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[b-hebrew] ELOHIM from ANE tradition?

From: "Philip Engmann" <phil-eng AT ighmail.com>
To: <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
Subject: [b-hebrew] ELOHIM from ANE tradition?
Date: Wed, 19 May 2004 11:28:13 +0100

Dear Listees,

Albright has suggested that the use of the majestic plural ELOHIM for
God comes from the tendency in the ancient near east toward a
universalism: We find in Canaanite an increasing tendency to employ the
plural Ashtorôt 'Astartes', and Anatot 'Anaths', in the clear sense of
totality of manifestations of a deity.[1]

Can there be some truth in this statement?

Philip (OT Student)

_____

[1] William F. Albright, From the Stone Age to Christianity, 2nd
edition, (Page 213)

[b-hebrew] ELOHIM from ANE tradition?, Philip Engmann, 05/19/2004