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Is "elohim" singular or plural?

TonyChanYT

Member
Genesis 1:

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
God
אֱלֹהִ֑ים (’ĕ·lō·hמm)
Noun - masculine plural

It is in plural form but

created
בָּרָ֣א (bā·rā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular

Elohim:

The masculine plural ending does not mean “gods” when referring to the true God of Israel, since the name is mainly used with singular verb forms and with adjectives and pronouns in the singular
Plural elohim followed by singular verb bara refers to the one true God. There is plurality in unity within the divine being.

On the other hand, Exodus 32:

1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us.
gods
אֱלֹהִ֗ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

will go
יֵֽלְכוּ֙ (yê·lə·ḵū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural

In this case, we have the usual plural noun followed by a plural verb. This elohim is not the LORD God.

The Hebrew word elohim is plural in form but in a sentence, it can function as singular or plural depending on the verb or the adjective accompanying it. When it is singular in function in a sentence, it always refers to the LORD God.
 
Not having studied Hebrew I can only comment on what I've been taught, which is that elohim is the plural word for God.
That said is there a purpose for this post?
 
Not having studied Hebrew I can only comment on what I've been taught, which is that elohim is the plural word for God.
That said is there a purpose for this post?
Yes. The Hebrew word elohim is plural in form but in a sentence, it can function as singular or plural depending on the verb or the adjective accompanying it. When it is singular in function in a sentence, it always refers to the LORD God.
 
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