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Summary
- Elohim is a Hebrew word that is used in the Bible to refer to God. It is a plural noun that signifies the majesty and power of God.
- In the context of the Bible, Elohim is associated with the creation of the world and all living beings. It highlights God as the supreme creator and ruler of the universe.
- The term Elohim also appears in references to divine judges or heavenly beings in the Old Testament. It emphasizes their authority and divine status.
- While Elohim is often used as a reference to God, it can also be used to refer to pagan gods in certain instances. However, it is important to understand the specific context in which the word is used to determine its meaning.
Bibliography (Click to show)
Bibliography:
Below is a list of citations that directly address the meaning of “Elohim” in the Bible, its relationship to Yahweh and Jesus, or the teachings of the Church Fathers on this topic, tailored for Christian readers.
Anderson, J. (2017). El, Yahweh, and Elohim: The Evolution of God in Israel and its Theological Implications. The Expository Times, 128, 261–267.Relevance: Explores the evolution of God in Israel, directly addressing Elohim and its relation to Yahweh, with theological implications for Christian understanding.
Bell, D. B. (2014). An Exceeding Faire Baby in the King James Bible: A New Testament Greek Example of a Hebrew Elohim Superlative. The Bible Translator, 65, 11–13.Relevance: Examines the use of Elohim as a superlative in Hebrew, connecting it to New Testament Greek, relevant to Christian interpretations.
Brichto, H. C. (1998). The Names of God: Poetic Readings in Biblical Beginnings.Relevance: Focuses on the names of God, including Elohim, providing insight into its biblical meaning.
Burnett, J. S. (2001). A reassessment of biblical Elohim.Relevance: Offers a direct reassessment of Elohim in the biblical context, highly relevant to its meaning.
Daams, N. (2011). Translating YHWH ‘Elohim. The Bible Translator, 62, 226–235.Relevance: Discusses the translation of YHWH Elohim, directly linking Elohim to Yahweh, pertinent for Christian readers.
Krašovec, J. (2015). General and Proper Names for God(s) in the Hebrew Bible.Relevance: Analyzes names for God, including Elohim, in the Hebrew Bible, relevant to its meaning and context.
Owusu-Ansah, R., Okyere, K., & Nsiah, A. M. (2024). Plural Elohim as anyame in Psalm 82 of The Asante Twi Bible: A colonial imposition. HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies.Relevance: Examines the plural use of Elohim in Psalm 82, offering a Christian perspective on its interpretation.
Pasuhuk, S. (2018). Relationship between the Doctrines of Trinity and Humanity from the Theological Viewpoints. 6, 174–174.Relevance: Explores the Trinity, connecting Elohim to Jesus and Christian theology.
Wardlaw, T. (2015). Elohim within the Psalms: Petitioning the Creator to Order Chaos in Oral-Derived Literature.Relevance: Focuses on Elohim in the Psalms, addressing its role as Creator, significant for Christian readers.
These citations were selected because they explicitly discuss the meaning of Elohim, its theological relationship to Yahweh and Jesus, or the Church Fathers’ perspectives, aligning with the query’s focus for Christian readers.