El Etymology
 
 
Jewish scholars believe that the unique name of God cannot be said ‘aloud’ since the name of God (YHVH) is holy and cannot be taken in vain. God’s unique name is unutterable. Since the LORD is unique, without rival, the Creator and LORD who is answerable to no one, He cannot be named. However God reveals himself as ‘I AM THAT I AM’ (YHWH) and throughout the scripture, we see the attributes or characteristics of God revealed to us. The multiplicity of names refers to different aspects of revelation rather than supposing that there is multiplicity of deities. Studying these attributes or names of God provide us different portraits of God’s revealed character in the bible.
ePjpnkhopfs; 18:10. fu;j;jupd; ehkk; gyj;j JUfk;; ePjpkhd; mjw;Fs; Xbr; RfkhapUg;ghd;.
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Vrhah 54:5. cd; rpU\;bfNu cd; ehafu;; Nridfspd; fu;j;ju; vd;gJ mtUila ehkk;; ,];uNtypd; gupRj;ju; cd; kPl;gu;> mtu; ru;tG+kpapd; Njtd; vd;dg;gLthu;.
For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
 
Study Guidelines
 
Estimated Start Time: 8.00 PM
  1. 15 minutes worship,
  2. 25 minutes study and
  3. 15 minutes prayer
Estimated Finish Time: 8.55 PM
Time to Leave home: before 9.30 PM
 
El Raah (Rohi) - Lord, my Shepherd - (fu;j;ju; vd; Nka;g;guhapUf;fpwhu)
 
Introduction
Elohim and ElShaddai can seem to be far away. El Raah (The Lord is my Shepherd), makes us realize that the God who is mighty and majestic, is a loving Shepherd, who relentlessly seeks us, cares for us, leads us beside still waters and takes us to green pastures.
Nahthd; 10:11. ehNd ey;y Nka;g;gd;: ey;yNka;g;gd; MLfSf;Ff;fhfj; jd; [Ptidf; nfhLf;fpwhd;.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
 
El Raah (Jehova Raah, Rohi) - Lord is my Shepherd
 
1. Characteristics of Sheep
  1. Sheep tend to go astray. They can lose track and get lost. Shepherds usually search for the lost ones, since once they are lost, they cannot track their way back to their home.
    1. Vrhah 53:6. ehnky;yhUk; MLfisg;Nghy topjg;gpj;jpupe;J> mtdtd; jd;jd; topapNy NghNdhk;; fu;j;jNuh ek;nky;yhUila mf;fpukj;ijAk; mtu;Nky; tpog;gz;zpdhu;.
      All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all
  2. Sheep is dumb. They are not intelligent and they do not learn from their mistakes.They seem to repeat their mistakes. For example, they might get lost often and might never learn. Shepherds always keep their eyes on the sheep.
    1. rq;fPjk; 32:8. ehd; cdf;Fg; Nghjpj;J> eP elf;fNtz;ba topia cdf;Ff; fhl;LNtd;; cd;Nky; vd; fz;iz itj;J> cdf;F MNyhrid nrhy;YNtd;.
      I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
  3. Sheep is defenseless. They do not fight back. They do not have anything to ward off their enemies.
    1. Vrhah 53:7. mtu; neUf;fg;gl;Lk; xLf;fg;gl;Lk; ,Ue;jhu;> MdhYk; jk;Kila thia mtu; jpwf;ftpy;iy; mbf;fg;gLk;gb nfhz;LNghfg;gLfpw xU Ml;Lf; Fl;biag;NghyTk;> jd;id kapu;fj;jupf;fpwtDf;F Kd;ghfr; rj;jkplhjpUf;fpw Ml;ilg;NghyTk;> mtu; jk;Kila thiaj; jpwthjpUe;jhu;.
      He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
  4. Sheep can drown easily. The wool can get wet leading to quick sinking.
  5. So we can conclude that, Sheeps do need a Shepherd. It is impossible for sheeps to survive without the Shepherd.
 
2. Who is the true Shepherd?
  1. King David realized that the Lord is his only, true Shepherd.
    1. rq;fPjk; 23:1. fu;j;ju; vd; Nka;g;guhapUf;fpwhu;; ehd; jho;r;rpailNad;.
      The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
  2. The Good shepherd provides for the Sheep
    1. rq;fPjk; 23:2. mtu; vd;idg; Gy;Ys;s ,lq;fspy; Nka;j;J> mku;e;j jz;zPu;fs; mz;ilapy; vd;idf; nfhz;LNgha; tpLfpwhu;.
      He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
  3. Good Shepherd provides rest; peaceful rest, near quiet (still) waters;
    1. rq;fPjk; 23:2b mku;e;j jz;zPu;fs; mz;ilapy; vd;idf; nfhz;LNgha; tpLfpwhu;.
      He leadeth me beside the still waters.
  4. Good Shepherd restores our soul; When we are weak and tired, He can revive us. And He leads me in the right path
    1. rq;fPjk; 23:3. mtu; vd; Mj;Jkhitj; Njw;wp> jk;Kila ehkj;jpdpkpj;jk; vd;id ePjpapd; ghijfspy; elj;Jfpwhu;.
      He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
  5. Good Shepherd protects the Sheep. No one can snatch them from the Shepherd’s hand.
    1. rq;fPjk; 23:4. ehd; kuz ,Uspd; gs;sj;jhf;fpNy ele;jhYk; nghy;yhg;Gf;Fg; gag;gNld;; NjtuPu; vd;NdhNl$l ,Uf;fpwPu;; ckJ NfhYk; ckJ jbAk; vd;idj; Njw;Wk;..
      Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
 
3. True Shepherd foretold by Ezekiel
  1. Ezekiel prophesied that the Chief Shepherd will surely come. The true Shepherd who will come, is the one who will search, seek, care and deliver the sheep.
    1. vNrf;fpNay; 34:11. fu;j;juhfpa Mz;ltu; nrhy;YfpwJ vd;dntd;why;: ,Njh> ehd; ehNd vd; MLfis tprhupj;J> mitfisj; Njbg;ghu;g;Ngd;.
      For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
    2. 12. xU Nka;g;gd; rpjWz;l jd; MLfspd; eLNt ,Uf;fpw ehspy; jd; ke;ijiaj; Njbf;nfhz;bUf;fpwJNghy> ehd; vd; MLfisj; Njb> kg;Gk; ke;jhuKkhd ehspNy mitfs; rpjWz;LNghd vy;yh ,lq;fspYkpUe;J mitfisj; jg;gp tug;gz;zp>
      As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
    3. 13. mitfis [dq;fsplj;jpypUe;J Gwg;glTk; Njrq;fspypUe;J NruTk;gz;zp> mitfSila RaNjrj;jpNy mitfisf; nfhz;Lte;J> ,];uNty; kiyfspd;NkYk; MWfs; mz;ilapYk; Njrj;jpd; rfy thr];jyq;fspYk; mitfis Nka;g;Ngd;.
      And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country.
    4. 14. mitfis ey;y Nka;r;rypNy Nka;g;Ngd;; ,];uNtYila cau;e;j kiyfspy; mtu;fSila njhOtk; ,Uf;Fk;; mq;Nf mitfs; ey;y njhOtj;jpy; gLj;Jf;nfhs;Sk;; ,];uNtypd; kiyfspd;Nky; ey;y Nka;r;riy NkAk;.
      I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel.
    5. 15. vd; MLfis ehd; Nka;j;J mitfis ehd; klf;FNtd; vd;W fu;j;juhfpa Mz;ltu; nrhy;Yfpwhu;.
      I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.
    6. 16. ehd; fhzhkw;Nghdijj;Njb Juj;Jz;lijj; jpUk;gf;nfhz;Lte;J> vYk;G Kwpe;jijf; fhaq;fl;b> ery;nfhz;lijj; jplg;gLj;JNtd;; epahaj;Jf;Fj; jf;fjha; mitfis Nka;j;J> G\;bAk; ngyKKs;sitfis mopg;Ngd;.
      I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.
 
4. Jesus is the true Shepherd
  1. Jesus declares Himself as the true Shepherd, and His coming fulfilled Ezekiel’s prophecy; Jesus proved that He is the good Shepherd, who gave His life for the Sheep.
    1. Nahthd; 10:1. nka;ahfNt nka;ahfNt ehd; cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;YfpNwd;; Ml;Lj;njhOtj;Jf;Fs; thry;topaha; gpuNtrpahky;> NtWtopaha; VWfpwtd; fs;sDk; nfhs;isf;fhuDkhapUf;fpwhd;.
      Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
    2. 2. thry;topaha;g; gpuNtrpf;fpwtNdh MLfspd; Nka;g;gdhapUf;fpwhd;.
      But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
    3. 3. thriyf; fhf;fpwtd; mtDf;Fj; jpwf;fpwhd;; MLfSk; mtd; rj;jj;Jf;Fr; nrtpnfhLf;fpwJ. mtd; jd;Dila MLfisg; Ngu;nrhy;ypf; $g;gpl;L> mitfis ntspNa elj;jpf;nfhz;LNghfpwhd;.
      To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
    4. 4. mtd; jd;Dila MLfis ntspNa tpl;lgpd;G> mitfSf;F Kd;ghf ele;JNghfpwhd;> MLfs; mtd; rj;jj;ij mwpe;jpUf;fpwgbapdhy; mtDf;Fg; gpd;nry;YfpwJ.
      And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
    5. 5. me;epaUila rj;jj;ij mwpahjgbapdhy; mitfs; me;epaDf;Fg; gpd;nry;yhky;> mtid tpl;Nlhbg;Nghk; vd;whu;.
      And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
    6. 6. ,e;j ctikia ,NaR mtu;fSlNd nrhd;dhu;; mtu;fNsh mtu; nrhd;ditfspd; fUj;ij mwpatpy;iy.
      This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
    7. 7. Mjyhy; ,NaR kWgbAk; mtu;fis Nehf;fp: ehNd MLfSf;F thry; vd;W nka;ahfNt nka;ahfNt cq;fSf;Fr; nrhy;YfpNwd;.
      Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
    8. 8. vdf;F Kd;Nd te;jtu;fnsy;yhUk; fs;sUk; nfhs;isf;fhuUkhapUf;fpwhu;fs;; MLfs; mtu;fSf;Fr; nrtpnfhLf;ftpy;iy.
      All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
    9. 9. ehNd thry;> vd; topaha; xUtd; cl;gpuNtrpj;jhy;> mtd; ,ul;rpf;fg;gLthd;> mtd; cs;Sk; Gwk;Gk;nrd;W> Nka;r;riyf; fz;lilthd;.
      I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
    10. 10. jpUld; jpUlTk; nfhy;yTk; mopf;fTk; tUfpwhNdad;wp Ntnwhd;Wf;Fk; tuhd;. ehNdh mitfSf;F [Ptd; cz;lhapUf;fTk;> mJ gupG+uzg;glTk; te;Njd;.
      The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
    11. 11. ehNd ey;y Nka;g;gd;: ey;yNka;g;gd; MLfSf;Ff;fhfj; jd; [Ptidf; nfhLf;fpwhd;.
      I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
    12. 12. Nka;g;gdhapuhjtDk;> MLfs; jdf;Fr; nrhe;jky;yhjtDkhd $ypahs; Xeha; tUfpwijf; fz;L MLfistpl;L Xbg;Nghfpwhd;; mg;nghOJ Xeha; MLfisg;gPwp> mitfisr; rpjwbf;Fk;.
      But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
    13. 13. $ypahs; $ypf;fhf Ntiynra;fpwtdhifahy; Xbg;Nghfpwhd;> MLfSf;fhf mtd; ftiyg;glhd;.
      The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
    14. 14. ehNd ey;y Nka;g;gd;; gpjh vd;id mwpe;jpUf;fpwJNghyTk;> ehd; gpjhit mwpe;jpUf;fpwJNghyTk;>
      I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
    15. 15. ehd; vd;Dilaitfis mwpe;Jk; vd;Dilaitfshy; mwpag;gl;LkpUf;fpNwd;; MLfSf;fhf vd; [PtidAk; nfhLf;fpNwd;.
      As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
    16. 16. ,e;jj; njhOtj;jpYs;sitfsy;yhky; NtNw MLfSk; vdf;F cz;L; mitfisAk; ehd; nfhz;LtuNtz;Lk;> mitfs; vd; rj;jj;Jf;Fr; nrtpnfhLf;Fk;. mg;nghOJ xNu ke;ijAk; xNu Nka;g;gDkhFk;.
      And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
 
5. Jesus the true Shepherd - Owns the sheep; Knows the destiny;
  1. Jesus owns the sheep; He is the Possessor, Master and Owner;
    1. I nfhupe;jpau; 6:19. cq;fs; ruPukhdJ ePq;fs; NjtdhNy ngw;Wk; cq;fspy; jq;fpAk; ,Uf;fpw gupRj;j MtpapDila MyakhapUf;fpwnjd;Wk;> ePq;fs; cq;fSilatu;fsy;yntd;Wk; mwpaPu;fsh?
      What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
  2. Jesus called the sheep to follow Him
    1. kj;NjA 4:19. vd; gpd;Nd thUq;fs;> cq;fis kD\iug; gpbf;fpwtu;fshf;FNtd; vd;whu;.
      And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
6. Jesus the Chief Shepherd - Knows the name; Does only good
  1. Jesus Knows us by name; If one if us is lost, He knows us by name and He will come down to find us.
    1. Nahthd; 10:3. thriyf; fhf;fpwtd; mtDf;Fj; jpwf;fpwhd;; MLfSk; mtd; rj;jj;Jf;Fr; nrtpnfhLf;fpwJ. mtd; jd;Dila MLfisg; Ngu;nrhy;ypf; $g;gpl;L> mitfis ntspNa elj;jpf;nfhz;LNghfpwhd;.
      To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
    2. Y}f;fh 15:4. cq;fspy; xU kD\d; E}W MLfis cilatdhapUe;J> mitfspy; xd;W fhzhkw;Nghdhy;> njhz;Z}w;nwhd;gJ MLfisAk; tdhe;juj;jpNy tpl;L> fhzhkw;Nghd Ml;ilf; fz;Lgpbf;FksTk; Njbj;jpupahNdh?
      What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
  2. Jesus does only good for His sheep. Everything that Jesus did was good for us; The Cross; The Blood and His suffering, gave us life and life eternal.
    1. Nahthd; 10:11. ehNd ey;y Nka;g;gd;: ey;yNka;g;gd; MLfSf;Ff;fhfj; jd; [Ptidf; nfhLf;fpwhd;.
      I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
    2. I NgJU 2:24. ehk; ghtq;fSf;Fr; nrj;J> ePjpf;Fg; gpioj;jpUf;Fk;gbf;F> mtu;jhNk jkJ ruPuj;jpNy ek;Kila ghtq;fisr; rpYitapd;Nky; Rke;jhu;; mtUila jOk;Gfshy; FzkhdPu;fs;.
      Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
    3. 25. rpjWz;l MLfisg;NghypUe;jPu;fs;; ,g;nghONjh cq;fs; Mj;Jkhf;fSf;F Nka;g;gUk; fz;fhzpAkhdtuplj;jpy; jpUg;gg;gl;bUf;fpwPu;fs;.
      For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
 
7. Jesus the true Shepherd - Never leaves the Sheep
  1. He promised that us that He will never Leave us;
    1. kj;NjA 28:20. ehd; cq;fSf;Ff; fl;lisapl;l ahitAk; mtu;fs; iff;nfhs;Sk;gb mtu;fSf;F cgNjrk; gz;Zq;fs;; ,Njh> cyfj;jpd; KbTgupae;jk; rfy ehl;fspYk; ehd; cq;fSlNd$l ,Uf;fpNwd; vd;whu;. Mnkd;.
      Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
    2. vgpnuau; 13:5. ePq;fs; gz Mirapy;yhjtu;fsha; ele;J> cq;fSf;F ,Uf;fpwitfs; NghJnkd;W vz;Zq;fs;; ehd; cd;idtpl;L tpyFtJkpy;iy> cd;idf; iftpLtJkpy;iy vd;W mtu; nrhy;ypapUf;fpwhNu.
      Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
 
Conclusion
The analogy of a Shepherd shows how God cares for his people. We have all gone astray, until Jesus came to gather us and redeem us by His precious blood. There are others who need to be saved and be brought into his flock. It is now our duty, to go out and gather the lost that all might find life (eternal life) in Christ; and truly rest in His bosom.
kj;NjA 10:16. MLfis Xeha;fSf;Fs;Ns mDg;GfpwJ Nghy> ,Njh> ehd; cq;fis mDg;GfpNwd;; Mifahy;> ru;g;gq;fisg;Nghy tpdhTs;stu;fSk; Gwhf;fisg;Nghyf; fglw;wtu;fSkha; ,Uq;fs;.
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Vrhah 40:11. Nka;g;gidg;Nghyj; jkJ ke;ijia Nka;g;ghu;; Ml;Lf;Fl;bfisj; jkJ Gaj;jpdhy; Nru;j;J> jkJ kbapNy Rke;J fwtyhLfis nkJtha; elj;Jthu;.
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
 
References
Bible.Org. (2014, 01 01). Names of God. Retrieved from www.bible.org:
https://bible.org/article/names-god
Parsons, J. (2014, 01 01). Divine Names. Retrieved from hebrew4christians.com:
http://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Shemot/HaShem/hashem.html
Sumrall, L. (1995). The Names of GOD. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
Parsons, J. (2014, 01 01). Divine Names. Retrieved from preceptaustin.org:
http://www.preceptaustin.org/jehovah_roi_(raah,_rohi).htm