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This Is Appendix 4 From The Companion Bible. I. ELOHIM occurs 2,700 times. Its first occurrence connects it with creation, and gives it its essential meaning as the Creator. It indicates His relation to mankind as His creatures (see note on 2Chronicles 18:31, where it stands in contrast with Jehovah as indicating covenant relationship). ‘Elohim is God the Son, the living "Word" with creature form to create (John 1:1. Colossians 1:15-17. Revelation 3:14); and later, with human form to redeem (John 1:14 ). "Begotten of His Father before all worlds; born of His mother, in the world." In this creature form He appeared to the Patriarchs, a form not temporally assumed. ‘Elohim in indicated (as in the Authorized Version) by ordinary small type, "God". See table below. II. JEHOVAH. While Elohim is God as the Creator of all things,
Jehovah is the same God in covenant relation to those whom He has created
(compare 2Chronicles
18:31).
Jehovah means the Eternal, the Immutable
One, He Who WAS, and IS, and IS TO COME. The Divine definition is given in
Genesis 21:33.
He is especially, therefore, the God of Israel; and the God of those who are
redeemed, and are
thus now "in Christ". We can say "My God," but not "My
Jehovah", for Jehovah is "My God."
We have
seven of these, experimentally referred to, in Psalms 23, inasmuch as Jehovah,
as the "Good," "Great," and "Chief Shepherd," is
engaged, in all the perfection of His attributes, on behalf of His sheep:- III. JAH is Jehovah in a special sense and relation. Jehovah as having BECOME our Salvation (first occurrence Exodus 15:2), He Who IS, and WAS, and IS TO COME. It occurs 49 times (7x7. See Appendix 10). Jah is indicated by type thus: Lord. IV. EL is essentially the
Almighty, though the word is never
so rendered (see below, "Shaddai"). EL is Elohim in all His strength and power.
It is rendered "God" as Elohim is, but El is God the Omnipotent.
Elohim is God the Creator putting His omnipotence into operation. Eloah (see
below) is God Who wills and orders all, and Who is to be the one object of
the worship of His people. El is the God Who knows all (first occurrence Genesis
14:18-22)
and sees all (Genesis 16:13)
and that performeth all things for His people (Psalms 57:2);
and in Whom all the Divine attributes are concentrated. V. ELOAH is Elohim, Who is to be worshipped. Eloah is God
in connection with His Will rather than His power. The first occurrence associates
this name with
worship (Deuteronomy 32:15,17).
Hence it is the title used whenever the contrast (latent or expressed) is with
false gods or idols. Eloah is essentially "the
living God" in contrast to inanimate idols. VI. ELYON first occurs in Genesis 14:18 with
El, and is rendered "the
most high (God)". It is El and Elohim, not as the powerful Creator, but
as "the possessor of heaven and earth." Hence the name is associated
with Christ as the Son of "the Highest" (Luke 1:35). VII. SHADDAI is in every instance translated "Almighty", and is indicated by small capital letters ("ALMIGHTY"). It is God (El), not as the source of strength, but of grace; not as Creator, but as the Giver. Shaddai is the All-bountiful. This title does not refer to His creative power, but to His power to supply all the needs of His people. Its first occurrence is in Genesis 17:1, and is used to show Abraham that He Who called him out to walk alone before Him could supply all his need. Even so it is the title used in 2Corinthians 6:18, where we are called to "come out" in separation from the world. It is always used in connection with El (see above). VIII. ADON is one of three titles (ADON, ADONAI, and ADONIM),
all generally rendered "Lord"; but each has its own peculiar usage and association.
They all denote headship in various aspects. They have to do with God as "over-lord." The three may be thus briefly distinguished:- IX.
The TYPES used to indicate the above titles, in the text, are as follows:- X.
THE COMBINATIONS are indicated as follows:-
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