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FAQ # 166
QUESTION 166 : Does the phrase, "God
[ELOHIM] said Let us make man in our image," indicate plurality of
persons involved in creation? "Does the word Elohim signify two Yahweh
[Yahovah]?"
Not according to Knapp, Professor from mid 19th century, Theology, p.
93. It (Elohim) is derived from an Arabic word, which signifies to reverence,
to honor, to worship. Hence, it comes to pass that it is frequently applied
to kings, magistrates, judges, and others to whom reverence is shown,
and who are regarded as the representatives of the Deity upon earth. Psalm
82:6. Ex. 7:1...The plural of this word, Elohim, though it denotes but
one subject, is appropriately used to designate Jehovah by way of eminence.
In fact, many theologians have thought they perceived an allusion to the
doctrine of the Trinity, though they have no sufficient ground for supposing
that this doctrine was known at so early a period. And without resorting
to this supposition, the application of this plural name to a singular
subject may be explained from an idiom of the ancient oriental and some
other languages, by which anything great or eminent was expressed in the
plural number, (pluralis dignitatis, or majestaticus). Accordingly, Eloha,
(the singular,) augustus, [majestic,] may be considered as the positive
degree, of which Elohim, (the plural,) augustissimus, [most majestic,]
is the superlative.
Not according to Theophilus, anonymous theologian of
mid 19th century: "This language is understood to express determination,
‘And God determined to make man in his own image, after his own likeness,’
without supposing that he also intended to teach us thereby the mode of
his own existence...When a man is about to do an important thing, and
wishes to proceed with deliberation and act with discretion, he considers
with himself, and perhaps speaks audibly : ‘Let us consider--let us see
what to do’. ...but in so saying, he does not intend to tell us anything
as to the origin or mode of his existence. He is deliberating so as to
come to a wise determination. God does not, like man, need to deliberate,
in order to act wisely--at least, he has not told us so; but he makes
himself and his doings known to us in language conformed to the manner
of men; leaving it for common sense to decide as to the meaning of what
he says of himself, for the express purpose of being understood-- not
for the purpose of casting a mist before our eyes so that we cannot see
what he means.”
Not according to the seventy learned scholars who translated
the Bible from Hebrew into Greek (the Septuagint) a part of it about 300
years before Christ and who always used o qeos [theos], God, singular,
to represent Elohim when translating into Greek.
Not according to the Hebrews who used the plural form
(Elohim) to designate a single individual whose rank, authority, respect,
reverence, sovereignty required this form. Exod. 7:1 And the LORD said
unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god (Elohim) to Pharaoh: and Aaron
thy brother shall be thy prophet.
Not according to the Jewish historian who referred
to singular heathen deities as Elohim in 1Kgs. 11:33, “Because that they
have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess (Elohim, fem.
form) of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god (Elohim) of the Moabites, and
Milcom the god (Elohim) of the children of Ammon, and have not walked
in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes
and my judgments, as did David his father.” These singular heathen deities
are called Elohim.
Not according to Paul in Galatians 1:8, 9 who uses
singular and plural pronouns (I, we) interchangeably to refer to himself,
alone. Gal. 1:9 "As we said before, so say I now again,
If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received,
let him be accursed."
{Source: Robert A. Sabin}
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