El — Eloha — Elohim
"Let them praise the name of the LORD:
for His Name alone is excellent;
His glory [is] above the earth and heaven."
Psalm 148:13 (KJV)
Editor's Note:
As there is considerable variance among Bible scholars as to former customs,
usage, and translations of the various names of God in the Bible, the neutrality
and factual accuracy of this article may be disputed. These articles are a
summation of those ideas and conclusions on which most scholars agree.
While preparing to launch into a study of the root name "El" as it's used in compound names such as El-Elyon, El-Shaddai, El-Gibhor, etc., I soon recognized the importance of continuing to explore and understand the name "Elohim", which I introduced in last month's study. Apart from the name "Yahweh", it may be argued that the name "Elohim" says more about the God of Israel than any other name. Certainly, all that the name embodies deserves more deliberation than I gave it last month.
The name "Elohim" contains the concept of creative and governing power, of omnipotence and sovereignty. When God is presented in relation to His creation and to the peoples of the earth — especially in the Pentateuch — the name "Elohim" is used most often. In the name "Yahweh", on the other hand, are represented the high moral attributes of God which are revealed only to humankind and the angels.
The Root Word "El" or "Eloha"
In order to gain a greater understanding of the meaning of the name "Elohim", it's important to first examine its origin and usage. Unfortunately, the precise development of the word "Elohim" is unknown. There are many theories, but most Bible scholars believe it is derived from the shorter word "El" (meaning mighty, strong, or prominent) or the Hebrew form "Eloha". The use of "Eloha" is rare, occurring only in poetry and late prose, mainly in Job. The word "El", however, is itself translated "God", "God Almighty", and "Mighty God" approximately 250 times and frequently in circumstances which especially indicate the great power of God. For instance...
- It is the name "El" under which God made His great promises to Abraham in Genesis 17:1 — "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty [El]. Walk before Me, and be blameless," and to Jacob in Genesis 35:11 — "God said to him, 'I am God Almighty [El]...' "
- It is also one of the names given to the promised Messiah in Isaiah 9:6 — "For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be on His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God [El], Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
- See also Genesis 7:1, 28:3, 35:11; Numbers 23:22; Joshua 3:10; 2 Samuel 22:31-32; Nehemiah 1:5, 9:32; Isaiah 9:6; Ezekiel 10.
"Elohim" is more than just a proper name for God. It's also an appellative or designation of all that the name embodies. For example, in the frequent expression, "LORD your God" (or "Yahweh your God"), LORD (Yahweh) functions as the proper name, while God functions as the designation of deity. Throughout the first two chapters of the Bible, Elohim is used most often as a proper name. After Exodus 3 the name begins to occur with increasing frequency as a designation, that is, "the God [Elohim] of," or "your God [Elohim]". The word denotes God as the supreme deity of a person or people.
More about the Plurality of "Elohim"
In last month's study, we looked at the fact that Elohim is a plural word, possibly denoting more than one entity or being. However, in that study I barely scratched the surface of all that can be said concerning the plurality of "Elohim".
As mentioned last month, when referring to the God of the Bible, the plural name "Elohim" is always accompanied by singular verbs, adjectives, and pronouns. For instance...
- Deuteronomy 32:39 — "See now that I, even I, am He [Elohim], there is no god [Elohim] with Me." (If the plural word "Elohim" used plural verbs and pronouns, the verse would read: "See now that We . . . are Elohim, there are no Elohim with Us.")
- Isaiah 40:28 — "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God [Elohim], Yahweh, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not faint, neither is weary; there is no searching of His understanding." (If using plural verbs and pronouns along with the plural "Elohim", the verse would read: "...The everlasting Elohim, Yahweh, the Creators . . . do not faint, neither are weary; there is no searching of their understanding."
- See also II Kings 19:4, 16; Psalm 7:9, 57:2; Isaiah 45:5, 45:22.
Other scholars call it a plural of intensity. They argue that the Hebrews often expressed a word in the plural to give it a stronger meaning (such as in Isaiah 6:3 with "Holy" being expressed three times). But as one theologian points out, the use of the plural "only implies (even in the plural of majesty) that the word in the singular is not full enough to set forth all that is intended."
Thus, whether plural of majesty... plural of intensity... or implying a Triune God... the plural word "Elohim" teaches us that no finite word can adequately define the infinite personality of God.
There is blessing and comfort in this name that signifies supreme power, sovereignty, and glory on the one hand; and on the other hand signifies a covenant relationship which He is ever faithful to keep. Thus He says to us, "I will be to you Elohim," that we may say, "My Elohim; in Him will I trust." (Psalm 91:2)