bara Elohim

 The phrase *bara Elohim*—translated as "powers He (EL) created" or "Mighty Ones He (EL) created"—expresses a profound mystery within the realms of Christian Kabbalah and Valentinian Gnosticism. This phrase reveals a process by which EL, the Supreme Being, produces or emanates the Elohim as extensions of His power and corporeal substance. EL is not simply a distant, impersonal force but a tangible, corporeal intelligence that emanates a multitude of powers, known collectively as the *Elohim Shaddai*, who enact His will throughout creation.

In this framework, the creation of the Elohim is more than a mere act of divine will; it is a transmission of essence. Proverbs 8:22 offers insight, stating that Yahweh “produced” wisdom at the beginning of His way. This “production” reflects a process of bringing forth, where EL, through a form of emanation, transmits His substance into these powers, the Elohim. This emanation aligns with the concept in Christian Kabbalah that creation is *ex deo*, or “out of God,” where the Elohim emerge as extensions of EL’s own being, infused with His attributes and might.

The Hebrew phrase *ruach Elohim*, translated as “the Spirit of Elohim,” expands this notion by signifying a principle that emanates from EL and acts upon creation. In Genesis 1:2, the *ruach Elohim* is described as “moving” or “brooding” over the waters, with the Hebrew word *rachaf* evoking the image of a mother hen nurturing her offspring. This brooding principle represents a dynamic, nurturing force that infuses creation with life and potential. It encompasses and penetrates the primordial waters, understood as the primal material of creation. In Christian Kabbalistic thought, this brooding *ruach* not only rests upon the waters but permeates their very substance, reaching into every atom, proton, neutron, and electron, setting the stage for the unfolding of creation.

The act of brooding signifies more than simple motion; it is an empowerment process. The *ruach Elohim*, emanating from EL, prepares and vitalizes the cosmos, awaiting the command of the Mighty Ones—the Elohim—to begin the work of creation. This brooding spirit is the active force of EL’s wisdom, or *Heavenly Wisdom*, which serves as the means through which the Elohim enact divine will. Psalm 104:30 supports this, declaring, “He sends forth His spirit; they are created.” The Elohim, empowered by this spirit, become the agents of creation, infusing the universe with the divine order and structure.

In Job 33:4, Job speaks of this relationship, saying, “The Spirit of God (ruach of EL) has made me, and the breath (nishmah) of the Mighty Ones (Shaddai) has given me life.” Here, *Shaddai*, or the Mighty Ones, is synonymous with the Elohim. The *ruach of EL* functions as the creative and life-giving force, while the *nishmah* or breath of Shaddai conveys vitality and essence. This divine breath emanates directly from EL, embedding His life-force within creation. The *Elohim Shaddai*, empowered by EL, are therefore more than mere beings; they are the divine energies that actualize EL’s intentions in the cosmos.

In both Christian Kabbalah and Valentinian Gnosticism, emanation is a fundamental concept. The supreme Being, EL, embodies a boundless power that flows outward, producing entities reflective of His nature. In the Valentinian tradition, these entities are often described as aspects of the divine fullness, or *Pleroma*, a term that denotes the totality of divine attributes emanating from the highest God. However, Christian Kabbalah emphasizes the corporeality of these emanations, viewing the *Elohim* not as abstract, distant powers, but as tangible extensions of EL’s corporeal substance. EL is thus both the origin and sustainer of the Elohim, who serve as the instruments of His will within creation.

When we consider the *Spirit of EL*—a term that conveys power, strength, and might—we glimpse an emanation that is both creative and sustaining. The *ruach of EL* is not a separate entity but a powerful force that flows from EL, endowing the *Elohim* with the capability to manifest His purposes. In 1 Corinthians 8:6, Paul emphasizes this, stating, “from whom are all things,” affirming that all of creation originates from the one, corporeal intelligence of EL. This divine fountain of omnipotence is described in 1 Timothy 6:16 as an “unapproachable light,” a glowing center of power that radiates life and wisdom. EL, then, is the sole corporeal being with absolute intelligence, and all other beings and powers derive their essence from Him.

*Bara Elohim*—"powers He created"—encapsulates this vision of creation as an emanation from the all-encompassing source, EL. The *Elohim* are not separate, autonomous deities but are vessels of EL’s own power, continually sustained and empowered by His spirit. Through this brooding and empowering relationship, we come to see creation not as an event in the distant past but as an ongoing act of emanation. The *Elohim Shaddai*, acting in concert with EL’s will, reveal a universe sustained by a unified source, where every action and creation flows from EL’s corporeal intelligence.