Plural verbs with Elohim as God

Traditional scholars frequently assert that Elohim, or perhaps more correctly Aleim (see YHWH Aleim), in the Hebrew Bible translates as God singular, thus referring to the Deity of Israel. However, as A. H. Sayce points out in The Jewish Quarterly Review “Words, in fact are like fossils; they preserve for us older modes of thought and belief embedded within the skeleton of their outward form. Elohim would never have come to denote the singular “God” had it not first denoted the plural 'gods'.” The traditional assumption is that the interpretation of Elohim as God singular is universally determined by singular verb usage, however, it should be noted that the presence of singular verbs when interpreting Elohim as God (singular) is not universal throughout the Hebrew Bible. Since, like the words sheep or fish, Elohim can mean one or many, this page includes a few references to plural verbs associated with Elohim not usually mentioned by traditional scholars (promoting the point of view that this occurs throughout the entire Hebrew Bible). That point of view includes the assumption that verb usage, and usage of other grammatical terms, in the Hebrew Bible, always follows the pattern of interpretation of God singular when associated with the word Elohim or Aleim. However, because of the presence of plural verbs and other grammatical terms associated with Elohim even as far back as Genesis, it should also be pointed out that it is possible that the text may have originally been understood by the primitive Israelites (before the redacting of the Old Testament by Ezra and the Levite scribes known as Sopherim) to imply that a plural number of Elohim were being represented, this applies especially when Elohim are mentioned in association with and ranking beneath YHWH see wiki article YHWH Aleim or when discussing a council of Elohim that answered to YHWH.

Instances of plural verb usage with the biblical name Elohim translated a God singular

Jacob's story in Genesis recounts; "And he (Jacob) dreamed, and behold! A ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold Elohim messengers (plural malaki Elohim) ascending and descending upon it. And behold! YHWH was stationed above it and proceeded to say I am YHWH, the Elei (Eloih or Eloah God singular) of Abraham and the Elei of Isaac...This is none other but the house of gods (beth-Elohim plural). (Gen. 28:12-17); “...and Jacob built there an altar and called the place Beth-el, "because there they (plural) the gods (ha-Elohim or e-aliem the-gods, one of a multitude of instances where the Bible uses the plural predicator “the” with the name Elohim) were (nglu note plural verb) revealed..." (Gen. 35:7). The Authorized Version translates this verse as: "God appeared unto him." The Revised Version correctly reads "revealed," but uses the singular "was." The Hebrew text expressly uses the plural noun and verb; "the-gods were revealed." To easily check all the Hebrew references cited in this section an online interlinear concordance is available @

Some of many other examples where plural grammatical terms are used in connection with the name Elohim include; "When Elohim they caused (plural: ethou or hith-u) me to wander from my father's house." (Gen. 20:13) "Israel, whom gods (Elohim) they went (plural: balk-u) to ransom...people of you from Egypt and their gods (Elohim)" (2 Sam. 7:23). The following verse uses a plural adjective with the plural noun Elohim: "Who among mortals has heard the voice of Elohim living ones (plural Elohim chiim - the living gods)." (Deu. 5:26). Consider also the use of Elohim as a plural term, for the heavenly hosts ranking under YHWH, in the following verses (see for an online Hebrew interlinear Bible).

"YHWH is speaking. Listen, O house of David. Is it such a small thing for you to weary men, that you must also weary My Elohim (Elohim of Me)?" Isa. 7:12-13

"We shall precede before His face singing acclaim shouting to Him that Al (El) YHWH is great, a great king over all of Elohim." Ps. 95:2-3

"YHWH He shall protect...the house of David shall become as Elohim, as the angel of YHWH before them." Zech 12:8

"My God ‘Eloih’ (alei god singular) in whom is the spirit (Ruch) of the holy gods (qdishin Elohim or qdshm alein plural)" Dan. 4:8: 5:11

Although recognized by some scholars like Michael Heiser M.A., Ph.D., many still doubt that these instances refer to YHWH's holy council of Elohim, performing work as YHWH ordained (Job 38:1-7; Jer. 10:11) during the Genesis creation story of the earth, the sun, and the moon. (The stars are not mentioned as being created at that time; Gen. 1:16 only saying that the moon was made to rule or shine over the stars at night.) “And they are being finished the heavenly place (eshmim Strong's Hebrew Dictionary SHD 8034; heavenly position) and the earth and all of host of them (tzbahm hosts plural)...in day of to make YHWH Elohim (YHWH gods) the earth and heavenly place” Gen 2:1&4 Thus YHWH Elohim has also been interpreted as YHWH's gods or YHWH's hosts or assembly/council of Holy ones; this council is referred to in many places throughout the Bible including Ps 82:1-7 See also:

"Therefore hear the word of YHWH, I saw YHWH sitting on His throne and all the heavenly hosts (tzba eshmim) standing on His right and His left." I Kings 22:19

“And they are indeed acclaiming heavens marvels of you YHWH, indeed Your truth (amunth or emeth see SHD 571) in assembly of Holy ones (qdshim). That who in the sky shall be compared to YHWH in sons of Elohim (alim plural). Al (or El) terrifying one in deliberations of Holy ones (qdshim)...all of round about Him YHWH. Alei (Eloih-God singular) of hosts (tzbauth) who is invincible like YHWH.” Ps 89:5-8

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu