I’m a Gentile Believer, a devoted mother of five wonderful children, and the wife of an amazing husband. Nature, gardening, and dance bring joy and inspiration to my life. In my spare time, I play the piano, care for my garden, or study the Bible in Hebrew. And I’ll drop just about anything for a game of cards.
My unwavering quest for a genuine relationship with the God of the Bible has driven me to delve deeply into His Word, which guides my journey and shapes my life's path. This exploration, combined with dedication to living out my faith, is at the heart of my writing. I seek to share my insights and discoveries with readers, encouraging them to embark on their own spiritual journeys.
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Once a Christian is convicted of making changes to their faith and proceed on the journey of incorporating their Hebraic Roots into how they practice their faith, they often need to find a different type of community to support them in that. Although it can be challenging, many find that they need to seek a congregation that believes and practices similarly.
Going down the river in two canoes
My rabbi described this point in life as going down the river in two canoes – one foot in each. All goes well until you come to a rock. Then you have to choose which canoe to stay in to continue down the river.
Like many in this position, I once had my feet in two canoes. But issues came up that were difficult to resolve – holidays, Bible versions, how and what to teach children, whether to make diet changes, etc. and I had to decide which canoe my family and I were going to stay in on our journey down the river of our faith.
When a rock is approaching
While it’s growing quickly, the Hebraic or Messianic faith is still less represented than other traditional Christian faiths. I’ve been contacted by Believers all over the world who have reached the point where they can’t figure out where they belong. Congregations that lean more toward a Hebraic faith can be difficult to find but in less about 10 years (the amount of time I’ve been searching for resources in this area), The number of congregations has grown significantly!
So, if you’re one of those in two canoes, watching a “rock” approach, and feeling like you need to get into one canoe or the other, this post is for you! I’ll share some ways I’ve discovered to find a Hebraic faith community, and perhaps one of these ideas will help you find your own.
A few organizations have recognized the problem of finding a congregation and created online directories of Hebraic/Messianic Jewish congregations. Not all are listed on these, but they’re a great place to start!
Torah Club is a deep, in-person Bible study that restores the Jewishness of Jesus and the Bible. There’s a good chance there’s a group near you! Find a Club in your area here!
Use a search engine
Of course, you can also use your favorite search engine or mapping program to find a congregation. Search terms such as “Messianic Jewish” or “Yeshua” will be helpful.
Another place to look is on social media. Some smaller congregations may not have a website or be listed in a directory, but they may have a Facebook page, a MeWe group, or an Instagram profile. Use the terms above and include the name of your city to help dig up congregations not found elsewhere.
None in your area?
If you’ve searched online and can’t find a community in your area, don’t be discouraged! You’re not alone; you just haven’t found your people yet. Keep searching! But in the meantime, participate online with congregations that live-stream or record their services. There are many of these, and, like live congregations, the number is growing!
I’ll continue to update this post with congregational resources I find. If you know of any not listed here, add them in the comments! Let’s do all we can to connect our fellow believers in Yeshua, our Messiah!
This post contains affiliate links. I only advertise items I personally recommend and may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases. For more information, visit our Affiliate Information Page.
There are so many names for God in the Bible. Among them are Yahweh (יהוה), Adonai, Elohim, and more. But His names aren’t just there so we know what to call Him. In Hebrew culture, names meant a lot more than that. They described personality traits or even of the purpose of someone’s life.
The significance of names is the same with God. It’s through His many names that we can discover His characteristics and get to know who He really is! Some of His names were ways He named Himself, while others were given to Him by His people. Like many things we learn from the Bible, we discover many of God’s attributes through His interactions with the people in the Bible and the names they gave Him.
This article will cover the name Elohim and those related to it. If you’re interested in even more names of God, here are other articles in this series you may enjoy.
If you’re new to the Hebrew language, it may be helpful to start with my posts on the Hebrew Alphabet and the Hebrew Vowels.
Elohim אֱלֹהִים
Plural for Eloah (אֱלֹוהַ ) and from the word El (אֵל), this is the first name of God given in the Bible in Genesis 1:1, just before God created the universe. This name implies God’s mighty nature. Elah (אֱלָהּ), a name meaning “awesome One” is an Aramaic word found in many places throughout the Old Testament, Daniel 2:18, for example.
Like יהוה, Elohim is often attached to other words to expose additional aspects of God’s character. In English translations of the Bible, Elohim is translated as “God”. It doesn’t just refer to our God but also to angels and gods in general, although it’s not capitalized in this case to indicate that. For example, it’s the word used in Exodus 20, verse 3, in the command, “You shall have no other gods before Me.”
As I said above, Elohim is a plural form. But why is the plural form used when referring to God? Well, the Bible doesn’t directly explain it, but we do have a few clues. First, it’s not uncommon in Hebrew for something we think of as singular to be found in the plural form. Some examples are “water,” which is mayim (מַיִם), and “face,” which is panim (פָּנִים). Some say Elohim in the plural form refers to the Trinity, while others say that it’s a form of royal “we,” or an “honorific plural” used by or in reference to those of great importance and power.
Elohai, meaning “my God,” can be found where Ruth stays with Naomi in Ruth 1:16, when she says, “Your people shall be my people and your God, my God.” It’s used in many places throughout the Old Testament and was used by Jesus when he quoted David (Ps. 22:1) before his death on the cross by saying, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”. Just as Elohai changes Elohim to make it “my God,” Eloheinu is “our God.”
El Shaddai אֵל שַׁדַּי
God gave this name to Himself in Genesis 17:1 when establishing His covenant with Abram. El Shaddai means “all-sufficient God”. The word Shaddai is also used by itself in Numbers 24:4, commonly translated as “Almighty.”
Echad means “one” in Hebrew so this name means “one God” as in Malachi 2:10. It also reminds us of The Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4 “our God is one”!
El Hanneman אֵל הַֽנֶּאֱמָן
Also in Deuteronomy, this name means “the faithful God” and is used in chapter 7, verse 9 in a warning to the Hebrew people not to turn from their faithful God.
El Tzaddik אֵל צַדִּיק
God gives Himself this name through the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 45:21. It means “righteous God.”
El Elyon אֵל עֶלְיֹון
Meaning “most high God,” El Elyon is what King David called God in Psalm 9 when thanking Him for His perfect justice. Elyon can also be found alone, as in Numbers 24:16, where Baalam praises God in prophecy after Balak has tried to convince him to curse Israel.
El Elim אֵל אֵלִים
This name is used in Daniel 11:36. It shows, while others may have many gods, ours is the one who’s above them all!
El De’ot אֵל דֵּעֹות
Hannah gives God this name, meaning “God of knowledge,” in a prayer of thanksgiving for her much-awaited son, Samuel (1 Sam. 2:3). The fear (reverence) of God is described as the beginning of knowledge in Proverbs 1:7, so we can know that He’s the source of all the knowledge we need!
El Haggadol אֱלֹהֵי הָאֱלֹהִים
When addressing the Hebrew people, Moses gives God this name, meaning “the great God” (Deut. 10:17).
El HaKevod אֵל הַכָּבֹוד
“The God of glory” is what this name means. It’s found in Psalm 29, verse 3, where David beautifully describes our awesome God, as he does so often throughout the Psalms.
In a description of God’s justice, this name, meaning “the holy God,” is given in Isaiah 5:16. There is no one holier than God, making His the only perfect and right judgment.
El HaShamayim אֵל הַשָּׁמָיִם
Meaning “the God of the heavens,” comes from Psalm 136 (verse 26), a Psalm of praise and thankfulness to God for His goodness and blessings to Israel.
El Olam אֵל עֹולָם
This name means “everlasting God” and can be found in Genesis 21:33, just after Abraham makes a covenant with Abimelech. Our God is everlasting! He has no beginning and no end! Isn’t that amazing?
El Roi אֵל רֳאִי
In Genesis 16:13, Hagar gave God this name when she found out she was pregnant with Ishmael. It means God who sees”. Because of her life circumstances, it didn’t seem like God saw her, but He did, just like He sees all of us, even when we don’t feel like it!
El Yeshurun אֵל יְשֻׁרוּן
Yeshurun (also translated as “Jeshurun”) means “Israel” or “righteous people,” so this name means “God of Israel”.
El Yisrael אֵל יִשְׂרָאֵל
Just as El Yeshurun and as mentioned in a Psalm of David (Psalm 68:36), this name means “God of Israel”.
El Channun אֵל חַנּוּן
Jonah gave this name to God in Jonah 4:2 in a complaint to Him. It means “gracious God.”
El Rachum אֵל רַחוּם
From a message to the Hebrew people from Moses, this name means “God of compassion” and is found in Deuteronomy 4:31.
El Yashuati אֵל יְשׁוּעָתִי
Related to the name Yeshua (Jesus), this name means “God of my salvation” and is found in Isaiah 12:2. The phrase “God of our salvation” is El Yeshatenu (אֵל יְשׁוּעָתֵנוּ), from Psalm 68:19.
El Kanno אֵל קַנֹּוא
In Joshua 24:19, God is described as “kana”, which can be translated as either “jealous” or “zealous”. This aspect of God’s character is better understood when compared it to a marriage relationship. It’s similar to a man being jealous for his wife. He wants her to himself and doesn’t like to share. This jealousy is how God is with us. He wants to be our only God and doesn’t want to share!
El Hannorah אֵל הַנּוֹרָא
God is described in Nehemiah 9:32 as “the awesome God”. There’s no more accurate statement than that! He is indeed the most awesome there is!
El Chaiyai אֵל חַיָּי
This name, from Psalm 42:8, means “God of my life”. Is He the God of your life? If so, you know the peace that can bring! Closely related is Elohim Chai (אֱלֹהִים חַי), “living God”.
El Ghmulot אֵל גְּמֻלוֹת
In Jeremiah 51:56, Jeremiah refers to God using this name to warn that God will bring Babylon to justice for their treatment of His people. This name is translated as “the LORD is a God of recompense” or “the LORD is a God of retribution.”
Immanu El עִמָּנוּ אֵל
This name is one we’re all familiar with. Commonly translated “Immanuel,” “God with us” in Isaiah 7:14 points forward to when Jesus came to earth, and humans experienced God with them in the form of a man.
Elohim Emet אֱלֹהִים אֱמֶת
While discussing idolatry, Jeremiah distinguishes our God as the “true God” with this name, found in Jeremiah 10:10. El Emet (אֵל אֱמֶת) has the same meaning and is also mentioned in Psalm 31:5.
Elohim Bashamayim אֱלֹהִים בַּשָּׁמַיִם
“God in heaven” is the name given by Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:6.
Elohim Chayim אֱלֹהִים חַיִּים
This name, meaning “living God,” is similar to El Chaiyai and Elohim Chai above. Chai (חַי) in Hebrew means “life”.
Elah Shamayia אֱלָהּ שְׁמַיָּא
Similar to Elohim Bashamayim, from the book of Ezra (7:23), Elah Shamayia means “God of Heaven”.
Elah Yerushalim אֱלָהּ יְרוּשְׁלֶֽם
God is referred to as the “God of Jerusalem” in Ezra 7:19 and as the “God of Israel” (אֱלָהּ יִשְׂרָאֵל) yet again in Ezra 5:1.
I’m so thankful for this one! In Nehemiah 9:17, it says that our God is a “God of forgiveness.” We don’t deserve it, but He’s patient with us and has given Jesus to us to redeem our sin, which we can’t do for ourselves.
Elohei Tz’vaot אֱלֹהֵי צְבָאֹות
In 2 Samuel 5:10, the name, “God of hosts” is said to be the cause of David’s greatness.
To distinguish from the many gods of the surrounding peoples, our God is the “God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.” “God of Jacob” can also be found as Eloah Ya’akov (אֱלוֹהַּ יַעֲקֹב) in Psalm 114:7.
Elohei HaElohim אֱלֹהֵי הָאֱלֹהִים
In Deuteronomy 10:17, this is another name for “God of gods,” similar to El Elim above. Another name with the same meaning, Elah Elahin (אֱלָהּ אֱלָהִין) can be found in Daniel 2:47.
Elohei MaUzzi אֵל מָעוּזִּי חָיִל
“God, a strong fortress” is what this name means, found in 2 Samuel 22:33. David gives Him this name in praise, attributing all his success to God. A similar name, El sal’i (אֵל סַלְעִי), meaning “God, my rock”, can be found in Psalm 42:9. The word for rock here can also mean a crag or a cliff.
Elohei Mikkarov אֱלֹהֵי מִקָּרֹב
“God who is near” is what God says about Himself in Jeremiah 23:23. What an amazing gift we have in that we’re able to have a God who wants to be close to us!
Elohei Marom אֱלֹהֵי מָרֹום
“God of heights” or “God on high” is how God is described in Micah 6:6. While this may seem like the opposite of the previous name, “God who is near,” but since He’s God, He can be both near to us and a God whose exalted!
Elohei Tzur Yishi אֱלֹהֵי צוּר יִשְׁעִֽי
Similar to El Yashuati above, this name given by David means “God, the rock of my salvation” and is found in 2 Samuel 22:47.
In Isaiah 30:18, the people of Israel are given hope that their God will bring justice to those who have mistreated them. This name means “God of justice”.
Elohei Kedem אֱלֹהֵי קֶדֶם
“Eternal God” is what this name means. It’s used in Deuteronomy 33:27 by Moses on his deathbed. Although he knows he can’t accompany the Hebrew people into the Promised Land, he does know the God that will go with them and that He is forever.
Elohei Tehellati אֱלֹהֵי תְהִלָּתִי
This name should really be the name we all have for God. Elohai Tellhelati means “God of my praise.” Like no one else, God’s the only one deserving of all of our praise!
Elohei Avoteinu אֱלֹהֵי אֲבֹותֵינוּ
Meaning “God of our fathers”, this is yet another name given by David, and it can be found in 1 Chronicles 12:17. Elah Ahavti (אֱלָהּ אֲבָהָתִי) is similar but means “God of my fathers” (Daniel 2:23).
Elohei Nachor אֱלֹהֵי נָחוֹר
Just as He’s the God of Abraham, God is also described as the God of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, in Genesis 31:53.
Moses and Aaron describe God as the “God of the spirits of all flesh” in Numbers 16:22, and Moses repeats this in chapter 27, verse 16. Our God is not only God over everything physical but also over the spiritual world! What an amazing God we have!
There are so many names of God related to El and Elohim! It’s impossible for us to fully comprehend all of who He is but the study of His names gives us a glimpse of His character and He’s just awesome!
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When I started on my Hebraic path, not only did I not know what to expect, but I wasn’t sure I’d even be welcome at a Messianic Jewish Synagogue. Not being Jewish by heritage, I wondered if they’d be open to my visitation. But I had to find out, so I packed up my nine-month-old baby and decided to slip into the back of the sanctuary and observe a service.
Fast-forward to today, and I’m so glad I did! The first synagogue I attended was completely different from any Christian church I’d ever been to. However, what I could understand of the teaching and service was very Biblical and rich!
To help Christians interested in visiting their local Messianic synagogue but hesitant to do so, I’ve compiled this list of things it would be helpful to know ahead of time. All synagogues are different, so my list is based on the synagogues I’ve attended and those I’ve watched online. Your experience will undoubtedly differ from mine, but here are a few things you may find if you decide to visit.
They Meet on Saturday
Since the 7th day of the week is the Sabbath Biblically, they come together for worship on Saturdays.
All of the synagogues I know start later than the churches I’ve attended. Services typically begin at 10 am, and some even meet as late as 5 pm. The reason for a later meeting time is that the Sabbath is intended to be a restful day, allowing for an unhurried morning and separating it from the rest of the week’s busy mornings.
You’ll Probably Meet People Like Yourself
There aren’t just Jewish people at Messianic Jewish synagogues. I’ve found that most of the congregation is often Christian, with no Jewish heritage or background! They’re there to learn and worship just like you are!
You’ll find that many of the teachings are the same as what you’ll find at a Christian church. They teach that we’re saved by grace through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and not by works. They teach from the Old and New Testaments and serve communion like the traditional Christian church.
They’ll Greet You With “Shabbat Shalom”
Upon reaching the door of the first Messianic synagogue I attended, the smiling, friendly men standing outside said “Shabbat Shalom” as I approached carrying my little one. I didn’t understand them at all at that time, though! I smiled awkwardly, said “Good Morning” in response, and walked in the door, making a mental note to look that one up later!
Shabbat is Hebrew for Sabbath, and Shalom means peace. So when someone wishes you a Shabbat Shalom, they wish you a peaceful Sabbath. What a pleasant way to greet one another!
The Accessories are Unique
In the Christian church, it’s commonly known etiquette that men remove their hats during prayer. In a Messianic congregation, it’s just the opposite. Many men have their heads covered, either by a kippah, the traditional small hat many Jewish men wear, or by a fedora or other hat. Some women wear head coverings during prayer, liturgy, or Torah reading as a sign of reverence to God. Male congregants often have a prayer shawl, which rests on their shoulders but is also placed over their heads (and sometimes the heads of those close to them) during prayer.
You’ll probably also see blue and white tassels hanging from peoples’ clothing or prayer shawls. These are called tzitzit and are worn in response to the command in Numbers 15:37-41 and Deuteronomy 22:12. They serve as a reminder not to stray from God’s commands.
You’ll Hear a LOT of Hebrew
Hebrew is the predominant language of the Old Testament and likely some of the New Testament. Many learn biblical Hebrew to aid in their study of the Bible and participate in the synagogue worship service.
If you don’t know Hebrew, it may seem like everyone around you at the synagogue knows Hebrew, but that’s probably not true. Those I’ve encountered are at varying levels of Hebrew knowledge, and because of this, the synagogue usually has an English translation to accompany what’s said in Hebrew. And a bonus – if you attend regularly, you can’t help but learn some Hebrew merely through exposure!
The Music is Intense
Although some of the music you’ll hear at a Messianic synagogue is the same as that of a Christian church, some is also very different. They commonly play music with an energetic Jewish rhythm. Other songs are deep and meaningful, and many are based on either stories or direct verses from the Bible. Here are some examples of popular songs for you to listen to.
There’s Dancing!
Regarding the music, there is also the subject of dancing. Both men and women, young and old, can participate in the dances that take place as part of the worship service. Most of the time, these dances are not performed for entertainment but rather as a form of worship. People don’t generally use this as a time to bust out their moves, though. Instead, the dances are organized and comprise steps that the dancers have learned and practiced. They’re group dances, commonly circle dances, that are fun to participate in and pleasant to watch.
The Shema is said (at least once) during a Messianic service. The reason for this is two-fold. First, there is an Old Testament command to recite the Shema twice daily. The second is that Jesus answered with the Shema when asked what the greatest commandment is (Matt 22:36-40).
It’s usually said in Hebrew and then English, and congregants often face East when reciting the Shema. They face East because East is the direction of Jerusalem, where God’s Temple site is and where our Messiah will set up the New Jerusalem, where all who believe in and follow him will reside with him one day!
Or they may not. I’ve been to synagogues that do both, but I wanted to include this because it may be foreign to those used to a more contemporary church setting. Some Messianic communities use a Messianic Siddur for the order of service, prayers, etc. Others use parts of the Siddur and put the words on a screen for congregants to follow. And, as I mentioned earlier, some don’t use one at all.
The Torah is Celebrated
During what’s known as a “Torah Service,” the Torah scrolls are paraded around the sanctuary, accompanied by joyful music, and then read afterward in Hebrew and English. This lively parade is to celebrate and revere the words of God. As Christians, we often forget what a tremendous blessing it is for God to have given us His written Word, but this is a beautiful weekly reminder of what a gift God’s Word is to us!
They Bless the Kids
Each Messianic community I’ve observed and attended has had a heart for the next generation. Biblically, we’re to teach our faith to our children, and these congregations take that directive very seriously and are deliberate about it. Sometime during the service, there’s a blessing over all of the children. The synagogues I’ve attended are also surprisingly child-friendly. They encourage those attending services to pass their faith on to their children, even if that means some background noise from wiggly children during the service.
There May Be a Shabbat School
Speaking of children, many Messianic synagogues have Shabbat School for the children. Shabbat School is a program similar to Sunday School, where the children learn biblical truths and about their faith. The Shabbat Schools my kids have attended also teach basic Hebrew letters and words.
One synagogue I attended didn’t have a Shabbat School because it encouraged parents to keep their children with them during services. The rabbi stated each Saturday that he loved having the kids in the service and that their noise and activity were a blessing, as they could learn from the synagogue proceedings and watching their parents worship.
It’s always a sweet moment when the end of the service arrives, and it’s time for this blessing. Families and friends gather together, sometimes joining hands, putting arms around each other, or covering each other with their prayer shawls to receive the blessing. It’s a warm and fuzzy moment where everyone in the room feels like family! The Aaronic Blessing is typically recited in Hebrew, followed by an English translation.
Commonly referred to as an Oneg or “joy,” there’s often a meal following the Sabbath service. Members each bring a dish and eat together before going home or to further studies in the afternoon.
If you plan to attend an Oneg, they’ll probably welcome you regardless of whether you bring a dish. Just know that many synagogues have rules (biblically-based dietary rules) on what can be served if you decide to contribute. Ask ahead of time if you’re bringing a dish, but either way, enjoy this time of great food and fellowship!
Whether you’re just curious or planning a visit to a Messianic Jewish synagogue near you, this list should give you an idea of what goes on there. While the experience will be very different from what you’d have at a Christian church, I’ve found that both the teaching and practices are Biblically sound. Each of my family members has grown spiritually through the instruction we’ve received at the Messianic synagogues we’ve attended.
Need a how-to guide for your Passover Seder? Do you want detailed instructions on how to keep the Sabbath? Here’s a book with all you need, including explanations, recipes, blessings, and more! It will be a useful resource on your Hebraic faith journey!
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