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The Case of the "Royal We"

and the Pagan "Elohim"!

John D. Keyser

One argument often expounded by those who believe in a Biune or Triune concept of the God-
head, is that of the Bible's use of the plural for God. For example, the Hebrew word translated God is
"Elohim" -- which is the plural form of the word "El" or "Eloah." It is interesting to note, however, that
the translators DO NOT translate "Elohim" "gods" (plural) because of their basic monotheistic views. Of
course, this is the paradox -- how can God be one and also two or three?

In the Preliminary Draft of the translation of the Book of Genesis (1994) in The Original Bi-
ble Project, we find the following footnote --

2. The most common Hebrew word for God is 'elohim, which is a masculine plural form
of 'el, meaning a "mighty one." It can refer to the one true God, the gods or idols of the
Gentiles, to angels, or even to human judges and rulers (see Gen. 3:5; 6:2; 35:1; Ex.
12:12; Psa. 82:1, 6; 97:7, 9; Gen. 23:6; Ex. 22:8-9 for illustrations). The plural form 'elo-
him, when used of YHVH, the One God of Israel, functions as a SINGULAR NOUN and
with rare exceptions takes a SINGULAR VERB and SINGULAR PREPOSITIONS. This
plural form, sometimes called by grammarians the "plural of Majesty," expresses the idea
of the One who represents the TOTALITY of Divinity ("mightiness"), that is, the 'ELO-
HIM of 'elohim, "GOD of gods," (see Gen. 14:18-19; Deut. 10:17).

In reality, if you dealt logically with the plural "elohim" without an understanding of ancient He-
brew usage, you would need to translate Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning, gods [plural] created the heav-
ens and the earth." This, of course, would never do because there are many statements in the Bible that
clearly show that God (YEHOVAH) is indeed ONLY ONE. Another argument raised by these believ-
ers in a Biune or Triune God is that God was speaking to the other person (or persons) of the Godhead
when He said, "Let us make humanity in our own image." Who is the "us" in this verse? they ask. Of
course, these arguments certainly deserve an explanation.

In the Bible reference Insight On the Scriptures, we find written --

The Hebrew word 'elohim' (gods) appears to be from a root meaning "be strong."
'Elo.him' is the plural of 'eloh'ah (god). Sometimes this plural refers to a number of gods
(Ge. 31:30, 32; 35:2), but more often it is used as a plural of majesty, dignity, or excel-
lence. 'Elo.him' is used in the Scriptures with reference to Jehovah himself, to angels, to
idol gods (singular and plural), and to men.
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