One is a title (El or Elohim) and the other is a name (Yawweh).  It's like saying "Jesus Christ."  His name is Jesus and his title is Messiah.  Not two different persons.

I think Elohim and YHWH are two distinct gods, that became one down the line.

I think more needs to be said about the documentary hypothesis. In Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers there are three literary strands, the product of two religious traditions. The Jawist tradition (J) is said to have originated in Judah, the southern kingdom. The Elohist tradition (E) came from the northern kingdom of Israel. Within that tradition, there is an additional priestly group (P) that contributed material separate from J and E. For example, the first creation story (Gen. 1:1-2:4) is P and the second (Gen. 2:5-3:22) is J. The book of Deuteronomy is from a later group (D). In addition, there was most likely an editor or redactor (R) who tied the stories together, creating the Torah as we more or less have it today. Whether any of the Torah is an actual historical record is a matter of some debate.

As to the nature of God--Yahweh appears to have been a tribal deity who eventually became a nation deity and, perhaps after the exile and return, a monotheistic concept. As an earlier poster indicated, Elohim is more of a description than a name, though the comments about the conflicts between the two kingdoms prior to exile did exist, and could have played a role in how God came to be understood.

I love you avatar Geocorona :), it makes me laugh all of the time. It is true that the Torah we now have today is the combination of all of these stories and laws. But could this be the reason why no seems to notice the difference and contradictions in the Hebrew testament today?

chris_lg wrote:

Our Bible is a combination of many different writings created over thousands of years by many authors. Most people don't read the stories all at once, or in any kind of order. We read them in little quotes, a verse or two at a time, or in passages read during worship services. It's very easy to overlook the contradictions. When the Bible is studied as a whole it becomes more clear that many authors over time, with different perspectives had input into it. It is a product of a people and their culture; a story of their developing understanding of God. It is not the final word on all things for all people in all times. The spiritual wisdom in its pages is awsome, but not perfect and not unique. (Again, my opinion. I don't speak for everyone here.)

Okay, but you speak for me.