The common explanation of the plural form of 'elohim as a "plural of
majesty/intensity" strikes me as somewhat desparate (cp. TDOT "...difficult
to explain."). I am soliciting input on this issue and seek reactions to
the possibility that the plural form arose as a result of an elision of the
superlative construction--'el 'elohim. Related superlative constructions
are infrequent (Deut 10:17 ('elohe ha'elohim), Josh 22:2 ('el 'elohim), Ps
136:2 ('elohe ha'elohim), Dan 2:47 ('elah 'elohin), Dan 11:36 ('el
'elohim). Theres is also the formal title of Gen 33:20 ('el 'elohe
yisra'el). Is the plural form the remnant of a abbreviation of divine
titles such as 'el `elyon-->`elyon, 'el shaddai-->shaddai, and Yahweh
Sabaoth-->yahweh? How do interested list members access this theory over
against the traditional understanding of how to explain the plural 'elohim
that is customarily used as the subject of singular verbs?