Teaching - Elohim
(If Hebrew letters are unfamiliar, just read through them. In your mind say, "that thing" and read on. You may look more closely if you wish to verify things. [1] It is the consistent use of the meaning of the alphabet in notarikon [2], that shows it is a true meaning. It is impossible for any man to have imposed these meanings after the scripture was written. Hebrew is written right to left) |
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Confusion - Elohim
"In the beginning God..." [1] In the first full sentence of revelation God tells one of his names "Elohim" אלהים. It is said that it means God, plural Gods, Royal 'God', judges, etc. God has communicated to us in such a way that we might know him, and then after we know him, believe (trust) and understand him. [4] |
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Elohim - one or many
Some say that Elohim is a plural noun for eloah meaning 'gods' and conclude that there are many gods, or it is like the 'royal we' when the king speaks of himself in plural form. But these are secondary meaning which cannot be applied to all instances.
You can see how this causes problems, since God calls men elohim, and there is only one singular God. How do we make sense of this? We will use notarikon [1]. |
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Notarikon
'Notarikon' [1] is the ancient Hebrew practice of interpretation where words get their meaning from the combined meaning of the letters within.
'Elohim' אלהים means God 'El' אל separated from creation י, which has been finished by the son ם (or 'his people'), by ignorance ה. [2] References on NotarikonHebrew words derive meaning from the meaning of the letters. See SMS's answer here: https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/69442/whats-the-origin-of-this-approach-of-trying-to-obtain-meaning-from-the-individu Sefir Yetzirah "some early commentators treated it as a treatise on mathematical and linguistic theory as opposed to Kabbalah." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sefer_Yetzirah Current works by https://www.linkedin.com/in/rabbircklein/ who is attempting to coerce the meanings from the letters. This is the one which I am currently testing. https://sensusplenior.net/wiki/Pneumnemonic_Hebrew_for_Beginners using the rules posted here: What are the strict set of rules followed by sensus plenior? I am currently collaborating on a Dictionary of 'Gates'; two-letter sub-roots. John demonstrates a knowledge of this in 1Jo 5:7 Where heaven שמים has three consonants (yes and one vowel) which mean father מ, Word ם and Spirit א. And earth ארץ having Spirit א, water ר, and blood ץ. Naturally he translated into Greek for the emerging Greek church which did not have a background in Hebrew. Works and lectures by Rabbi Benjamin Blech https://www.rabbibenjaminblech.com/ |
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Men do not know God
Man is separated from God because they don't know him. 'Elohim' expresses the idea of the separation. When he calls men 'elohim' he is using the primary meaning.
God is called Elohim since men are separated from him. Men are called Elohim because they are separated from God. This [1] is the primary meaning of 'Elohim'. |
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Judges called Elohim
When judges are called 'Elohim' [1] it is not because they judge like God. They are separated from God.
He tells them they are separated from him by ignorance and they will die like men. [5] |
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Eloah - a man or idol
Using notarikon, eloah אלוה is singular for 'God אל discerned by, or made clear by ו ignorance ה. How can ignorance help us to discern God?
The ignorance of men causes a cacophony of confusion. In contrast, we know that there is a God who is rational and causes peace. [1] [2] It is foolish to call a man or idol 'God', or to follow your own council of good and evil; 'eloah'. Eloah says that such a declaration; that the man (yourself) or idol is a God, is totally foolish and made plain by the ignorance of the claim. It is a god for the foolish. |
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Gate of 'El' |