2007-03-18 00:07:51 · 10 answers · asked by naz 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Hebrew word 'elohim'(gods) appears to be from a root meaning "be strong".'Elohim' is the plural 'elohah'(god).Sometimes this plural refers to a number of gods but more often it is used as a plural of majesty,diginity or excellence.'Elohim' is used in the scriptures with reference to Jehovah himself,to angels,to idol gods(singular and plural)and to men.
When applying to Jehovah,'Elohim' is used as a plural of majesty,dignity or excellence.
The true God is not a nameless God.His name is Jehovah.He is God by reason of his creatorship.He is Almighty.
2007-03-18 02:56:02 · answer #1 · answered by lillie 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Elohim is a word that has been dropped from some of the new translations of the bible, presumably due to its meaning.
The suffix 'im' indicates a plural form. The word, when properly translated, means 'pantheon' or 'brethern'...indicating that yahweh god spoke to other god's, or his brothers.
Hebrew and christian scholars bastardized the meaning of the word, and its plurality to mean a number of things...divine majesty, a god so great he can only be described as plural, god speaking to angels, etc.
For proof of the plural (gods) meaning, Elohim is found in late Bronze Age texts of Canaanite Ugarit, and refers to the entire Canaanite pantheon. The "no gods before me" commandment used the word Elohim in its original language...
2007-03-18 00:27:01 · answer #2 · answered by Bill K Atheist Goodfella 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Also note, that when the Bible talks about Elohim or Anodai, it doesn't always mean Jahweh
Elohim might sometimes mean some pagan god
2007-03-18 00:30:36 · answer #3 · answered by Cherry 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Elohim are the different creative elements of the ONE Creator
2015-11-29 14:13:35 · answer #4 · answered by Mary 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first answer is close, but not quite right.
The ancient Hebrews believed (as Jews still do) that the NAME of God was too holy to speak. As a result, there were several alternatives.
Jehovah is a westernized form of YAHWEH, which itself is an oral form of YHVH, an "abbreviation".
If I remember correctly, Elohim is a ancient Hebrew word meaning "God". Adonai, another Hebrew word, meant "Lord". Both were used to refer to GOD, rather than commit blasphemy by sayinghis name.
I think this is correct. Any Jewish scholars, please correct me.
2007-03-18 00:19:41 · answer #5 · answered by ckm1956 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Elohim is God. It is in the plural form in Hebrew and the Jewish people believe that is for the purpose of emphasis where as Christians believe that really teaches the Trinity. Jehovah of the old testament is really the Jesus of the new.
2007-03-18 00:25:20 · answer #6 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
According to who wrote what, God is given three names in the Old Testament: El, which means Lord; YVHV (Yahveh) which God gives Himself, "I AM"; and Adonai, which means highest.
Personally I have 6 names, not counting my surname. Doesn't make me 6 different people. Same with God. He has many names and they're all Him.
According to one Buddhist tradition God has 9 BILLION names and when man has named Him by each of them creation's purpose will have been served and creation will cease to exist.
2007-03-18 00:16:24 · answer #7 · answered by Granny Annie 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Simply another name of GOD.
2007-03-18 01:28:40 · answer #8 · answered by drg5609 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are different tiers of the same entity.
2007-03-18 00:10:07 · answer #9 · answered by Invisible_Flags 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is God himself.
2007-03-18 00:42:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋