אלוהים

Hebrew

Root
א־ל־הּ

Etymology

Proto-Northwest-Semitic *ʾlh, a form of Proto-Semitic *ʾil-, whence also אל. Cognate with Phoenician 𐤀𐤋𐤌, Aramaic אלהא and איל, Akkadian 𒀭, Arabic اله and الله, and Ugaritic 𐎛𐎍.

Alternative forms

• אֱלוֹקִים \ אֱלֹקִים (proper noun only)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [eloˈhim]

Noun

אלוהים \ אֱלֹהִים • (elohím)

1. plural indefinite of אֱלוֹהַּ (elóah)

Noun

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

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

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

Usage notes

• This word is sometimes grammatically plural and sometimes singular.

Proper noun

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

1. God: the God of Israel.

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.