What does the Bible say about Elohim?
The Jewish Scriptures teach us that ’Elohim is an honorific title, which expresses the plural of majesty. The underlying reason for the grammatically plural form ’Elohim is to indicate the all-inclusiveness of God’s authority as possessing every conceivable attribute of power.
What is the difference between Yahweh and Elohim?
What are the 12 names of Jesus?
- Jesus.
- Emmanuel.
- Christ.
- Lord.
- Master.
- Logos (the Word)
- Son of God.
- Son of man.
Does the Bible mention Elohim?
Elohim: The first place a name of God is revealed is in the first chapter of Genesis. Here we find Elohim (God) repeated in almost every verse.Elohim is a plural noun, which is first and primarily used in Scripture to describe the one true God Family, which includes God the Father and our Creator-Redeemer, Jesus Christ.Wherever we find "God" throughout the Old Testament, it is most likely Elohim.
How to pronounce Jehovah Elohim?
JEHOVAH SHALOM pronunciation with meanings, synonyms, antonyms, translations, sentences and more The correct way to pronounce the name john lennon is? jaan leh-nuhn
What does the word Elohim mean?
godDefinition of Elohim : god sense 1a —used especially in the Hebrew Bible.
Who is Elohim and Yahweh?
There is much more than meets the eye with the terms El, translated into English as God, Yahweh, translated as the Lord, and Elohim, also translated as God. These terms are all essentially equated today.
Why is God called Elohim?
Elohim (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים, romanized: ʾĚlōhīm: [(ʔ)eloˈ(h)im]) is a Hebrew word meaning "gods". Although the word is plural in form, in the Hebrew Bible it usually refers to a single deity, particularly (but not always) the God of Israel. At other times it refers to deities in the plural.
Why do they call God Elohim?
When referring to Yahweh, elohim very often is accompanied by the article ha-, to mean, in combination, “the God,” and sometimes with a further identification Elohim ḥayyim, meaning “the living God.” Though Elohim is plural in form, it is understood in the singular sense.
What does Elohim mean in the Bible?
As wrriten by Mike Leake on BibleStudyTools, The term "Elohim" means “supreme one” or “mighty one”. It is not only used of the one true God but is also used on occasion to refer to human rulers, judges, and even angels. If you saw one who exhibiting supreme rule and expressed mighty power the word you would use would be Elohim. That does not necessarily mean that you are referring to the one unique God. But even as one comes to understand Yahweh, you might still grab hold of this particular word, Elohim, in order to emphasize God’s power and might.
What does the name Elohim mean?
Elohim: Biblical Meaning of God's Name. What Is Elohim? Biblical Meaning of God's Name. Elohim is the Hebrew word for God that appears in the very first sentence of the Bible. We remember that he is the one who began it all. This ancient name for God contains the idea of God's creative power as well as his authority and sovereignty.
How many times is Elohim used in the Bible?
Though El is used more than 200 times in the Hebrew Bible, Elohim is used more than 2,500 times . Its plural form is used not to indicate a belief in many gods but to emphasize the majesty of the one true God. He is the God of gods, the highest of all. Christians may recognize in this plural form a hint of the Trinity —Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
What is the plural of Elohim?
Elohim (e-lo-HEEM) is the plural form of El or Eloah, one of the oldest designations for divinity in the world. The Hebrews borrowed the term El from the Canaanites. It can refer either to the true God or to pagan gods. Though El is used more than 200 times in the Hebrew Bible, Elohim is used more than 2,500 times.
What is the name of God in the Bible?
The Name of God: Elohim. Elohim is the Hebrew word for God that appears in the very first sentence of the Bible. When we pray to Elohim, we remember that he is the one who began it all, creating the heavens and the earth and separating light from darkness, water from dry land, night from day.
Is Elohim the highest God?
He is the God of gods, the highest of all. Christians may recognize in this plural form a hint of the Trinity —Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Elohim occurs thirty-two times in the first chapter of Genesis. After that the name Yahweh appears as well and is often paired with Elohim and, in the NIV, the two together are translated "the LORD God.".
Is there a higher power in the Bible?
Yet, acknowledging this is not enough. According to Scripture, everyone knows there is a higher power. We suppress that truth in our unrighteousness. This means, we morph our Elohim impulse into worship of some lesser god or we slip into vague notions of a higher power.
What does the name Elohim mean?
Answer. Elohim is a Hebrew word that denotes “God” or “god.”. It is one of the most common names for God in the Old Testament, starting in the very first verse: “In the beginning [ Elohim] created the heavens and the earth” ( Genesis 1:1 ). The name Elohim occurs over 2,500 times in the Tanakh.
Why is Elohim plural in the Bible?
With that said, and in light of the overall teaching of the Bible, the plural form of Elohim certainly allows for the further revelation of God’s triune nature; the Old Testament hints at the Trinity in order to prepare people for the Messiah who would be much more than a human prophet.
What is the warning in Psalm 82?
The warning of Psalm 82 is that the human elohim must answer to the Supreme Elohim some day. Elsewhere, elohim is used to refer to false gods (e.g., Deuteronomy 4:28 ).
What are some examples of Elohim?
Place names, too, can contain the shortened form of Elohim: Bethel (“ House of El”), Jezreel (“El Will Sow”), and, of course, Israel (“Prince of El”) are examples. When Jesus cried out from the cross, “ Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?
Is polytheism forbidden in the Old Testament?
Polytheism is expressly forbidden in the Old Testament. What about Trinitarianism? Does the fact that Elohim is plural suggest the triune nature of God? It is best to understand the word construction as a plural of majesty; that is, writing “Elohim” is a stylistic way of emphasizing greatness, power, and prestige.
Is "elohim" plural or singular?
Note that elohe is a form of elohim used with qualifying words or phrases and translated “god of.”. Interestingly, the word Elohim is grammatically plural rather than singular (the -im suffix in Hebrew indicates the plural form). The singular form of Elohim is probably Eloah.
What does the ending of the word "elohim" mean?
Grammar and etymology. Further information: El (deity), Ilah, and Allah. The word elohim or 'elohiym ( ʼĕlôhîym) is a grammatically plural noun for " gods " or "deities" or various other words in Biblical Hebrew. In Hebrew, the ending -im normally indicates a masculine plural.
What is the meaning of the phrase "bene elohim"?
The phrase bene elohim, translated "sons of the Gods", has an exact parallel in Ugaritic and Phoenician texts, referring to the council of the gods. Elohim occupy the seventh rank of ten in the famous medieval rabbinic scholar Maimonides' Jewish angelic hierarchy.
What is the difference between Yahweh and Elohim?
According to the documentary hypothesis, these variations are the products of different source texts and narratives that constitute the composition of the Torah: Elohim is the name of God used in the Elohist (E) and Priestly (P) sources, while Yahweh is the name of God used in the Jahwist (J) source.
What is the Hebrew word for the God of Israel?
The letters are, right-to-left: aleph - lamed - he - yud - mem. In the Hebrew Bible, elohim ( Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים [ (ʔ)eloˈ (h)im]) usually refers to a single deity, particularly (but not always) the God of Israel. At other times it refers to deities in the plural.
What is the meaning of the word "el"?
The Canaanite pantheon of gods was known as 'ilhm, the Ugaritic equivalent to elohim . For instance, in the Ugaritic Baal Cycle we read of "seventy sons of Asherah ". Each "son of god" was held to be the originating deity for a particular people. ( KTU 2 1.4.VI.46).
What is the plural of "behemoth"?
For example, Baalim, Adonim, Behemoth. This form is known as the "honorific plural", in which the pluralization is a sign of power or honor. A very common singular Hebrew word with plural ending is the word achoth, meaning sister, with the irregular plural form achioth.
Is Elohim plural or singular?
Elohim, when meaning the God of Israel, is mostly grammatically singular, and is commonly translated as "God", and capitalised. For example, in Genesis 1:26, it is written: "Then Elohim (translated as God) said (singular verb), 'Let us (plural) make (plural verb) man in our (plural) image, after our (plural) likeness ' ". Wilhelm Gesenius and other Hebrew grammarians traditionally described this as the pluralis excellentiae (plural of excellence), which is similar to the pluralis majestatis (plural of majesty, or "Royal we"). Gesenius comments that the singular Hebrew term Elohim is to be distinguished from elohim used to refer to plural gods, and remarks that:
What does the name Elohim mean in the Bible?
The word Elohim is in the Bible even used to (probably) mean 'angels' and even 'judges' . For a list of occurrences where the word elohim does not mean God, see our article on the First Commandment. Bottom line: the Name Elohim has something to do with powers: The Powers That Be; The Many Powered.
What does "elohim" mean?
In names אל ( 'el) usually refers to אלהים ( 'elohim ), that is Elohim, or God, also known as אלה ( 'eloah ). In English, the words 'God' and 'god' exclusively refer to the deity but in Hebrew the words אל ( 'l) and אלה ( 'lh) are far more common and may express approach and negation, acts of wailing and pointing, and may even mean oak or terebinth.
What is the Hebrew word for God?
אלה. Unlike our English word "God," the Hebrew words for God — namely אל ( 'el ), אלה ( 'eloah) and אלהים ( 'elohim) — are part of such a vast array of words that today nobody quite knows what the divine concept might have entailed to the ancients.
Why is Elohim called Elohim?
Though certainly much debated, the name Elohim (still most probably) has to do with the first God-experience that people had; awe or reverence for the powers of nature, and the desire to know these forces and live happily ever after in perfect and prosperous harmony with these forces of nature .
What is the name of the creator in the Bible?
Elohim is one of three Divine Names by which the Creator is known as he creates. The creation account is probably the most difficult and most enigmatic passages in the Bible. It starts at the beginning and it doesn't really end.
What does "let not" mean in Greek?
It means "lest", "shouldn't" or "let not," which suggests that God is he who prevents bad things. In Greek the word for God is θεος ( theos ), which is also not a highly reserved word but a very common element of a vast array of very common words. — See the full Dictionary article —.
What is the particle of motion toward in Hebrew?
The common Hebrew definite article is ה ( he ), which also serves as a particle of motion-toward. Another particle of motion-toward is אל ( 'el ), which suggests that God is that which approaches. But then again, the word אל ( 'al) is an adverb of negation.
What is the difference between Yahweh and Elohim?
First, YHWH is a proper noun, the personal name of Israel’s deity. Second, Elohim is a common noun, used to refer to deity. Elohim is actually a plural noun (indicated by the /im/ as in cherubim and seraphim). Sometimes Elohim refers to plural “gods,” as in “You shall have no other gods before me” (Deuteronomy 5:7).
Does Elohim mean Creator?
The basic meaning behind the name Elohim is one of strength or power of effect. Elohim is the infinite, all-powerful God who shows by His works that He is the creator, sustainer, and supreme judge of the world. Sometimes the word Elohim is shortened to El and used as part of a longer name.
Is Yahweh Elohim?
There is much more than meets the eye with the terms El, translated into English as God, Yahweh, translated as the Lord, and Elohim, also translated as God.
Is it forbidden to say Yahweh?
It was never meant to be anything more than a substitute to avoid pronouncing the tetragrammaton. Traditionally, religious Jews today do not often say this name aloud. This is because it is believed to be too holy to be spoken. However, they often use substitutes when referring to the name of their God.
Who is Elohim?
Elohim, singular Eloah, (Hebrew: God), the God of Israel in the Old Testament. Thus, in Genesis the words, “In the beginning God ( Elohim) created the heavens and the earth,” Elohim is monotheistic in connotation, though its grammatical structure seems polytheistic.
Is Elohim feminine?
Elohim is also masculine in form. The most common phrases in the Tanakh are vayomer Elohim and vayomer YHWH — “and God said” (hundreds of occurrences). Genesis 1:26-27 says that the elohim were male and female, and humans were made in their image.
Is Jesus a Yahweh?
Yahshua is a proposed transliteration of the original Hebrew name of Jesus of Nazareth (יהושע), considered by Christians and Messianic Jews to be the Messiah. The name means Yahweh (Yah) is salvation (Shua).
What does Elohim mean?
The best understanding seems to be the “strong one” or the “mighty one.”. The idea that it communicates is that of an all-powerful and sovereign God who is king over the whole world.
Who is the true elohim?
God is portrayed in Scripture as the true ‘ elohim whom all the other little 'elohim (angels) serve and answer to. True, some have rebelled against Him, but they still must answer to Him in judgment ( Ps. 82 ). Deut. 6:4 says, “Listen, Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!”.
What does Deut 6:4 mean?
Deut. 6:4 declares that Israel’s God is unique from all the others and that He is the only one humanity is to worship and be loyal to. This is supported by Deut. 7:9 and 10:17. The use of ‘ elohim for God is a title that is limited to Gen. 1-16. (In chapter 17, God introduces a new name to Israel, El Shaddai .)
What is the Hebrew word for "master"?
The Hebrew word for “master” in these two cases is the masculine plural adone, which is surrounded by singular modifiers. Other examples are the word “enemy” in Jdg. 16:23 and “owner” in Isa. 1:3. The trinity is not introduced until the New Testament and even then it is not clearly revealed. One has to connect the dots to come to ...
What does verse 7 mean?
Some say that this refers to human judges, yet verse 7 says that they will die like mortals. The context points to the fact that they are angels that have been given jurisdiction over the nations and have rebelled against God’s authority. Deut. 32:8 tells how God divided mankind according to the number of the angels.
Is Elohim a plural noun?
Grammatical Description. 'Elohim is a plural noun; however, in the Hebrew plural nouns do not always indicate plurality. If a noun is intended to be understood as a plural, then the verbs and adjectives that surround it will also be plural. Yet when ‘ elohim is used of the one true God, it takes singular verbs and adjectives with it.
Is Elohim a true plural?
Sometimes ‘ elohim is used as a true numerical plural, translated as “gods,” and this plurality is determined by the plural modifiers that surround the word ( Ex. 12:12 ). Other times that the true numerical plural of 'elohim shows up is with reference to the angelic host. In Gen. 3:5, “The serpent said to the woman, ‘surely you will not die, ...
What does Elohim mean in Hebrew?
To wrap it all up, we've discovered that the meaning of Elohim in Hebrew is "one who is strong and has authority ," and that the word is sometimes used to refer to God, and other times it refers to humans.
What does the root word "Elohim" mean?
What Elohim Means. The root word of "Elohim" is "El," and is used numerous times in the Scriptures to refer to Yahweh God. This root word is composed of two letters: Aleph (Hebrew א) and Lamed (Hebrew ל). The word "El" in Hebrew represents the idea of "one who is strong and has authority," or "a strong one with great authority.".
Why do some scholars believe that Elohim means humans?
Most people who hold to a mortal view of Psalm 82 don't even know that the reason why some scholars believe that elohim means humans is because that when Moses was approached by his father in law Jethro, he was advised to have other men, "Elders" do certain tasks, to free up time for Moses.
What is the root word of the Hebrew word "Eloha"?
So we get get a better grasp of ancient Hebrew words by studying the letters that compose the root words. From the root word "El" comes the word "Eloha" (translated into English as "god"), and the plural form "Elohim" (translated into English as God or gods).
What does the word "El" mean in the Bible?
The word "El" in Hebrew represents the idea of "one who is strong and has authority, " or "a strong one with great authority.". Anyone can arrive at this conclusion by studying the context of the passages in the Bible that use the word. What's also fascinating to know is the meaning behind the Hebrew letters of the word.
What does the plural form mean in Yahweh?
One perspective says that using the plural form better represents the threefold nature of Yahweh: Father , Son , and Holy Spirit. Another perspective says that using the plural form represents a higher form of strength, implying that God is the "strong est one with the most authority.".
Is a human an Elohim?
Humans are Elohim. I was completely blown away when I discovered that humans are sometimes referred to as "elohim" in the Script ures. Take Psalm 82:6 as an example: "I said, 'You are gods [elohim], all of you are sons of the Most High.'".
What is the plural of Elohim?
"Elohim (e-lo-HEEM) is the plural form of El or Eloah, one of the oldest designations for divinity in the world. The Hebrews borrowed the term El from the Canaanites. It can refer either to the true God or to pagan gods.
How many times is Elohim used in the Bible?
Though El is used more than 200 times in the Hebrew Bible, Elohim is used more than 2,500 times . Its plural form is used not to indicate a belief in many gods but to emphasize the majesty of the one true God. He is the God of gods, the highest of all.
What is the name of God in the Bible?
Elohim is the Hebrew name for God and it is found in the very first sentence of the Bible. This ancient name of God contains the idea of God's creative power as well as His authority and sovereignty.
What did God say about the man who fell into a deep sleep?
Genesis 2:7. Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”. Genesis 2:18. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep.
What does the Bible say about light?
Here are some more Bible verses from Genesis chapter 1 and 2 to remind you what God did: Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3. Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.”. Genesis 1:6.
Where did the name El come from?
The Hebrews borrowed the term El from the Canaanites. It can refer either to the one true God or to pagan gods. Here is an interesting fact and take note of this - the name El is used more than 200 times in the Hebrew Bible but the name Elohim is used more than 2500 times. This plural form is used not to indicate a belief in many gods ...
What does God say about animals?
Psalm 33:6. Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.”. Genesis 1:26.
Overview
Elohim is a Hebrew word meaning "gods". Although the word is plural in form, in the Hebrew Bible it usually refers to a single deity, particularly (but not always) the God of Israel. At other times it refers to deities in the plural.
Morphologically, the word is the plural form of the word eloah and related to el. It is cognate to the word 'l-h-m which is found in Ugaritic, where it is used as the pa…
Grammar and etymology
The word elohim or 'elohiym (ʼĕlôhîym) is a grammatically plural noun for "gods" or "deities" or various other words in Biblical Hebrew.
In Hebrew, the ending -im normally indicates a masculine plural. However, when referring to the Jewish God, Elohim is usually understood to be grammatically singular (i.e. it governs a singular verb or adjective). In Modern Hebrew, it is often referred to in the singular despite the -im ending …
Canaanite religion
The word el (singular) is a standard term for "god" in Aramaic, paleo-Hebrew, and other related Semitic languages including Ugaritic. The Canaanite pantheon of gods was known as 'ilhm, the Ugaritic equivalent to elohim. For instance, the Ugaritic Baal Cycle mentions "seventy sons of Asherah". Each "son of god" was held to be the originating deity for a particular people (KTU 2 1.4.VI.46).
Usage
Elohim occurs frequently throughout the Torah. In some cases (e.g. Exodus 3:4, "Elohim called unto him out of the midst of the bush ..."), it behaves like a singular noun in Hebrew grammar, and is then generally understood to denote the single God of Israel. In other cases, Elohim acts as an ordinary plural of the word Eloah, and refers to the polytheistic notion of multiple gods (for example, Exodus 20:3, "You shall have no other gods before me").
Elohist
The Hebrew Bible uses various names for the God of Israel. According to the documentary hypothesis, these variations are the products of different source texts and narratives that constitute the composition of the Torah: Elohim is the name of God used in the Elohist (E) and Priestly (P) sources, while Yahweh is the name of God used in the Jahwist (J) source. Form criticism postulates the differ…
Latter Day Saint movement
In the Latter Day Saint movement and Mormonism, Elohim refers to God the Father. Elohim is the father of Jesus in both the physical and the spiritual realms, whose name before birth is said to be Jehovah.
In the belief system held by the Christian churches that adhere to the Latter Day Saint movement and most Mormon denominations, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LD…
Raëlism
The new religious movement and UFO religion International Raëlian Movement, founded by the French journalist Claude Vorilhon (who later became known as "Raël") in 1974, claims that the Hebrew word Elohim from the Book of Genesis actually refers to a species of extraterrestrial aliens.
Gnosticism
In the Gnostic text known as the Secret Book of John, Elohim is another name for Abel, whose parents are Eve and Yaldabaoth. He rules over the elements of water and earth, alongside Cain, who is seen as Yahweh ruling over the elements of fire and wind. However, the 2nd century Gnostic teacher Justin proposed a cosmological model with three original divinities. The first is a transcendental being called the Good, the second is Elohim, appearing here as an intermediate …