אֵל אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל
𐤀𐤋 𐤀𐤋𐤄𐤉 𐤉𐤔𐤓𐤀𐤋
ʼÊl ʼĕlôhêy Yisrâʼêl
H415
SILEX Entry
Definition
A compound divine title meaning 'El, the God of Israel.' The phrase designates El—the supreme deity in ancient Semitic religion—who is identified specifically as the God associated with the Israelite people. In biblical usage, this title expresses a unique, covenantal relationship between the Israelite ancestor and their deity, often marking a place or moment of special religious significance.
Semantic Range
El, the God of Israel; the God associated with Israel; as a title for a consecrated altar or location; expressing covenantal relationship; referring specifically to the deity worshipped by the patriarch Jacob and his descendants
Root / Etymology
Composed of three elements: (1) אֵל (ʾel) meaning 'god' or 'El,' the name of the chief deity in Northwest Semitic traditions; (2) אֱלֹהֵי (ʾĕlōhê), the construct plural form of 'God,' meaning 'God of'; and (3) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yiśrāʾēl), the personal/ethnic name 'Israel.' The phrase as a whole literally means 'El, God of Israel.' Derived from the root אל ('to be strong, powerful'), and from שרה ('to strive, contend') in Israel, and אלה ('to be mighty') for Elohim.
Historical & Contextual Notes
This phrase appears in Genesis 33:20, where Jacob, after reconciling with Esau, sets up an altar and names it אֵל אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל. The construction is rare and seems to mark important covenantal or revelatory moments in Israelite tradition. The use of both 'El' and 'Elohim' underscores the connection of the ancestral deity with the major Canaanite high god 'El,' integrating Israel’s unique relationship with the deity into existing language. Later Jewish and Christian English translations treat the term with various renderings, sometimes as a name ("El-elohe-Israel") and sometimes as a phrase. The phrase underscores the identification of the Israelite God with characteristics of El, while also emphasizing distinct ethnic-religious identity. In context, it refers specifically to the Israelite tradition at the patriarchal stage, rather than the later concepts associated with Judean or Jewish lived religion. The title is part of a theophoric naming tradition, where significant events or places are ascribed names reflecting a perceived interaction with the divine.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from אֵל and אֱלֹהִים and יִשְׂרָאֵל; the mighty god if Jisrael; El-Elohi-Jisrael, the title given to a consecrated spot by Jacob; Elelohe-israel.
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Occurrences in Scripture
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