Elohim Encyclopedia

Main article: Names of God
RelatedJehovah; El Shaddai
 
Elohim is the common name for God in the Old Testament. Elohim means "the mighty one", and it refers to God in the strength of His being. "El" (a general form) and "Eloah" (a singular form) are other versions of the same name. Elohim is the name of God as Creator. It is to Him as Creator that intelligent creatures must answer. Elohim is a plural word, which in the Hebrew language means "three or more". Clearly, whenever we get Elohim it is the Trinity, if no further specification is given. But there are times when more is given, and a specific Person may be in view, such as in Gen. 1:2; "And the Spirit of Elohim moved upon the face of the waters". Elohim is first introduced with respect to creation, in Genesis 1:1; "In the beginning Elohim created the heaven and the earth." We have Elohim framing the universe with His words, and we see the effect of His mighty power, but he is unapproachable, and incomprehensible. His "eternal power and deity" (Rom. 1:20) are conveyed, but we do not yet see God in relationship with man, only as Creator. If Elohim is the general name for God in the Old Testament, what is the New Testament equivalent? The Koine Greek name for God is "Theos", but it is a general word used for deity. In the Septuagint, Theos is used to translate the Hebrew word Elohim most frequently, and also occasionally to translate Jehovah.
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