In biblical days, it was a hard and fast rule for kingdoms to have their own god as a symbol of political prestige.
Elohim
The term Elohim is plural for god and is used 216
times in the Old Testament for "gods" and 2366 times for
"God." The singular form of Elohim is Eloah and is used 55
times in place of "God." This mistranslation hides the pluralistic
nature of the Hebrew god. To the Israelites, Elohim encompasses all
supernatural beings: spirits, angels, demons, semi-gods and so forth. So,
whenever they appealed to Elohim, they were inferring the entire pantheon [a
temple dedicated to all the gods].
That these lesser beings are not gods is a matter
of semantics [the study of meanins]. By pagan definition, they are all
gods. For example, the Greek God, Mercury, was seen as a messenger god. To the
ancient Jews, he would be the equivalent of an angel.
God of Israel
The term, God of Israel, appears almost 200 times in
the Old Testament. Simply, the phrase, God of Israel, designates the name of a
national god, not the god of the universe.
1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, "Thus
says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Let my people go, that they may hold a feast
to me in the wilderness.'" (Ex.
5:1)
The God of Israel vows to enlarge the
borders of Israel.
23 Three times in the year shall all your males
appear before the LORD God, the God of Israel.
24 For I will cast out nations before you, and
enlarge your borders; neither shall any man desire your land, when you go up to
appear before the LORD your God three times in the year. (Ex. 34:23-24)
God of spirits
In this context, the God of spirits means the
God of the dead.
16"Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all
flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, (Num. 27:16) …to be cont’d
In
Christ,
Janet Irene Thomas
Playwright/Screen
Writer/Director
Published Author/Gospel
Lyricist &Producer
FOUNDER/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
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