Bible Dictionaries
El

Holman Bible Dictionary

(ehl) One of several words for God found in biblical Hebrew and the name of the high god among the Canaanites. The word is common to Hebrew, Aramaic, and Arabic, yet the origin and root from which the word was derived is obscure. “El” is a general term that expresses majesty or power.

Biblical Usage “El” occurs 238 times in the Old Testament, most frequently in Psalms and Job. The normal biblical usage is as a simple noun for deity. “El” is a synonym for the more frequent noun for God: Elohim. “El” refers to the God of Israel and in other passages to one of the pagan gods. In some instances, qualifying words are associated with “El” in order to distinguish which god is being addressed. Exodus 34:14 is an example of the expression “other god”; Psalm 44:20 and Psalm 81:9 are translated “strange god.”

“El” was frequently combined with nouns or adjectives to express the name for God with reference to particular attributes or characteristics of His being. El Shaddai, “God Almighty,” appears in Genesis 17:1 . El-elohe-Israel, in Genesis 33:20 , was used to distinguish the God of Israel from all others. El Elyon, in Genesis 14:18 and Psalm 78:35 , was written to suggest the exalted nature of God. El Gibbor (Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 32:18 ) has been interpreted as a portrayal of God as a mighty warrior. El Roi, the God who sees, is found only in Genesis 16:13 . See Canaan.

James Newell