Understanding Elohim: The Importance of God’s Name

Prepare to meet your God. Amos 4:12b.

Introduction

God’s name is so personal that people consider it too holy and sacred to pronounce or write. So out of obedience to the Third Commandment and reverence, we do not want to misuse, deface, or forget His name.

A name that was not to be spoken!

Yet the most profound way to deepen our relationship with God is to know Him by name. The best way to understand why God has so many names is to view them as titles. Each name holds a unique meaning and reveals an aspect of God’s character, purpose, and relationship with humanity.

Among these names, “Elohim”, the Hebrew word for God, Mighty Creator, stands out as a foundational title.

What does it mean to know God as Elohim?

What Does “Elohim” Mean?

“Elohim” is the very first name for God that appears in the Bible: “In the beginning, God (Elohim) created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1).

The Old Testament uses the Hebrew name “Elohim” over 2,500 times. While it is a plural form, it is most often used with singular verbs and adjectives when referring to the one true God, suggesting both the majesty and the mystery of God’s nature.

Elohim additionally conveys God’s power and sovereignty as the Creator and Sustainer of the world and the universe. God is all-powerful, transcendent, and beyond human comprehension, yet intimately involved with His creation.

Knowing God as Elohim invites us to acknowledge His authority over the universe and our lives.

Why is it important to understand God, Elohim?

… In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. Ex 20:24b NKJ.

Knowing God and remembering who He is is more than an exercise in studying the Word. Knowing Him by name shapes the way we view Him, the world, and the place we live. Understanding His name helps us grasp the magnitude of God and the beauty of His creative power. It is He who brings order out of chaos and sustains every aspect of life – existence.

When we bow in reverence and awe to Elohim, we express our faith in His supreme ability, creativity, and strength. We encounter Him more intimately. No matter how complex or overwhelming our circumstances may be, God is both in control and intimately present.

Elohim is as close as the breath you breathe and as near as the beating of your heart.

In the Name?

In this way, they will pronounce My name over the Israelites. Numbers 6:27

The name of God has profound significance. God’s names are not arbitrary labels; they’re revelations of God’s character, promises, and relationship with humanity. His name is so important to our personal relationship with Him that in Numbers 6 He guided Aaron and the priests to pronounce His name over His people, and this is the way to do it:

May the LORD bless you and protect you; may the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the LORD look with favor on you and give you peace.

When His name is placed on us, it becomes a place of honor, and then we are blessed – highly favored of the Lord.

When we address God by name in prayer, it is an act of reverence, intimacy, and faith.

Calling God “Elohim” is a powerful way to focus on His creative power and sovereignty. He encourages us to trust Him in all situations because He has authority over all His creation. You are His creation.

We know this to be true. There will be times of confusion and uncertainty, but by calling on God “by name,” we remember He is the One who brings light out of darkness and order out of chaos. Our vocabulary does not limit God, and the Spirit helps us pray as we should. What matters is the sincerity of our hearts and an intimate desire to connect to Him – to commune with Elohim.

To know Him is to love Him – to know Him by name is to trust Him.

Conclusion

God wants to be seen, heard, and known. By discovering God’s revelations of Himself, we can see Him, hear His word, and come to know Him honestly by name. The more we know Him, the closer we move to the heart of God.

Such knowledge of the deep things of God strengthens our faith and deepens our communion with Him. Let the name “Elohim” inspire awe, trust, and a greater sense of God’s presence.

Prepare to meet your God.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you. 2 Cor 13:13 NIV.