Names of God – El Elyon

Let’s meet with Him on the pages of the sacred Word and examine this name. El Elyon is the name that places God as the sovereign ruler of the universe.

In Genesis 14: 18-24, we find this name of God used four times in relation to Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High (El Elyon). Lot had been taken captive in the midst of a war among 9 kings. Abram went out to rescue him and as he was returning home, he met Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High. All the other kings that Abram had come in contact with were worshippers and followers of the Canaanite gods, but not Melchizedek. He represented the Most High God – El Elyon.

In Daniel 4, Nebuchadnezzar had done a spectacular job of exalting himself all over the Persian kingdom until El Elyon had His fill of it and drove him mad, causing him to live outdoors like an animal. Eventually Neb came to his senses and realized that he was nothing compared to the sovereign God. In Daniel 4: 34, Nebuchadnezzar says, “At the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever.” Old Neb thought he was high and mighty until He met the Most High. That is when he realized there is no high like the Most High!!

Finally, let’s look at one more place El Elyon is used to identify our God. The prophet Isaiah describes for us in chapter 14 the fall of Lucifer/Satan from heaven. He recounts the five “I wills” of Satan in His quest to be like God and the final ‘I will’ is that Satan will ‘be like the Most High’. Out of Satan’s mouth came what I believe to be the greatest testimony of the sovereignty of God ever uttered when he called God the Most High. Even Satan himself admits that there is none greater than Elyon.

Allow me to close with a quote from Lord, I Want to Know You by Kay Arthur (p.15) about this wonderful name of God.