Page 4 - May 2026 - Truth & Tidings

Elohim confines, as Paul preached in Acts 17. It is
God has had the unique privilege of God’s power and strength, greatness and
“naming” Himself, and in the names of glory. In our A.V., when we encounter
“God” spelled with a capital “G” followed
God there is an intended progressive self- by lowercase letters, the usual original
revelation of His Person and character. word is “Elohim.” Thus, Elohim reveals
Elohim, this majestic title for God, is the to us a God of power and majesty, who
very first one that confronts us as we open brought the cosmos out of nothing, order
our Bibles. “In the beginning, God [Elo- and life to a barren globe, and humanity
him], created the heavens and the earth.” to populate it.
1
A review of Genesis 1:1-2:4, the account
of creation, shows us this name used 35 Elohim is frequently linked with the
times. When we move from God’s creato- thought of “covenant-keeping.” Look
rial work in the cosmos (Genesis 1) to His for example at His words to Noah, “And
involvement with His creatures, Adam God [Elohim] said, This is the token of the
and Eve, the title “Jehovah” is added to covenant which I make between me and
the title “Elohim, the Lord God.” Elohim you and every living creature that is with
occurs more than 2,250 times, sometimes you, for perpetual generations” (Gen 9:12),
with an addition such as “God of Abra- and to Abraham, “And I will establish
ham,” but mostly it is free-standing. Only my covenant between me and thee and
the title “Jehovah” occurs more frequently thy seed after thee in their generations
than “Elohim.” for an everlasting covenant, to be a God
[Elohim] unto thee, and to thy seed after
The title and its prominence in the thee” (17:7). Perhaps in this usage there
creation account suggest to us God in is not only the thought of faithfulness
His sovereignty and majesty. He is the but of the inherent ability, because of His
Creator-God, sufficient in Himself, be- sovereignty and power, to keep His word.
yond human conception, contribution or
There is one other significant fact about
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the this name: it is a plural form, but despite
KJV. this it is always accompanied by a verb

132 TRUTH kTidings May 2026