1. Introduction
Jonah 1:5 uses a term, Hb “elohim,” which has a much wider semantic range than typically understood. This section will examine the usage of Hb “elohim” throughout the OT, the use of Gr “theos” by the LXX, and the use of Gr “theos” by the NT.
2. Lexical and Linguistic Background
The Hb “elohim,” according to Strongs, refers to “gods in the ordinary sense” and “the supreme God,” but can also refer to “magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative” or “judges.” This term is incredibly common throughout the WLC Hebrew OT, used 2,600 times. The Gr “theos” typically translates Hb “elohim.” Strongs defined Gr “theos” as “a deity” or “the supreme Divinity.” This term is used 3,149 times throughout the LXX Greek OT, and is also typically used to translate the divine name, accounting for the additional uses through the OT compared to Hb “elohim.” The TR Greek NT uses this term 1,343 times.
3. The word in the Bible
Throughout the Bible, Hb “elohim” is used to mean different things. The usage in the OT is incredibly rich. The following is a short survey of the different usages of Hb “elohim” through the OT.
Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God [the true God, Hb “elohim”] created the heavens and the earth.”
Exodus 12:12: “on all the gods [false gods, Hb “elohim”] of Egypt I will execute judgments…”
Deuteronomy 32:17: “They sacrificed to demons, not God, to gods [demons, Hb “elohim”]…”
Psalm 82:1: “God [true God, Hb “elohim”] stands in the divine assembly; in the midst of the gods [little gods? Hb “elohim”] he judges…”
Psalm 82:6: “I said, ‘You are gods [judges or rulers, Hb “elohim”]…’”
Exodus 21:6: “Then his master shall bring him to the judges [judges, Hb “elohim”]…”
1 Samuel 28:13: “I saw a spirit [Samuel, Hb “elohim”] ascending out of the earth…”
Psalm 8:5: “You have made him a little lower than the angels [angels, Hb “elohim”]…”
The LXX translates the Hb “elohim” as follows: Gr “theos” (Genesis 1:1, Exodus 12:12, Deuteronomy 32:17, Psalm 82:1, Psalm 82:6, 1 Samuel 28:13), Gr “kriterion tou theou” (lit. “judges of God,” Exodus 21:6), Gr “angelous” (lit. “angels”, Psalm 8:5). Clearly, this term is widely used in the OT to not only refer to God, but to other spiritual forces, including gods, angels, demons, and humans.
The NT uses the term Gr “theos” with similar semantic range, not only referring to God, but other spiritual beings as well. The first appearance is John 1:1, “…the Word was with God [Gr “theos”], and the Word was God [Gr “theos”].” First Corinthians 8:5 reports, “For even if there are so-called gods [Gr “theos”]…” Jesus repeats Psalm 82:6 in John 10:34, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods [Gr “theos”]” ’?” Breaking this stream, Hebrews 2:7 does not translate Hb “elohim” as Gr “theos,” “You made him for a little while lower than the angels [Gr “theos”]…”
4. Synthesis And Conclusion
The Hb “elohim” and Gr “theos” have a wide range of semantic meaning. They are used somewhat interchangeably, and yet are used of a wide array of spiritual beings, including God, false gods, angels, demons, and even humans. This is to be expected for a term used in a worldview dominated by polytheistic inclinations.
