Elohim
Stop
What is in a name? Do you know the meaning of your name? This week we will look at three names that have been used to describe God so far in our study through Genesis. Today we’ll look at Elohim.
Listen
So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27)
Reflect
The English word God in this verse is translating the Hebrew word Elohim. What is really fascinating about this word is that it is plural. The word El is the generic term for any spiritual being in the ancient world. Every tribe worshipped its own particular El. Adding ohim to El—Elohim—is to say many Els.
The verse says, “Elohim created humankind in his image.” The word his is a singular pronoun. So, which is it? Is El a single spiritual being, or multiple spiritual beings?
The answer…yes.
This seeming contradiction is the starting point for how the Bible presents the infinite mystery of God—or the ultimate reality. It is beyond our comprehension, to be sure. What does it mean? How can we understand it?
Before you throw up your hands and walk away, claiming that it is too confusing, let’s look at the rest of the verse to get a clue about Elohim.
It says that Elohim created humans in Elohim’s image…male AND female Elohim created them.
There is our first clue to one aspect of God. Elohim, god, the ultimate reality, is not a singular being in the universe. The image of Elohim is the relationship between the male and female. Humanity itself is not uniform. There is variety in gender, race, personality, etc. We are created by the plurality and relationship of Elohim to be in a dynamic, pluralistic relationship with each other and all creation.
Chew on that today.
Pray
Elohim, creator of this vast and complex universe, may we reflect your image today in the way we interact with every person, animal and creature we encounter. Thank you for the gift of life. Amen.
Carry On
Dear reader, may you enter the next moment of your life knowing that you are loved by love itself and created to be in relationship with everything around you.