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  • From: <tladatsi AT charter.net>
  • To: <jgray AT lfmp.com.au>, <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Cc:
  • Subject: [b-hebrew] Elohiym
  • Date: Thu, 23 Jun 2005 18:21:17 -0400

Mr. Gray,

As others have already noted, the generally accepted
understanding of elohiym is what is sometimes called the *
majestic plural* of eloah - God. It has been suggested in
some quarters that this some sort of remnant of ancient
polytheism but that is merely speculation.

Despite it's plural form, elohyim is generally used as if
it were singular and sometimes it does not refer to Yahweh,
the God of Israel. For example, when Saul uses a medium to
contact the spirit of the dead Samuel, the medium says she
sees *elohyim* rising up from the earth (1 Sam 28:13) even
though is obviously singular.

Ashtoreth is twice referred to as *elohyim* even though she
is also obviously singular (and feminine). Likewise both
Chemosh (Jud 11:14, 1 Kings 11:33) and Milkom (1 Kings
11:33) are also called *elohiym* and each is a
single god. Interesting Baal is never referred to as *
elohiym*.

There are other times when Elohiym is used as a plural. In
Psalm 8:5 it refers to angels (or divine beings subordinate
to Yahweh) where it is clearly plural. Elohyim is also
used frequently as a plural for unnamed gods other than
Yahweh. Also the idols (teraphiym) that Rachel stole from
her father in Genesis 31 are also called elohiym (Gen
31:32).


Jack Tladatsi



  • [b-hebrew] Elohiym, tladatsi, 06/23/2005

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