Elohim
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Introduction
Introduction
This evening we begin our study of the names of God.
Put up chart on the screen.
I have prepared a chart for you, a comprehensive list of names in both the O.T. and N.T. When we end this study, I hope you will have each name filled in, giving you a chart to keep at home for your personal study. I did not include Scripture references, for there are far too many. However, if you want, you can write the references or any other personal notes on the back of each page.
We will begin with the most common name for God. It is the name “Elohim.” There are four names by which God revealed Himself to man early in Scripture and human history. All four are found in the early chapters of Genesis. They are “God” (in Hebrew, Elohim), “LORD” (in Hebrew, Jehovah), “Almighty” (in Hebrew, El Shaddai), and “Most High” (in Hebrew, El Elyon). As we will see, each of these names reveals some distinct attribute or characteristic of God. In addition to these, we also have three other equally significant names. However, the difference is this. These three names give a description of God’s relation to certain things or people rather than emphasize His nature. The three names are “Lord” (in Hebrew, Adonai), “The Everlasting God” (in Hebrew, El Olam), and “Lord of Hosts” (in Hebrew, Jehovah Sabbath).
The first four names tell us what God is. These names of God have always provided rest, refuge, and comfort to God’s people. Many Psalmists use these names repeatedly. Indeed, one Psalm gives all four names in just two verses.
Psalm 91:1–2 (KJV 1900)
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord (Jehovah), He is my refuge and my fortress: My God (Elohim); in him will I trust.
Why so many names for God? The answer is simple. God is so wonderful and magnificent that a single name cannot fully speak of all that He is. Thus, each differing name contains something about Him.
An excellent example of this would be King David. To honestly know David is to know him as a Shepherd, a Warrior, a King, a Prophet, a Poet, and a Musician. Each of which David indeed was gives us a unique understanding of David’s character. In much the same way, each name of God reveals a little more about His glory. He is the God, the Maker, the Judge, and the Savior of all, who in and of Himself is also Love, Power, and Wisdom. All of which He reveals Himself to man so that we might know His nature and His relationships to those who know Him not and those who know Him personally. And so, over time, God revealed Himself to men. He has also revealed Himself to His children so that we might grow to be like Him.
For this reason, a study of God’s names does much for us. If nothing else, this study will help us learn more about Him so that we might be more like Him. In the end, I believe that our analysis will lead us to cry out, “Holy, Holy, Holy, LORD God, Almighty, Most High, heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory!”
Our study must then begin with the first name under which God revealed Himself to man. It is the name “God” or, as in the Hebrew, “Elohim.” It is the only name listed in the first chapter of Genesis. A name that is repeated throughout the entire chapter continuously.
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. 2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
Long before man’s creation, it was God who willed into existence our entire universe. He created both the heavens and earth. When the earth was utterly void and without any form existing in total darkness came God’s spoken Word. God created first His light, then life, and then man in His image.
We must consider and understand several peculiarities connected with “Elohim.”
In Hebrew, the name “Elohim” is a plural noun. It is first and primarily used in Scripture to describe the One true God. However, it is also used in a much lower sense regarding other gods and lords that the unbelieving heathens feared and worshiped.
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
Let’s consider its primary use, and it will help us better understand how it was applied to heathen gods and idols.
"Elohim” Signifies a Triune God.
"Elohim” Signifies a Triune God.
Here are some examples.
Isaiah 45:5 (KJV 1900)
5 I am the Lord, and there is none else, There is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
Isaiah 45:22 (KJV 1900)
22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: For I am God, and there is none else.
Genesis 1:26 (KJV 1900)
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
Genesis 3:22 (KJV 1900)
22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever:
Genesis 11:7 (KJV 1900)
7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
Isaiah 6:8 (KJV 1900)
8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Ecclesiastes 12:1 (KJV 1900)
1 Remember now thy Creator [“Creators” in the Hebrew] in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;
Job 35:10 (KJV 1900)
10 But none saith, Where is God my maker [“makers” in the Hebrew], Who giveth songs in the night;
Proverbs 9:10 (KJV 1900)
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: And the knowledge of the holy [“Holy Ones” in the Hebrew] is understanding.
Isaiah 54:5 (KJV 1900)
5 For thy Maker [“Makers” in the Hebrew] is thine husband [“husbands” in the Hebrew]; The Lord of hosts is his name; And thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.
Isaiah 6:3 (KJV 1900)
3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: The whole earth is full of his glory.
Matthew 28:19 (KJV 1900)
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Thus, the significance here is that God is one but three. His name is plural yet is often connected with singular verbs and adjectives, signifying His plurality and singularity simultaneously.
“Elohim” Signifies a Covenant Relationship
“Elohim” Signifies a Covenant Relationship
“Elohim” is formed from the Hebrew word “Alah.” “Alah” literally means to swear. God describes Himself as One Who stands in a covenant relationship that is ratified by an oath by His very name.
4 The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever After the order of Melchizedek.
If you recall, Genesis 1:1 gave us this first name of God. He was “Elohim” long before men knew Him as “Jehovah.” Thus, by His name “Elohim,” we know that God had already had a plan for man long before he was created. And, it would seem, based on Genesis 3:4-5, both the Serpent and Eve knew “Jehovah” by His name “Elohim.”
4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Even then, God had already provided men with the understanding that He is God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and a God of covenant relationships.
And, as “Elohim” (the God of a covenant relationship), He expresses these relationships.
His Relationship within the Godhead
His Relationship within the Godhead
Now, I will not spend a lot of time on this point. My reason is this. None of us can ever truly comprehend the relationship between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Suffice it to say is this. His name, “Elohim,” declares the plurality of God. He is three persons, but yet one. He has certain relationships, both in and with Himself as God, that can never be dissolved or broken. It is indeed the great mystery of the Trinity. A revelation that was not fully realized until God’s Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, was resurrected from the dead. He then declared to His disciples they must proclaim Him to the world as “the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.” However, from the beginning of time, the name “Elohim” contained and foretold that He was more than one. Over time as God revealed Himself to men, it was through the law and the prophets that more evident indications came to light.
As to this beautiful relationship within the Godhead, we can go a step further. Scripture also reveals:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
All three of these passages clearly reference the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, it would stand to reason, that God, “Elohim”, in a covenant relationship with the Son is also in a covenant relationship with all that is created and by which all things consists or held together. Consequently, it is covenant relationship by which God already had a plan for man’s salvation and eternal life long before He created all things.
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
All of which gives us a wonderful hope. As “Elohim” the God of covenant relationships, He has made the following promise to us.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
His Relationship with His Creation
His Relationship with His Creation
God created us and our world with an infinite degree of perfection. The entire first chapter of Genesis is all about the direct result of the word and work of “Elohim.” Repeatedly, we read “God said” and “God made.” Thus, through God’s name, nature, and undeniable work, we find a God who cannot rest until His fallen creature is restored and re-created. Here is where we discover His most wondrous and abounding grace. Only because of God’s grace that “Elohim” should restore and save His fallen creature. It is of even greater grace that He would restore us and make us fellow laborers with Him.
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
We who sinned and rebelled against Him are now those He calls to work together with Him. His love is the cause of His grace, and His Word is the agent that affects His grace.
The name “Elohim” always speaks of “One in covenant” and implies One who stands in a covenant relationship for the outworking of His purpose. Note God’s covenant with Abram.
Genesis 17:1–8 (KJV 1900)
1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. 2 And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. 3 And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying, 4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. 8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God [Elohim].
Conclusion
Conclusion
His name, “Elohim,” is a source of great comfort for all of God’s people then and even today! Dr. G. Campbell-Morgan said the name “Elohim” “refers to absolute, unqualified, unlimited energy.” (Lockyer, Herbert. All the Divine Names and Titles in the Bible. Zondervan, 2013. Print. The All Series) All of which is evidenced by Genesis 1 and throughout all of Scripture. God is ever ready then to put forth His power on our behalf. He not only created us, but He already had a plan for our salvation. Today, God stands ready to work in and through us as we labor with Him together. His name “Elohim” signifies an excellent covenant relationship by which He is ever faithful to keep. As one commentator noted:
“What a stimulus to faith and an inspiration to love, is found in this title of God,” Dr. F. £. Marsh affirms, “for looking at it in the light of the New Testament, we find—
The Father in the power of His love,
The Son in the provision of His grace,
The Spirit in the potentiality of His strength.”
Lockyer, Herbert. All the Divine Names and Titles in the Bible. Zondervan, 2013. Print. The All Series.
God say, “I will be their God [Elohim].” To which, we say:
Psalm 91:2 (KJV 1900)
2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God [Elohim]; in him will I trust.
