Isaiah 10:21–23
Only a remnant shall return,
Only a remnant of Jacob,
To mighty El.
Even if your people, O Israel,
Should be as the sands of the sea,
Only a remnant of it shall return.
Destruction is decreed;
Retribution comes like a flood!
For my lord Yahweh of Hosts is carrying out
A decree of destruction upon all the land.
Most closely aligns with the JPS translation although the above translates “mighty God” as “mighty El,” which reflects the underlying Hebrew אֵל גִּבּוֹר (El Gibbor).
Hosea 11:1–4, 8–9
How can I give you up, O Ephraim?
How surrender you, O Israel?
How can I make you like Admah,
Render you like Zeboiim?
I have had a change of heart,
All my tenderness is stirred.
I will not act on my wrath,
Will not turn to destroy Ephraim.
For I am El, not man,
The Holy One in your midst:
I will not come in fury.
From ChatGPT about the scripture above from Hosea.
The underlying Hebrew text of Hosea 11:9 does use “El” (אֵל) rather than the more common “Elohim” (אֱלֹהִים) or “YHWH” (יהוה). The relevant phrase in Hebrew is:
כִּי אֵל אָנֹכִי וְלֹא־אִישׁ קְדוֹשׁ בְּקִרְבְּךָ
“For I am El and not a man, the Holy One in your midst.”
The use of “El” (אֵל) here is significant. “El” is an ancient Semitic word for “God” and is often used as a title in the Hebrew Bible, sometimes referring specifically to the supreme God of Israel and sometimes reflecting older Canaanite religious terminology. In Hosea 11:9, its usage emphasizes God’s divine nature in contrast to human impulsiveness, particularly in the context of divine mercy rather than wrath.
This distinction strengthens the theological point that God, unlike humans, does not act out of uncontrolled anger but remains merciful and faithful. Some translations render “El” as “God” generically, but a more precise reading would indeed preserve “El” as in the original Hebrew.
From ChatGPT
In the Hebrew Bible, El (אֵל) is often used as part of the name or title of God, signifying His power, majesty, and divine attributes. Each of these names reflects a different aspect of God’s nature and how He is understood in the Hebrew Bible.
- El Elyon (אֵל עֶלְיוֹן) – “God Most High” (Genesis 14:18–20, Psalm 78:35)
- El Shaddai (אֵל שַׁדַּי) – “God Almighty” (Genesis 17:1, Exodus 6:3)
- El Olam (אֵל עוֹלָם) – “Everlasting God” (Genesis 21:33, Isaiah 40:28)
- El Roi (אֵל רֳאִי) – “God Who Sees Me” (Genesis 16:13)
- El Berith (אֵל בְּרִית) – “God of the Covenant” (Judges 9:46)
- El Gibbor (אֵל גִּבּוֹר) – “Mighty God” (Isaiah 9:6, Jeremiah 32:18)*
- El Tzaddik (אֵל צַדִּיק) – “Righteous God” (Isaiah 45:21)
- El Chanun (אֵל חַנּוּן) – “Gracious God” (Jonah 4:2, Nehemiah 9:31)
- El Emunah (אֵל אֱמוּנָה) – “Faithful God” (Deuteronomy 32:4)
- El Kanna (אֵל קַנָּא) – “Jealous God” (Exodus 34:14)
- El Yeshuati (אֵל יְשׁוּעָתִי) – “God of My Salvation” (Isaiah 12:2)
- El Deot (אֵל דֵּעוֹת) – “God of Knowledge” (1 Samuel 2:3)
Isaiah 9:6 (9:5 in the Hebrew text) from Bible Hub
- .* JPS Tanakh 1917 – For a child is born unto us, A son is given unto us; And the government is upon his shoulder; And his name is called Pele-joez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom;
- (NRSV) “For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders, and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God (El Gibbor), Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
THE HOLY SCRIPTURES ACCORDING TO THE MASORETIC TEXT, A NEW TRANSLATION Jewish Publication Society 1917 at Bible Hub.
From ChatGPT here:
Scholars agree these rare El usages preserve older religious language and carry poetic, archaic weight — Hosea 11:9 is the most theologically striking example.
Hosea, Micah, and Nahum stand out in using El explicitly.
Other prophets (Joel, Amos, Zechariah, Malachi, etc.) overwhelmingly prefer YHWH or Elohim.
Also see the page at this site titled Hosea the Book for more on the use of the three names in the Minor Prophets.
