אלוהים

Hebrew

Root
א־ל־הּ‎

Alternative forms

• אֱלוֹקִים \ אֱלֹקִים‎ (proper noun only)

Etymology

Proto-Northwest-Semitic *ʾlh, a form of Proto-Semitic *ʾil-, whence also אל‎. Cognate with Phoenician 𐤀𐤋𐤌‎ (ʾlm), Aramaic אֱלָהָא‎ (ʾĕlāh) and איל‎, Akkadian 𒀭 (DINGIR /ilu‹m›/), Arabic إِلَه‎ (ʾilah) and اللّٰه‎ (allāh), and Ugaritic 𐎛𐎍 (ỉl).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [eloˈhim]

Noun

אלוהים \ אֱלֹהִים • (elohím)

1. indefinite plural of אֱלוֹהַּ‎ (elóah)

Noun

אֱלוֹהִים \ אֱלֹהִים • (elohím) m (singular construct אלוהי \ אֱלֹהֵי־‎)

1. A god.
2. An officer, judge, or the like.

Usage notes

• This word is sometimes grammatically plural and sometimes singular.

Declension

Declension of אֱלוֹהִים

Number	Isolated forms		With possessive pronouns
	State	Form	Person	singular		plural
				m.	f.	m.	f.
plural	indefinite	אֱלוֹהִים	first	אלוהיי \ אֱלוֹהַי‎		אֱלוֹהֵינוּ‎
	definite	הָאֱלוֹהִים‎	second	אֱלוֹהֶיךָ‎	אלוהייך \ אֱלוֹהַיִךְ‎	אֱלוֹהֵיכֶם‎	אֱלוֹהֵיכֶן‎
	construct	אֱלוֹהֵי־‎	third	אֱלוֹהָיו‎	אֱלוֹהֶיהָ‎	אֱלוֹהֵיהֶם‎	אֱלוֹהֵיהֶן‎

Proper noun

אֱלוֹהִים \ אֱלֹהִים • (elohím) m (singular construct אלוהי \ אֱלֹהֵי־‎)

1. God: the God of Israel.
   • 2019 March 12, אריאנה מלמד, “‏יכול להיות שאלוהים קצת הומו?‎‎”, in Haaretz‎^[1]:

     ‏יכול להיות שאלוהים קצת הומו?‎‎

     Could it be that God is a little gay?

Usage notes

• This word is sometimes grammatically plural and sometimes singular.
• In traditional vocalization, the א is elided when a prefixed clitic is added. Thus, “to God” is לֵאלֹהִים (lelohím) rather than לֶאֱלֹהִים (le'elohím).
• Observant Jews, outside of prayer, may prefer to write and say אֱלוֹקִים‎ (elokím), so as not to abuse the name of God.