📖 Biblical Definition
El Elohe Israel (אֵל אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל) — "God, the God of Israel" — is the covenant name Jacob pronounced at the altar he built at Shechem after returning to the Promised Land from Padan-aram: "And he erected there an altar, and called it El-elohe-Israel" (Genesis 33:20). Jacob — newly renamed Israel at Peniel — declares that the God of his fathers Abraham and Isaac is now his own God. The name is a personal covenantal claim: the El of the patriarchs is not abstract deity but his particular LORD, in covenant with him by name. Every Christian father who builds an altar in his own home — family worship, family prayer — names the same God his.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
God, the God of Israel — Jacob's altar at Shechem.
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The compound covenant name Jacob pronounced at the altar he built in Shechem after his return to Canaan (Gen 33:20). The doubling — El, Elohe Yisrael — emphasizes that the same God who is God absolute is also the God of Israel personally. Jacob, renamed Israel, claims his fathers' God as his own.
📖 Key Scripture
Genesis 33:20 — "And he erected there an altar, and called it El-elohe-Israel."
Genesis 28:21 — "So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God."
Galatians 4:6 — "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Genealogical religion ("my parents' God") often substitutes for personal claim; El Elohe Israel insists on personal appropriation.
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Inheriting religion is not the same as claiming God. Jacob's altar names the moment when his fathers' God became his own God. Each generation must make the same declaration; cultural Christianity is not yet Christianity.
Recover the personal claim: the LORD must be your God, not just your parents'. El Elohe Israel was Jacob's pronouncement; what is yours?
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew El + Elohim + Yisrael.
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['Hebrew', 'H410', 'El', 'God']
['Hebrew', 'H430', 'Elohim', 'God (plural form, used singular)']
['Hebrew', 'H3478', 'Yisrael', 'Israel']
Usage
"El Elohe Israel — Jacob's personal claim."
"Inherited religion is not yet personal faith."
"Each generation must claim the God of the fathers."