The Hebrew word El (which is derived from a root word meaning “power, might, or strength”) is the most basic Hebrew word for god (referring to pagan gods) or God (referring to the God of Israel, the one true God).
It is rarely used by itself in the Bible. Almost always, it is joined with additional descriptive words for Israel’s God. Take, for example, these names for God:
• El Echad (“one God,” Malachi 2:10)
• El Hanne’eman (“the faithful God,” Deuteronomy 7:9)
• El Emet (“God of truth,” Psalm 31:5 KJV)
Clearly, it takes a lot of names to describe an infinite God! But El is more than just a prefix. As stated previously, it connotes the mighty, relentless power of God.
It refers to His omnipotent strength. And when combined with other names (or attributes) of God, it works to magnify them.
In the examples above, El Echad is not just “one God”—He is the One, the only God of true power and might.
El Hanne’eman is not just faithful—He is relentlessly powerful in His faithfulness. Nothing can keep Him from being faithful to His own.
He has more than good intentions. He will remain faithful forever.
And more than a source of truth, El Emet is the all-powerful source of truth. Though we may live in a world where truth is said to be “relative,” God’s almighty truth is an objective standard that cannot be moved.
People can rail against God and “call evil good and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20) until the last day of human history. But no matter what, God cannot and will not lose the debate over truth.
Using El with other Hebrew names for God is not simply combining first and last names; it’s combining attributes in supernaturally powerful combinations.
What is your favorite attribute of God? Now place the words mightily and powerfully in front of that attribute. How does your understanding of that attribute change?
