Who determined its measurements-surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” These are just a sample of the biblical texts which demonstrate that the biblical authors believed that there were other real gods in existence besides Yahweh (see also Deut.
Genesis 1.26-27 3.22) (NRSV, adapted) declares: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. In addition to those verses cited above, consider also Psalm 89.6 (NRSV, adapted), which reads: “For who in the skies can be compared to Yahweh? Who among the sons of God is like Yahweh…?”, as well as Psalm 99.2 (4QPsalm), which states: “Yahweh is great in Zion, he is exalted over all the gods.” Furthermore, Deuteronomy 32.43 (NRSV) goes on to affirm that, “Praise, O heavens, his people, worship him, all you gods!” Finally, Job 38.4-7 (cf. There are thus numerous biblical passages which clearly state or imply that there are other real gods in existence, although Yahweh is seen as supreme among them. 29.1 (NRSV, alternate translation):Īscribe to Yahweh, O sons of gods , The relevant issue in these texts is not one of “ontology” or species, of course, but one of power, might, and glory. Like many ancient Near Eastern texts which exult a particular earthly king as supreme over all the kings or rulers of other nations, so Yahweh is supreme in relation to the other gods of his council and those of other nations. These gods obey Yahweh’s decrees and pay deference to Yahweh because he is the supreme God of the pantheon–but they too are still gods nonetheless. The God of Israel is the Most High (God) because there are other, subordinate gods in his heavenly council. 82.6), because there are other, lower gods who serve him and praise him in his heavenly divine council. For this reason the God of Israel is designated as ‘el ‘elyon “the Most High God” ( Gen.14.18-19 Ps. Thus, just as a king presides over a body of counselors and administrators with whom he counsels and to whom he issues decrees, so too Yahweh was surrounded by an assemblage of heavenly beings with whom he counseled and to whom he issued decrees. Yahweh’s heavenly council was frequently depicted in terms analogous to that of the royal court of an earthly king or monarch. The members of the divine council–the “sons of G/god(s)” or “gods” as they are often described–served various functions. 23.18), and sod eloah “council of God” ( Job 15.8). 89.8), sod YHWH “the council of Yahweh” ( Jer. 82.1), sod qedoshim rabbah “great council of the holy ones” ( Ps. Moreover, the council itself is referred to by such appellations as the adat ‘el “council/assembly/congregation of ‘El/God” ( Ps. 29.1, 89.7), and bene ‘elyon “sons of the Most High” ( Ps.
The members of this heavenly court or assembly are referred to in the Hebrew Bible by such terms as: bene (ha)’elohim “sons of God” ( Gen. The divine council is simply the heavenly royal court over which Yahweh, the God of Israel, presides as heavenly king. As I have already discussed elsewhere on FPR several times (see here, here, here, here, here and here), references to a divine council or heavenly assembly are found frequently throughout the Hebrew Bible.
TT’s comment and the following reaction quickly reminded me of Genesis 6.1-4 (and other texts), which presents a tradition of heavenly beings coming down from their celestial abode and mating with humans.
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