Elohim
Judaism·Seventh rank in Maimonides' hierarchy
Elohim is a Hebrew word that can mean "gods" or "godhood," often referring to the God of Judaism. While grammatically plural, it is frequently used with singular verbs and adjectives to denote a single deity. The term also appears in contexts referring to multiple deities, judges, or supernatural beings across ancient Near Eastern traditions.
Key Facts
- ›Elohim is a Hebrew word with a plural form, typically meaning "gods" or "deities."
- ›When referring to the God of Israel, Elohim is usually treated as grammatically singular, taking singular verbs and pronouns.
- ›The term is cognate to the Ugaritic word 'ʾ-L-h-M,' used for the Canaanite pantheon of gods.
- ›Elohim can refer to deities, judges, prophets, kings, or supernatural beings like seraphim and spirits of the dead.
- ›In the medieval rabbinic hierarchy of Maimonides, Elohim occupy the seventh rank of ten.
- ›In Latter Day Saint belief, Elohim refers specifically to God the Father.
Deity, Judge, Supernatural Being
Genesis 1:26, Exodus 3:4, Exodus 20:3, 1 Samuel 28:13, Genesis 20:13, Genesis 35:7, Psalm 82:1, Psalm 82:6
El, Yahweh, Seraphim, Angels, Judges, Prophets, Kings, Spirits of the Dead, Jesus Christ
About Elohim
Elohim (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים, romanized: ʾĔlōhīm) is a significant Hebrew term that, in its literal form, translates to "gods" or "godhood." While the word is grammatically plural, its usage in the Hebrew Bible is complex and multifaceted. Most frequently, it refers to a single deity, particularly the God of Judaism, though it is often employed with singular verbal or pronominal agreement. In other instances, Elohim is used in a plural sense, referring to multiple gods, and can also denote judges, prophets, kings, or various supernatural beings.
Etymology and Linguistic Roots
The word Elohim is derived from the Hebrew word 'eloah,' which itself is an expanded form of the Northwest Semitic noun 'il.' This root is shared with other Semitic languages, such as Ugaritic 'ʾ-l-h-m,' which denotes the pantheon of Canaanite gods, and Arabic 'ʾilāh,' meaning "god." The root 'El' is generally understood to derive from a word meaning "to be strong" or "to be in front."
Grammatical Usage and Interpretation
The grammatical behavior of Elohim is a subject of ongoing discussion among scholars. While the '-im' ending typically signifies a masculine plural in Hebrew, Elohim's usage when referring to the God of Israel is predominantly singular. This phenomenon is often explained as a "plural of excellence" or "plural of majesty," a rhetorical device used to convey the supreme power and honor of the deity. Some scholarly theories propose that this plural form might also reflect an ancient understanding of the deity as singular yet possessing dual-gendered aspects.
Meanings and Contexts in Scripture
Elohim appears over 2,500 times in the Hebrew Bible, encompassing a wide range of meanings. It can refer to the "gods of Egypt" in a polytheistic sense, or it can denote Yahweh as the "elohim of Israel." The term is also used for beings such as seraphim, spirits of the dead, and even human figures like kings and prophets. In certain juridical contexts, such as the Septuagint and Aramaic Targums, Elohim has been translated as "angels" or "judges."
Hierarchical and Theological Significance
In medieval Jewish thought, particularly in the angelic hierarchy described by Maimonides, Elohim represent the seventh rank out of ten. In the context of the documentary hypothesis of biblical composition, the name Elohim is associated with the Elohist (E) and Priestly (P) sources of the Torah, suggesting a distinct theological perspective from the Yahwist (J) source that uses the name Yahweh. Within the Latter Day Saint movement, Elohim is specifically identified as God the Father, distinct from Jehovah (Jesus Christ).
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word "Elohim" mean?
The Hebrew word "Elohim" is grammatically plural and can mean "gods" or "godhood." However, when referring to the God of Judaism, it is often used with singular grammatical agreement, signifying a single deity.
How is Elohim used in the Hebrew Bible?
In the Hebrew Bible, Elohim appears with diverse meanings. It can refer to multiple gods, the singular God of Israel, judges, prophets, kings, or other supernatural beings such as seraphim or spirits.
What is the grammatical nature of the word "Elohim"?
Morphologically, "Elohim" is a plural noun, typically ending in '-im' which denotes plurality in Hebrew. However, in its most common usage when referring to the God of Israel, it functions grammatically as a singular noun, taking singular verbs and adjectives.
Is "Elohim" related to other Semitic words for God?
Yes, "Elohim" is related to other Semitic terms for deity. It is cognate to the Ugaritic 'ʾ-l-h-m' used for the Canaanite pantheon and shares roots with Biblical Aramaic 'ʾĔlāhā' and Arabic 'ʾilāh,' both meaning "God."
What is the significance of the plural form of "Elohim" when referring to one God?
The plural form of "Elohim" when referring to the God of Israel is often interpreted as a "plural of excellence" or "plural of majesty," signifying power and honor, similar to the royal 'we.' Some theories suggest it may also reflect an abstract concept of divinity or a dual-gendered understanding of the deity.
How was "Elohim" translated in ancient texts like the Septuagint?
In the Greek Septuagint, "Elohim" was sometimes translated as 'angeloi' (angels) or 'to kriterion tou Theou' (the judgement of God) when it appeared with plural verbs or in contexts implying plurality. These translations influenced later versions, leading to interpretations of "Elohim" as referring to angels or judges in certain passages.
What role does Elohim play in Latter Day Saint beliefs?
In the Latter Day Saint movement, Elohim specifically refers to God the Father. He is considered the father of Jesus Christ in both physical and spiritual realms.
Related Angels
Abaddon
Abaddon, a term originating from Hebrew meaning "destruction" and its Greek equivalent Apollyon meaning "Destroyer," initially referred to a place of destruction or the realm of the dead in the Hebrew Bible. In the New Testament's Book of Revelation, Abaddon is depicted as an angel of the abyss and the king of a locust army, though his identity and role have been subject to various interpretations across different Christian traditions.
Adriel
Adriel was a nobleman from the ancient kingdom of Israel, mentioned in the Bible. His name, derived from Hebrew, signifies "flock of God." He is primarily known through biblical accounts detailing his marital relationships with two of King Saul's daughters, Merab and potentially Michal.
Agiel
Agiel is identified as the Intelligence or beneficial spirit associated with the planet Saturn. He is mentioned in esoteric texts like the Key of Solomon, where he is described as a spirit that can be invoked. Agiel's role is often linked to the beneficial influences and operations connected to Saturn.