Sunday, October 13, 2019

Men and Angels as Gods


By Andrews Norton

The Hebrew words commonly translated "God" in the Old Testament are Elohim and El. The former is applied to Moses, Exodus 7:1 (compare 4:16);— to the apparition of Samuel, 1 Sam. 28:13 (comp. verse 14);—to Solomon, or some other king of Israel, Psalm 45:6; — to judges, Exodus 21:6; 22: 8, 9, 28; — and to kings or magistrates, Psalm 82:1, 6, and perhaps 138:1 (comp. verse 4, and Psalm 119:46). See also Ezckiel 28:1. Many have supposed the word Elohim to denote angels in Genesis 3:5 (comp. verse 22), Psalm 8:5, and some other passages, as Psalm 97:7, where the Septuagint version has AGGELOI. This opinion was entertained by Milton, who accordingly, in his Paradise Lost, very often denominates angels "gods." The title "God of gods" is repeatedly given to Jehovah in the Old Testament: see Deuteronomy 10:17; Joshua 22:22; Psalm 50:1 (Heb.); 136:2; Daniel 11:36.

El is the Hebrew word which is translated "God" in Isaiah 9:6, where it is supposed by most Trinitarian commentators to be a name of Christ. The same word is applied to Nebuchadnezzar in Ezekiel 31:11, where it is rendered in the Common Version "the mighty one"; in the Septuagint, ARCON "ruler." In Ezekiel 32:21, where it is used in the plural, it is translated "the strong." In Isaiah 9:6, the Septuagint version, according to the Alexandrine manuscript, and also the versions of Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion, render the word by ISCUROS, "strong."

Our Saviour refers to this use of the word "God," in a lower sense, in the Old Testament. "Is it not written in your Law, I said, Ye are gods? If those are called gods to whom the word of God was addressed," &c. See John 10:34-36, and compare Psalm 82:1, 6.

See also: Angels as Gods, by the Rev. Thomas Timson 1845

See also: The Dead Sea Scrolls and Angels as Gods

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