1/22/2006 Ken Nisewanger

God’s Sovereignty
Introduction:
The purpose of this paper is not to provide the only interpretation of the scriptures, but rather to provide a basis for
further investigation. Simply taking someone else’s view does not replace proper research, questions and prayer. If you
choose to use this document, use this only as part of further research. Fides quaerens intellectum (faith seeking
understanding), Anselm of Canterbury (1033 – 1109).

God’s Sovereignty
There are several questions pertaining to God’s Sovereignty. These include, among others, what the
intent and context of the text is. Additionally how does one interpret the text? We will limit this
discussion of God’s sovereignty to differences in the translations, specific meaning of the words
(Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek), and finally intent of the text.

Assumptions
Our assumption and faith is that our God is Divine. As such, He is infallible, omnipresent, and
omnipotent. The bible is the divinely inspired word of God. The bible is not just a reference given
to a specific culture or time; rather it is for all people and is the word of God for all times.

What is sovereign and sovereignty?

Merriam-Websgter defines sovereign and sovereignty as:
“sov·er·eign
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English soverain, from Old French, from soverain, adjective
1 a : one possessing or held to possess sovereignty b : one that exercises supreme authority within a
limited sphere c : an acknowledged leader : ARBITER”
“sov·er·eign·ty
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural –ties
Etymology: Middle English soverainte, from Middle French soveraineté, from Old French, from
soverain
1 obsolete : supreme excellence or an example of it
2 a : supreme power especially over a body politic b : freedom from external control : AUTONOMY
c : controlling influence
3 : one that is sovereign; especially : an autonomous state
Does the Bible refer to God as Sovereign?
Without choosing a specific translation the question is impossible to answer. There are several
translations, people often debate which translation is best. Nevertheless, the point to remember is,
they are all translations. Each will have a predisposition to which text they choose and how they
choose to translate it. Let us address some translation issues first and thereafter refer to the Hebrew,
Aramaic or Greek directly.
The KJV (King James Version) version does not use the word sovereign, yet the NIV (New
International Version) list it 299 times. Some may (I have not researched every reference) refer to
local leaders of the time, but most refer to God directly. The NASB (New American Standard Bible
95) only lists it once. Of course this does not include any use of the translated word such as “ruler”
or “Lord” which may be interpreted to have the same meaning. This of course returns us to the point
that these are translations. How one translates a specific word is as important as the context.
Referring to specific words there are a couple that are common in the old testament such as ynda
‘adown’, as in vv Ex 23:17, Ex 34,23 which translates as sovereign, controller, lord, master, owner.
Also ynda ‘Adonay’, which is actually a more emphatic form of adown and translates as both Lord
and sovereign. vv Ge 15:2, 8, De 3:24. You find these examples in Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy,
Judges, Samuel etc…
When we refer to Daniel we find jylv shalliyt (Aramaic), which means mighty, premier, captain,
ruler. In fact Daniel 4:17 says […] so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over
the kingdoms of men […] (NIV). Another translation is “[…] to the intent that the living may know
that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men […]” (KJV). Using this example that one could
argue that both translations are correct. Other than the difference of the wording “Sovereign” and
“most High ruleth”, one can easily infer a single meaning.
In the New Testament one finds in Acts, 2 Peter, Jude, etc… the word despothv despotes, which
translates as absolute ruler, Lord, master. Additionally of note, this word comes from dew deo,
which is a primary verb meaning to bind. Acts 4:24 states “When they heard this, they raised their
voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth
and the sea, and everything in them.” (NIV); “And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to
God with one accord, and said, Lord (despothv despotes), thou art God, which hast made heaven,
and earth, and the sea, and all that in them” (KJV). As in the above example, even though the KJV
does not use the word sovereign the NIV does. Here too, both may be correct and have the same
meaning. Additionally ‘Lord God’ is often found in the Holy Bible. With this combination of
words you find Lord (despothv despotes, as above) and God which translates from yeov theos,
meaning deity or “the supreme divinity”.
Since sovereign or sovereignty is defined as someone having “supreme authority” or “supreme
power” then the above examples may lead us to think that the specific English word ‘Sovereign’
may be applied correctly in the above examples. Moreover, the use of ‘Lord God’ indicates an
“absolute ruler” and “supreme divinity”. If the argument is, the KJV does not use the word
Sovereign then that is a correct statement. However one must admit that, regardless of translation,
the use of ‘Sovereign’ is contextually correct.

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What does it mean for God to be sovereign?
A sovereign, as stated above, is an authority that is a controlling influence and supreme. Therefore if
God is our sovereign, He then has supreme authority over us, is our acknowledged leader and
controlling influence. Our God, if He is sovereign, can command us at His will, control or lead us as
He sees fit and it would then be our duty to obey the word of our God.

Are there any examples of God’s sovereignty over us?

First let us look at the Old Testament Commandments.
(Exodus 20:1-6) And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,
[…] Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (KJV)
(Exodus 20:5-6) […] for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity
of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate
me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my
commandments. (KJV)
Here in the Ten Commandments, we see again our God calling Himself “the LORD thy God” and in
v 6 God says He will show mercy to those that keep (rmv shamar, observe) His commandments
(hwum mitzvah, law). Our God commands us to adhere to His law. In fact, several places in the
Old Testament God commands us to obey.
Looking at Paul’s letter to the Romans we find an example of God’s sovereignty.
(Romans 9:17-18) For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose
have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be
declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have
mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth. (KJV)
(Romans 9:21-23) Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make
one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew
His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the
vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that He might make known the riches of
His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory, (KJV)
The above verses state quite clearly the power and extent of God’s sovereignty over us. In Exodus
God provides us with His law and commands. In Romans 9:18 God decides to whom He will show
mercy and whose heart to harden. God not only has the right, but also does so for His reasons, that
His power ‘might be declared throughout all the earth’. Romans 9:21 makes the comparison of a
potter having power over his own clay. The potter as our Lord makes us as He sees fit according to
His purposes. Paul even states previously (cf Romans 9:14) that God is right and just in this.

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Summary
Choosing one translation over another to decide if a specific word is used ignores the fact that these
are translations. Translations convert one language (ancient text in this case) to contemporary (for
the time is was written) understanding. Different translations will, by their nature differ. To be sure
of context however, one must refer to the original texts wherever possible. In this case, when
looking at the words (Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek) in context, the translations do not differ in
meaning, only in the specific words chosen to convey that meaning. When examining these verses
and their meaning it is clear that God is our sovereign. Further study shows by both example and
analogy God’s right, reason, and the extent of His authority over us.
Our God “is sovereign over the kingdom of men” and our “Sovereign Lord [… which] made the
heaven, and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them”. He made us for His purpose for His glory.

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