How many times does the Bible mention God?

The English count

In most major English translations, the word “God” appears approximately 4,000 times. The KJV uses “God” about 4,440 times; the BSB and NIV are slightly lower but in the same range.

If “the LORD” (in small capitals, the standard rendering of the Tetragrammaton YHWH) is counted as well, the total references to the deity approach 8,000.

The Hebrew picture

The Old Testament uses several Hebrew terms for God:

• YHWH (יהוה, the Tetragrammaton, sometimes vocalised “Yahweh”): about 6,800 occurrences. Out of reverence, this name is traditionally not pronounced; translations render it “the LORD” (often in small capitals) or, in a smaller number of translations, “Yahweh” or “Jehovah.”
• Elohim (אֱלֹהִים, “God”): about 2,600 occurrences. Plural in form but usually singular in meaning when referring to the God of Israel.
• El (אֵל, “God”): about 235 occurrences, often in compound forms like El Shaddai (God Almighty) or El Elyon (God Most High).
• Adonai (אֲדֹנָי, “Lord, master”): about 440 occurrences. The traditional spoken substitute for YHWH.

The Greek picture

In the New Testament:

• Theos (θεός, “God”): about 1,317 occurrences.
• Kyrios (κύριος, “Lord”): about 718 occurrences. Used both for God the Father (often as a translation of YHWH from the Septuagint) and for Jesus.

What “God” counts include

The English count of approximately 4,000 typically includes:

• References to the God of Israel.
• Compound terms (“God of Abraham,” “God Almighty”).
• References to false gods or other deities, which translators usually distinguish by lowercasing (“god,” “gods”).
• Generic theological uses (“became God’s people”).

It usually does not include “the LORD” (YHWH), which is treated as a separate name in most translation traditions.