32292 El

El is an ancient Semitic word for deity. In English, it will be translated as “god.” El is not a name. It refers to a divine being. So, YHWH (Yahweh/Jehovah) is the name of the Jewish el (deity) whom we call God in English.

Elohim is technically the plural form of eloah, another word for “god” or divine being. So, elohim can be translated as gods as in Exodus 20:3. In the Old Testament, El, Eloah, and Elohim are all used to refer to YHWH. But the most common term is Elohim.

ELOHIM —God, the Great Creator and Powerful Authority.

In the beginning God [Elohim] created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1)

For the LORD your God [Elohim] is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, mighty, and awesome God. (Deuteronomy 10:17)

EL ELYON —The Most High God.

The oracle of the one who hears the words of God,
and who knows the knowledge of the Most High [El Elyon],
who sees a vision from the Almighty. (Numbers 24:16)

EL OLAM —The Everlasting God.

Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beer Sheba. There he worshiped the LORD, the eternal God [El Olam]. (Genesis 21:33)

EL ROI —The God who sees.

So Hagar named the LORD who spoke to her, “You are the God who sees me [El Roi],” for she said, “Here I have seen one who sees me!” (Genesis 16:13)

EL SHADDAI —God Almighty.

When Abram was 99 years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the Sovereign God [El Shaddai]. Walk before me and be blameless. Then I will confirm my covenant between me and you, and I will give you a multitude of descendants.” (Genesis 17:1–2)

For an extensive study on spiritual beings as well as the names of God in the Bible, watch a video series, “Spiritual Being” by BibleProject.com.