God the Father, Mentor's Guide, MG06

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G O D T H E F A T H E R

A P P E N D I X 1 4

The Names of Almighty God Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

I. The Names of God

A. Elohim

1. Elohim is a Hebrew plural form used more than 2000 times in the Old Testament, usually termed a “plural of majesty” of the general name for God. 2. Derived from El , whose root meaning is “to be strong” (cf. Gen. 17.1; 28.3; 35.11; Josh. 3.10) or “to be preeminent.”(cf. Frank M. Cross, “El,” in Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament , 6 vols., revised, edited by G. Johannes Botterweck and Helmer Ringgren (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1977, 1:244.) 4. This name emphasizes God’s transcendence (cf. that God is above all others who are called God). Elohim is the plural form of El ; the terms seem to be interchangeable (cf. Exod. 34.14; Ps. 18.31; Deut. 32.17, 21). 5. El may signify in some texts (such as Isa. 31.3) the “power and strength of God and the defenselessness of human enemies” (cf. Hos. 11.9). (Cf. 34. Helmer Ringgren, “ Elohim ,” in Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament , 1:273–74.) 3. Elohim is usually translated “God” in English translations.

B. Adonai

1. The term Adonai (Heb. Adhon or Adhonay ) in its root means “lord” or “master” and is usually translated “Lord” in English Bibles. 2. It occurs 449 times in the Old Testament and 315 times with Yahweh. Adhon emphasizes the servant-master relationship (cf. Gen. 24.9) and suggests God’s authority as Master, i.e., the One rules with absolute authority (cf. Ps. 8.1; Hos. 12.14).