Hebrew word · Strong's H430

אֱלֹהִים

ʼĕlôhîym · el-o-heem' · noun · “God”

In a sentence

Elohim is the common Hebrew word for God — grammatically plural but used of the one true God, emphasizing his majesty, power, and fullness as Creator.

Elohim is the word that opens the Bible: “In the beginning, God (Elohim) created.” Though plural in form, it takes singular verbs when referring to the true God — a usage many see as hinting at his fullness and majesty.

Elohim stresses God as the mighty Creator and ruler of all. Alongside his personal covenant name (YHWH), it frames the Bible’s God as both transcendent Maker and near, covenant-keeping Lord.

Strong's reference

Definition: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative

KJV usage: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.

Reference gloss from Strong's Concordance (1890, public domain).

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Deuteronomy 6:4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.” Psalms 19:1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.”

Original BibleDawn word study. Original-language data and the public-domain Strong's (1890) gloss are referenced; see sources.