Page 6 - May 2026 - Truth & Tidings

ome English surnames have their El Elyon first occurs in Genesis 14.
origin in the occupation or descrip- Abram and his servants had just won a
Stion of a person. Thus, Freddie military victory against four kings who
Fisher caught fish, Christopher Cook was had captured Lot, Abram’s nephew.
a chef, and Billy Barber cut hair. Likewise, But before the king of Sodom could give
you can imagine the biceps of Arnold Abram a victory gift, Melchizedek, the
Armstrong, the height of Samuel Small, king of Salem, arrived. Look at what his
and the running speed of Steven Swift. interaction with Abram teaches us about
It is similar in Hebrew with the names El Elyon.
of God. “El” is His name, but it is often First, El Elyon deserves reverence.
combined with another word which may Melchizedek, “the priest of the most high
describe an attribute, such as El Olam God,” said, “Blessed be Abram of the
(the everlasting God) in Genesis 21:33; an most high God, possessor of heaven and
ability, such as El Roi (the God who sees earth” (Gen 14:18-19). Wanting the best
1
me) in Genesis 16:13; or a role, such as El for Abram, Melchizedek could not ap-
Yisrael (the God of Israel) in Psalm 68:35. peal to anyone richer in kindness than the
In Hebrew, the word “elyon” describes Creator who had been blessing mankind
something that is higher or above, such as since the beginning (1:28; 5:2). A being of
an upper house (Neh 3:25), an upper gate such magnitude and disposition deserves
(2Ki 15:35), or a higher water source (2Ch our highest respect.
32:30). Thus, by extension, the name El Second, El Elyon deserves worship.
Elyon means God the Most High, or the Melchizedek said, “Blessed be the most
Most High God. The Psalmist expressed high God, which hath delivered thine en-
it clearly: “For thou, Jehovah, art the emies into thy hand” (14:20). Thus, Abram
Most High above all the earth; thou art worshiped by giving 10 percent (a tithe)
exalted exceedingly above all gods” (Psa of his possessions through Melchizedek as
97:9 JND). a way to give God credit for Lot’s rescue.
Abraham once called “the LORD, the As believers who enjoy “a great salvation”
most high God [El Elyon]” (Gen 14:22). (Heb 2:3 ESV), we also should respond
And yet, demons cried, “Jesus, thou Son to the psalmist’s call, “Offer unto God
of the most high God” (Mar 5:7). As God’s thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the
Son, He shares the character and authority most High” (Psa 50:14).
of the supreme, universal sovereign. Also, Third, El Elyon deserves faith. Abram
the angel spoke to Mary and identified refused a gift from the king of Sodom for
the Holy Spirit as “the power of the Most having won the battle. He explained, “I
High” (Luk 1:35 ESV). Therefore, the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit are uniquely 1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV
linked to this title of El Elyon. unless otherwise noted.

134 TRUTH kTidings May 2026