אלוהים

• אֱלוֹקִים \ אֱלֹקִים‎ (proper noun only)

Proto-Northwest-Semitic *ʾlh, a form of Proto-Semitic *ʾil-, whence also אל‎. Cognate with Phoenician 𐤀𐤋𐤌‎ (ʾlm), Aramaic אֱלָהָא‎ (ʾĕlāh) and איל‎, Akkadian 𒀭 (DINGIR /ilu‹m›/), Arabic إِلَه‎ (ʾilah) and اللّٰه‎ (allāh), and Ugaritic 𐎛𐎍 (ỉl).

• IPA^(key): [eloˈhim]

אלוהים \ אֱלֹהִים • (elohím)

1. indefinite plural of אֱלוֹהַּ‎ (elóah)

אֱלוֹהִים \ אֱלֹהִים • (elohím) m (singular construct אלוהי \ אֱלֹהֵי־‎)

1. A god.
2. An officer, judge, or the like.[1]

• This word is sometimes grammatically plural and sometimes singular.

אֱלוֹהִים \ אֱלֹהִים • (elohím) m (singular construct אלוהי \ אֱלֹהֵי־‎)

1. God: the God of Israel.
   • 2019 March 12, אריאנה מלמד, “‏יכול להיות שאלוהים קצת הומו?‎‎”, in Haaretz‎:

     ‏יכול להיות שאלוהים קצת הומו?‎‎

     Could it be that God is a little gay?

• This word is sometimes grammatically plural and sometimes singular.
• In traditional vocalization, the א is elided when a prefixed clitic is added. Thus, “to God” is לֵאלֹהִים (lelohím) rather than לֶאֱלֹהִים (le'elohím).
• Observant Jews, outside of prayer, may prefer to write and say אֱלוֹקִים‎ (elokím), so as not to abuse the name of God.