Genesis 17: A New Name for God

YINR 929: Tanach Yomi · Sep 22, 2025 · 2m

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Eternal One appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am El Shaddai. Walk before Me and be blameless.’”

Hebrew: _וַיְהִי אַבְרָם בֶּן־תִּשְׁעִים וָתֵשַׁע שָׁנָה, וַיֵּרָא ה' אֶל־אַבְרָם; וַיֹּאמֶר אֵלָיו, אֲנִי־אֵל שַׁדַּי, הִתְהַלֵּךְ לְפָנַי וֶהְיֵה תָמִים׃ (בראשית יז:א)

In this pivotal moment, the Divine Presence reveals Itself to Abram once again, but this time introduces a new name: El Shaddai. What does this name signify?

Rashi interprets it to mean that the Almighty is sufficient unto Himself—complete, lacking nothing, and not dependent on any…