ELOHIM

GODS ; from the Hebrew, translated elohim, is a word, in several instances, applied to angels in the Scripture. So the inspired Psalmist calls upon and admonishes the mightiest and noblest of created beings to render cheerful and solemn homage to the Messiah, " worship him all ye gods." Bishop Home remarks, that this clause of the verse establishes " Christ's supremacy over all that are called gods in heaven or in earth, and who are hereby enjoined to pay adoration to him instead of claiming it for themselves." In Hebrews i. 6, St. Paul teaches us that the gods elohim in Psalm xcvii. 7, are angelic spirits. The Hebrew word elohim, is first employed in the Bible in Gen. i. 1, as the sacred name of God the creator, and though plural, it is joined to a singular verb, to inculcate, as many believe, the doctrine of the adorable Trinity.

The application of the term elohim or gods, to angels, commentators consider as denoting their power and authority as the delegated administrators of the divine government, in different parts of the world ; as magistrates are appointed under kings to execute justice in assigned districts and provinces of their kingdoms. Judges and magistrates are, therefore, designated by the epithet elohim or gods, " God standeth in the congregation of the mighty, he judgeth amongst the gods." — Psalm Ixxxii. 1. Rulers and judges are here intended, as is manifest from the following verses : " How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked 7 I have said ye are gods ; and all of you shall die like men." — Verses 2, 6, 7.

Author: George Clayton Jr. 1854