Lexical Summary eloah: God Original Word: אֱלוֹהַּ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance God, god Probably prolonged (emphat.) From 'el; a deity or the Deity -- God, god. See 'elohiym. see HEBREW 'el see HEBREW 'elohiym NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originprol. from el Definition God, god NASB Translation God (50), god (6), God's (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֱלֹהַּ57 so Deuteronomy 32:17; לֶאֱלֹהַּ Daniel 11:38 (see BD) suffix לֵאלֹהוֺ Habakkuk 1:11; elsewhere אֱלוֺהַּ noun masculine god, God. (Samaritan id., Aramaic אֱלָהּ, 1 a heathen god, late usage; כָּלאֱֿלוֺהַּ2Chronicles 32:15; Daniel 11:37; זוּ כחו לאלהו whose power is his god Habakkuk 1:11; 2 Kings 17:31 (but Qr אֱלֹהֵי), אשר הביא אֱלוֺהַּ בְּיָדוֺ who doth bring God in his hand Job 12:6 (Ew Di RVm, etc.) 2 God, used in ancient poems Deuteronomy 32:15,17; Psalm 18:32, and on their basis an archaism in later poetry Job 3:4 + (41 t. Job), Psalm 50:22; Psalm 114:7; Psalm 139:19; Proverbs 30:5; Isaiah 44:8; Habakkuk 3:3; Nehemiah 9:17 (citing Exodus 34:6 where אֵל is used). Topical Lexicon Scope and Placement in Scripture The title אֱלוֹהַּ (Eloah) appears about sixty times in the Hebrew canon. More than two-thirds of the occurrences are concentrated in the Book of Job, with the remainder sprinkled through Deuteronomy, Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Habakkuk, Nehemiah, 2 Chronicles, and Daniel. The distribution ties the name especially to poetic and wisdom contexts, where deep reflections on the character of God and the problem of human suffering are central. Eloah as the Singular Sovereign of Israel Eloah underscores the individuality and unity of the LORD. Where Elohim can speak of majesty in the plural, Eloah makes an unmistakable singular claim: one personal, living God. Moses warns, “Jeshurun grew fat and kicked… then he abandoned the God who made him” (Deuteronomy 32:15). The psalmist exalts, “Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him” (Proverbs 30:5). Isaiah hears the divine challenge, “Is there any God besides Me? There is no other Rock; I know not one” (Isaiah 44:8). Such uses reinforce monotheism in the face of polytheistic cultures. Usage in Poetry and Wisdom Literature Job’s debate brims with Eloah. Accusers and sufferer alike appeal to the same righteous Judge: Because Job wrestles with innocent suffering, Eloah becomes the focal point for questions of justice, providence, and redemption—questions ultimately answered when the LORD speaks from the whirlwind. Eloah Distinguished from Idol Deities The name can be applied ironically to false gods, exposing their emptiness. Hezekiah declares, “Do not let Hezekiah deceive you… no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people” (2 Chronicles 32:15). Habakkuk describes conquering armies “whose own strength is their god” (Habakkuk 1:11). Daniel prophesies of a future tyrant who will “honor a god of fortresses” (Daniel 11:38). By using the same term, Scripture contrasts the living Eloah with counterfeit powers, accentuating His incomparable glory. Relationship to Other Divine Titles Eloah often appears alongside metaphors such as “Rock” (Deuteronomy 32:15) or covenantal names such as YHWH. The pairing safeguards both transcendence and covenant intimacy: He is singular in essence (Eloah) and relational in promise (YHWH). In places like Nehemiah 9:17 both titles occur within the same prayer of confession and worship. Doctrinal Emphases 1. Unity of God: Eloah refutes any division within the Godhead while leaving room for later New Testament revelation of the Trinity’s persons. Messianic Echoes Job’s cry “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25) flows out of trust in Eloah and anticipates the incarnate Redeemer revealed in the New Testament. The singular name lays groundwork for understanding Christ as the one true God manifested in flesh—without compromising the Old Testament’s monotheism. Practical Applications for Faith and Ministry • Worship: Addressing God as Eloah cultivates reverence for His singular majesty. Selected Occurrences for Study Job 3:4; 5:8; 13:15; 19:25; 22:12; 35:10 Psalms 50:22; 139:19 Habakkuk 1:11; 3:3 These passages, read together, portray Eloah as the one, righteous, irreplaceable God who demands exclusive devotion and supplies gracious redemption. Forms and Transliterations אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַ אֱ֝ל֗וֹהַּ אֱ֭לוֹהַּ אֱל֑וֹהַּ אֱל֖וֹהַּ אֱל֗וֹהַּ אֱל֙וֹהַ֙ אֱל֙וֹהַּ֙ אֱל֣וֹהַ אֱל֣וֹהַּ אֱל֥וֹהַּ ׀ אֱל֨וֹהַּ אֱל֨וֹהַּ ׀ אֱל֫וֹהָ֥י אֱלֹ֔הַ אֱלֹהֵ֥י אֱלֽוֹהַּ׃ אֱלוֹהֵ֥י אֱלוֹהַ֣י אלה אלהי אלוה אלוה׃ אלוהי וְלֶאֱל֜וֹהַּ וְלֶאֱלֹ֙הַּ֙ וֶ֝אֱל֗וֹהַּ ואלוה ולאלה ולאלוה לֶ֭אֱלוֹהַּ לֶאֱל֣וֹהַּ לאלוה מֵאֱל֣וֹהַ מאלוה ’ĕ·lō·ha ’ĕ·lō·hê ’ĕ·lō·w·ah ’ĕ·lō·w·ha ’ĕ·lō·w·hay ’ĕ·lō·w·hāy ’ĕ·lō·w·hê ’ĕlōha ’ĕlōhê ’ĕlōwah ’ĕlōwha ’ĕlōwhay ’ĕlōwhāy ’ĕlōwhê eLoah eLoha eLoHai eloHei le’ĕlōwah le·’ĕ·lō·w·ah Leeloah mê’ĕlōwha mê·’ĕ·lō·w·ha meeLoha veeLoah veleeLoah we’ĕlōwah we·’ĕ·lō·w·ah wə·le·’ĕ·lō·ah wə·le·’ĕ·lō·w·ah wəle’ĕlōah wəle’ĕlōwahLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 32:15 HEB: כָּשִׂ֑יתָ וַיִּטֹּשׁ֙ אֱל֣וֹהַ עָשָׂ֔הוּ וַיְנַבֵּ֖ל NAS: Then he forsook God who made KJV: [with fatness]; then he forsook God [which] made INT: and sleek forsook God made and scorned Deuteronomy 32:17 2 Kings 17:31 2 Chronicles 32:15 Nehemiah 9:17 Job 3:4 Job 3:23 Job 4:9 Job 4:17 Job 5:17 Job 6:4 Job 6:8 Job 6:9 Job 9:13 Job 10:2 Job 11:5 Job 11:6 Job 11:7 Job 12:4 Job 12:6 Job 15:8 Job 16:20 Job 16:21 Job 19:6 Job 19:21 60 Occurrences |