Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Peter Kirk <peterkirk AT qaya.org>]

On 28/01/2004 18:44, Tony Costa wrote:

> Plural verbs used with Elohim
>
> Gen.20:13
> Gen.35:7
> 2 Sam.7:23
> Psa.58:11
>
> Plural adjectives used with Elohim
>
> Josh.24:19
> Psa.149:2
> Eccl.12:1
> Isa.54:5
>
> Plural pronouns used with Elohim
>
> Gen.1:26
> Gen.3:22
> Gen.11:6-7
> Isa.6:8
>
>  
Thank you, Tony. Ps 149:2, Ecc 12:1, Isa 54:5 are not relevant as they 
don't use 'elohim, although they use other plural forms for God. And 
your plural pronouns category is something rather different. But your 
first five references are indeed significant. Some of these verses can 
individually be reinterpreted as referring to pagan gods or human 
judges, but not all of them; Jos 24:19 is especially telling as the 
context of 'elohim qedoshim is clearly singular: hu' and el-qanno'. So 
we must conclude that 'elohim referring to the single true God sometimes 
takes plural verb and adjective agreement although more often singular; 
and so plural agreement is not a safe proof that a particular reference 
is to plural pagan gods etc.



--
Peter Kirk
peter AT qaya.org (personal)
peterkirk AT qaya.org (work)
http://www.qaya.org/