According to multiple sources, Hagar, a significant figure in the Old Testament, was the first person to ascribe a name to God. She used the Hebrew term "El Roi," meaning "The God who Sees." This is unique because even Moses, a pivotal figure in Jewish history, did not name God but instead asked God for His name.
Hagar's Unique Distinction
Hagar's act of naming God holds significant theological and historical importance:
- Old Testament Significance: The references clearly state that Hagar's naming of God is the first instance of this action within the Old Testament narrative. This contrasts with later figures like Moses, who sought God's self-revelation through a name.
- Contextual Importance: Hagar, an enslaved woman, gave God a name in a moment of profound personal encounter and revelation. This underscores the accessibility of God to all people, regardless of their social standing.
- Theological Implications: The name "El Roi" reflects a personal, intimate encounter with God, highlighting God's presence and care, even in challenging circumstances.
Several sources confirm this unique contribution of Hagar:
- Transformation Church: Their podcast highlights Hagar's use of "El Roi" as the first naming of God in the Old Testament.
- Faithward.org: This site emphasizes Hagar's unique position as the only person in scripture to give God a name.
- Rich Villodas on Twitter: This tweet concisely confirms Hagar's precedence in naming God.
While other sources discuss the names of God given by God himself (like Adam's name), or the naming of people by God, the question here focuses on who first named God, and the consistent answer points to Hagar. Other accounts focus on first recorded names of deities in different cultures or contexts, which do not directly answer the query concerning the Old Testament.
