Elohim
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Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:
Elohim is a Hebrew word used in the Old Testament to refer to God. It is a plural noun but is most often used with singular verbs and adjectives when referring to the one true God of Israel, indicating a complex unity. The term is used over 2,500 times in the Hebrew Bible and is one of the most common names for God.

Theological Significance:
Elohim conveys the majesty, power, and sovereignty of God. The plural form suggests the fullness of divine attributes and has been interpreted by some Christian theologians as an early hint of the Trinity, though this is not explicitly stated in the Old Testament. The use of Elohim underscores God's supreme authority over creation and His role as the ultimate judge and ruler.

Biblical References:
1. Creation: Elohim is prominently used in the creation narrative. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth." This introduction sets the stage for God's creative power and authority over the universe.

2. Covenant and Relationship: Elohim is used in contexts that emphasize God's covenant relationship with His people. In Genesis 17:7 , God says, "I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you, to be your God (Elohim) and the God of your descendants after you."

3. Judgment and Justice: The term is also associated with God's role as judge. In Psalm 82:1 , it is written, "God (Elohim) presides in the divine assembly; He renders judgment among the gods."

4. Worship and Reverence: Elohim is central to the worship practices of Israel. In Deuteronomy 6:4 , the Shema declares, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God (Elohim), the LORD is One." This verse emphasizes the monotheistic belief in one God who is worthy of worship and devotion.

Linguistic Considerations:
The plural form of Elohim has led to various interpretations. While it is grammatically plural, it is often understood as a "plural of majesty" or "plural of intensity," reflecting the greatness and multifaceted nature of God. In some contexts, Elohim can refer to other gods or divine beings, but when used with singular verbs and in the context of Israel's faith, it refers exclusively to the God of Israel.

Relation to Other Names of God:
Elohim is often used in conjunction with other names and titles for God, such as Yahweh (LORD), El Shaddai (God Almighty), and Adonai (Lord). These combinations highlight different aspects of God's character and His relationship with humanity. For example, in Genesis 2:4 , the text refers to "the LORD God (Yahweh Elohim)," combining the covenant name of God with His title as Creator and Sustainer.

Conclusion:
Elohim is a foundational name for God in the Hebrew Bible, encapsulating His power, authority, and covenantal relationship with His people. Its use throughout Scripture invites believers to recognize the majesty and sovereignty of God, who is both transcendent and intimately involved in the world He created.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) One of the principal names by which God is designated in the Hebrew Scriptures.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ELOHIM

e-lo'-him, el'-o-hem.

See GOD, NAMES OF.

Strong's Hebrew
430. elohim -- God, god
... 429, 430. elohim. 431 . God, god. Transliteration: elohim Phonetic Spelling:
(el-o-heem') Short Definition: God. Word Origin pl. ... 429, 430. elohim. 431 ...
/hebrew/430.htm - 6k

415. El Elohe Yisrael -- "the mighty God of Israel," an altar of ...
... Word Origin from el, elohim and Yisrael Definition "the mighty God of Israel," an
altar of Jacob NASB Word Usage El-Elohe-Israel (1). El-elohe-israel. ...
/hebrew/415.htm - 6k

Library

Justinus.
... And the other is Father of all generated entities, and is devoid of
foreknowledge, and unknown, and invisible, and is called Elohim. ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xi justinus.htm

Justinus' Triad of Principles; his Angelography Founded on this ...
... But this Father, he says, is called Elohim. Not less did Edem also long
for Elohim, and the mutual passion brought them together ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxi justinus triad of principles.htm

God in Christ
... He is called God, Elohim, The High or Mighty One or Ones. After that he is
called the Lord God, Jehovah Elohim, which means properly ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon i god in christ.htm

Chapter xxxv
... Since the divine name 'Elohim or 'El dominates this chapter, it appears plainly
that the writer regards the various acts and words of God here recorded as ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxv.htm

Sources of the Pentateuch.
... the Supreme Being. One of these old writers called the Deity Elohim, the
other called him Yahveh, or Jehovah. These documents are ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iii sources of the.htm

The History of the Psalter
... liii. Elohim or God; again Psalm 40:13-17 is reproduced in lxx.; lvii.7-11
and lx.5-12 are together practically equivalent to cviii. ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/xii the history of the.htm

Oath Used by the Justinian Heretics; the Book of Baruch; the ...
... [595] And this oath, (Justinus) says, our Father Elohim sware when He was beside
the Good One, and having sworn He did not repent (of the oath), respecting ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxii oath used by the.htm

Gen. xxxi. 11
... The answer which Elohim gives here to Jacob's question regarding His name, remarkably
coincides with that which in Judges 13:17, 18, is given by the Angel of ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/gen xxxi 11.htm

Psalms
... regarded; for whereas in books 1, 4 and 5 the name of the divine Being is predominantly
Jehovah, in books 2 and 3 it is predominantly Elohim (God), and there ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/psalms.htm

The Original Text and Its History.
... [Hebrew: bere'shit bara' 'elohim et hashamayim veet ha'arets]. [Hebrew: o
bere'shit bara' 'elohim et hashamayim veet ha'arets]. ha-arets. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xiv the original text.htm

Thesaurus
Elohim (38 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ELOHIM. e-lo'-him, el'-o-hem. See GOD,
NAMES OF. Multi-Version Concordance Elohim (38 Occurrences). ...
/e/elohim.htm - 18k

Elohim-Jehovah (1 Occurrence)
Elohim-Jehovah. Elohim, Elohim-Jehovah. Eloi . Multi-Version Concordance
Elohim-Jehovah (1 Occurrence). Psalms 50:1 {A Psalm. ...
/e/elohim-jehovah.htm - 6k

Greatness (63 Occurrences)
... with all his might" (2 Kings 23:25). 'El and 'Elohim are sometimes used to
express greatness. In Psalm 36:6, we have "Thy righteousness ...
/g/greatness.htm - 35k

Sons (2429 Occurrences)
... See also RELATIONSHIPS, FAMILY. Walter R. Betteridge. SONS OF GOD. (Old Testament)
(bene ha-'elohim, "sons of God" (Genesis 6:2, 4 Job 1:6; Job 2:1); bene 'elohim...
/s/sons.htm - 65k

Names (133 Occurrences)
... II. PERSONAL NAMES OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 1. 'Elohim 2. 'El 3. 'Eloah 4. 'Adhon,
'Adhonay 5. Yahweh (Yahweh) 6. Tsur (Rock) 7. Ka`dhosh 8. Shadday III. ...
/n/names.htm - 101k

Flame (61 Occurrences)
... James Stalker. SONS OF GOD. (Old Testament) (bene ha-'elohim, "sons of God" (Genesis
6:2, 4 Job 1:6; Job 2:1); bene 'elohim, "sons of God" (Job 38:7); bene 'elim ...
/f/flame.htm - 61k

Gods (310 Occurrences)
... ('elohim... IN THE APOCRYPHA III. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT The Hebrew plural 'elohim is
generally known as the plural of "majesty" and is the ordinary name for God. ...
/g/gods.htm - 60k

Gibeath (2 Occurrences)
... This is, of course, the name of the "prophet" whose shrine crowns the hill. See
MOREH. (4) Gibeath ha-Elohim (gibh`ath ha-'elohim), the place where Saul, after ...
/g/gibeath.htm - 10k

Great (10383 Occurrences)
... with all his might" (2 Kings 23:25). 'El and 'Elohim are sometimes used to
express greatness. In Psalm 36:6, we have "Thy righteousness ...
/g/great.htm - 35k

Eloi (2 Occurrences)

/e/eloi.htm - 9k

Resources
What is the meaning of the word Elohim? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different names of God, and what do they mean? | GotQuestions.org

What is the majestic plural, and how is it used in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Elohim: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Elohim (38 Occurrences)

Genesis 2:4
These are the histories of the heavens and the earth, when they were created, in the day that Jehovah Elohim made earth and heavens,
(DBY)

Genesis 2:5
and every shrub of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew; for Jehovah Elohim had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground.
(DBY)

Genesis 2:7
And Jehovah Elohim formed Man, dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and Man became a living soul.
(DBY)

Genesis 2:8
And Jehovah Elohim planted a garden in Eden eastward, and there put Man whom he had formed.
(DBY)

Genesis 2:9
And out of the ground Jehovah Elohim made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; and the tree of life, in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
(DBY)

Genesis 2:15
And Jehovah Elohim took Man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to till it and to guard it.
(DBY)

Genesis 2:16
And Jehovah Elohim commanded Man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou shalt freely eat;
(DBY)

Genesis 2:18
And Jehovah Elohim said, It is not good that Man should be alone; I will make him a helpmate, his like.
(DBY)

Genesis 2:19
And out of the ground Jehovah Elohim had formed every animal of the field and all fowl of the heavens, and brought them to Man, to see what he would call them; and whatever Man called each living soul, that was its name.
(DBY)

Genesis 2:21
And Jehovah Elohim caused a deep sleep to fall upon Man; and he slept. And he took one of his ribs and closed up flesh in its stead.
(DBY)

Genesis 2:22
And Jehovah Elohim built the rib that he had taken from Man into a woman; and brought her to Man.
(DBY)

Genesis 3:1
And the serpent was more crafty than any animal of the field which Jehovah Elohim had made. And it said to the woman, Is it even so, that God has said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
(DBY)

Genesis 3:8
And they heard the voice of Jehovah Elohim, walking in the garden in the cool of the day. And Man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Jehovah Elohim, in the midst of the trees of the garden.
(DBY)

Genesis 3:9
And Jehovah Elohim called to Man, and said to him, Where art thou?
(DBY)

Genesis 3:13
And Jehovah Elohim said to the woman, What is this thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent deceived me, and I ate.
(DBY)

Genesis 3:14
And Jehovah Elohim said to the serpent, Because thou hast done this, be thou cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field. On thy belly shalt thou go, and eat dust all the days of thy life.
(DBY)

Genesis 3:21
And Jehovah Elohim made Adam and his wife coats of skin, and clothed them.
(DBY)

Genesis 3:22
And Jehovah Elohim said, Behold, Man is become as one of us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he stretch out his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever ...!
(DBY)

Genesis 3:23
Therefore Jehovah Elohim sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken.
(DBY)

Exodus 9:30
But as to thee and thy bondmen, I know that ye do not yet fear Jehovah Elohim.
(DBY)

2 Samuel 7:22
Wherefore thou art great, Jehovah Elohim; for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
(DBY)

2 Samuel 7:25
And now, Jehovah Elohim, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant and concerning his house, fulfil it for ever, and do as thou hast said.
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 17:16
And king David went in and sat before Jehovah, and said, Who am I, Jehovah Elohim, and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 17:17
And this hath been a small thing in thy sight, O God; and thou hast spoken of thy servant's house for a great while to come, and hast regarded me according to the rank of a man of high degree, Jehovah Elohim.
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 22:1
And David said, This is the house of Jehovah Elohim, and this is the altar of burnt-offering for Israel.
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 22:19
Now set your heart and your soul to seek Jehovah your God; and arise and build the sanctuary of Jehovah Elohim, to bring the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and the vessels of the sanctuary of God into the house that is to be built unto the name of Jehovah.
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 28:20
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and courageous, and do it; fear not nor be dismayed: for Jehovah Elohim, my God, will be with thee; he will not leave thee, neither forsake thee, until all the work for the service of the house of Jehovah is finished.
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 29:1
And king David said to all the congregation, Solomon my son, the one whom God has chosen, is young and tender, and the work is great; for this palace is not to be for man, but for Jehovah Elohim.
(DBY)

2 Chronicles 1:9
Now, Jehovah Elohim, let thy word unto David my father be firm; for thou hast made me king over a people numerous as the dust of the earth.
(DBY)

2 Chronicles 6:41
And now, arise, Jehovah Elohim, into thy resting-place, thou and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, Jehovah Elohim, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in thy goodness.
(DBY)

2 Chronicles 6:42
Jehovah Elohim, turn not away the face of thine anointed: remember mercies to David thy servant.
(DBY)

2 Chronicles 26:18
and they withstood Uzziah the king, and said to him, It is not for thee, Uzziah, to burn incense to Jehovah, but for the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast transgressed; neither shall it be for thine honour from Jehovah Elohim.
(DBY)

Nehemiah 9:7
Thou art the Same, Jehovah Elohim, who didst choose Abram and broughtest him forth out of Ur of the Chaldees, and gavest him the name of Abraham;
(DBY)

Psalms 68:18
Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts in Man, and even for the rebellious, for the dwelling there of Jah Elohim.
(DBY)

Psalms 72:18
Blessed be Jehovah Elohim, the God of Israel, who alone doeth wondrous things!
(DBY)

Psalms 84:11
For Jehovah Elohim is a sun and shield: Jehovah will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
(DBY)

Jeremiah 10:10
But Jehovah Elohim is truth; he is the living God, and the King of eternity. At his wrath the earth trembleth, and the nations cannot abide his indignation.
(DBY)

Jonah 4:6
And Jehovah Elohim prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to deliver him from his trouble. And Jonah was exceeding glad because of the gourd.
(DBY)

Subtopics

Elohim

Related Terms

Eloi (2 Occurrences)

Elohim (38 Occurrences)

Elohi
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