Jesus makes an interesting argument on this point in John 10:34 when he quotes Psalm 82:6. Usually found in poetry, this plural is an emphatic statement of the root idea, as might and counsel.” It may also (or alternatively) carry some force as a plural of amplication. “…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. I, however, agree with John Frame that this is a plural of abstraction: Many scholars refer to this as a divine 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. Even the name Israel means “prince of El”.Īnother interesting aspect of the name Elohim is that it is, in fact, a plural. Elijah is known as the prophet who was steadfast in proclaiming that Yahweh was the only true Elohim. When you remember the story of both Elijah and Samuel, you see the importance a name had in the Old Testament. Several names of popular OT characters have El in their name: Elijah (“El is Yahweh”) and Samuel (“Heard by El”) are two such examples. (Though some scholars question whether this is simply a shortening). We often see the personal character of Elohim when it is shortened, to El, and then coupled with another word. 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. And if that knowledge moves into a relationship, Elohim is now identified as Yahweh. As his knowledge of truth matures Elohim might take upon a specific character, i.e. In the same way, a person might see a powerful expression and say Elohim. And if the puppy comes to live in the child’s home what once was ‘puppy dog’ will now become ‘my beagle’. Further maturation might have the child now calling the dog a specific breed-like a beagle. 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. This is an imperfect illustration of the relationship between Elohim and Yahweh, but perhaps it will capture enough of the thought to be helpful. 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. That does not necessarily mean that you are referring to the one unique God. If you saw one exhibiting supreme rule and expressed mighty power, the word you would use would be Elohim. 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. It is this word which is used in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning created the heavens and the earth.” In fact the word appears some 2,750 times in the Old Testament. Elohim is one of the most frequently used names for God in the Scriptures. There is only one God, but the biblical writers referred to this one God with many different monikers. Every name of God highlights one aspect of His character.
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