Psalm 82

God presides in the great assembly;
he renders judgment among the “gods”:

“How long will you defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?

Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

“The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

“I said, ‘You are “gods”;
you are all sons of the Most High.’

But you will die like mere mortals;
you will fall like every other ruler.”

Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.

- New International Version

Any comments on the use of the term 'gods'.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
God presides in the great assembly;
he renders judgment among the “gods”:

“How long will you defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?

Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

“The ‘gods’ know nothing, they un ...[text shortened]... your inheritance.

- New International Version

Any comments on the use of the term 'gods'.

Surely old chap He is just referring to Kings, judges and the like, due to their authority and commission from God?

As we see in John 10:

'Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’ ? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came — and the Scripture cannot be broken.'

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
Surely old chap He is just referring to Kings, judges and the like, due to their authority and commission from God?

As we see in John 10:

'Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’ ? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came — and the Scripture cannot be broken.'

Excellent! yes! now why are these human mortals referred to as gods? Is the Bible expressing Polytheism as others have alleged when presented with the fact that the Bible makes mention of many gods? Why would receiving authority or a commission from God himself make one, 'a god'?

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Excellent! yes! now why are these human mortals referred to as gods? Is the Bible expressing Polytheism as others have alleged when presented with the fact that the Bible makes mention of many gods? Why would receiving authority or a commission from God himself make one, 'a god'?

Jainism is also sometimes thought of as polytheistic, due to it's reference to gods, Interestingly though it still maintains there is only one supreme being, and that the gods are the human souls who have achieved enlightenment. (And so become nearer to God).

Is that also excellent?

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
Jainism is also sometimes thought of as polytheistic, due to it's reference to gods, Interestingly though it still maintains there is only one supreme being, and that the gods are the human souls who have achieved enlightenment. (And so become nearer to God).

Is that also excellent?

Yes because I seem to be an enlightened one. 😵

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Yes because I seem to be an enlightened one. 😵

So what is your understanding of 'gods' in Psalm 82?

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
So what is your understanding of 'gods' in Psalm 82?

The term that is translated as 'gods is from the Hebrew is elo'him (a mighty or strong one). Some translations like the Latin Vulgate translate this as 'gods', others as 'angels', still others as 'judges'.

I do not understand enough about Hebrew to accurately state whether the term is a predicate noun that describes a quality, such as being 'divine', or 'god-like'. It seems that your explanation of their being seen as 'gods' because of having received power and authority from God himself has real merit because similarly Moses himself was told that he was to serve as “god” to Aaron and to Pharaoh - Ex 4:16

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke

Surely old chap He is just referring to Kings, judges and the like, due to their authority and commission from God?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

But kings, judges and human dignitaries will of course "die like men" because they are human. Of what use would it be for them to be warned that they will "die like men" ? . Wouldn't that be obvious?


As we see in John 10:

'Jesus replied, “Is it not written in your Law: ‘I have said you are gods’ ? If he called them gods to whom the word of God came — and the Scripture cannot be broken.'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

That verse simply says that they were beings to whom the word of God came. The word of God came not only to human judges and kings but to angelic beings as well.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
God presides in the great assembly;
he renders judgment among the “gods”:

“How long will you defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?

Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

“The ‘gods’ know nothing, they un ...[text shortened]... your inheritance.

- New International Version

Any comments on the use of the term 'gods'.

Idols or demons

Souls of the damned become unaccounted for, so demons or the opposing forces to holy angels soliciting actions out of their own ego. Humans may appear more like, or would be better described as gods were alien civilations or future and past civilizations to collide in one place and era. &- Prayer does effect supernaturally.

Originally posted by Of Ants and Imps
Souls of the damned become unaccounted for, so demons or the opposing forces to holy angels soliciting actions out of their own ego. Humans may appear more like, or would be better described as gods were alien civilations or future and past civilizations to collide in one place and era. &- Prayer does effect supernaturally.

Actually I think the text challenges our perceptions of the religious use and in particular the Biblical use of the term, 'god'. We have in the West been conditioned to the idea that there is only one god when infact the Bible makes it clear that there is a plethora of gods. It even makes the point that a mans 'belly', can be his god meaning of course that anything which we are giving exclusive devotion to can become for us 'a god'. Nor is the concept limited to theists, many atheists have made for themselves a god of science with which they seek to give meaning and direction to their lives. They invoke notable luminaries and petition reason and logic as if calling upon Odin himself!

So what are we to say about the term god and its use? it need not be of divine origin and can be used metaphorically. It may indeed refer simply to a powerful entity as a judge or a ruler especially if acting by authority from God himself. It may be used to describe anything which a person gives exclusive devotion to. It is even used to describe Satan himself, the 'god of the system'.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Actually I think the text challenges our perceptions of the religious use and in particular the Biblical use of the term, 'god'. We have in the West been conditioned to the idea that there is only one god when infact the Bible makes it clear that there is a plethora of gods. It even makes the point that a mans 'belly', can be his god meaning of cou ...[text shortened]... ives exclusive devotion to. It is even used to describe Satan himself, the 'god of the system'.

'...many atheists have made for themselves a god of science which they seek to give meaning and direction to their lives. They invoke notable luminaries and petition reason and logic as if calling upon Odin himself!'


We really don't.

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
'...many atheists have made for themselves a god of science which they seek to give meaning and direction to their lives. They invoke notable luminaries and petition reason and logic as if calling upon Odin himself!'


We really don't.

you really do!

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
you really do!

Boofhead.

😏

Originally posted by Ghost of a Duke
Boofhead.

😏

Doofbed!

😏