Friday, March 09, 2007

Names and titles of God: Elohim (essential truths of the Christian faith)

Names and titles of God: Elohim

[1] Elohim (translated as “God” in the KJV) is God’s official title and is found in more than twenty-three hundred times in Scripture.

[2] Literal meaning of Elohim: “The Putter-forth of Power” or “The Strong One”.

[3] The word Elohim is not only used for God but for men (“I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High” — Ps. 82:6 with John 10:34, 35) and for idols (“Thou shalt make thee no molten gods” — Ex. 34:17).

[4] Elohim is a plural noun in Hebrew, denoting three or more.

Genesis 1:1 states: “In the beginning God [three or more] created the heaven and the earth.”
Genesis 1:26, 27: “And God [Elohim] said, “Let us make man in our image.”
[5] El is the singular form of Elohim. It is found two hundred and fifty times in Scripture. It is used in the proper names of men, such as Samuel (asked of God) and Elijah (Jehovah is my God).

[6] El Elyon - “Most High God” Gen. 14:18, Deuteronomy 32:8; Daniel 4:34, 35; Matt. 28:18b

[7] El Olam - “Everlasting God” Gen. 21:33

[8] El Shaddai - “Almighty God” Genesis 17:1 Isaiah 28:9; Heb. 7:25


Sources: (1) The Great Doctrines of the Bible by Rev. William Evans; (2) Bible Doctrines from Bible Broadcasting Network; (3) Theology from Galyn Wiemers’ Generation Word

Note: Surf to the index of essential truths of the Christian faith (doctrinal devotional)

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