The term “Eloha” conveys the identity of God with the nuance of how people stand in relation to Him. This relational aspect creates a dual nature in how the term functions. For those who are His people, He is a rock (Deuteronomy 32:15; Psalm 18:31; Isaiah 44:8) and a shield (Proverbs 30:5), offering comfort and protection. Conversely, for those who are not His people, He is a source of terror (Psalm 50:22; 114:7; 139:19), evoking fear.
For His people, He is a rock and a shield; for others, a source of terror.
This duality becomes particularly significant in specific biblical contexts. In Daniel’s vision, when describing the inverse of the one true God—the anti-god—this relationship is inverted (Daniel 11:37-39). The relational function becomes even more poignant in the book of Job, where Job’s connection to God appears confused and strained. Similarly, post-exilic Jews likely questioned their relationship with God, which may explain why the quotation of Exodus 34:6-7 in Nehemiah 9:17 substitutes the divine name with this specific term.
This form “occurs in some of the oldest ot poetry (Deut 32:15, 17) and very frequently (forty-one times) in the debates between Job (an ancient believer) and his friends” (TWOT, 43).
Disclaimer: Information in my “slip-box” doesn’t necessarily reflect my agreement with the source or all its content. Recording diverse perspectives helps strengthen one’s position beyond the echo chamber of like-minded thinkers. By documenting alternative viewpoints, we engage in the intellectual wrestling match that ultimately deepens our understanding.
I aspire to post one note from my “slip-box” every weekday. If you want to learn more about how to work with knowledge, click this link: What is knowledge management?
Pastor Dan Patrick, raised in Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C., holds both a Bible degree and a Master’s of Divinity. He has ministered across five states from coast to coast, serving in various capacities, including pastoral leadership. Dan’s primary mission is to help people love God’s Word and find their purpose in God’s work.
