Brewer's: Elohim

The genus of which ghosts, Chemosh, Dagon, Baal, Jahveh, etc., were species. The ghost or spectre which appeared to Saul (1 Sam. xxviii. 14-20) is called Elohim. “I see Elohim coming up out of the earth,” said the witch; and Saul asked, “What is HE like?” (Huxley: Nineteenth Century, March, 1886.)

“The word Elohim is often applied in the Bible to the gods of the Gentiles.” —Lenormant: Beginnings of History, chap. vii.

In theology, Elohim (the plural of Eloah) means the “Lord of Hosts,” or Lord of all power and might. Jehovah signifies rather the God of mercy and forgiveness. Hence, Elohim is used to express the God of creation, but Jehovah the God of the covenant of mercy.

“Elohim designates the fulness of Divine power.” —Religious Encyclopoedia.

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