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אֱלוֹהַּ

𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄

ʼĕlôwahh

H433 noun

SILEX Entry

Root אלוּ strength, might, power; to be strong

Definition

A god, deity, or divine being; in most occurrences refers to the singular God of Israel, but can also denote a non-Israelite deity or god. The term is characterized by a focus on the power, majesty, or awe-inspiring aspect of divinity. In poetic and late biblical prose, it is often used as a distinctively solemn or archaic synonym for אֱלֹהִים (Elohim).

Semantic Range

a divinity, a deity, god (non-Israelite), the God of Israel (as singular), a supreme being, an object of worship

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root אל (aleph-lamed), meaning strength, might, or power. The form אֱלוֹהַּ is a singular noun, likely derived or extended from אֵל ('el, 'god'), with a suffixed element that gives it an emphatic or formal nuance. Sometimes the root is loosely connected to related Northwest Semitic terms for deity, but the precise morphological origin of the -וֹהַּ ending remains debated among linguists.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Used 57 times in the Hebrew Bible, especially in the poetic and later sections, notably in Job (41 times) and Psalms. Almost always refers to the Israelite God in these contexts, but the term's singularity emphasizes a personal or individualized conception of divinity compared to the more generic אֱלֹהִים ('gods' or 'God'). Elsewhere—e.g., in Daniel—may refer to foreign gods. The form appears alongside and sometimes in contrast with Elohim, highlighting different stylistic or theological emphases within different biblical books. Standard English translations typically render אֱלוֹהַּ as 'God'—capitalized when context identifies the Israelite deity, and 'god'—lowercase—in references to non-Israelite or generic deities. The term's use does not yet reflect rabbinic or later Jewish theological concepts but rises mainly in the poetic-literary register of biblical Hebrew.

Translation Consistency

primary "god" 57 occurrences

אֱלוֹהַּ is a noun meaning a divinity or deity. The most natural, consistent English headword that covers both the God of Israel and non‑Israelite deities is “god.” Although the adjective “mighty” appears often in P2 renderings and the transliteration “eloah” is attested, neither is as natural or broadly applicable as “god.” Capitalization can be adjusted in context to signal the Israelite God when needed.

Alternatives (3 occurrences):
"mighty deity" (3x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

rarely (shortened) אֱלֹהַּ; probably prolonged (emphatic) from אֵל; a deity or the Deity; God, god. See אֱלֹהִים.

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

אל (ʾ-l) — strength, might, power

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1008 בֵּית־אֵל toward
H3317 יִפְתַּח־אֵל toward
H352 אַיִל toward
H3815 לָאֵל Belonging to El
H4027 מִגְדַּל־אֵל toward

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H433-01 אֱל֣וֹהַ eloha HNcmsa God Mighty Deity Mighty God 50
H433-08 וְ/לֶ/אֱלֹ֨הַּ֙ veleeloha HC/R/Ncmsc and to a god and to a mighty deity and to a mighty deity 2
H433-02 אֱל֫וֹהָ֥/י elohay HNcmpc/Sp1cs my God my Mighty Ones my God 2
H433-04 לֶ֭/אֱלוֹהַּ leeloha HR/Ncmsa for God to a Mighty One for God 2
H433-06 מֵ/אֱל֣וֹהַ meeloha HR/Ncmsa than God mighty deity than God 1
H433-07 וֶ֝/אֱל֗וֹהַּ veeloha HC/Ncmsa but God Mighty Deity Mighty Deity 1
H433-03 אֱלוֹהֵ֥י elohey HNcmpc God mighty ones of God of 1
H433-05 אלה lh HNcmsc gods to her to the gods 1

Occurrences in Scripture

60 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H433-01 Deuteronomy 32:15 אֱל֣וֹהַ eloha HNcmsa God Mighty Deity Mighty God
H433-01 Deuteronomy 32:17 אֱלֹ֔הַ eloha HNcmsa God Mighty Deity Mighty God
H433-05 2 Kings 17:31 אלה lh HNcmsc gods to her to the gods
H433-01 Isaiah 44:8 אֱל֨וֹהַּ֙ eloha HNcmsa a god Mighty Deity Mighty God
H433-01 Habakkuk 3:3 אֱל֨וֹהַ֙ eloha HNcmsa God Mighty Deity Mighty God
H433-01 Psalms 18:32 אֱ֭לוֹהַּ eloha HNcmsa is God Mighty Deity Mighty God
H433-03 Psalms 18:47 אֱלוֹהֵ֥י elohey HNcmpc God mighty ones of God of
H433-01 Psalms 50:22 אֱל֑וֹהַּ eloha HNcmsa God Mighty Deity Mighty God
H433-01 Psalms 114:7 אֱל֣וֹהַּ eloha HNcmsc the God Mighty Deity Mighty God
H433-01 Psalms 139:19 אֱל֥וֹהַּ eloha HNcmsa O God Mighty Deity Mighty God
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