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In that portion which deals solely with creation, where man is seen in the image of His
Maker, and where sin and death have not yet been manifested, the name of God is
Elohim. After the flood and the placing of Noah upon the earth as a sort of "second
man", that portion contains no title other than that of Jehovah, and is concerned with the
distribution of the nations on the earth, the rebellion of Nimrod and Babel. In this section
Jehovah is used seven times.
When we look at the opening generation of the series of generations contained in
Gen. 2: 4 - 4: 26, it seems to fall naturally into two parts:--
(1)
In the garden of Eden (Gen. 2: 4 - 3: 24).
(2)
Outside the garden of Eden (Gen. 4: 1-26).
The distribution of the divine titles is in harmony with the subject-matter:--
Inside the garden.
JEHOVAH-ELOHIM only.--Man innocent and unashamed (Gen. 2: 4 - 3: 1).
ELOHIM only.--In mouth of the Serpent and Eve (Gen. 3: 1-5).
JEHOVAH-ELOHIM only.--Man fallen and ashamed (Gen. 3: 8-24).
Outside the garden.
JEHOVAH only.--The birth of Cain, the offering of Abel and the banishment of Cain
(Gen. 4: 1-16).
ELOHIM only.--The birth of Seth (Gen. 4: 25).
JEHOVAH only.--The birth of Enos, and the calling on the name of the Lord
(Gen. 4: 26).
Some light is cast upon the two relationships intended by these two great names of
God if we observe their use in the following passages:--
"And they went in male and female of all flesh, as God (Elohim) had commanded, and
the Lord (Jehovah) shut him in" (Gen. 7: 16).
"And it came to pass when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said,
It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight: but Jehoshaphat
cried out, and the Lord (Jehovah) helped him; and God (Elohim) moved them to depart
from him" (II Chron. 18: 31).
It will be seen that there is a more intimate relationship intended by the name Jehovah
than by the name Elohim. One indicates the Creator and His creature, the other the
covenant-keeping God. We have already found that the name Elohim indicates God in
the capacity of One Who had a purpose, an oath, a promise; this is the name which He
assumed in connection with the aspect that creation bears to that purpose.
We now consider the name Jehovah, and find that this title indicates the same God,
Who, as Elohim, created heaven and earth, but Who now limits Himself to "the ages",
and enters into covenant relationships involving the whole process of redemption and
restoration, together with the overthrowing of Satan and his seed. The name Jehovah