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curious1
Newbie Alert
Joined: 10 Sep 2007
Posts: 4
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 Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 11:46 am Post subject: Deuteronomy 6:4 |
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why is the plural name Eloyhim used, when it speaks about the unity of God?
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Colter
Rabid Pit Bull
Joined: 20 Mar 2007
Posts: 409
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| Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:03 pm Post subject: Re: Deuteronomy 6:4 |
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| curious1 wrote: | why is the plural name Eloyhim used, when it speaks about the unity of God?
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Good question. The term is likely a derivative of numerous Semitic God concepts, coalesced into one concept, and later trumped by (Jews) as the superior concept Yahwey (racial God of the Israelites) Scholars detect an "evolutionary" life in the scriptures and Judaic literature concerning theses various names for deity.
From Jewsih Encyclopedia:
Elohim.
The most common of the originally appellative names of God is Elohim (), plural in form though commonly construed with a singular verb or adjective. This is, most probably, to be explained as the plural of majesty or excellence, expressing high dignity or greatness: comp. the similar use of plurals of "ba'al" (master) and "adon" (lord). In Ethiopic, Amlak ("lords") is the common name for God. The singular, Eloah (), is comparatively rare, occurring only in poetry and late prose (in Job, 41 times). The same divine name is found in Arabic (ilah) and in Aramaic (elah). The singular is used in six places for heathen deities (II Chron. xxxii. 15; Dan. xi. 37, 38; etc.); and the plural also, a few times, either for gods or images (Ex. ix. 1, xii. 12, xx. 3; etc.) or for one god (Ex. xxxii. 1; Gen. xxxi. 30, 32; etc.). In the great majority of cases both are used as names of the one God of Israel.
The root-meaning of the word is unknown. The most probable theory is that it may be connected with the old Arabic verb "alih" (to be perplexed, afraid; to seek refuge because of fear). Eloah, Elohim, would, therefore, be "He who is the object of fear or reverence," or "He with whom one who is afraid takes refuge" (comp. the name "fear of Isaac" in Gen. xxxi. 42, 53; see also Isa. viii. 13; Ps. lxxvi. 12). The predominance of this name in the later writings, as compared with the more distinctively Hebrew national name Yhwh, may have been due to the broadening idea of God as the transcendent and universal Lord.
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=52&letter=N&search=Elohim
Colter |
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kejonn
Show Poodle
Joined: 21 Jul 2007
Posts: 251
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| Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 11:21 am Post subject: |
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What difference does it make in the case of this verse?
Deu 6:4 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!
It does not say "elohim" is one, it says YHWH is one. If you want to choose to apply plurality here to "elohim" it could be interpreted that of all the gods out there, YHWH is the God of Israel, and YHWH is one. The Israelites could look to the other peoples around them and say that they had one God, and His title (or name, according to Ex 6:3) is YHWH. |
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TwoPutt
Fierce Puppy
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 227
Location: Texas
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| Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:05 am Post subject: |
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Hi Kejonn,
| kejonn wrote: | What difference does it make in the case of this verse?
Deu 6:4 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!
It does not say "elohim" is one, it says YHWH is one. If you want to choose to apply plurality here to "elohim" it could be interpreted that of all the gods out there, YHWH is the God of Israel, and YHWH is one. The Israelites could look to the other peoples around them and say that they had one God, and His title (or name, according to Ex 6:3) is YHWH. |
Good observation. With the plethora of "gods" in the nations surrounding Israel, the Shema was a bold declaration of the Kingdom of Israel in relation to the nations around them. Of course, we know from many passages in the Bible that these "gods" were really no gods, but that is a difficult assertion to make to those who grow up in their religion believing whatever form of ba'al their particular group worships. Therefore, the superiority of Jehovah Elohiym was promoted in many instances instead. Moses and Aaron before Pharoah is a good example; Elijah on Mount Horeb is another.
Colter's use of the Jewish Encyclopedia is appropriate. The word elohiym is plural, but the specifics surrounding the proper context lies in the use of a singular verb accompanying the word itself. Steven is much better at explaining language specifics so maybe he'll hop on here and give an explanation.
God bless,
2P |
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atoz
Emperor of the Solar System
Joined: 28 Jun 2007
Posts: 4189
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| Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 3:52 am Post subject: Re: Deuteronomy 6:4 |
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| curious1 wrote: | why is the plural name Eloyhim used, when it speaks about the unity of God?
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Because Elohim is a uniplural word like family or church or nation or community or any surname or any other such similar words,
and because
God is Love, which Love is uniplural because it loves all words and so represents all words.
With all in the One Name & Word Love and the one Name & Word Love in all,
atoz |
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lone-traveler
Emperor of the Universe
Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 6342
Location: USA
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| Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:08 am Post subject: Re: Deuteronomy 6:4 |
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| curious1 wrote: | why is the plural name Eloyhim used, when it speaks about the unity of God?
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I had a funny thought...
We are legion...many legions af angels and devils..LOL...working with God and by the faith in God...building a new man...with him, by him, and for him....which is him doing in us and for us... 
Let US make man...
God who has already called us from the foundation of the world to build a house..IN HIS NAME!!!
Which temple YE ARE!!!
!!!!!!!
And some of us our stones and some of us are stonecutters. Some of us are Silver and some of us are the fire that refines the silver. Some of us are stubble that is used for the fire to refine the silver..LOL...
All in ALL...
YEHAWWW!
God Bless
Hugs
and all that mushy stufff...LOL...
Lone |
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OrdinaryRadical
Tadpole
Joined: 26 Aug 2007
Posts: 23
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| Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 10:27 am Post subject: |
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Hmm...very interesting
I don't believe I've ever heard that put like that. Definitely something worth looking at. |
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bitterlily
Big Pit Bull
Joined: 15 Jul 2007
Posts: 398
Location: Australia
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| Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 7:07 pm Post subject: |
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| curious1 wrote: | why is the plural name Eloyhim used, when it speaks about the unity of God?
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I see Elohim like WATER poured into different VESSELS . The VESSELS may all have different names but the content is still the same.
Hear, O Israel: Yehovah Elohyim is one Yehovah: Deu 6:4
In the beginning we see Elohim creating the heavens and the earth. From what I can make out ELOHIM(1) consisted of the WORD of Elohim(2) and the BREATH of Elohim(3) and these Elohim are ONE YEHOVAH. Notice that both the WORD and the BREATH come from ONE's MOUTH.
For there are three (ELOHIM) that bear witness in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit(BREATH): and these three are ONE (JEHOVAH). 1Jn 5:7
And the BREATH of YEHOVAH came upon him... Jdg 3:10
After these things the WORD of YEHOVAH came unto Abram...Gen 15:1
He that has seen ME has seen the FATHER. John 14:9
Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in THE NAME(1) of the Father, and of the Son(WORD), and of the Holy Spirit(BREATH): Mat 28:19 and these three are ONE (JEHOVAH). 1Jn 5:7
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in THE NAME(1) of JESUS (YEHOVAH SAVES) THE ANOINTED(Christ) for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit(BREATH). Act 2:38 |
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