Word of the Week -- Elohim

Elohim is the Hebrew word for God that appears in the very first sentence of the Bible. “In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1)…

Check it out for yourself: In each of these verses the word “God” (capital G, lowercase –od) is translated from the Hebrew “Elohim”: Genesis 1:1; 1:26-28; 28:10-22; 35:1-8, Psalm 102.

“Elohim (e-lo-HEEM) is the plural form of El or Eloah, one of the oldest designations for divinity in the world. The Hebrews borrowed the term El from the Canaanites. It can refer either to the true God or to pagan gods. Though El is used more than 200 times in the Hebrew Bible, Elohim is used more than 2500 times” (Spangler, p 15). According to Hebrew for Christians (www.hebrew4christians.com), the variation of El to Elohim is unique to Hebrew thinking. It is masculine and plural, but does not mean “gods.” It is most often used with singular verb forms, adjectives and pronouns (see Genesis 1:26). Ann Spangler, in her book Praying the Names of God, states that the plural form is used to denote the “majesty of the one true God. He is the God of gods, the highest of all.” Further understanding of this strange combination of plural and singular comes with the later revelation of the plurality within the Godhead; three Persons, one Being – the Trinity.

Elohim means Creator and Judge. This ancient name for God contains the idea of His creative power as well as his authority and sovereignty.
“The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to Moses, ‘You want to know my name? I am called according to my actions. When I judge the creatures I am Elohim, and when I have mercy with My world, I am named Adoni” (Ex R. 3:6, see The Names of God Introduction for an attempt at an explanation of what Ex R. is).

Think about this:
Elohim, the mighty sovereign creator, could have created a world VERY different from what He did. Gravity might not work; animals could ALL be ugly and dangerous; humans (or whatever) could be automatons, incapable of love or any meaningful interaction. “Have you ever wondered why the world you take for granted is often so stunningly beautiful?” wonders Spangler (p 19). Have you ever wondered how it is that you were created to be able to sense and interact with and enjoy creation? Why you can usually trust a chair that you can see and feel to hold you up when you sit on it?

Praise God! Not only did He create the world and everyone in it but continues to sustain it through his creative power. Think about the world in a new way, and offer thanks to Elohim: He has blessed you with the good things of the earth. Do you have a tendency to take God’s earthly blessings for granted? Confess that to Him. (Spangler, p 21.)

Apply it:
What do you think it means to be created in “the image of God”?
So often we miss life’s beauty because we are preoccupied by its flaws. But God seems delighted by what he has made, proclaiming it good and even very good. How does God’s assessment of Creation shape your own attitude toward the world? Toward yourself?
As human beings we need constructive change because both we and the world we live in are imperfect. We are not yet everything God intends us to be. Perhaps you face unwelcome changes…? Let the God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever steady your world today. Whatever challenge or change confronts you, let it drive you toward the God who never changes, a God so stable and strong you can lean on him forever. (Spangler, p 17-24).

(Sources: ESV Study Bible, Praying the Names of God, by Anne Spangler)