; the covenant people bound together under Yahweh as kin.

Life & Path Imagery

Derek (Path/Way) — A road or trail; in Hebrew thought, life is pictured as a path walked with Yahweh or strayed from into ruin.
Or (Light) — Illumination, guidance, life; Yahweh’s presence and Torah are pictured as lamps lighting the path through darkness.
Chayim (Life) — Breath, vitality, movement; life is not abstract existence but the lived rhythm of covenant with Yahweh.
Nefesh (Soul/Being/spirit) — The whole living person, the breath-filled self; not an abstract soul but a throbbing throat that breathes.
Lev (Heart) — The inner man, the seat of thought, will, and emotion; in Hebrew imagery, the heart directs the whole person.
Basar (Flesh) — The physical body, weakness, mortality; in Paul’s writings, flesh often symbolizes human strength apart from Yahweh.
Ruach (Soul/spirit) — Wind, breath, spirit; the life-breath of a person

Redemption & Sacrifice

Korban (Offering) — Something brought near; a gift or sacrifice to draw close to Yahweh.
Pesach (Passover) — Passing over; deliverance by the blood of the lamb, a picture fulfilled in Yeshua.
Olah (Burnt Offering) — Ascending sacrifice; a life wholly given up in smoke rising to Yahweh.
Dam (Blood) — Life itself; blood poured out seals covenant, cleanses, and redeems.
Geulah (Redemption) — Buying back, restoring what was lost, bringing kin out of slavery.
Kaphar (Atonement) — To cover; the covering of sin through sacrifice, removing offense so Yahweh dwells among His people.

Family & Clan Life

Av (Father) — The protector, teacher, and provider of the household; the source of authority and blessing.
Em (Mother) — The nurturer, life-giver, and wisdom-bearer of the household.
Ben (Son) — More than offspring; a bearer of the father’s name, likeness, and inheritance.
Bat (Daughter) — One who carries the household honor and is entrusted with future blessing.
Achi (Brother) — Kin by blood or covenant; one who shares the same tent and inheritance.
Shevet (Tribe/Rod) — Clan or extended family, also “staff” or “rod,” symbolizing both belonging and authority.

Shepherd & Flock Imagery

Ro’eh (Shepherd) — One who tends, feeds, and protects the flock; Yahweh Himself is pictured as Israel’s Shepherd.
Tzon (Flock) — Sheep or goats; picture of Yahweh’s people as dependent, needing guidance and protection.
Mateh (Staff/Rod) — Tool of guidance and correction; symbol of authority and covenant leadership.

Temple & Worship Imagery

Mizbeach (Altar) — The place of sacrifice; where covenant is sealed and renewal is made through offerings.
Mishkan (Tabernacle) — Dwelling place; the tent of Yahweh among His people in the wilderness.
Kodesh (Holiness) — Set apart, dedicated for Yahweh’s use; pictured in vessels, people, and times separated unto Him.
Shekinah (Dwelling Glory) — Yahweh’s visible presence dwelling among His people, often pictured as cloud and fire.

Judgment & Justice Imagery

Shaphat (Judge) — To govern, decide, bring justice; judges are deliverers who restore order.
Mishpat (Justice) — The right ordering of community life under Yahweh’s covenant.
Avon (Iniquity) — Twisting, distortion; guilt carried as a burden.
Chata (Sin) — To miss the mark, to stray from the path, like an arrow falling short.
Avad (Slavery/Service) — To serve, labor, or be enslaved; contrasted with freedom in Yahweh.

Harvest & Agricultural Imagery

Zera‘ (Seed) — Offspring, inheritance line, or literal seed; in Hebrew thought, a seed contains a whole future within it.
Bikkurim (Firstfruits) — The first and best portion offered to Yahweh, signifying trust that more will come.
Katzir (Harvest) — Time of reaping, both blessing and judgment.
Netzer (Branch/Shoot) — A tender sprout; prophetic picture of Messiah as the branch from David’s line.
Gephen (Vine) — Israel as Yahweh’s planting, sustained or withered depending on covenant faithfulness.

Kingdom & Kingship Imagery

Melech (King) — Ruler who shepherds his people; in Israel, kingship was to mirror Yahweh’s rule.
Mashiach (Messiah/Anointed) — One set apart by anointing oil, chosen to rule and deliver; fulfilled in Yeshua.
Malkut (Kingdom) — Reign or dominion; not territory, but the active rule of Yahweh over His people.
Yeshua’s Stake (Cross) — The execution stake; in Hebrew imagery, the tree where Yeshua bore curse and brought redemption.