El
TextsWhat is the meaning of El in the Bible?
El functions as a fundamental name and title for God in the Old Testament, appearing frequently in poetic and narrative texts to denote divine authority and creative power.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding El as a shared ancient Near Eastern term for deity clarifies the linguistic continuity between Israelite faith and its cultural context, highlighting how biblical authors appropriated and redefined existing terminology to express the unique nature of Yahweh.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how El functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention El in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does El clarify?
Related Topics
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"El." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/el/