God - Elohim vs YWHW

[someone]

The Bible starts off by using the name “El” for God (or several variations including Elohim, Elyown), but then Moses encounters “YWHW”, which is translated as Lord.

I’ve heard that Elohim and YWHW are the same God, which would seem to be supported by passages like this:

As God (El) Almighty I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but by my name, (YWHW), I did not make myself known to them. - Exodus 6:3

But then there are some other passages that seem to indicate that they are two separate Gods:

When the Most High (Elyown) allotted each nation its heritage, when he separated out human beings, He set up the boundaries of the peoples after the number of the divine beings. But the Lord’s (YWHW’s) portion was his people; his allotted share was Jacob. - Deuteronomy 32:8-9

Who is like you among the gods (Elim), Lord (YWHW)? - Exodus 15:11

“Son of man, say to the leader of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord God (YWHW),
“Because your heart is lifted up
And you have said, ‘I am a god (El),
I sit in the seat of gods (Elohim)
In the heart of the seas’;
Yet you are a man and not God (El),
Although you make your heart like the heart of God - Ezekiel 28:2

So my questions are:

• Are El and YWHW both referring to the same God?
• If so, why are they revealed differently and with different names?
• How do we reconcile the two?

 

[GiftofMercy]

OK so there are quite a few names for God, god, gods , the one God , in the Hebrew Bible.

We are talking about Biblical Hebrew here. And the Hebrew Bible.

The divine name of God is YWHW with vowels. Although in Moses time there were no vowels written today this is written with a couple of vowels. As are all Hebrew words.
This is the Divine name of God. It is the name God gave Moses. It is only translated and said as LORD, not Lord. LORD all capital letters, as the Jewish people cannot pronounce the name YWHW. But it is spelt יְהוָה.
Read the Hebrew from Right to left .
Jewish people do not pronounce the divine name because it has to do with the possibility of breaking one of the commandments about taking the Lord’s name in vain.

ִThe divine name is known as the Tetragrammaton. It can also be said as HASHEM and a few other terms for God.

Elohim means God, gods, god. This name can also refer to God and can refer to the pagan gods of the Biblical era. אלֹהִים

El is another name for God. אל This can mean God , mighty one, god.

Then there is Adonai, which means Lord and can mean God, Lord, master,

There are quite a few names for God in Biblical Hebrew.

btw Biblical Hebrew will adjust and change consonants and vowels and the accent on words when they are in different grammatical forms and constructs.

for example

Eloheyha which is a grammatical construct of Elohim.

Elim

Elim has a suffixed ending too. El with a suffixed ending.

Bear in mind that there will be many variations of the translations in the different vernacular Bibles.

We don’t need to reconcile any differences with difficulty, but look at the context of the passage. where Elohim is being used and El, are they referring to pagan gods or the God of Israel?

 

[De_Maria]

The Bible starts off by using the name “El” for God (or several variations including Elohim, Elyown), but then Moses encounters “YWHW”, which is translated as Lord.

I’ve heard that Elohim and YWHW are the same God, which would seem to be supported by passages like this:

As God (El) Almighty I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but by my name, (YWHW), I did not make myself known to them. - Exodus 6:3

That’s the Catholic understanding.

But then there are some other passages that seem to indicate that they are two separate Gods:

When the Most High (Elyown) allotted each nation its heritage, when he separated out human beings, He set up the boundaries of the peoples after the number of the divine beings. But the Lord’s (YWHW’s) portion was his people; his allotted share was Jacob. - Deuteronomy 32:8-9

In other words, everything belongs to YHWH Elyown, but He takes a special interest in Jacob.

Who is like you among the gods (Elim), Lord (YWHW)? - Exodus 15:11

Who is like you amongst the authorities and powers, Lord?

“Son of man, say to the leader of Tyre, ‘Thus says the Lord God (YWHW),
“Because your heart is lifted up
And you have said, ‘I am a god (El),
I sit in the seat of gods (Elohim)

Elohim, here, should be with a small “e”. elohim.

In the heart of the seas’;
Yet you are a man and not God (El),
Although you make your heart like the heart of God - Ezekiel 28:2

God, is commanding Ezekiel to advise the leader of Tyre, that he is a mere man
and not divine.

So my questions are:

• Are El and YWHW both referring to the same God?

Depending on the context, yes. Although, sometimes “el” is referring to lesser powers and authorities in the spiritual realm.

• If so, why are they revealed differently and with different names?

“el” does not always refer to God almighty and must be understood in context.

• How do we reconcile the two?

I hope that helps.

 

[GiftofMercy]

HI @someone

A few more details. Whenever the word YWHW is read out , it is read as the LORD, Adonai or sometimes HaShem. HaShem means The Name. Adonai means Lord, my Lord, depending on the clause and phrase it is included in .
Again, it is never read out as the Divine Name, the tetragrammaton. IN Catholic Hymn books now where it appears, it is also sung as God or LORD, never the Divine Name

Get back to you on Elyown. As it means ‘up’ or ‘high’ and is an adjective rather then a proper noun, with its root a verb.

 

[EndTimes]

Elohim… Eli! Eli! … Abba… Father… God…

YWHW - contain roots with connect with Existence.

Name? "Tell them I AM WHO AM!"

"Before Abraham came to be: I AM!"

I AM? Suggests ETERNITY…?

_+

 

[AlbMagno]

Like others have said “El” and “Elohim” are just the hebrew words for “god” and “gods”, so it can refer to the Holy Trinity, or to other gods as a metaphor.

 

[Serpent_of_Paradise]

I suggest the various names indicate the Trinity, without specifically using that term. It shows all the members of the Trinity interacting with the Old Testament saints. It also would be due to the many titles that may be given to God. And finally I suggest some of those names are Angels which God was dwelling in , and speaking through to those saints of old.