Plural Excellence in Hebrew (ie: elohim is plural but also singular)

[beameup]

The pluralis excellentiae is the name given by early grammarians of Hebrew, such as Wilhelm Gesenius, to a perceived anomaly in the grammatical number and syntax in Hebrew. In some cases it bears some similarity to the pluralis majestatis or "royal plural". However the idea of excellence is not necessarily present:

Of (c): the pluralis excellentiae or maiestatis, as has been remarked above, is properly a variety of the abstract plural, since it sums up the several characteristics belonging to the idea, besides possessing the secondary sense of an intensification of the original idea. It is thus closely related to the plurals of amplification, treated under e, which are mostly found in poetry.

— Gesenius' Grammar

Hebrew distinguishes grammatical number by endings in nouns, verbs and adjectives. A grammatical phenomenon occurs with a small number of Hebrew nouns, such as elohim "great god" and behemoth "giant beast", whereby a grammatically redundant plural ending (-im, usually masculine plural, or -oth, usually feminine plural) is attached to a noun, but the noun nevertheless continues to take singular verbs and adjectives. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluralis_excellentiae

In the beginning 'elohim created the heaven and the earth. - Gen 1:1
Thus, 'elohim is both singular and plural at the same time.

 

[TrevorL]

Greetings beameup,

The pluralis excellentiae is the name given by early grammarians of Hebrew, such as Wilhelm Gesenius, to a perceived anomaly in the grammatical number and syntax in Hebrew. In some cases it bears some similarity to the pluralis majestatis or "royal plural". However the idea of excellence is not necessarily present:
{quote not included}
Hebrew distinguishes grammatical number by endings in nouns, verbs and adjectives. A grammatical phenomenon occurs with a small number of Hebrew nouns, such as elohim "great god" and behemoth "giant beast", whereby a grammatically redundant plural ending (-im, usually masculine plural, or -oth, usually feminine plural) is attached to a noun, but the noun nevertheless continues to take singular verbs and adjectives. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluralis_excellentiae

In the beginning 'elohim created the heaven and the earth. - Gen 1:1
Thus, 'elohim is both singular and plural at the same time.

Psalm 8:5 (KJV): 3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; 4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? 5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. 6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
Yes, “Elohim” can be thought of as singular when it has a singular verb, but there may be more behind this apparent contradiction. One clue is the above, where “Elohim” is translated “angels” in the KJV, but “God” in most modern translations. I believe that the KJV is correct as Paul in Hebrews 2 accepts and quotes “angels” and even bases his argument upon this understanding of “Elohim” in Psalm 8:5. Also Psalm 8 is a succinct summary of the Genesis account and thus gives us an understanding of “Elohim” in Genesis 1-3. I prefer the concept that "Elohim" represents the One God revealed through many agents, and in this case the angels.

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[beameup]

Elohim means "divine ones". From an ancient Hebrew perspective, a "being" above mankind.
So, it could be translated God, or angels, or in some cases rulers/magistrates.
The context of Genesis 1:1 is of the CREATOR, not the created ones (ie: angels).
Angels are created messengers of Almighty God.

 

[TrevorL]

Greetings again beameup,

Elohim means "divine ones". From an ancient Hebrew perspective, a "being" above mankind.
So, it could be translated God, or angels, or in some cases rulers/magistrates.
The context of Genesis 1:1 is of the CREATOR, not the created ones (ie: angels).
Angels are created messengers of Almighty God.

But it is quite evident that the angels existed before Genesis 1:26 because man was made a little lower than the angels Psalm 8:5. Also Paul says that the world to come will not be in subjection to the angels Hebrews 2:5, inferring that the world was under the control of the angels from creation. It is also significant that this comment in Hebrews 2:5 immediately precedes Paul's quotation and exposition based upon Psalm 8 where angels are mentioned.

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[beameup]

Greetings again beameup,
But it is quite evident that the angels existed before Genesis 1:26 because man was made a little lower than the angels Psalm 8:5. Also Paul says that the world to come will not be in subjection to the angels Hebrews 2:5, inferring that the world was under the control of the angels from creation. It is also significant that this comment in Hebrews 2:5 immediately precedes Paul's quotation and exposition based upon Psalm 8 where angels are mentioned.

Kind regards
Trevor

A lot of things ("beings") were created before man was created by the Triune God.
For example, archangels, seraphim, cherubim, "the anointed cherub that covers" (the Throne of God), etc., were direct creations of the Triune God.
God has a specific purpose in these creations, and angels are a part of what is called the "divine council" as seen in the Book of Job, but that in no way means that these other beings are CREATOR.
Mankind is "unique" in that he is created "in the image of God". No such thing is said concerning other creations. I'm afraid that you have been misled in your "theology" along the way, but it is extremely difficult to "undo" false beliefs without divine intervention by God the Holy Spirit.

For God is not the author of confusion - 1 Cor 14:33a

 

[TrevorL]

Greetings again beameup,

Mankind is "unique" in that he is created "in the image of God".

But man is made in the image and likeness of "Elohim" and this term is used in Genesis 1:26 and Psalm 8:5 to represent God and the angels. The angels are part of the "us" and "our" of Genesis 1:26.

Kind regards
Trevor

 

[beameup]

Greetings again beameup,But man is made in the image and likeness of "Elohim" and this term is used in Genesis 1:26 and Psalm 8:5 to represent God and the angels. The angels are part of the "us" and "our" of Genesis 1:26.

Kind regards
Trevor

The angels are created to serve God.
Genesis 1:26 shows the Father-Son-Spirit "US".
So, God the Son became a "little lower" than the angels
in order to suffer death for mankind (not the angels).
The angels in heaven still eternally serve God,
but Satan and his angels fell (and there is NO REDEMPTION).
Pretty standard orthodox theology since the times of the Apostles.

And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Messiah - 1 John 2:22a NLT

But if someone claims to be a prophet and does not acknowledge the truth about Jesus, that person is not from God. Such a person has the spirit of the Antichrist - 1 John 4:3 NLT