First, what does Elohim mean? Elohim is the plural version of the Hebrew word El, which means “mighty one”. This name isn’t unique to the one true God. It has also been used for judges, rulers, and angels. It basically is a title given to anyone with immense power.
Elohim is the first name for God used in the Bible. This highlights that He is the supreme creator of everything. The name Elohim is used in the Hebrew Bible over 2500 times and is used in some very important passages in the Bible, including the Shema and Ten Commandments. The Shema is a prayer (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) Jews recite twice daily. It goes like this: “Hear O Isreal, the YHWH our Elohim the YHWH is one. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength.” The name Elohim is one of the most commonly used names of God in the Old Testament, so it’s important we know what it means.