El (Hebrew: е�) is the basic Hebrew word for “God,” emphasizing divine strength, might, and power. As the fundamental building block of Hebrew theology, El appears both independently and as the foundation for numerous compound divine names. This ancient Semitic term represents God as the supreme power and ultimate authority, forming the linguistic and theological foundation for understanding divine nature in Hebrew Scripture.

Etymology and Meaning

Derivation and Root

El derives from the Hebrew root ��� (ul) or ��� (alah), meaning “to be strong” or “to be mighty”:

  • Basic meaning: God, deity, mighty one
  • Emphasis: Strength, power, authority
  • Usage: Both generic (any god) and specific (the true God)
  • Grammatical function: Singular masculine noun

Semantic Range

El encompasses multiple related meanings:

  • Strength: Physical and spiritual power
  • Might: Authority and dominion
  • Deity: Divine nature and character
  • Leadership: Ruling power and sovereignty

Ancient Near Eastern Context

El was widely used across Semitic languages:

  • Akkadian: ilu (god, deity)
  • Ugaritic: ilu (chief god in Canaanite pantheon)
  • Aramaic: ela (god)
  • Arabic: ilah (deity, from which “Allah” derives)

Biblical Usage Patterns

Independent Usage

El appears alone in specific contexts:

Divine Strength (Gen 49#24)

“by the El of your father who will help you, by the Shaddai who will bless you with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that crouches beneath, blessings of the breasts and of the womb.” - Gen 49#25

Covenant Power

El emphasizes God’s ability to fulfill promises and exercise divine prerogatives.

Cultic Contexts

Used in worship and religious ceremonies acknowledging divine strength.

Compound Forms Foundation

El serves as the foundation for numerous compound divine names:

Major Compound Names

  • El Shaddai (е� ��ӷ��) - “God Almighty”
  • El Elyon (е� �ܰ�չ�) - “God Most High”
  • El Roi (е� �д�) - “God who sees”
  • El Olam (е� �չܸ�) - “Everlasting God”

Geographical Compound Names

  • El-Bethel (е� ѵ���е�) - “God of Bethel”
  • El-Elohe-Israel (е� бܹԵ� ٴ���е�) - “El, the God of Israel”

Descriptive Compound Names

  • El-Berith (е� Ѱ����) - “God of the covenant”
  • El-Gibor (е� Ҵ�Ѽչ�) - “Mighty God”

Theological Significance

Divine Attributes Revealed Through El

Omnipotence

El emphasizes God’s unlimited power:

  • Creative strength: Power to bring creation into existence
  • Sustaining might: Ability to maintain and govern creation
  • Redemptive power: Strength to save and deliver
  • Sovereign authority: Ultimate rule over all forces

Transcendent Strength

El reveals God’s superiority over all powers:

  • Above natural forces: Greater than any earthly strength
  • Beyond human might: Infinitely more powerful than human capacity
  • Superior to other deities: The true God above all false gods
  • Ultimate authority: Final arbiter and ruler

Accessible Power

Despite supreme strength, El is approachable:

  • Covenant relationship: Strong God who enters into relationship
  • Personal help: Mighty God who assists individuals
  • Family blessing: Powerful God who blesses households
  • National deliverance: Strong God who saves peoples

Relationship with Other Divine Names

El and Elohim

  • El: Singular, emphasizing individual strength
  • Elohim: Plural form, emphasizing majestic fullness
  • Relationship: El as foundation, Elohim as development
  • Usage: El more personal, Elohim more formal

El and YHWH

  • El: Generic divine strength
  • YHWH: Specific covenant identity
  • Combination: YHWH as the El who reveals Himself personally
  • Development: From general power to specific relationship

El Compound Names

El provides the theological foundation for specific revelations:

  • Basic strength (El) � Specific power (El Shaddai, El Elyon, etc.)
  • General might � Particular manifestation
  • Universal deity � Covenant God

Literary Distribution

Torah Usage

El appears throughout Torah in various contexts:

  • Genesis: Primarily in compound forms and patriarch narratives
  • Exodus: Divine strength in deliverance and law-giving
  • Leviticus: Holy strength in worship regulations
  • Numbers: Mighty God in wilderness guidance
  • Deuteronomy: Covenant strength and faithfulness

Contextual Patterns

Patriarchal Narratives

El frequently appears in stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob:

  • Divine encounters: God revealing His strength to individuals
  • Covenant contexts: Mighty God making and keeping promises
  • Blessing contexts: Strong God providing and protecting

Poetic and Liturgical Texts

El appears in hymnic and worship contexts:

  • Praise: Acknowledging divine might and power
  • Prayer: Appealing to God’s strength for help
  • Blessing: Invoking divine power for protection and provision

Prophetic Literature

El emphasizes God’s power to judge and save:

  • Judgment: Divine strength in executing justice
  • Salvation: Mighty power in deliverance
  • Restoration: Strong God rebuilding and renewing

Key Passages

  • Gen 14#18-20 - Melchizedek’s blessing by “El Elyon”
  • Gen 17#1 - “I am El Shaddai” revelation to Abraham
  • Gen 28#19 - Jacob names place “El-Bethel”
  • Gen 33#20 - Jacob’s altar “El-Elohe-Israel”
  • Elohim - Plural development of El concept
  • YHWH - Personal covenant name combined with El
  • Adonai - Sovereign Lord emphasizing authority like El
  • All El compounds - Specific manifestations of basic El power

Covenant Partners

  • Abraham - Received El Shaddai revelation
  • Isaac - Inherited El-based covenant promises
  • Jacob - Encountered El in personal revelations
  • Israel - Nation blessed by El-Elohe-Israel

Theological Themes

Ancient Near Eastern Comparative Context

Canaanite Religion

  • El as chief deity: Head of Canaanite pantheon
  • Biblical distinction: El as the only true God vs. one among many
  • Theological transformation: From polytheistic to monotheistic usage
  • Cultural apologetics: Demonstrating YHWH as the true El

Mesopotamian Parallels

  • Akkadian ilu: Generic term for deity
  • Sumerian influence: Ancient concepts of divine power
  • Biblical uniqueness: El as exclusively powerful, not merely strong
  • Monotheistic development: Evolution from general to specific

Modern Relevance and Applications

Theological Understanding

El provides foundation for understanding:

  • Divine omnipotence: God’s unlimited power and ability
  • Accessible strength: Powerful God who can be approached
  • Covenant reliability: Divine strength ensures promise fulfillment
  • Universal authority: God’s rule over all creation and circumstances

Practical Applications

  • Trust in divine strength: Confidence in God’s power to help
  • Prayer with boldness: Approaching the mighty God who welcomes relationship
  • Worship with awe: Recognizing and honoring divine power
  • Service with confidence: Serving the God whose strength enables ministry

Contemporary Worship

  • Praise for might: Acknowledging God’s supreme power
  • Petition for strength: Requesting divine power for human needs
  • Thanksgiving for protection: Grateful recognition of divine strength
  • Mission with authority: Serving in the power of El

Interfaith and Academic Context

Understanding El helps address:

  • Comparative religion: Similarities and differences with other traditions
  • Historical development: Evolution of monotheistic thought
  • Literary analysis: Hebrew theological vocabulary development
  • Cultural translation: Communicating ancient concepts to modern audiences

El stands as the foundational revelation of divine strength and might - the basic yet profound affirmation that God possesses supreme power while remaining personally accessible to those who seek relationship with Him.