JEHOVAH ELOHIYM, CREATOR & FATHER OF ALL

Genesis 1:26 And God[Elohiym] said, Let us make man in our image...

The Hebrew word "elohiym" is used 2605 times in the Old Testament, sometimes in reference to the true God and other times in reference to a false god or to false gods. In other words, it seems to be a generalized word used for all sorts of gods/God. Here is the definition from Strong's Concordance:

אלהים

'ĕlôhı̂ym

el-o-heem'

Plural of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative

KJV Usage: angels, X exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.

WHO SPECIFICALLY IS SPEAKING IN GENESIS 1:26 AND HOW MANY GODS ARE THERE? Keep reading in Genesis for the answer (original Hebrew words substitued in [] for English words "God" & "the LORD". ALL-CAPS used for emphasis only):

Genesis 2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day [Elohiym] ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 And [Elohiym] blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which [Elohiym] created and made. 4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that [Jehovah elohiym] made the earth and the heavens, 5 And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for [Jehovah elohiym] had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground. 6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. 7 And [Jehovah elohiym] formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. 8 And [Jehovah elohiym] planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed. 9 And out of the ground made [Jehovah elohiym] to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food;

If that isn't clear enough, let's look at the 4th Commandment (same substitutions as above):

Exodus 20:1 And [Elohiym] spake all these words, saying, 2 I am [Jehovah] thy [Elohiym], which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other [elohiym]s before me... 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of [Jehovah] thy [Elohiym]: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days [Jehovah] made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore [Jehovah] blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Jeremiah 10:10 But [Jehovah] is the true [Elohiym], he is the living [Elohiym], and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

BY WHAT NAME DOES THE OLD TESTAMENT IDENTIFY THE CREATOR? Clearly the OT identifies Jehovah as the true Elohiym and Creator. Now let's see what the New Testament says about the Creator:

1 Corinthians 8:6 But to us there is but ONE GOD, THE FATHER, OF WHOM ARE ALL THINGS, and we in him; and one Lord JESUS CHRIST, BY WHOM ARE ALL THINGS, and we by him. -Paul

Ephesians 3:9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in GOD[the Father], WHO CREATED ALL THINGS BY JESUS CHRIST: -Paul

Hebrews 1:2 [the Father] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom HE[the Father] HATH APPOINTED HEIR OF ALL THINGS, BY WHOM[His Son] ALSO HE[the Father] MADE THE WORLDS;

Romans 11:34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and unto him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever. Amen.

Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto THE FATHER, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who[the Father] hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of HIS DEAR SON: 14 In whom we have redemption through his[Son's] blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who[His Son] is the image of the invisible God[the Father], THE[Son is the] FIRSTBORN OF EVERY CREATURE: 16 For BY HIM[His Son] WERE ALL THINGS CREATED, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: ALL THINGS WERE CREATED BY HIM[His Son], and for him: 17 And HE IS BEFORE ALL THINGS, AND BY HIM ALL THINGS CONSIST. -Paul

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee THE ONLY TRUE GOD, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

HOW DOES THE NEW TESTAMENT IDENTIFY THE CREATOR? Clearly the NT identifies the Creator as the Father of Christ, the "only true God"(Elohiym), who created all things through His "firstborn" Son, Jesus Christ. The above NT texts also identify who "us" is in Genesis 1:26: Christ's Father(Jehovah), and His Son.

For my friends who appreciate Ellen White, here are some clear statements in agreement with the Bible teaching above...

After the earth was created, and the beasts upon it, the Father and Son carried out their purpose, which was designed before the fall of Satan, to make man in their own image. They had wrought together in the creation of the earth and every living thing upon it. And now GOD SAYS TO HIS SON, “Let us make man in our image...” -Ellen White, 1SP 24

“THE GREAT CREATOR assembled the heavenly host, that he might in the presence of all the angels confer special honor upon his Son. The Son was seated on the throne with the Father, and the heavenly throng of holy angels was gathered around them. The Father then made known that it was ordained by himself that Christ should be equal with himself; so that wherever was the presence of his Son, it was as his own presence. His word was to be obeyed as readily as the word of the Father. His Son he had invested with authority to command the heavenly host. Especially was he(Son) to work in union with himself(Father) in the anticipated CREATION OF THE EARTH AND EVERY LIVING THING THAT SHOULD EXIST UPON IT. His Son would carry out his will and his purposes, but would do nothing of himself alone. The Father's will would be fulfilled in him." -Ellen White (The Signs of the Times, January 9, 1879; also in Spirit of Prophecy, vol. 1, pages 18, 19) (parenthetical clarity added by Sid)

In the beginning the Father and the Son had rested upon the Sabbath after Their work of creation. -DA 769.2

The Sovereign of the universe was not alone in His work of beneficence. He had an associate—a co-worker who could appreciate His purposes, and could share His joy in giving happiness to created beings. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” John 1:1, 2. Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father—one in nature, in character, in purpose—the only being that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. -PP 34.1

    When the law was spoken, the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth, stood by the side of his Son, enshrouded in the fire and the smoke on the mount. It was not here that the law was first given; but it was proclaimed, that the children of Israel, whose ideas had become confused in their association with idolaters in Egypt, might be reminded of its terms, and understand what constitutes the true worship of Jehovah. -Ellen White,ST October 15, 1896, par. 4

    What condescension was this, that the infinite God should stand side by side with his Son, while the law, which is the foundation of his government, was given. He would give his people an intelligent knowledge of his will. He does not command men to obey him when they do not understand what he requires. Here was displayed his wisdom, power, and love. Man was so dear to the Creator of the world that he spoke to him through Jesus Christ, with an audible voice, giving unmistakable evidence of his presence and majesty. -Ellen White, ST October 15, 1896, par. 5

"Make the word of the living God your lesson book. If this had always been done, students lost to the cause of God would now be missionaries. Jehovah is the only true God, and HE is to be reverenced and worshiped." (E.White, Testimonies for the Church, Vol.6, p.166)

"Jehovah, our Father, and His Son Jesus Christ are alone to be exalted. The knowledge of God is eternal life to those who receive it." -Ellen White, Ms11-1898

In the Word of God is found the education of God. This Word tells what Christ will do in behalf of everyone who will co-operate with Him. This Book should be our lesson book, for it contains the higher education. Christ prayed, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent.” [John 17:3.] Do we not all wish to know how to gain life eternal? It is gained by knowing God and Jesus Christ. We are to make our teaching in regard to this as plain and clear as possible, and then students will fall in love with it. -Ellen White, Ms99-1899.24 and AUCR July 26, 1899, Art. A, par. 23

“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” PP 305.3