EL, ELOHIM: GOD

The Meaning of 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.

• Jesus used a form of the name in His agonized prayer from the cross:

  “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”—which means, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46).

Elohim (e-lo-HEEM) is the plural form of El or Eloah, one of the oldest designations for divinity in the world. The term El was borrowed from the Canaanites by the Hebrews.

• It can refer to either the true God or to pagan gods.
• El is used more than 200 times in the Hebrew Bible, while Elohim is used more than 2,500 times.

Significance of the Plural Form

The plural form of Elohim is used not to indicate a belief in many gods but to emphasize the majesty of the one true God, who is the God of gods, the highest of all.

• Elohim occurs 32 times in the first chapter of Genesis.
• After that, the name Yahweh appears and is often paired with Elohim, with the two together frequently translated as “the LORD God.”

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Praying to El, Elohim

What do galaxies, human beings, mountain lions, sandpipers, catfish, dragonflies, and daisies have in common? Not one of these exists by accident. They did not come into being by chance.

Creation by Elohim

Gerard Manley Hopkins once famously wrote that "the world is charged with the grandeur of God," a belief shared by most people throughout history. It is no wonder that the Bible invokes the name Elohim in its very first sentence:

• "In the beginning Elohim created heaven and earth."

Everything that exists does so for one reason: God wanted it to exist. It was His idea. Without detailing how the world was made, Genesis 1 tells us precisely who made it—a Being of unfathomable wisdom and infinite capability, who called forth nothing and made it into something.

Reflecting on Creation

As you learn about Elohim, remember that He is the Creator of all that is:

• Every flower and every fern
• Every bird and every beast
• The winds and the waters
• The universe in all its wonder

Every living thing was made by Him. You were made by Him. And you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Take a few moments to recall the beauty and intricacy of the world He has created, then ask Elohim for the wisdom to act as His servant, thinking like Him and loving like Him so that you can faithfully care for the creation He has made.

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A Prayer to Elohim

Elohim, when I look at your heavens, the creation of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have made—who am I that you should think of me? Thank you for making me, for placing me in this world, and for calling me, along with others, to care for it as your servant. Give me reverence and give me wisdom so that I can do this work in a way that is pleasing to you.

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Promises Associated with the Name El, Elohim

• "These are all the blessings that will come to you and stay close to you because you obey Yahweh your Elohim:

  • You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
  • You will be blessed. You will have children.
  • Your land will have crops.
  • Your animals will have offspring.
  • Your cattle will have calves, and your flocks will have lambs and kids.
  • The grain you harvest and the bread you bake will be blessed.
  • You will be blessed when you come and blessed when you go.
  • Yahweh will bless your barns and everything you do. Yahweh your Elohim will bless you in the land that He is giving you." (Deuteronomy 28:2-6, 8)

• "Don’t be afraid, because I am with you.
  Don’t be intimidated; I am your Elohim.
  I will strengthen you.
  I will help you.
  I will support you with my victorious right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)