Elohim and the Creation
I am continually fascinated by the richness and depth of the Hebrew language found in the Old Testament. One such instance that has captured my interest is the use of the word “Elohim” in Genesis 1:27-28, where it is translated as “God.” In this article, I will delve into the Hebrew word “Elohim” and explore the idea that it may refer to angels, offering a fresh perspective on the creation of humanity.
Genesis 1:27-28 reads:
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”
Elohim: A Linguistic and Etymological Analysis
The Hebrew word “Elohim” is often translated as “God” in English and is used in the verses mentioned above. However, it is important to note that “Elohim” is a plural noun, which may suggest plurality in the divine realm. This plurality has led some scholars to propose that “Elohim” could, in fact, refer to angels, rather than a singular God. This section will provide a linguistic and etymological analysis of the word “Elohim,” laying the foundation for the subsequent exploration of its potential reference to angels.
1.1. The Plurality of Elohim
The word “Elohim” is derived from the Hebrew root “El,” which means “god” or “divine being.” It is formed by adding the plural masculine suffix “-im” to the root. In Hebrew, this suffix indicates plurality, making “Elohim” a plural noun. However, what is intriguing about the use of “Elohim” in the Hebrew Bible is that it is often accompanied by singular verbs, suggesting that the plural noun is used to denote a singular entity. This apparent contradiction has puzzled scholars for centuries and has given rise to various interpretations.
1.2. The Majesty of Plural
One explanation for the use of the plural “Elohim” with singular verbs is the concept of the “majesty of plural” or “pluralis majestatis.” This grammatical construction is used to convey the grandeur, power, and authority of the subject. In this view, “Elohim” is a majestic plural, indicating the supreme status and sovereignty of the divine being referred to in the text. However, this interpretation still leaves room for alternative readings, such as the one suggesting that “Elohim” refers to angels.
Angels in the Creation Narrative
If we entertain the idea that “Elohim” refers to angels, it opens up a new avenue of understanding the creation narrative. This interpretation suggests that a group of divine beings, or angels, were involved in the creation of humanity. This section will explore the role of angels in the creation narrative and how this interpretation challenges traditional monotheistic perspectives.
2.1. Angelic Presence in the Hebrew Bible
Angels play a significant role in the Hebrew Bible, acting as messengers and agents of God. They are often described as powerful beings who execute the will of God and interact with humans. In this context, interpreting “Elohim” as a reference to angels is not without merit. Several passages in the Hebrew Bible suggest the involvement of angels in the creation process. For instance, Job 38:4-7 describes the angels, referred to as “morning stars” and “sons of God,” singing together and shouting for joy when the foundations of the earth were laid.
2.2. Divine Council and the Creation of Humanity
Another perspective that supports the angelic interpretation of “Elohim” is the concept of the divine council, a group of heavenly beings that surround God and participate in His decisions. The divine council appears in several biblical passages, such as Psalm 82, where God stands in the assembly of the gods (Elohim) and judges among them. Similarly, in 1 Kings 22:19-22, a divine council is depicted in a vision, with God surrounded by heavenly beings who discuss and decide the fate of a human king.
Applying the concept of the divine council to Genesis 1:27-28, one could argue that the creation of humanity was a collective decision made by the heavenly beings, with God as the leader of the council. In this interpretation, the use of “Elohim” refers to the divine council of angels, who were involved in the creation and blessing of humanity.
2.3. Other occurrences of Elohim
In the Hebrew Bible, the term “Elohim” is predominantly used to refer to the God of Israel. However, there are instances where “Elohim” is used to describe other entities, further showcasing the flexibility of the term. Here are a few examples:
Judges 11:24 – In this verse, Jephthah, a judge of Israel, refers to the Ammonite god, Chemosh, as “Elohim,” highlighting that the term can be used to describe gods other than the God of Israel. The verse states, “Do you not possess what Chemosh your god (Elohim) gives you to possess? So whatever the Lord our God (Elohim) has driven out before us, we will possess.”
Exodus 12:12 – In this passage, the term “Elohim” is used to describe the gods of Egypt. The verse reads, “On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn of both people and animals, and I will bring judgment on all the gods (Elohim) of Egypt. I am the Lord.”
1 Kings 11:33 – In this verse, the term “Elohim” is used to describe the gods Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom, which were worshipped by the surrounding nations. The verse states, “I will do this because they have forsaken me and worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess (Elohim) of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god (Elohim) of the Moabites, and Milcom the god (Elohim) of the Ammonites, and have not walked in obedience to me, nor done what is right in my eyes, nor kept my decrees and laws as David, Solomon’s father, did.”
Psalm 82:1 – In this passage, the term “Elohim” is used to describe divine beings or gods in a divine council. The verse reads, “God (Elohim) presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the gods (Elohim).” Although the interpretation of this passage is debated, some scholars believe that it refers to a divine council consisting of lesser divine beings or angels.
These examples demonstrate that the term “Elohim” is not exclusively used to refer to the God of Israel in the Hebrew Bible but can also describe other gods or divine beings. This flexibility in the usage of “Elohim” allows for various interpretations and understandings of the term within the biblical context.
2.4. Implications of an Angelic Interpretation
Interpreting “Elohim” as angels in the creation narrative has significant implications for our understanding of the relationship between humanity and the divine. It suggests that humanity was created not only in the image of a singular God but also in the image of the heavenly beings, the angels. This interpretation emphasizes the close connection between humanity and the divine, highlighting our shared characteristics and the potential for humans to participate in the divine realm.
However, this interpretation does not necessarily challenge traditional monotheistic perspectives, as it can still be understood within the framework of a singular God who is in control. If the angels were acting on the orders of the singular God, their involvement in the creation process would not contradict the idea of a supreme, singular deity. Rather, this perspective could be seen as an extension of monotheistic beliefs, where the divine council of angels serves as agents or instruments through which God’s will is executed. In this view, the creation process is still primarily attributed to the singular God, with the angels highlighting the divine hierarchy and the cooperation between the supreme deity and the heavenly beings.
Conclusion
In this article, I have explored the Hebrew word “Elohim” and its potential reference to angels in Genesis 1:27-28. While the traditional interpretation of “Elohim” as a majestic plural referring to a singular God is widely accepted, the possibility of an angelic interpretation offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on the creation narrative.
By considering “Elohim” as referring to angels, we can gain new insights into the role of the divine council and the relationship between humanity and the divine. Although this interpretation can challenge traditional monotheistic perspectives, it encourages us to delve deeper into the richness of the Hebrew language and the diverse theological ideas found in the Old Testament. As a Bible scholar, I am continually amazed by the depth and complexity of these ancient texts, and I invite you to join me in this journey of exploration and discovery.