Elohim

jcright said:

Anyone know how many times the word "Elohim" appears in the bible?

Does anyone have a good source for the defintion of Elohim?

Thanks!

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Elohim appears around 2600 times.

It is a Hebrew word meaning:

Elohim - Strongs #430

1. (plural)
   1. rulers, judges
   2. divine ones
   3. angels
   4. gods
2. (plural intensive - singular meaning)
   1. god, goddess
   2. godlike one
   3. works or special possessions of God
   4. the (true) God
   5. God

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Just ask any question, and GD will get you the answer in short order....

Matthan <J><

Elohim gives the idea of something huge, the image of the Creator that placed the universe in place. This is on the opposite end of the spectrum from the word YHWH (Yahweh) - which was thought to be like the sound of breathing.

Interesting tib bit - the word Joel in Hebrew is Yael, which was had huge theological meanings (for a Jew) is Ya (YHWH) El (Elohim) - is the God that is as close as the breathing of a new born baby (YHWH) the same huge God that put the vastness of the universe in place(Elohim)............the rabbi's have discussed this for thousands of years.................

jcright said:

Anyone know how many times the word "Elohim" appears in the bible?

Does anyone have a good source for the defintion of Elohim?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

Elohim means
&#1488;&#1500;&#1497;&#1501; 'E&#770;liym - is the plural form of one of the names of God - &#1488;&#1500; 'E&#770;l. The word means properly "strong, mighty, a mighty one, a hero;" then, "strength, might, power;" and then it is applied to God as "the Mighty One," the Almighty. ("Gesenius.") In the plural form, the word means "mighty ones, heroes, gods:"

I would like to add that when ever you are witnessing to a JW, this word is Sooooooooo important to prove that Jesus is God in the flesh because its plural. They cannot argue with this.
GEL:

Here is a little tid-bit from my personal library

The Titles of God




Scripture Reference
Abba Father. Mark 14:36, Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6
Adonai Lord. Deuteronomy 10:17
Ancient of Days Noble Venerability. Daniel 7:9, 13, 22
Baal-i My Lord, or My Master. Hosea 2:16
El The Strong One.
Elah Sh'maya God of Heaven. Ezra 7:23
Elah Sh'maya V'Arah God of Heaven and Earth. Ezra 5:11
Elah Yerush'lem God of Jerusalem. Ezra 7:19
Elah Yisrael God of Israel Ezra 5:1
El Chaiyai The God of my Life. Psalms 42:9
El Chanun The Gracious God. Jonah 4:2
El De'ot The God of Knowledge. 1st Samuel 2:3
El Echad The One God. Malachi 2:10
El Elohe Israel God of Israel. Genesis 33:20
El Elyon The Most High God. Genesis 14:18
El Emet The God of Truth. Psalms 31:6
El Emunah The Faithful God. Deuteronomy 32:4
El HaGadol The Great God. Deuteronomy 10:17
El HaKadosh The Holy God. Isaiah 5:16
El HaKavod The God of Glory. Psalms 29:3
El HaNe'eman The Faithful God. Deuteronomy 7:9
El HaShamayim The God of the Heavens. Psalms 136:26
El Gibor The Mighty God. Isaiah 9:6
El Kana The Jealous God. Deuteronomy 4:24
El Olam The God of Eternity. Genesis 21:33
El Rachum The God of Compassion. Deuteronomy 4:31
El Rah'ee The God Who Sees. Genesis 16:13
El Roi The Lord that Seeth. Genesis 16:14
El Sali The God of my Rock. Psalms 42:10
El Simchat Gili God The Joy of my Exaltation. Psalms 43:4
El Tzadik The Righteous God. Isaiah 45:21
El Yeshuati The God of my Salvation. Isaiah 12:2
El Yisrael The God of Israel. Psalms 68:35
Elah An Oak.
Eloah The Adorable One.
Elohay Chasdi God of my Kindness. Psalms 59:11; Psalms 59:18
Elohay Elohim God of Gods. Deuteronomy 10:17
Elohay HaRuchot Lekol Basar God of the Spirits of all Flesh. Numbers 16:22
Elohay Kedem God of the Beginning. Jeremiah 32:27
Elohay Kol Basar God of all Flesh. Deuteronomy 32:27
Elohay Marom God of Heights. Micah 6:6
Elohay Mauzi God of my Strength. Psalms 43:2
Elohay Mikarov God Who is Near. Jeremiah 23:23
Elohay Mishpat God of Justice. Isaiah 30:18
Elohay Selichot God of Forgiveness. Nehemiah 9:17
Elohay Tehilati God of my Praise. Psalms 109:1
Elohay Tzur God of Rock. 2nd Samuel 22:47
Elohay Yishi God of my Salvation. Psalms 18:45, Psalms 25:5
Elohay Chaiyim The Living God. Jeremiah 10:10
Elohay Kedoshim The Holy God. Leviticus 19:2, Joshua 24:19
Immanu El God is with Us. Isaiah 7:14
Ishi My Husband. Hosea 2:16
Jah The Independent One.
Jehovah I AM. Exodus 3:14
Jehovah Adonai The Lord our Sovereign Joshua 5:14
Jehovah El-Shaddai The Almighty God. Genesis 17:1, Psalms 91:1, Psalms 91:2
Jehovah Elohim The Eternal Creator. Genesis 1:1, Genesis 2:4, Isaiah 54:5
Jehovah Elohay The Lord my God.
Jehovah Eloheenu The Lord our God.
Jehovah Elokehu The Lord thy God.
Jehovah Gmolah The God of Recompenses.
Jehovah Hoseenu The Lord our Maker Psalms 95:6
Jehovah Jireh The Lord will Provide. Genesis 22:14
Jehovah Mekaddishken The Lord our Sanctifier Ezekiel 37:28
Jehovah Nissi The Lord our Banner. Exodus 17:15
Jehovah Rohi The Lord my Shepherd. Psalms 23:1
Jehovah Rophe The Lord our Healer. Exodus 15:26
Jehovah Saboath The Lord of Hosts. 1st Samuel 17:45
Jehovah Shalom The Lord our Peace. Judges 6:24
Jehovah Shammah The Lord is Present. Ezekiel 48:35
Jehovah Tsidkeenu The Lord our Righteousness Jeremiah 23:6, 33:16
Jehovah T'Sur The Lord our Strength Psalms 19:14 Audio
Yah (Jah) The poetic and stylish version of Yahweh (Jehovah). Exodus 15:2, Exodus 17:15, Isaiah 12:2, Psalms 118:14.
Yahweh The Lord (Sustainer, Maintainer, Establisher) Exodus 3:14-15
YHVH O'saynu The Lord our Maker. Psalms 95:6
YHVH Tz'vaot The Lord of Armies. 1st Samuel 1:11
YHVH Yireh The Lord Who Sees. Genesis 22:14
YHVH Zeboth The Lord of the masses. 1st Samuel 1:3

Wow! That is awesome PG. Thanks!

I didn't know that!

jcright said:

GEL,

That's a little scary...were you at the same service I was??? I got the idea from listening to a service about JW's last Wednesday. Once I heard that Elohim was plural, I realized that I could use that against the Christian Science arguement...I need all the ammo I can I get and I think that's an awesome one!

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If you are considering using the plurality of Elohim as an argument for the Trinity, here are some Jewish responses that may prepare you for some common refutations to that argument using the Hebrew language, grammar and cultural context.

Outreach Judaism - Did Somebody Find the Trinity in the Name of God?
Karaites USA - Elohim: Plural or Singular

Obviously I am Trinitarian, but I wouldn't look at the plurality of Elohim as "proof" or even very convincing evidence of that truth. I would look at it as a possible hint of it.

Gold Dragon said:

If you are considering using the plurality of Elohim as an argument for the Trinity, here are some Jewish responses that may prepare you for some common refutations to that argument using the Hebrew language, grammar and cultural context.

Outreach Judaism - Did Somebody Find the Trinity in the Name of God?
Karaites USA - Elohim: Plural or Singular

Obviously I am Trinitarian, but I wouldn't look at the plurality of Elohim as "proof" or even very convincing evidence of that truth. I would look at it as a possible hint of it.

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ANY doubt in the JW mind would be good. They are brainwashed into thinking we are all white pagans worshipping many gods.

GEL

GreenEyedLady said:

ANY doubt in the JW mind would be good.

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I agree. My concern is that they've heard this rationale before and have found it wanting, which even a Trinitarian like myself would say isn't very convincing. I believe the traditional Trinitarian "proof-texts" are more effective at casting this doubt than the pluraity of the Hebrew word Elohim.