Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

Picturing Theology, Revised Edition | 157

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 two thousand 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. Genesis 17:1; 28:3; 35:11; Joshua 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].) 3. Elohim is usually translated “God” in English translations. 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. Exodus 34:14; Psalm 18:31; Deuteronomy 32:17, 21). 5. El may signify in some texts (such as Isaiah 31:3) the “power and strength of God and the defenselessness of human enemies” (cf. Hosea 11:9). (Cf. 34. Helmer Ringgren, “ Elohim ,” in Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament , 1:273–74.) 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. Genesis 24:9) and suggests God’s authority as Master, i.e., the One rules with absolute authority (cf. Psalm 8:1; Hosea 12:14). 3. Adonai can be understood to mean “ Lord of all ” or “ Lord par excellence ” (cf. Deuteronomy 10:17; Joshua 3:11). (Cf. Merrill F. Unger and William White, Jr., eds., Nelson’s Expository Dictionary of the Old Testament [Nashville: Nelson, 1980], pp. 228–29; and Otto Eissfeldt, “ Adhon ,” in Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament , 1:59–72.)