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The OT often states; Lord (Jehovah) God (Elohim) in sequence.

  • Deut. 4:35; LORD (Jehovah) he is God (Elohim).
  • Deut. 4:39; that the LORD (Jehovah) he is God (Elohim).
  • 2 Sam. 7:22; LORD (Jehovah) God (Elohim).
  • 1 Kings 8:60; LORD (Jehovah) is God (Elohim).

In breaking these down, LORD was always translated Jehovah (Strongs 3068 Yhovah), and God translated Elohim (Strongs 430 Elohiym). Elohim is in the plural form. I accepted this as describing God's plurality, such as in the Trinity, because had "God" in these verses meant singular, I thought it would have stated Elowahh (Strongs 433) and not Elohim.

I was then told that the reason this plural noun Elohim is translated into other languages as a singular noun is because it's being used with a singular verb. Comparable to saying "Ants is here to stay" instead of "Ants are here to stay". It turns this plural word ("ants") into a proper noun."

I would like a clarification: is Jehovah being described as a singular God with plurality when stating Elohim, or does it actually mean Jehovah in the singular sense and no plurality.

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  • Other questions of plurality of Elohim: 1, 2, 3, 4
    – ThaddeusB
    Aug 6, 2015 at 14:24
  • It;s not that LORD translated into Jehovah. The original word is Jehovah/Yahweh. However, somebody REPLACE (not translate) the word Yahweh into LORD.
    – user4951
    Oct 17, 2017 at 7:12

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If you are asking if the phrase is properly "YHVH is God" or "YHVH is Gods" then clearly it is "YHVH is God". The form of a word does not always indicate number just as it doesn't always indicate gender. From what I understand "youth" in Hebrew is plural in form but is singular. Also "lord" (ADONAI) is plural in form but is singular:

"...YHVH said to my ADONAI sit at my right hand..." (Ps 110:1)

Obviously he is speaking to his singular Messiah. The Jews - and the early Christians - were strict monotheists.

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  • Adonai is not plural. Nor is it "obvious" that Ps 110 refers to the Messiah. But have we not had this same question many times before?
    – fdb
    Aug 6, 2015 at 10:19
  • Actually, Adonai is the plural form of ADON: hebrew4christians.com/Names_of_G-d/Adonai/adonai.html It is plural in word form but not in meaning.
    – user10231
    Aug 6, 2015 at 11:06
  • @fdb yes, it has been asked many times
    – ThaddeusB
    Aug 6, 2015 at 14:22

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