Elohim (Part 1): Who We Are (Genesis 1:1; 31:30,32;35:2,4; Exodus 7:1;12:12;20:3;21:6; 22:8-9,28; 23:13,24;Leviticus 19:4; Numbers 33:4;Psalm 8:4-6;82:6; 97:7; John 10:34-35; Matthew 6:9: Hebrews 2:7)

As stated in previous word studies, there appears to be a progressive revelation of who God is, in the development of His name, first as El; then as Eloah; and then as Elohim, demonstrated especially in the pictographic origins.

EL

El speaks of His unlimited strength, or power [the head of the ox or bull, (Al)], and His authority, or right to rule [the shepherd's staff, (Lam)]. El was also power harnessed, as the ox was harnessed, in the yoke, or staff, representative of covenant. In other words, the power of God, is harnessed, or enabled to be put to use, as the ox was, in the yoke of covenant. Truly, it is only in a covenant relationship that the full extent of God's power and ability is seen and released in the earth.

ELOAH

Eloah extended the revelation of God beyond just ultimate power and authority, demonstrated in covenant, with the relational God, by adding two more pictographic letters. The tent peg [waw] demonstrates that God's covenant with His people, is unmovable, unshakeable, and individually and corporately, as a family, our "tent" is secure, firmly hooked up to the all powerful God, with all authority, in the earth.

The second pictograph, added in Eloah, is [Hey], the illustration of a person who throws up their hands, raised in awe and wonder at an amazing sight, to the extent that it takes their breath away, to behold what God has done, through His people, in the earth. This is the "wow" of God, that such a marvel could occur, that God would choose a family, a people, and choose to be their God, and demonstrate His wonders through them, both naturally, in Israel, and supernaturally, in the church [see The WOW of God].

ELOHIM

The third word, representing God, of the "El" revelation, is Elohim. By far, this is the most frequent in use, seen at least 2555 times, in the OT scriptures. Elohim is not only the most commonly used representation of God, in the "El" revelation, of who God is, it is the most commonly used word, representing God, in any form.

Elohim is a plural form, but, however, it does not necessarily mean that the word itself is plural. The suffix designates it as being plural [-im], in much the same way that cherubim or seraphim are plural, with the same suffix. However, in Hebrew, it is the verb used with the noun, that determines whether the word is used to convey a plurality in meaning.

In Genesis 1:1 the scripture states that "In the beginning God [Elohim, plural], created [bara, singular], the heavens and the earth". The Hebrew word (bara), singular, and not (bar), plural, is used to speak of creation. This designation identifies Elohim as singular in description. [Interestingly enough, the suffix also identifies masculine or feminine, and the suffix (-im), is masculine, while the plural (-ot), would have been a feminine designation].

In Hebrew, as with other ancient languages, the plural does not always mean quantitatively more, as in numeric value, but can, as in this case, describe what is 'qualitatively more, in worth and substance'. In other words, especially in relation to the previous pictographic descriptions of who God is, the masculine plural speaks of the fact that "God" is completely and totally "more", or all that can be possibly achieved; the totality in expression of all that "God" is or ever can be.

What is also fascinating about this word, is that though it is the most frequent designation of "God", in the scriptures; of the minimum of 2555 times that it is used, in 245 instances it describes other persona.

OTHER ELOHIM:

Elohim is used with several other references. Jacob, when returning to the land of promise, told his household, "Put away the strange gods [Elohim], that are among you...and they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods [Elohim] that were in their hands, and their earrings which were in their ears..." (Genesis 35:2,4) Here the passage identifies images; carved representations, and even earrings, as bearing a representation of, objects of worship, described as "Elohim".

In an earlier chapter, Laban confronts Jacob for fleeing from him, but Laban also demands, "...wherefore have you stolen my gods (Elohim)?" (Genesis 31:30). To which Jacob responded, "...with whomsoever you find your gods (Elohim), let him not live" (Genesis 31:32). Again, these scriptures speak of tangible representations of God, that people worshipped. Obviously, they were not simply worshipping the stone or wood carving, but the spiritual force behind it, and what it represented.

In delivering His people from Egypt, God said, "...against all the gods (Elohim) of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord" (Ex.12:12). Then, in the past tense, the scriptures declare, "...upon their gods (Elohim) also, the Lord executed judgments" (Num.33:4). God clearly demonstrated that He was and is the only one true God, and against all these imposters, who presumed to take His rightful place He demonstrated His power in exacting fashion.

Again, in the Decalogue, the ten commandments, God says, "Thou shalt have no other gods (Elohim) before me" (Ex.20:3). Further, the scripture says, "...make no mention of the name of other gods (Elohim), neither let it be heard out of your mouth" (Ex.23:13). "You shall not bow down to their gods (Elohim), nor serve them, nor do after their works.." (Ex.23:24). "Turn you not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods (Elohim): I am the Lord your God (Elohim)" (Lev.19:4).

It was not against wood and stone that God executed judgment, or warned against, but His judgment was against the actual demonic personalities and those who worshipped the images they represented.

ANGELS as ELOHIM:

Angels, who are divine in origin, are referred to as Elohim.

Psalm 8:4-6 says, "What is man, that You are mindful of him, or the son of man, that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels (Elohim)". ["Angels" is the proper translation here, as demonstrated by the Greek rendering in the LXX, as well as the quotation referencing this scripture, found in Hebrews 2:7].

Psalm 97:7 says "...worship Him all you gods (Elohim)", but the LXX gives further definition to the passage, translating it "...worship Him all you His angels"

MEN as ELOHIM:

In Exodus 22:8,9,28, judges of the people are referred to as Elohim. It may have been more proper to translate these passages as those that represent God, and His judgments, to the people. The judges stood in the place of God to execute justice, and were, therefore representing God, and His word, to the people (Ex.21:6).

In speaking of Moses, God said, "Behold, I have made you god (Elohim) to pharaoh, and Aaron shall be your prophet" (Ex.7:1).

The most amazing revelation is not that Moses, or select judges are referred to as Elohim, but rather, that all of God's people are referred to as Elohim.

Psalm 82:6 says, "I have said, 'You are gods (Elohim); and all of you are children of the Most High'".

Jesus, when expounding on this passage, said, "Is it not written in your law, 'I said, you are gods' (John 10:34). Jesus further stated, "...He called them "gods", unto whom the word of God came..." (John10:35).

There are those that are referred to as (Elohim), in a very general sense, such as demonic entities, foolishly worshipped by those who become like them. These stones carvings and wooden idols were representations of personalities that were divine or spiritual in origin. Angels too are identified as (Elohim), not that they were worshipped, but they too are divine in origin; representative of the supernatural. Further, those whom God had appointed, to represent Himself, such as judges, and Moses, were called (Elohim), designating their divine source of power and authority, as being from God.

However, what is truly fantastic, and utterly amazing to comprehend, is that all Believers; all of God's people, are referred to as (Elohim), not because we are God, in the very specific sense of the word, but we represent Him, and carry His authority and right to demonstrate His power, in the earth. We are His children, in covenant with Him, vessels, or containers of His word of power, to see His kingdom come, His will be done in the earth, as in heaven (Matt.6:9).

You are God's Best, and God's Best is Yours