Transliterate the Dual Plural

[Neal of Zebulun]

I see people transliterate אלהים (God) in one of two ways:

1. "Elohim" as in "whim"
2. "Elohiym" as in "beam"

To me, when I see "Elohim" I think of the dual plural.

And when I see "Elohiym" I think of the regular or intensive plural.

Another example, take מים (water.)

When I transliterate this word as a dual, I write "mem" (as in memo) and for the regular, "meme" (as in...meme.)

Do I have this backwards? Tell us how you transliterate a dual and regular plural.

 

[Winken]

I see people transliterate אלהים (God) in one of two ways:

1. "Elohim" as in "whim"
2. "Elohiym" as in "beam"

To me, when I see "Elohim" I think of the dual plural.

And when I see "Elohiym" I think of the regular or intensive plural.

Another example, take מים (water.)

When I transliterate this word as a dual, I write "mem" (as in memo) and for the regular, "meme" (as in...meme.)

Do I have this backwards? Tell us how you transliterate a dual and regular plural.

"Elohim," dual plural, more than one, yet One (Biblical context).

 

[MyGivenNameIsKeith]

To me its the innate "three" nature of the Godhead being expressed in a plural singularity. You can see the spirit of God upon the face of the waters in Genesis 1:2 (the Holy Spirit), his Word (as evidenced in John 1:1 so plainly), and the Father himself. More noticeable is the language used in Genesis 1:26 "Let 'us' make man in 'our' image".

 

[Winken]

Good points. I think of "undifferentiated plurality," in that the Three are One.

 

[MyGivenNameIsKeith]

It's difficult thing to get your head around, for sure, but spiritually it makes sense. A plural existence as a singular entity. But not that difficult as man himself is mind body and soul (our own triune nature made in his likeness and image - Genesis 1:26) As there are examples of this triune nature all throughout scriptures.
Recall Abraham and addressing the three men as Lord before the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. Three times, the finger of God is mentioned in the old testament, and Jesus using the phrase once Luke 11:20 and drawing with his finger twice in the new testament (Luke 22:44 I believe) (1+2). Just a few examples. Satan attempts to make himself as God, which is why he always tempts us in three fashions materialism, hedonism, egoism (this being the principles of the false trinity). While the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit being the real trinity.

 

[Neal of Zebulun]

Well in the Hebrew, אלהים is usually an intensive plural, which may (and often does) intrinsically imply Oneness.

I don't think I've ever seen it as a dual plural, which is why I'm confused over why people transliterate it as "Elohim," the dual. I say "Elohiym" to imply the intensive.

Also, not just the Trinity, don't forget the Body of Christ as well! (John 10:30-36, Psalms 82:6)

 

[Ron Gurley]

Genesis 1:26 (NASB)
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our (spiritual)image, according to Our (character) likeness;

Then God...Hebrew 430...'elohiym (Elohim?)...plural intensive - singular meaning)
A.god, goddess
B.godlike one
C.works or special possessions of God
D.the (true) God
E.God