El Elyon means “God Most High.” The Hebrew root ʿālâ (“to ascend”) paints a picture of One who towers infinitely above every realm of being. His name is above all names. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. There is none beside Him, none above Him. He has no rival or competitor; none can challenge Him. From all eternity He has reigned in absolute supremacy, unthreatened and unchallenged.
The title first appears when Melchizedek blesses Abram (Genesis 14). By calling the Lord El Elyon, Possessor of heaven and earth, he declares that every square inch of creation belongs to God. Centuries later, Nebuchadnezzar—humbled and stripped of power—confessed the same truth: “He does according to His will among the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth; none can stay His hand” (Daniel 4:35). Whether spoken by patriarchs, prophets, or pagan kings, the testimony is unanimous: El Elyon rules over all.
Scripture piles phrase upon phrase to magnify His majesty:
In the New Testament, this glory converges on Christ. The Father has “highly exalted” Jesus, granting Him “the name above every name” (Philippians 2:9). The angels, elders, and every creature burst into doxology: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13).
Because God is Most High, our confidence is unshakable. Kings rise and fall, cultures shift, circumstances whiplash—but El Elyon remains enthroned. We bow in reverent awe, yet we also rest; the One who rules the cosmos is the same Father who shelters us beneath His wings (Psalm 91:1).
So lift His name on high today. Echo the song of heaven:
“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!
Let Your glory be over all the earth!” (Psalm 57:11)
Do I truly live in awe of God’s supremacy?
Do I recognize His sovereign rule over my life and the world around me?
Do I rest in the truth that He is in control, even when all else seems uncertain?
El Elyon, God Most High, there is none like You. No one can rival Your power, Your glory, or Your rule. I worship You not just with words, but with my life. Reign over my thoughts, direct my steps, and fill me with holy reverence. Let all that I am lift Your name higher still. In the name of Jesus, the name above all names, Amen.