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 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 Hebrew word "Elohim" mean?
Don Stewart :: What Does the Hebrew Term Elohim Mean? The name commonly used for God in the Old Testament is the Hebrew word Elohim. It is also found in the singular form El and Elah. Whenever we find the English word "God" used in the Old Testament, it is a translation of this Hebrew word Elohim or one of its forms.
What does the name Elohim mean?
Summary. The name Elohim means strength and might. It is the common Hebrew term for God. It is also used of false gods. El the singular form of Elohim is used for the three members of the Trinity. Both El and Elohim are used in combination with other words. These terms give us further understanding of the attributes of God.
What does El Olam mean?
El-Olam means that God is the everlasting God. Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God [El-Olam] ( Genesis 21:33 ). Olam expresses the eternal duration of God. The psalmist wrote.
What is Elohim used for?
Elohim Is Used Of False Gods. Elohim is used not only for the true God but also for false gods. Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold ( Exodus 20:23 ).
What does the word "Elohim" mean in the Bible?
The noun Elohim is plural but it is always used with a singular verb when it speaks of the true God.
What is the Holy Spirit called?
The Holy Spirit is called El . The Spirit of God [ El } has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life ( Job 33:4 ). We also read in Job. From the breath of God [ El] ice is made, and the expanse of the waters is frozen ( Job 37:10 )
Who recorded the sayings of the King of Babylon?
Isaiah records the King of Babylon saying.
What does Elohim mean?
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 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 ...
Who is the prophet who said Yahweh is the only true Elohim?
Elijah is known as the prophet who was steadfast in proclaiming that Yahweh was the only true Elohim. Even the name Israel means “prince of El”. Another interesting aspect of the name Elohim is that it is, in fact, a plural.
What does the name Yahweh mean in the Bible?
7 Meanings of Yahweh - God's Name in the Bible. Abba Father - What it Means and Why it’s Important. God is the Alpha and Omega - Meaning & Understanding. The Meaning of Hosanna - Powerful Name of Jesus from the Bible. Jehovah Jireh: “The Lord Will Provide” Name of God.
What are some examples of names in the Old Testament?
Several names of popular OT characters have El in their name: Elijah (“El is Yahweh ”) and Samuel (“Heard by El”) are two such examples. When you remember the story of both Elijah and Samuel , you see the importance a name had in the Old Testament.
Is Elohim a cactus?
So, just as one child might refer to a kitty as puppy, and another refer to his beagle as a puppy, so also one might refer to a cactus as Elohim and another who has full covenant knowledge of Yahweh refer to him as Elohim.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
Where does the name El come from?
Also note that the Hebrew name אל ( 'el) transliterated into Greek forms Ηλ, which constitutes the first syllable of the word ηλιος ( helios ), meaning sun and which originates in a very ancient proto Indo-European root. ע.
Does the Bible say there are other gods?
Needless to say, I didn’t hear a word of the sermon. My mind was reeling. How was it possible that I’d never seen that before? I’d read through the Bible seven or eight times. I’d been to seminary. I’d studied Hebrew. I’d taught for five years at a Bible college.
Translating the word elohim
You no doubt noticed that the word elohim occurs twice in this verse. You also probably recognize elohim as one of God’s names, despite the fact that the form of the word is plural. In English we make words plural by adding -s or -es or -ies (rats, horses, stories). In Hebrew, plurals of masculine nouns end with -im.
Judging the elohim
A quick read of Psalm 82 informs us that God has called this council meeting to judge the elohim for corrupt rule of the nations. Verse 6 of the psalm declares that these elohim are sons of God. God says to them:
God presided over an assembly of gods?
You see why the psalm threw me for a loop. The first verse has God presiding over an assembly of gods. Doesn’t that sound like a pantheon—something we associate with polytheism and mythology?
Is God speaking to the Trinity?
Many Christians who object to the plain meaning of the Hebrew text of Psalm 82 assert that this psalm is actually describing God the Father speaking to the other members of the Trinity. This view results in heresy.
Are the elohim human?
Other Christians who see the problems with this first idea try to argue that the sons of God are human beings—Jews to be specific. Some Jewish readers (who obviously would not be Trinitarian) also favor this view.
Did Judaism evolve into a monotheistic religion?
Many scholars believe that Psalm 82 and other passages demonstrate that the religion of ancient Israel began as a polytheistic system and then evolved into monotheism. I reject that idea, along with any other explanations that seek to hide the plain reading of the text. In all such cases, the thinking is misguided.