What are the differences between Elohim, Yahweh, and YHVH?

Question

"God" is known by several names in the currently accepted books of the Old Testament. The three names which appear most often in the older books are Elohim, Yahweh, and YHVH. Do these represent different gods, different names for the same god, or the names of some beings which are gods and some which aren't? Are there differences in their behaviour and capabilities?

Answer 1

Same god.

The three names exist because there are different authors of the Hebrew Bible (aka Old Testament). Each author referred to God by the name that his kingdom used.

Elohim: what the Jews of the southern kingdom of Judah used
Yahweh: what the Jews of the northern kingdom of Israel used
YHVH: came a few hundred years later after the Babylonian exile

I hope I've got that correct. It's all part of the documentary hypothesis about which guys wrote the Bible. For a real expert answer, read Richard Friedman's book "Who Wrote the Bible?".

Answer 2

Yahweh is how some people believe that YHVH should be pronounced and is usually translated as LORD. Elohim is the Hebrew plural word for God.

Genesis 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD (yehōwāh) God ('ĕlôhîym) made the earth and the heavens,

ְיהָוֹה
yehōwāh: A noun meaning God. The word refers to the proper name of the God of Israel, particularly the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses (Exo_6:2-3). The divine name has traditionally not been pronounced, primarily out of respect for its sacredness (cf. Exo_20:7; Deu_28:58). Until the Renaissance, it was written without vowels in the Hebrew text of the Old Testament, being rendered as YHWH. However, since that time, the vowels of another word, ’aḏōnāy (H136), have been supplied in hopes of reconstructing the pronunciation. Although the exact derivation of the name is uncertain, most scholars agree that its primary meaning should be understood in the context of God's existence, namely, that He is the "I AM THAT I AM" (Exo_3:14), the One who was, who is, and who always will be (cf. Rev_11:17). Older translations of the Bible and many newer ones employ the practice of rendering the divine name in capital letters, so as to distinguish it from other Hebrew words. It is most often rendered as LORD (Gen_4:1; Deu_6:18; Psa_18:31 [32]; Jer_33:2; Jon_1:9) but also as GOD (Gen_6:5; 2Sa_12:22) or JEHOVAH (Psa_83:18 [19]; Isa_26:4). The frequent appearance of this name in relation to God's redemptive work underscores its tremendous importance (Lev_26:45; Psa_19:14 [15]). Also, it is sometimes compounded with another word to describe the character of the Lord in greater detail (see Gen_22:14; Exo_17:15; Jdg_6:24).

ֱאֹלִהים
’elōhiym: A masculine plural noun meaning God, gods, judges, angels. Occurring more than 2,600 times in the Old Testament, this word commonly designates the one true God (Gen_1:1) and is often paired with God's unique name yehōwāh (H3068) (Gen_2:4; Psa_100:3). When the word is used as the generic designation of God, it conveys in Scripture that God is the Creator (Gen_5:1); the King (Psa_47:7 [8]); the Judge (Psa_50:6); the Lord (Psa_86:12); and the Savior (Hos_13:4). His character is compassionate (Deu_4:31); gracious (Psa_116:5); and faithful to His covenant (Deu_7:9). In fewer instances, this word refers to foreign gods, such as Dagon (1Sa_5:7) or Baal (1Ki_18:24). It also might refer to judges (Exo_22:8-9 [7-8]) or angels as gods (Psa_97:7). Although the form of this word is plural, it is frequently used as if it were singular-that is, with a singular verb (Gen_1:1-31; Exo_2:24). The plural form of this word may be regarded (1) as intensive to indicate God's fullness of power; (2) as majestic to indicate God's kingly rule; or (3) as an allusion to the Trinity (Gen_1:26). The singular form of this word ’elôah (H433) occurs only in poetry (Psa_50:22; Isa_44:8). The shortened form of the word is ’ēl (H410).

Answer 3

I agree with most of what amber_tree said. However, I believe that Elohim is God the Father. Yahweh/YHVH along with other spellings are written to mean what most Christians and Jews mean when we say Jehovah.

Answer 4

Yahweh & YHVH (the tetragrammaton) are one in the same. YHVH was "derived" from a Phoenician inscription in stone and considered to be esoteric as well as sacred/unspoken. I may be wrong with this, but I was under the impression that the Hebrew language had no vowels.
Elohim is the common name for God, meant to be used in plurality.
I believe they refer to the same God, but used in different context so as not to be blasphemous towards God's name.
This is an uneducated guess, so please let me know if it's close.

Answer 5

Elohim literally means "God". YHVH is "Yahweh" without the vowels (Jews don't like to spell out the name of God). Yahweh literally means "I am" (the name that God gave to Moses).

Answer 6

There is no difference. Each refers to different attributes of God. They all refer to Jehovah, God above all Gods, ruler and grand designer of the Universe, creator of you and I, father of Jesus Christ who was the Messiah. He is also referred to as Jehovah Jira, the God who heals. There are no beings who are God, except God. Christ was His only begotten Son, and the Holy Ghost is a comforting spirit who was sent to Christians on the Day of Pentecost to aid the Church in the absence of it's Bridegroom, Jesus.

If you go to www.Lifeway.com you can find a book called "The Names of God" which will fully answer this question much better than I could.

I wish you well in your search and thank you for asking a thought-provoking and often confusing quesiton.

Answer 7

well, elokim is a name referrring to god's attribute of justice. yhvh is a mediocre transliteration of the letters representing the ineffable 4 letter name which stands for god's mercy and yahweh is a poor understanding of what to do to vocalize the 4 letters which are not even exactly yhvh...

Answer 8

As far as I understand they are all the same name to the old testament God , YAHWEH.

Answer 9

Hebrews gave God different "names" to describe His character. There are dozens of names they refer to Him as, and they are all applicable to the same God. They werent allowed to say His name, and God refered to himself as "I am". That is where the other names came in - by describing his character they knew who the speaker was referencing.

Answer 10

Different names for the same God. It's not fully understood by anyone, thus you must have faith.