The Names of God Bible

The Names of God Bible

Ann Spangler, General Editor

God’s Word Translation

Revell Publishing

Translation: While many translations lean towards literal or dynamic translations, the God’s Word Translation seeks to be a Closest Natural Equivalence translation. It does exactly what it says it does. It give the most natural English translation from the original languages. This translation tries to avoid the “awkward and inaccuracy associated with formal-equivalent translatiosn, and to avoid the loss of meaning and oversimplification associate with functional-equivalent translations (Preface). For those that grew up using a particular version, the wording may catch one of balance. But it seems to be a very accurate translation.

The Names of God: I like this feature, but it is awkward for one who isn’t used to it. However, since so many names of God are translated God, Lord, LORD, etc, it can be hard to tell the difference between which word was used once it has been translated into English. The one fault I see is that only highlights all the Hebrew words that refer to God and not the Greek, which I would have like to have seen as well.

Extras: With each name of God that is highlighted in the text, there is a special page that explains the specific name, along with the promises that are associated with that name. Each book of the Bible gives a brief introduction and lists the key names of God within that book. The extras in the back include the following: Topical Prayer Guide For The Names of God, Table of the Names of God (and the number of times used in the Bible), Name Index, The Names of God Fast Track Reading Plan, Reading Plans (Daily Reading Plan, Fast Track Reading Plan - overview of the Bible in 100 readings)

Summary: This is a unique Bible. It makes understanding the various names of God easy to understand and see the differences. I love how the various names in the Old Testament are explained. The translation is easy to read and understand.


I received this book free from Revell and Baker Publishing for the purpose of this review.