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Elohim

English translation: God

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Hebrew term or phrase:Elohim
English translation:God
Entered by: Michal Circolone

23:42 May 4, 2003
Hebrew to English translations [Non-PRO]
Hebrew term or phrase: Elohim
A name of God, but is it translated plural or singular? If singular, what is the plural form, and vice versa?
Barco
God
Explanation:
Actually, it's not a name of God but translates to God. (singular)

The word Elohim refers to the Creator (i.e. singular), and it has a plural ending to suggest majesty.

The plural form for god (elil) is gods (elilim). There is no plural form for God, the Creator.

Hope this helps,
Michal
Selected response from:

Michal Circolone
United States
Local time: 02:31
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
5 +5God
Michal Circolone


  

Answers


15 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +5
God


Explanation:
Actually, it's not a name of God but translates to God. (singular)

The word Elohim refers to the Creator (i.e. singular), and it has a plural ending to suggest majesty.

The plural form for god (elil) is gods (elilim). There is no plural form for God, the Creator.

Hope this helps,
Michal

Michal Circolone
United States
Local time: 02:31
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in HebrewHebrew
PRO pts in pair: 48

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Tal Ganani (X): Interesting to note that the Raelians claim it is plural because of the "im" and say it's been mistranslated...
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Tal. :-)
agree  EGB Translations
2 hrs
  -> Thanks! :-)
neutral  Tal Kinnersly: Not singular form, though used as such (pos. influenced by older cultures). The singular form is Eloha. El (singular), too, is translated as God (Elim for plural). Elil(im) refers to idols.
2 hrs
agree  Penina Wolicki: Another usage of the word in the Bible is (human) "Judge", also singular, and not the plural of "Eloha"
2 hrs
  -> Thanks, Penina. :-)
agree  David Swidler
4 hrs
  -> Thanks, David. :-)
agree  Ino66 (X)
5 hrs
  -> Thanks! :-)
agree  Jonathan Widell
6 hrs
  -> Thanks! :-)
disagree  Eynat: Elil is not god but idol. Tal is right about eloha and el.
23 hrs
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