2. Most scholars believe the name Elohim is formed from the Hebrew word El, which means  'strong  one' or  'power/might' and the verb ' Alah" to swear.

         3. Secondary Usage: In its common use, elohim can be interpreted as a god/pagan
            -Idols (Ex. 34:17)
            -Men (Ps. 82:6)
            -Judges (Ex. 22:8)
            -Angels (Ps. 29:1)

ACTION: Read Gen. 5:18-24
QUESTION: How do you interpret this...God or heavenly beings?

    B. Historical Significance

ACTION: Read Gen. 1:1-31
QUESTION: From reading Genesis 1, what kind of impression do you get from the name Elohim?
                      What do we learn about history from the name Elohim as revealed in Gen. 1?

         1. In Elohim we see God in creation, working with a dark void until by His  word all is set in order and  made 'very good'.

         2. This is the name we must learn first as it shows us that when all is dark, lost and  confused, He brings back first His light and life and then His image and makes all  things new and very good.

         3. Elohim in it's uses speaks of  creation, judgement, deliverance and punishment of evildoers.

         4. We learn that Elohim created everything. it was not evolution or the big bang. There was in fact a historical Adam and Eve and a garden of Eden.

    C. Theological significance

QUESTION: Anyone know what the mystery behind the name Elohim is?

         1. The mystery of Elohim.
             -Hebrew word 'Elohim'  is a plural noun.  This name, though plural, is usually joined with verbs and adjectives in the
              singular. (singular verbs: Gen. 1:1,3 : singular adjectives: 2 Kings 19:4,16 &    Psalm 7:9) Even  from the beginning
              we can see the mystery of a plurality in  God.

ACTION: Read  (Deut. 32:39) 'There is no God beside Me.'
                 Read  (Isa. 45:22; 46:9) 'I am God, and there is none else.'
                 Read  (Gen. 1:26) 'Let Us make man in Our own image, after Our own likeness.'
                 Read  (Gen. 11:5-8) 'Go to, let Us go down and confound  their languages'
                 Read  (Gen. 3:22)  'The man is become like one of Us.'
                 Read  (Isa. 6:8)   'Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?'

         2. In other places as well the mystery is revealed though not always apparent to the English  reader.
            a.( Ecc 12:1 ) is literally translated ' remember thy creators'
            b. ( Job 35:10 ) is literally 'God my makers'
            c. ( Prov. 9:10 ) is literally ' the knowledge of the Holy Ones in understanding'
            d. ( 1 Cor. 13:14 ) While on earth we say: 'Father, Son and Holy Ghost'

         3. Other explanation of the plural Elohim.
            -It is a plural of majesty and not intended as a true plural when used of God.

QUESTION: What is meant by 'plural of majesty'?

    D. Personal Application

ACTION: Read Phil. 2:13 and Phil. 1:6

         1. Elohim is shown in the Bible as the One True God. The whole first chapter of Genesis  shows us One, who because He is Elohim in virtue of His own nature, can never leave us, fallen as we are, till all again is very good. Each stage of  restoration is the direct result of the Word and the work of Elohim. God/Elohim is still in the creating business...He created new life from dead sinners.

         2. Elohim is always ready to put forth His power and creative ability  on our behalf. When the world fails  us, God will be faithful.

Biblical Illustration: Ecclesiastes

QUESTION: What is the reoccurring theme  from the Book of Ecclesiastes?
                                      'Vanity of Vanity, all is vanity'

         3. Forty times Ecclesiastes uses the word Elohim, and no other name, in speaking of God.
             -He is the transcendent God ("God is in heaven," 5:2),
             -He is the Creator (12:1), "the Maker of all things" (11:5).
             -His created works include man, giving him life (8:15; 9:9) and a spirit (3:21; 12:7), making him upright (7:29), and
              setting eternity in his heart (3:11).
             -In His sovereignty God has planned the timing of all things (3:1–8),  which timing is beautiful (v. 13), though
               incomprehensible (v. 11; 8:17; 11:5) and unalterable by man (3:14; 7:13).
             -The creative activities God has under His control include positive elements of life such as birth, planting, healing, joy,
               searching, keeping, mending, speaking, loving, and  enjoying  peace and all their negative opposites (3:1–8).
             -All of life is under divine appointment / timing. God in His sovereignty and providence controls; the rising and setting
              of the sun, the cyclic movements of the wind, the flowing of rivers, and the evaporation of water (1:5–7).
             -Ten times God is said to give and 10 times to do.
             -Man's burden and toil is given by God (1:13; 3:10).
             -God gives man opportunity to enjoy food and work (2:24; 3:13; 5:19–20; 9:7),
             -He gives man wisdom, knowledge, and happiness (2:26),
             -He gives man wealth, possessions, and honor (5:19; 6:2).

QUESTION: What comfort can we find from God/Elohim from King Solomon's understanding of God?

           -W/O the powerful and creative God/Elohim, all in life is useless/worthless.
           -We have no power over time. It is ordained by the creator God, Elohim.