אלוהים \ אֱלֹהִים
elohímfeminine, masculine
The English word 'God' is translated into Hebrew as אלוהים \ אֱלֹהִים (elohím). If unsure, use אלוהים \ אֱלֹהִים. Wiktionary also lists אֵל (el).
Meaning: deity (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hebrew | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| אלוהים \ אֱלֹהִים | elohím | feminine, masculine |
| אֵל | el | masculine |
The term refers to a deity. When used as a name for the single deity of monotheism, the form אלוהים is used.
Which one should you use?
The form אֵל is used in poetic, biblical or archaic contexts to refer to a deity. The default form אלוהים \ אֱלֹהִים can be used as a masculine or feminine noun.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Although the form אֱלֹהִים ends in the plural suffix -im, it is treated as a singular noun grammatically when referring to the God of Israel. To say 'my God', use the form אֱלֹהַי.
How do you pronounce it?
elohím
Did you know?
- In many Jewish traditions, the name אֱלֹהִים is considered so holy that people avoid saying it in casual conversation. They often use euphemisms like השם, which literally means 'The Name'.
- The word אֵל is a linguistic relative of the Arabic word Allah. Both share a common root from the ancient Semitic word for 'deity'.
- The word אֵל is a cognate of the Akkadian word 'ilu', meaning 'god', showing a linguistic link across ancient Semitic languages.
Examples in context
- שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ יְהוָה אֶחָֽד׃Hear, O Israel. The Lord is our God. The Lord is One.This sentence is useful for showing the use of אֵל in a religious context.Tatoeba #9163295 by Objectivesea, translation #6634530 by Reonaato
- אני מאמין באל היהודי.I believe in the Jewish God.
- האלוהים שלי תמיד איתי.My God is always with me.
- אֱלֹהִים אֵל חַי – מְלֵךְ עוֹלָם!God, the living God – King of the universe!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “God” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
