Elohim The Unbroken

Elohim (Strong's # H-430) is the first name of God that appears in scripture in Genesis 1:1. 

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Elohim is translated as God.   The name Elohim comes from the root, elah or el meaning, “strong or mighty.”  Elohim is associated with the idea of a “strong creator.”  The ancient meaning of El is “one who holds authority over others.” 

 The ending added to the word elah or el makes this word plural yet it is used with singular verbs and adjectives.   Elohim is plural but used as singular thousands of times in the Old Testament.   When elohim is used in the plural sense it is usually in reference to pagan gods and not referring to the God of Israel.  From a Christian perspective we can see the trinity expressed in this name (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) but the corporate Godhead was also part of the Hebrew understanding from the Tanakh (Old Testament Scriptures).  

Then the LORD God (Elohim) said, “Let Us make man in Our own image, according to Our likeness;”    Genesis 1:26

Whom shall I send and who will go for Us?   Isaiah 6:8

Come near to Me, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, I was there, and now the LORD God and His Spirit have sent Me.”  Isaiah 48:16 

Hear, O Israel; The LORD our God(s), the LORD is one! (echad)!     Deuteronomy 6:4

The word for one is echad in Hebrew.  Echad means, “one, one and only one, united.”  In the Shema (the scripture above) the Jewish people would proclaim their belief in the unity of God.  Some writers would argue that the Elohim was plural in form to place emphasis on the name to convey majesty, power and sovereignty but does it explain the use of Us and even the declaration in the Shema, “the LORD our God is one?”  

We worship our mighty, powerful and strong Creator.  We recognize His authority over the universe and all those who dwell in it. 

O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works.  Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, do not forsake me.  Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.  Psalm 71:17-18

Have you not known?  Have you not heard?  The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary.  His understanding is unsearchable.  He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.  Isaiah 40:28-29

The name of God, Elohim speaks of our strong and mighty Creator, the Holy Trinity, the Godhead and the everlasting, one and only authority over all things.  When you sing words like, “God you are my God” may you know the “strong Creator” that knows every hair on your head, every atom that exists and every event that has ever occurred in this universe.  May Elohim stir a sense of awe and desire within you to be connected with Him.  In Elohim we see the communion of Father, Son and Spirit.  It is an "unbroken" relationship.   Elohim gave a part of Himself in Jesus/Yeshua to repair the relationship we broke, what we destroyed in the garden.   Through the atonement Yeshua made for us we can find our identity, our eternal home in Elohim once again.  Enter the Mystery.........

Excerpt Words of Love: The Language of Worship, June Schuldt