אלוהים

Hebrew

Root
א־ל־הּ

Alternative forms

Etymology

Proto-Northwest-Semitic *ʾlh, a form of Proto-Semitic *ʾil-, whence also אל. Cognate with Phoenician 𐤀𐤋𐤌, Aramaic אלהא and איל, Akkadian 𒀭, Arabic اله and الله, and Ugaritic 𐎛𐎍.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): [eloˈhim]

Noun

אלוהים \ אֱלֹהִים (elohím)

  1. plural indefinite of אֱלוֹהַּ (elóah)

Noun

אֱלוֹהִים \ אֱלֹהִים (elohím) m (singular construct אלוהי \ אֱלֹהֵי־)

  1. A god.
  2. An officer, judge, or the like.[1]

Usage notes

  • This word is sometimes grammatically plural and sometimes singular.

Declension

Proper noun

אֱלוֹהִים \ אֱלֹהִים (elohím) m (singular construct אלוהי \ אֱלֹהֵי־)

  1. God: the God of Israel.

Usage notes

  • This word is sometimes grammatically plural and sometimes singular.
  • In traditional vocalization, the א is elided when a prefixed clitic is added. Thus, “to God” is לֵאלֹהִים (lelohím) rather than לֶאֱלֹהִים (le'elohím).
  • Observant Jews, outside of prayer, may prefer to write and say אֱלוֹקִים (elokím), so as not to abuse the name of God.

References

  1. Commentaries of Rashi and ibn Ezra (inter alia) to Exodus 4:16 and 21:6
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