The Hebrew word ‘Alueim-Elohim’  ( אלהים ALHYM )

One of the most often mistranslated words in English bible translations is the word ‘God.’ The common English word ‘God’ has over time been given the definition of the ‘Almighty Sovereign’ or the ‘Supreme Deity’ or the ‘Creator of the Universe’ when used in many beliefs and religions. It appears that all religions seem to have the need for using the word ‘God’ or ‘Gods’ in their belief, but they also have many different definitions or concepts for their God(s). It is our position, that the common definition given by many English language dictionaries for the word God should NOT be used to translate any Hebrew Bible words in English Bible translations. Why do we say that? Because the word God is not associated with the common English definition in the Hebrew Bible because of the following facts:

The word ‘God’ where found in many English Bible translations is most often used to translate the Hebrew word Alueim/Elohim. When translators do this they are attempting to connect the common English definition for the word ‘God’ to a Hebrew word.  However, many times the definition and meaning would not be correct because the Hebrew word Alueim/Elohim has a very specific Hebrew definition that is not always defined with the English word ‘God’.  When the correct Hebrew definition is not used in English Bible translations, translation errors develop, as well as the meaning intended by the author of passages. This happens because the word is NOT always making a reference to The Almighty Sovereign Creator, and also important, when the English word ‘God’ is used, it would often need to be plural, as in ‘Gods’, since  Alueim/Elohim is a plural Hebrew noun.

The fact is, the Hebrew word Alueim/Elohim has the correct meaning of ‘powers’ or ‘mighty-ones’ and yes, the word is a plural noun and it should often be used in the plural. This is true because Hebrew also has singular Hebrew forms for the word spelled as Al, Aloah, Alyon, (using English letters). The fact is, when used in the Hebrew Bible, the word Alueim/Elohim can have a variety of meanings that are not correctly translated by using the English word ‘God’. Care must be made, and its use studied in context before Alueim/Elohim can correctly be defined, it is not by using the English word God.

The Hebrew word ‘Alueim-Elohim’ (transliterated in English)

Al: mighty-one, strength, power (singular)

Aloah: singular form of alueim with the same meanings as Al.

Alyon: The most-high (singular)

Alueim/Elohim: ( אלהים  ALHYM – Hebrew) Mighty-ones, Powers, plural because of the  ים (YM suffix)

Note: None of these words when used are proper names but are often used as a title.

It is true, that Alueim/Elohim (plural) can be understood and used in the singular, but only with ‘improper use’ or when used with a ‘singular’ verb or at times when content would specifically seem to indicate it could be understood to be the singular form, but that would be a judgment made by the translator.

Definitions:

אלהים ALHYM (Alueim) – Hebrew, means Mighty-ones, or Powers, (plural) and is found about five hundred sixty-eight times in the Hebrew Bible. The noun אלוה (ALWH) or אלה (ALH) singular form is found in the Hebrew Bible some fifty-seven times (of which two are in Deuteronomy and forty-one in the Story of Job). The Chaldee form אלה (ALH) like the Hebrew occurs about seventy-four times in the singular, and ten times in the plural. For that reason, Alueim in Gen 1:1 Alueim (God) would be plural (Gods) because it is in the correct proper form.

Sample:

Gen 1:1. ‘In the beginning Gods (or powers) created the sky and the earth’. 

When it has the correct plural form however, Christians have been taught the false idea that the Almighty Sovereign Eternal Creator must be a plurality of persons (the so-called Godhead) i.e. Father, Son, and Spirit. This they make into a trinity God, but they still want to keep it in a singular form because the Bible clearly teaches that the Almighty Sovereign Creator is in Hebrew, always ONE, or singular. The word Alueim is used in the plural when used with the article (the word the). Like for example the phrase, ‘the alueim said’ . . . means ‘the powers/mighty-ones said’. . . . or when the subject is talking about those beings (plural) who were appointed to form (or create) the sky and the earth as directed by their Almighty Sovereign Eternal Creator in the Genesis creation story.

A sample:

Gen 1:1. ‘In the beginning mighty-ones (or Powers) created the sky and the earth’. 

The Bible does not teach that the Almighty Sovereign Eternal Creator is a manmade Trinity. The Almighty however appears to use and directs His created mighty-ones or powers to do whatsoever He determines, and we believe The Almighty always communicates to mortal man on earth ‘through’ these beings, His created mighty-ones. These are the celestial powers/mighty-ones also called messengers (they are the alueim, commonly known as angels). At important times they may even use the name of the Almighty Yahweh (YHWH) since He has given them direct authority.

We believe that the alueim exist and were created, because mankind in a blood and flesh form could never survive a direct physical contact with the Almighty Sovereign Creator, the Life-Force Essence of the endless eternal Universe. We believe the alueim (celestial messengers, powers, and mighty-ones, the angels) have for that reason existed from their origin. The word ‘Alueim-Elohim’ in its direct use is either proper or improper, according to the object or subject matter to which it is applied. Every instance of its proper use in Hebrew appears to have the meaning mighty-ones, or powers. We believe they are those who are and were created to be the obedient celestial beings (angels), who exist to administer the universe as directed by the Almighty Sovereign Creator.

In the Hebrew Bible the word ‘Alueim-Elohim’ in a relative and as a well-defined form may refer to one(s) appointed by the Almighty Sovereign Creator to stand in a divine relationship. This relation is that of those transitional beings provided with authority and form, to administrator the will of The Almighty Sovereign Creator as His celestial or terrestrial messengers, as the ‘mighty-ones’ (in other words, the angels). Some have been given the power and authority to destroy, kill or strike down.

Various chosen men (prophets and messengers) terrestrial and celestial have exercised such a function for the Almighty among the people throughout the Hebrew Bible, and as recorded by Yahshua (Jesus) in the Greek Bible. All were empowered by The Almighty Sovereign Creator for the position He placed to them. Even Man was originally adapted to rule, being made in the image of the ‘mighty-ones’ and was commanded to have dominion over all the inferior creatures. Following the pattern, Parent(s) for example, are also power(s), or mighty-ones in some respect to protect the well being of their children.

Also see: https://aoycascade.com/Documents/Yahweh-and-god.html

https://aoycascade.com