Enoun: Elohim

a name for God used frequently in the Hebrew Bible.lohim

The term "Elohim" means “supreme one” or “mighty one.” It is not only used of the one true God but is
also used on occasion to refer to human rulers, judges, and even angels. If you saw one exhibiting
supreme rule and expressed mighty power, the word you would use would be Elohim.May 25, 2021

from Hebrew 'ĕlōhīm (plural)

What Does Elohim Mean and Why Is This Name of God So Important?

Every name of God highlights one aspect of His character. There is only one God, but the biblical writers
referred to this one God with many different monikers. One of these names is Elohim. Elohim is one of
the most frequently used names for God in the Scriptures. It is this word which is used in Genesis 1:1, “In
the beginning [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth.” In fact the word appears some 2,750 times
in the Old Testament.

What Does Eloim Mean?

The term "Elohim" means “supreme one” or “mighty one.” It is not only used of the one true God but is
also used on occasion to refer to human rulers, judges, and even angels. If you saw one exhibiting
supreme rule and expressed mighty power, the word you would use would be Elohim. That does not
necessarily mean that you are referring to the one unique God. But even as one comes to understand
Yahweh, you might still grab hold of this particular word, Elohim, in order to emphasize God’s power and
might.

This is an imperfect illustration of the relationship between Elohim and Yahweh, but perhaps it will
capture enough of the thought to be helpful. If a small child sees a furry animal he may very well refer to
it as a puppy dog, but as he matures he is able to clearly differentiate between a puppy dog and a kitty.
Further maturation might have the child now calling the dog a specific breed—like a beagle. And if the
puppy comes to live in the child’s home what once was ‘puppy dog’ will now become ‘my beagle’.

In the same way, a person might see a powerful expression and say Elohim. As his knowledge of truth
matures Elohim might take upon a specific character, i.e. El Shaddai. And if that knowledge moves into a
relationship, Elohim is now identified as Yahweh. So, just as one child might refer to a kitty as puppy,
and another refer to his beagle as a puppy, so also one might refer to a cactus as Elohim and another
who has full covenant knowledge of Yahweh refer to him as Elohim.

Elohim as "El" and Plural

We often see the personal character of Elohim when it is shortened, to El, and then coupled with
another word. (Though some scholars question whether this is simply a shortening). Several names of
popular OT characters have El in their name: Elijah (“El is Yahweh”) and Samuel (“Heard by El”) are two
such examples.

When you remember the story of both Elijah and Samuel, you see the importance a name had in the Old
Testament. Elijah is known as the prophet who was steadfast in proclaiming that Yahweh was the only
true Elohim. Even the name Israel means “prince of El”.

Another interesting aspect of the name Elohim is that it is, in fact, a plural. Does this mean this is a clear
reference to the Trinity? While that cannot be disproven, it also could not be proven from the plurality.
Many scholars refer to this as a divine plural. I, however, agree with John Frame that this is a plural of
abstraction:

“…that is, ‘a more or less intensive focusing of the characteristics inherent in the idea of the stem…
rendered in English by forms in –hood, -ness, -ship”...Hebrew uses the plural form for abstract nouns
such as youth, old age, maidenhood, and life. It may also (or alternatively) carry some force as a plural of
amplication. Usually found in poetry, this plural is an emphatic statement of the root idea, as might and
counsel.”

Jesus makes an interesting argument on this point in John 10:34 when he quotes Psalm 82:6. He argues
that the Scriptures themselves refer to others than God Himself, how then can Jesus be accused of
blasphemy because He claims to be God’s Son? I appreciate these words from D.A. Carson:

“In the heat of their opposition to what they hear Jesus to be saying, they are partly right (he does make
himself equal with God), partly wrong (this fact does not establish a competing God), and profoundly
mistaken (they have not grasped the drift of their own Scriptures to see how he fulfills them, nor have
they known God well enough to perceive that the revelation he is and brings is in continuity with and
the capstone of the revelation of God already provided).”

Elohim in Scripture

While the usage of Elohim in Scriptures is only found in the Hebrew translation, below are some of the
most referenced English versions of Bible verses that use this name for God.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. - Genesis 1:1

Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in
the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures
that move along the ground." - Genesis 1:26

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. - Deuteronomy 6:4

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. - John 1:1

I will proclaim the LORD’s decree: He said to me, "You are my son; today I have become your father." -
Psalm 2:7

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship
with the Father, has made him known. - John 1:18

Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord,
Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. - 1 Corinthians 8:6

Experiencing Elohim in Nature

God is great and powerful. He is the epitome of might and power. This is why Paul says what he does in
Romans 1:20. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and
divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are
without excuse.”

If that verse were in Hebrew instead of Greek we can be almost certain that the word translated “God”
in that sentence would be Elohim. As noted above this is the word which is most frequently used when
referring to God’s dealings with creation in general or “with the nations of the world apart from his
covenant with Israel.”
When you have a first encounter with God—through His power displayed in nature—you will likely
gravitate towards an Elohim concept. This is why Elohim, and not Yahweh, is prominent in books like
Daniel and Jonah and even the first two chapters of Genesis. It is only after God further reveals himself
that one will understand him to be Yahweh. Simply knowing that there is a higher power (an Elohim)
means that one has merely risen to the faith of demons (James 2:19). It is only when we move from
elementary knowledge of God as Creator that we embrace God as Father.

Making Elohim Personal Today

God has created you. He is the Elohim above all other elohim. Yet, acknowledging this is not enough.
According to Scripture, everyone knows there is a higher power. We suppress that truth in our
unrighteousness. This means, we morph our Elohim impulse into worship of some lesser god or we slip
into vague notions of a higher power. Or perhaps we continue in even greater suppression and fail to
acknowledge any concept of Elohim, choosing instead to place ourselves as the mighty one. We make
ourselves arbiters of truth.

In reality, a man drowning in ten feet of water isn’t in much better shape than a man drowning in a
hundred feet of water. Likewise, acknowledging the existence of an Elohim doesn’t put you in a position
any better than one who actively and aggressively denies the concept of God. It is only when our
knowledge of Elohim becomes personal that we move towards what the Bible calls saving faith.

From Genesis onward, we see God progressively revealing Himself to humanity. While he places himself
in covenant with his creation (as their Elohim), he enters into a special relationship and covenant with
Abraham. These covenantal promises (Genesis 12) find their climax and fulfillment in God’s supreme
revelation; namely, Jesus Christ. It is here that we move from a vague understanding of Elohim into a
covenantal and relational knowledge of God.

Help me, O Yahweh my Elohim.

Save me because of your mercy (Psalm 109:26).

Such a prayer is a reflection of a saving understanding of Elohim. How do you know this God? Do you
know him simply as a mighty one or a higher power? Or can you say, “my Lord and my God”?
Mike Leake is the Lead Pastor at FBC Marionville in Marionville, Missouri. He is currently pursuing his
M.Div. at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Mike is married to Nikki, and they have two children,
Isaiah and Hannah. You can follow him on Twitter @MikeLeake.

This article is part of our Names of God Series featuring the most used names and titles of God found in
the Bible. We have compiled these articles to help you study all that God says He is and to help you
understand His nature and character. Our hope is that you would focus on these truths and find hope as
you rest in the promise of God’s presence, no matter the circumstances.

7 Meanings of Yahweh - God's Name in the Bible

Abba Father - What it Means and Why it’s Important

God is the Alpha and Omega - Meaning & Understanding

The Meaning of Hosanna - Powerful Name of Jesus from the Bible

Jehovah Jireh: “The Lord Will Provide” Name of God

Jehovah Nissi: "The Lord is My Banner" Name of God

Yeshua: Deliverer, Savior - Why This Name of God Is So Important for Today

He is our Lord and Savior, the One who achieved His purposes of representing God to us in life, then
dying on the cross for our sins and redemption. His life has led to several experiencing spiritual
transformation and accepting God as our eternal Father in heaven.

any know Him as Jesus, the Messiah, the Son of God, but many others know as “Yeshua,” a name
prevalent in Hebrew and Aramaic languages. If Jesus is most prominently known for the name found in
several current translations of the Bible (King James, New International, etc.), why should “Yeshua” be
viewed with the same honor and respect as that of Jesus or even Yahweh?
The answer lies in the fact that the origins of “Yeshua” and where it is used most to describe Jesus draws
believers closer to the realization of what He came to do on earth and in heaven. It’s a name that
represents His Hebrew identity and establishes a stronger connection with believers of all generations.

What Does "Yeshua" Mean?

There are several definitions of Yeshua that can be found in Hebrew and Aramaic biblical text, taken
from the Hebrew verb, yasha, that means “to deliver, save, or rescue,” and also stated as “Yehoshua.”
Pronunciation of “Yeshua,” in Hebrew, can be read this way: “Yod,” “Shin,” “Vav,” “Ayin.” In Aramaic,
the term, “Yeshu,” was transliterated from the Hebrew term of Yeshua, pronounced as “Yeh-shoo,” and
missing the “a.”

Greek translations have “Yeshua” listed as Yesous, among first century Greeks, of which the name,
Jesus, is derived.

The involvement of the Council of Nicea, within the Roman Catholic Church, as well as influence of the
English language into biblical text changed the use of “Yeshua” to describe the Savior into Jesus.
“Yeshua” can be found most in the Hebrew Bible and other ancient texts that are still referenced among
those in the Jewish faith. Hebrew is still considered the holy language used primarily for worshipping
and prayer to God.

The Connection Between Joshua and "Yeshua"

Although the term, “Yeshua,” cannot be found among Christian Bibles today, the hints at Yeshua can be
found among mentions of Joshua, son of Nun, in Deuteronomy 32:44 (Joshua leading the people of
Israel out of Egypt with Moses), Nehemiah 8:17 (the gathering of the Feast of Tabernacles that was
lasted performed in the times of Joshua), Acts 7:45 (the tabernacle in the wilderness brought to the
Gentiles by Joshua), Hebrews 4:8 (Joshua speaking of another day ahead for God’s people), and in the
books of First and Second Chronicles and Ezra. In the Hebrew text, Joshua is named “Yeshua bin-Nun”
(Neh. 8:17) and “Yehoshua.” (1 Chron. 7:27)

Joshua is stated as “Jeshua” in some English Bibles, and as you read several of these verses, you can see
the resemblance of Joshua leading the Jews out of Egypt as how Yeshua would lead and save all people
years later as the Savior.

How Can "Yeshua" Feel Personal for Today?

Now knowing that Yeshua means “to save, deliver,” and seeing that “Yeshua” is represented in the
Bible, even if it is not by name, how can this name feel as personal to us as “Jesus?”

First, it is the understanding that “Yeshua” is a more personal name of Jesus because it originated in the
lifetime that Jesus was alive on earth. The use of “Yeshua” in Hebrew text connects more to when Jesus
emerged in the presence of those around Him, as well as Hebrew being mentioned, earlier, as the holy
language. Those who were fluent in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic would decipher that “Yeshua” meant
“deliverer, savior,” and realize this man was more than just a man. Coupled with His behavior and
spiritual connection with God, those around Him would see that He was different from others and this
probably led to Him being loved by some and hated by others.

Also, viewing Jesus as represented in the Old Testament, as in the New Testament, with Joshua son of
Nun, people would be able to see the emerging traits of Jesus as leading the people away from the
bondage of Egypt, standing with them through the trials in the wilderness, and being viewed as a savior
in bringing them to a new land. The view of Jesus to us, as Yeshua in the place of Joshua, shows that
throughout time, He has been there as the deliverer and rescuer of people in need of help.

Though “Yeshua” is not as verbally attached to Jesus in modern Christianity as it is for those who follow
Judaism, all should still view “Yeshua” as a name that celebrates what He did on earth and heaven for all
those who profess His existence.

By claiming “Yeshua” as a name of Jesus, we support the bond we have with the Messiah in
acknowledging all that He did to deliver us from evil bondage from the enemy and to save us from
ourselves, our sinful natures. Even saying “Yeshua” when addressing Him in prayer establishes a closer
bond with the Lord that could be viewed in the same way one would reference a loved one in an
intimate way.

Calling Jesus “Yeshua” also strengthens our awareness of who He is that is not shaped by biblical text
from any religious organization, but from the setting in which He arrived on the planet. He is called
several names that all mean the same man who lived on the earth for thirty-three years, went to the
cross, and rose again on the third day to defeat death and rejoin His Father in heaven.

Blair Parke is a freelance writer for BibleStudyTools.com and editor for Xulon Press. A graduate of
Stetson University with a Bachelor's in Communications, Blair previously worked as a writer/editor for
several local magazines in the Central Florida area, including Celebration Independent and Lake
Magazine in Leesburg, Florida and currently freelances for the Southwest Orlando Bulletin.