Elohim is the Hebrew name for God and it is found in the very first sentence of the Bible. This ancient name of God contains the idea of God's creative power as well as His authority and sovereignty.
Before the creation of the world, there was nothing. My human mind can't even conceive or imagine nothing!
What about you? Can you imagine a time when there was nothing?...... Then God spoke!
But into nothing, God spoke, and what was not became what is.
Elohim: God The Creator
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1.
Pronouncing The Name, Elohim in Hebrew: e-lo-HEEM
Here are some more Bible verses from Genesis chapters 1 and 2 to remind you what God did:
Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:3.
Then God said, “Let there be a space between the waters, to separate the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth.” Genesis 1:6.
Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. Genesis 1:14.
The Lord merely spoke,
and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
and all the stars were born.
Psalm 33:6.
Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” Genesis 1:26.
Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person. Genesis 2:7.
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” Genesis 2:18.
So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. Genesis 2:21-22.
Elohim in Hebrew:
The name Elohim in Hebrew is the plural form of the Hebrew word El. It means "mighty one or the strong one."The word El is one of the oldest designations for divinity in the world. The Hebrews borrowed the term El from the Canaanites. It can refer either to the one true God or to pagan gods.
Here is an interesting fact and take note of this - the name El is used more than 200 times in the Hebrew Bible but the name Elohim is used more than 2500 times. This plural form is used not to indicate a belief in many gods but to emphasize the majesty of the one true God!
Here is an excerpt from the book 'Praying The Names Of God' by Ann Spangler that explains this name very clearly.
"Elohim (e-lo-HEEM) is the plural form of El or Eloah, one of the oldest designations for divinity in the world. The Hebrews borrowed the term El from the Canaanites. It can refer either to the true God or to pagan gods. Though El is used more than 200 times in the Hebrew Bible, Elohim is used more than 2,500 times. Its plural form is used not to indicate a belief in many gods but to emphasize the majesty of the one true God. He is the God of gods, the highest of all. Christians may recognize in this plural form a hint of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Elohim occurs thirty-two times in the first chapter of Genesis. After that the name Yahweh appears as well and is often paired with Elohim and, in the NIV, the two together are translated "the LORD God."
Applying the name of God, Elohim to your life:
Why should you study the names of God?
Have you read the first post in this series about the 30 Powerful Hebrew Names Of God yet?
You can read it HERE.
How does knowing God as Elohim affect your life?
You can answer this question using the free printable prayer journal or use a notebook to record your answers.
I have prepared a free printable for you to use as you explore the names of God.
You will find it in our Resource Library Here.
This page has prompts for you to use as you prayerfully meditate on the names of God.
So who is Elohim to you?
How does knowing God as Elohim impact your life?
How can you grow in your Christian walk by understanding God as Elohim?
Remember that the name Elohim means, The Creator God. He created you. You bear His image! Genesis 1:26-27.
God formed you and He created your inmost being.
"Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed." Psalm 139:13-16.
Do you know why you are here? Do you know why God created you? You and I were created for God and to glorify Him. You are His masterpiece!
"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10. (You will find items in our shop with this verse on them HERE)
Knowing that you were created by God and for God confirms that you have great value and a purpose. This is the truth. It doesn't depend on how you feel about yourself. So remember you are God's masterpiece and you were created on purpose for a purpose!
Also, remember that The Creator God who made the heavens and the earth can create beauty out of our complex, and messy lives. Nothing is too difficult for Him to work on with you. It does mean we have to surrender our will to Him and seek Him passionately.
One final question for you to ponder.
How would your life change if you lived with the constant awareness that God created you to bear His image?
Praying the Name Of God, Elohim:
When you pray the word of God, you are praying His words of truth into your situation. It is the same when you pray the names of God. When you understand the meaning of the specific name of God and pray it over your situation-it is declaring His power over it. It certainly will build your faith and expectation of God to move in it. When you pray God's name, you are declaring the truth of who God is and you are proclaiming His power at work in your life.
Let's Pray:
Elohim my God The Creator, I praise You for Your majestic work that you spoke into being. I thank you for your mighty power that can create order out of chaos. I surrender my life and its broken parts to you. You can make beauty out of ashes and I ask you to create your masterpiece in my life. Fill me with your peace and increase my faith as I surrender it all to you. Amen.
The Names Of God And Their Meanings Chart:
Names Of God Bible Study PDF.
This name of God study, Elohim is Day 2 of a 30-Day devotional Bible study on the names of God. It is a very detailed study of the most glorious names of God.
If you want the convenience of having all 30 Names of God to download with a prayer journal and dig deeper with guided questions and additional Names of God resources then the Names Of God devotional Bible study workbook is perfect for you ( and perfect for use in a group setting).
I would love it if you could share with me your thoughts as you work your way through this Scripture plan. You can connect with me via email karen@scripturalgrace.com or on our FACEBOOK page. Come back tomorrow as we unpack the name, Yahweh-I Am, The Self-Existent One.
It's all about His grace
xx Karen.