Elyon
Elyon is a word which comes from a Hebrew root meaning to ascend. It occurs
in other associations than those which relate to God, and in such instances is
rendered high, higher, upper. It follows that the translation Most High, or as
twice rendered “Highest,” correctly represents the meaning of the term. It
refers to the position of the Deity as the Supreme, the One who is above, or
over all. It is sometimes joined to other Divine Titles, most frequently with
El, the form being El Elyon – El Most High. Twice it is connected with Elohim,
and three times with Yahweh. One peculiarity connected with this name is the
fact that, although it is usually given in the singular, there are a few
passages in which it occurs in the plural. These instances are only found in the
Book of Daniel – the seventh chapter – the greater part of which is written in
the Chaldee language. In each of these references the allusion is to the “saints
of the Most High ” (ones), whereas it should be noted that the little horn is
represented as speaking great words against the Most High (One), God Himself
(cf. Rev. xiii. 6).
The following is a list of the occurrences of the word Elyon when applied to
God.
|
Elyon |
| Num. 24. 16. |
| Deut. 32. 8. |
| 2 Sam. 22. 14. |
| Psalm 9. 2; 18. 13; 21. 7; 46. 4; 50. 14; 73. 11; 77. 10; 78. 17; 82. 6; 83. 18; 87. 5; 91, 9; 92. 1; 107. 11. |
| Isaiah 14. 14. |
| Lam. 3. 35, 38. |
| Dan. 4. 17, 24, 25, 32, 34; 7. 18, 22, 25 (twice), 27. |
|
El Elyon |
| Gen. 14. 18, 19, 20, 22; |
| Psalm 78. 35. |
|
Elohim Elyon |
| Psalm 57. 2; 78. 56. |
|
Yahweh Elyon |
| Psalm 7. 17; 47. 2; 97. 9. |
|
Eloah Illai * |
| Dan. 3. 26; 4. 2; 5. 18, 21. |
* The Chaldee equivalent of Elyon. This form is also used in the passages referred to above from Dan 3.26 to 7.27