The Names of God Series: Elohim
The name Elohim is a depiction of strength and power. That name occurs 34 times in the creation narrative. The Bible is making the point that God is the Creator of all and the Sustainer of everything. He is the very source of life. Elohim occurs over 2500 times in the Old Testament. Clearly, the Bible is about Him and He is the focal point of all that we do.
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Elohim - God
In the very first verse of the Bible we are introduced to the main character of our faith. That character is God and He is referred to in the Hebrew text as Elohim.
Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
The name Elohim is a depiction of strength and power. That name occurs 34 times in the creation narrative. The Bible is making the point that God is the Creator of all and the Sustainer of everything. He is the very source of life. Elohim occurs over 2500 times in the Old Testament. Clearly, the Bible is about Him and He is the focal point of all that we do.
Many of the other names of God incorporate the name, Elohim. For instance, when the Bible calls Him “God Almighty” it uses the shortened version of Elohim and calls Him “El Shaddai.” Everlasting God is “El Olam.”
Many Old Testament names incorporate a similar feature. Daniel, Joel, Ezekiel and Israel all have the shortened version of God’s Name in them.
Elohim is our Maker and He rules over His creation in strength and in might. This is the meaning behind the most common name of God in the Bible. It is this name for God that Jesus cried out when He hung on the cross. “Eli, Eli” means “My God, My God.” (Matthew 27:46)
When we call God Elohim we are acknowledging that He is our Creator and Sustainer, all-powerful and able to do all things.
Jeremiah 10:10
“But the Lord is the True God; He is the Living God and the Everlasting King.”
