Bible Lexicons

Girdlestone's Synonyms of the Old TestamentGirdlestone's OT Synonyms

Most High

The Hebrew title rendered 'Most High' is Elion (עליון ), for which the LXX usually has the reading ὁ ὓψιστος, the Highest. The word Elion, however, is not confined to this sacred use. It is found in Genesis 40:17; 1 Kings 9:8; 2 Chronicles 7:21; 2 Kings 18:17; 2 Chronicles 23:20; 2 Chronicles 32:30; Nehemiah 3:25; Jeremiah 20:2; Jeremiah 36:10.

This title is first applied to God in the account of Melehizedek (Genesis 14:18-22); it is used by Balaam, who 'knew the knowledge of the Most High' (Numbers 24:16); and Moses adopts it when he speaks of the Most High dividing the earth among the nations (Deuteronomy 32:8; compare Acts 17:26). It occurs also several times in the Psalms, e.g. Psalms 18:13, 'The Highest gave his voice;' Psalms 78:35, 'They remembered that God was their Rock, and the High God their Redeemer.' in Psalms 89:27, this title is applied to the Messiah: - 'I will make him my first-born, higher than the kings of the earth.'

When we read of the Most High God in Micah 6:6, the Hebrew Marom (מרום ), exalted, is used; compare Psalms 99:2; Psalms 113:4; Psalms 138:6; and Isaiah 57:15, where a simpler form of the same word is rendered High, and applied to God.