Elohim: Difference between revisions

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{{Elohim}}
{{Elohim}}
The Hebrew word '''אלהים''' (English: Elohim) is translated as "God"<ref name="Lexicon 430"> HEBREW LEXICON -- STRONG'S NUMBER 430 </ref>.  Although the root-meaning of this word is unknown, it is presumed to mean power, dominion, majesty, greatness, or even an abstract concept (such as life - Chayyim). The form of Elohim is plural, but it is used as a singular noun when in reference to God, and usually as a pluran noun when not in reference to God. <ref name="Biblical Hebrew"> Biblical Hebrew, An Introductory Grammar, Page H. Kelly, William B Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992, Pg. 32. </ref>
The Hebrew word '''אלהים''' (English: Elohim) is translated as "God"<ref name="Lexicon 430"> HEBREW LEXICON -- STRONG'S NUMBER 430 </ref>.  Although the root-meaning of this word is unknown, it is presumed to mean power, dominion, majesty, greatness, or even an abstract concept.  


The form of Elohim is plural, but it is used as a singular noun when in reference to God, and usually as a pluran noun when not in reference to God. <ref name="Biblical Hebrew"> Biblical Hebrew, An Introductory Grammar, Page H. Kelly, William B Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992, Pg. 32. </ref>  Other Hebrew words that end in the plural form '''ים''' include water (Mayim),  heaven (Shamayim), life (Chayyim), and virginity (Betulim).  The plural nature of these words refers to the endless or undefined nature. All we can conclude from this is that Elohim is endless, and though he can never be defined, he can be experienced. 


==The Image of Elohim==
When Man was made in the image of God, he was made a spirit, because God is a spirit (John 4:24).
{|style="background-color:#cedff2; border:1px #a3b0bf solid; text-align:center;"
|''And God said, Let us make man in our own image, after our likeness:... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.'' (Genesis 1:26a-27)
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Even though God said "let us make man in '''"our"''' image, he only made one man.  After he had formed the spirit, God created a body for man to live in, and set him in the garden of Eden. 
{|style="background-color:#cedff2; border:1px #a3b0bf solid; text-align:center;"
|''And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.'' (Genesis 2:7)
''And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.'' (Genesis 2:15)
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It was only after God had created a body for the Man, and instructed him on how to act, that he created a woman to accompany the man.  Prior to this, Man (Body and Spirit) was in the image of God, being both Male and Female.  After God created the woman, Man could not be in the complete image of God without his wife.  Just like God separated the Woman from Adam, it is in His plan to create a Bride for himself.  This Bride will also be in the image of God: a Spirit. 
{|style="background-color:#cedff2; border:1px #a3b0bf solid; text-align:center; width:800px;"
|''And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (Genesis 2:18)
''...Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. ...And the Spirit and the bride say, Come.'' (Revelation 21:9b, 22:17)
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==Commentary by William Branham==
{{Trinitarian challenge|Elohim|Other Hebrew words that end in the plural form '''ים''' include water (Mayim),  heaven (Shamayim), life (Chayyim), and virginity (Betulim).  The plural nature of these words refers to the endless or undefined nature. <br> <br>'''Conclusion:''' Elohim is endless, and though he can never be defined, he can be experienced.}}
:''But when God made His first man, if you noticed, He made him in the likeness of Himself; He was made in the image of God. And what is God? Now, if we can find out what God is we can find what kind of a man He made.''
:[http://www.nathan.co.za/message.asp?sermonum=116 Sermon: Q. & A. on Genesis, Jeffersonville, IN, July 29, 1953]
:''And God in the beginning made His first man. He made him out of spirit. And spirit is the invisible part of man that you don't see. Now, God made man in His Own image..."And God is a Spirit," says the Bible. And the first man that was made had the government over all the creation, just like the Holy Spirit has government over the Church today. He led the creation. He led the animals.
:''But there was no man to till the soil, so God made man out of dust of the earth.... And so now when they argue, "Well, his feet look like a bear, and his hands look like a--a ape or a--a monkey, or so forth," they try to say his origin come that. That has nothing to do with it. This is the body of flesh that he's just living in, like a house, it's going back to the dust of the earth. But the spirit is immortal; it comes from God. That's the image of God. God is a Spirit.''
:[http://www.nathan.co.za/message.asp?sermonum=10 Sermon: The Diety of Jesus Christ Jeffersonville, IN, Dec. 25, 1949]


==The Names of Elohim in the Old Testament==
==The Names of Elohim in the Old Testament==