Names for God: Devotions From Time of Grace預覽

Elohim

In the ancient Semitic languages of the Middle East, the main word for God is "El," masculine plural "Elohim" (pronounced ello-HEEM). The root meaning seems to be power, majesty, and authority; all of which make him worthy of worship. The word occasionally may be used for government magistrates and angels, but its chief use is for the supreme deity.

Elohim takes a plural verb when it is used for the heathen gods of other nations, but when used for the God of Israel it takes a singular verb. Hmm...isn’t that interesting?

The concept of the Trinity, three persons/one God, is more fully expressed in the New Testament, but there are plenty of hints and clues in the Old. Already in the first chapter of the Bible, Elohim is the all-powerful Creator, speaking his mighty words and watching his creation leap into being at his command. On the sixth day came these words: “Then God [Hebrew: Elohim] said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image’” (Genesis 1:26). The rest of the Bible fills in more of the story—that Father, Son, and Spirit all participated fully in the plan and execution of creation week.

Every time you see that little three-letter word, "G-O-D," remember the insanely enormous blast of energy that made all the matter of the universe out of nothing and then put it into beautiful and intricate order. Remember also that he will destroy it when he returns for judgment and that he will re-create a new world where he and we will live together forever.