Gods
Culture & Societyâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The Hebrew plural elohim denotes superhuman beings, judges, rulers, and deities of other nations, while typically taking singular verbs when referring to the God of Israel to emphasize His supreme authority over other entities.
What is the meaning of Gods in the Bible?
The Hebrew plural elohim denotes superhuman beings, judges, rulers, and deities of other nations, while typically taking singular verbs when referring to the God of Israel to emphasize His supreme authority over other entities.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding elohim clarifies the linguistic and theological distinction between the singular worship of Yahweh and the plural references to other divine powers, aiding readers in interpreting the unique monotheistic claims within the biblical text.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Gods in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Gods clarify?
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Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.