1. The root of the word אלקים comes from the word אלה which means “these”. It defines plurality of things joined together to form one unit. When we see a group of things we define them as “these” – אלה .
This word defines God as the One Whose might and will encompasses the plurality of the world in unity.
2. As such, the word means the One who is ruler, director, law giver, and judge of the world. מדת הדין
3. At the time the Torah was given, heathens observed the world and saw many conflicting phenomena and spheres. They did not see the unifying force of the world. Instead they understood the world to have always been forces that conflicted with one another. This world of many forces was understood to come from many gods. Such gods were powerless in spheres they were in conflict with. And if the gods were powerless and had no free will, the same would be true of Man. (Don’t blame me! The devil made me do it!)
Enter the Torah. The world is taught that God created all these forces. God is אלקים. God has free will and so does Man! Man is responsible for his actions.
Beraishis1:1, Pages 3-4
