What’s a Remez?

 In Jewish hermeneutics (interpretation of Scripture), a remez is a hidden message or a deeper meaning.  It’s said to be a “treasure” that is found below the surface of, or behind, the words.  (See below for Psalm 23 remez and other remezes in the Bible.)

In 2010 after doing a study of the Names of God, I began a study of the Psalms.  When I came to Psalm 23, I began to see many of the names of God revealed in the psalm by the works of the Great Shepherd.  I believe this was a revealing of a remez by the Holy Spirit — the best Teacher in the whole world.  I hope you enjoy this teaching.

Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is a very short psalm, but packed into the words is the power, presence, and promises of God.  It is one of the three Shepherd Psalms (Psalms 22, 23, and 24) that reveal the Person and works of our Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.  He is our Saviour, our Sanctifier, and our Sovereign.

In the precious words of Psalm 23 are tucked 11 names of God. This is likely something you have not seen before. Each of these names is a compound name of God.

While there are 11 compound names of God found in Psalm 23, there are also some other compound names in Bible. Let’s review all the compound names of God, their meanings, and the passages in which they are found. And then we’ll look at the names in Psalm 23.

Compound Names of God – Jehovah

The compound names of God begin with the name Jehovah or El.  Jehovah is the Anglicized form of the covenant name of God, YHVH, which is pronounced Yod Hey Vod Hey, or Yahweh (and Anglicized in Jehovah).  The name is translated as LORD (in uppercase) in most Bibles and as Jehovah in some.  The name El is translated as God.  Descriptive Hebrew words are added to Jehovah, or El, to create a compound name that reveals God’s work in our lives or gives insight into His nature and character.  The compound names of God are very helpful in understanding many of God’s attributes.

• Jehovah-Cheleq – The Lord my Inheritance  –  Psalm 16:5
• Jehovah-Ezer – The Lord, my Help – Deuteronomy 33:29, Psalm 33:20, Hebrews 13:6
• Jehovah-jireh – The Lord Will See To It –Genesis 22:14
• Jehovah-Manah – The Lord my Portion  –Lamentations 3:24, Psalm 16:5, Psalm 119:57
• Jehovah-rawfaw – The Lord That Makes Whole – Exodus 15:26; Jeremiah 33:6;  1 Kings 18:30;  Job 5:17,18;  Psalms 103:3; Psalms 146:3
• Jehovah-nissi – The Lord Our Banner – Exodus 17:15
• Jehovah-shalom – The Lord Gives Peace –Judges 6:24
• Jehovah-tsidkeneau – The Lord Our Righteousness – Jeremiah 23:6
• Jehovah-raah – The Lord My Shepherd – Psalm 23:1 (shepherd); Ezekiel 34:11-15 (companion); Jeremiah 3:12-16 (pastors); Judges 11:34-35(friend); Exodus 33:11 (friend)
• Jehovah-Shama – The Lord is Present – Ezekiel 48:35; Exodus 33:14; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; John 14:16-17; Romans 8:9
• Jehovah-InKaddesh – The Lord Which Sanctifies – Leviticus 21:15, 21:23, 22:9, 22:16

Compound Names of God – El

• El-shaddai – The Almighty God – Genesis 17:1, 28:3, 35:11; Ruth 1:20-21; 31 x in Job; Ezekiel 10:5
• El-elyon – The Most High God – Genesis 14:19, 22; Deuteronomy 32:8; Isaiah 14:14
• El-elyon – Possessor of Heaven and Earth, Part II – Genesis 14:19, 22; Deuteronomy 32:8; Isaiah 14:14, Daniel 3: 26, 4:17; Psalm 56:2
• El Qanna – TheJealous God – Exodus 20:5, 34:14; Deuteronomy 4:24, 5:9, 6:15; Joshua 24:19

(Excerpted from the article,  “In addition to Yahweh (YHVH), Yeshua and Jesus, what other names for God are in the Bible?”  Read the names for Jesus and the Holy Spirit.)

Remezes in the Bible

In Jewish hermeneutics (interpretation of Scripture), a remez is a hidden message, or a deeper meaning found below the surface or behind the words.

• Why Did Satan Rebel Against God?
• The Names of Jehovah hidden in Psalm 23! This will surprise you!
• Is There a Remez (Hidden Message) in Genesis 5?
• Did Pilate Proclaim Jesus to be God?
• Is There a Remez (Hidden Message) in Revelation 7? Why is Dan missing?
• The Meaning of Numbers in the Bible?
•  The Meaning of Colors in the Bible?
• What’s the Amazing Remez (Hidden Message) in the Book of Numbers?
• Is There a Remez in Psalm 23?  Names of God?
• How is Jesus Like a Worm? What’s the Crimson Worm? A Remez In Psalm 22
• What are the Mysteries in the Bible?
• Why Was a Ram Sacrificed in Genesis 22 Instead of a Lamb?
• What do Zelophehad’s Daughters have to do with Christmas?