Biblical Hebrew Forum

[James Christian <jc.bhebrew AT googlemail.com>]

I think first you have to make clear your definition of 'polytheistic
thinking' before we can have a sensible discussion. Does 'polytheistic
thinking' mean:

1) The acknowledgement that neighbouring nations worship lifeless idols
albeit with their own names and reputations
2) Believing that the gods of those neighbouring nations are alive and of
equal power to the local god Yhwh
3) Believing that the gods of those neighbouring nations are alive and of
lesser power than the almighty god Yhwh

I think most people who have read the bible a few times wouldn't have
problems with 1) and 3) as possible interpretations because for 1) there are
many references to lifeless idols and for 3) it is not hard to imagine
fallen angels as the power behind the false gods of the nations. Where I
think most people who are familiar with the bible stumble into a problem is
with interpretation 2). We do not have so much as a hint of such thinking in
canonical literature. Bringing in those thoughts from extra-canonical
literature just doesn't make any scholarly sense.

So please, define just exactly what you mean by 'polytheistic thinking'
(terms that the authors of the documents in question simply didn't use) so
that we can consider whether there is a case to support it.

James Christian

2010/3/1 George Athas <George.Athas AT moore.edu.au>

> Karl,
>
> I think you might be underplaying the possibilities here. Yes, as you say,
> the nouns and titles given here are probably all referring to Yahweh. It's
> difficult to think that the latest compilers of the Torah thought anything
> other than that. However, Yitzhak's point is that there may be roots in
> polytheistic thinking here. I suggest a look at 'Dictionary of Deities and
> Demons'.
>
>
> GEORGE ATHAS
> Moore Theological College (Sydney, Australia)
> www.moore.edu.au
>
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