Lexical Summary
eloah: God
Original Word:אֱלוֹהַּ
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:elowahh
Pronunciation:eh-loh-ah
Phonetic Spelling:((shortened) >eloahh {el-o'-ah)
KJV: God, god See H0430
NASB:God, God's
Word Origin:[probably prolonged (emphat.) fromH410 (אֵל - God)]
1. a deity or the Deity
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
elDefinitionGod, god
NASB TranslationGod (50), god (6), God's (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
57 so
Deuteronomy 32:17;
Daniel 11:38 (see BD) suffix
Habakkuk 1:11; elsewhere
. (Samaritanid., Aramaic ,
, Arabic
, Sabean DHMl.c.; — as found in Hebrew probably a singular formed by inference from plural : compare Nesl.c.) —
a heathen god, late usage; 2Chronicles 32:15;Daniel 11:37;whose power is his godHabakkuk 1:11;2 Kings 17:31 (but Qr ),who doth bring God in his handJob 12:6 (Ew Di RVm, etc.)
Deuteronomy 32:15,17;Psalm 18:32, and on their basis an archaism in later poetryJob 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 (citingExodus 34:6 where is used).
Topical Lexicon
Scope and Placement in ScriptureThe 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:
• “But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause” (Job 5:8).
• “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him” (Job 13:15).
• “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25), a testimony framed within the very title that stresses God’s personal involvement.
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 likeNehemiah 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.
2. Righteousness: Job’s vocabulary highlights Eloah as the moral governor whose ways are perfect even when incomprehensible.
3. Creatorship: The term is linked to “Maker” (Job 35:10;Habakkuk 3:3), rooting worship in creation.
4. Exclusivity: No rival, human or spiritual, can claim His prerogatives (Isaiah 44:8).
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.
• Apologetics: The term strengthens a biblical defense of monotheism against pluralistic worldviews.
• Pastoral Care: Job’s usage models honest wrestling with suffering while maintaining unwavering confidence in Eloah’s justice.
• Mission: By exposing false “eloah” figures, Scripture motivates evangelism that calls people from idols to the living God.
Selected Occurrences for Study
Deuteronomy 32:15,17
2 Chronicles 32:15
Nehemiah 9:17
Job 3:4; 5:8; 13:15; 19:25; 22:12; 35:10
Psalms 50:22; 139:19
Proverbs 30:5
Isaiah 44:8
Habakkuk 1:11; 3:3
Daniel 11:37-39
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’ĕlōwah
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