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  • From: Peter Kirk <peterkirk AT qaya.org>
  • To: Tony Costa <tmcos AT rogers.com>
  • Cc: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [b-Hebrew] Elohim
  • Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2004 03:54:53 -0800

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/





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