Post by Lee on Feb 16, 2014 15:34:47 GMT
Psalm 82:1
This states: “God (Elohim) standeth in the congregation of the mighty (El); he judgeth among the gods (Elohim).”
It is suggested by some that here, the plural term Elohim must relate to Yahweh personally; but why should it? There is no difficulty in understanding this passage in the light of God-manifestation. The word Elohim occurs twice, and relates in both instances to the same people: the rulers of Israel. Jesus endorsed this when he declared to the Jews that the Scriptures “called them gods, unto whom the word of God came” (John 10:34–35), and he was specifically referring to this Psalm. The rulers of Israel are caviled Elohim (Gods) in several places in Scripture, because the authority they wielded came from heaven. Israel, in fact, constituted the “congregation of El,” as this Psalm indicates. It can be read: “Elohim (Mighty Ones—the rulers of Israel) are in the congregation of El (the Increate); He (i.e. El) judgeth among the Elohim (Mighty Ones.”
The obvious meaning is that though the Elohim of Israel constituted the congregation of El, He was judging among them, and as the subsequent verses of the Psalm show, they would be cast down from their positions of eminence, to die like common men (v.6).
Phanerosis
This states: “God (Elohim) standeth in the congregation of the mighty (El); he judgeth among the gods (Elohim).”
It is suggested by some that here, the plural term Elohim must relate to Yahweh personally; but why should it? There is no difficulty in understanding this passage in the light of God-manifestation. The word Elohim occurs twice, and relates in both instances to the same people: the rulers of Israel. Jesus endorsed this when he declared to the Jews that the Scriptures “called them gods, unto whom the word of God came” (John 10:34–35), and he was specifically referring to this Psalm. The rulers of Israel are caviled Elohim (Gods) in several places in Scripture, because the authority they wielded came from heaven. Israel, in fact, constituted the “congregation of El,” as this Psalm indicates. It can be read: “Elohim (Mighty Ones—the rulers of Israel) are in the congregation of El (the Increate); He (i.e. El) judgeth among the Elohim (Mighty Ones.”
The obvious meaning is that though the Elohim of Israel constituted the congregation of El, He was judging among them, and as the subsequent verses of the Psalm show, they would be cast down from their positions of eminence, to die like common men (v.6).
Phanerosis