Elohim
This is the name for God that is first used in the Scriptures. (Gen. 1:1) Elohim is usually translated as "strong one." The name Elohim is unique to the Hebrews, as it is found in no other ancient Semitic language.
Elohim is also unique for the concept that it embodies. In Hebrew, the plural of a noun is formed by adding the sound of m (similar to the way of adding s in the English language). So, in English we would say one cherub and several cherubs, but in Hebrew we would say one cherub and several cherubim.
Elohim, then, is the masculine plural form of El. Thus, Elohim is a plural noun. Yet, Elohim does not mean "gods." Elohim is always used with a singular verb, adjective, and/or pronoun. See, e.g., Isaiah 54:5; Isaiah 45:18; Psalm 109:1.
Here is Jeremiah 32:27: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?"
If Elohim was representative of multiple gods, as opposed to One God, then the proper grammatical structure would be as follows: "Behold, we are the lords, the gods of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for us?" Yet, the plural Elohim is treated grammatically as though it was singular. So, we have a plural concept that is singular in function. This, of course, is in accordance with our theology of the trinity.
Thus, we have the concept of the trinity -- the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- contained in the pages of the Old Testament long before the incarnation of Christ and the pouring out of the spirit at Pentecost. This little nugget of truth is why I included God's name of Elohim as our number two word.
Soli Deo Gloria
This is the name for God that is first used in the Scriptures. (Gen. 1:1) Elohim is usually translated as "strong one." The name Elohim is unique to the Hebrews, as it is found in no other ancient Semitic language.
Elohim is also unique for the concept that it embodies. In Hebrew, the plural of a noun is formed by adding the sound of m (similar to the way of adding s in the English language). So, in English we would say one cherub and several cherubs, but in Hebrew we would say one cherub and several cherubim.
Elohim, then, is the masculine plural form of El. Thus, Elohim is a plural noun. Yet, Elohim does not mean "gods." Elohim is always used with a singular verb, adjective, and/or pronoun. See, e.g., Isaiah 54:5; Isaiah 45:18; Psalm 109:1.
Here is Jeremiah 32:27: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?"
If Elohim was representative of multiple gods, as opposed to One God, then the proper grammatical structure would be as follows: "Behold, we are the lords, the gods of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for us?" Yet, the plural Elohim is treated grammatically as though it was singular. So, we have a plural concept that is singular in function. This, of course, is in accordance with our theology of the trinity.
Thus, we have the concept of the trinity -- the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- contained in the pages of the Old Testament long before the incarnation of Christ and the pouring out of the spirit at Pentecost. This little nugget of truth is why I included God's name of Elohim as our number two word.
Soli Deo Gloria
No comments:
Post a Comment