Godhead

Theological concept Godhead is a Middle English variant of the word godhood, and denotes the divinity or substance (ousia) of God. The term refers to the aspect or substratum of God that lies behind God's actions or properties (i.e., it is the essence of God), and its nature has been the subject of long debate in every major religion. Variations Godhead in Judaism refers to the unknowable aspect of God, which lies beyond his actions or emanations. Max Kadushin notes that "The plural 'Elohot, gods, must not be confused with 'Elohut, Godhead. The latter is used with reference to God". Godhead in Christianity refers to the substantial essence or nature of God in Christianity, the substantial impersonal being of God, as opposed to the individual persons or hypostases of the Trinity; in other words, the Godhead refers to the "what" of God, and God refers to the "who" of God. The concept is especially important in Christian negative theology, e.g., the theology of the Godhead according to Pseudo-Dionysius. Within some traditions, such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the term is used as a nontrinitarian substitute for the term Trinity, denoting the Father, Son, and Hol