At least three times God speaks of or to himself using plural words and pronouns. And the Hebrew Bible continues to use these plural forms when speaking of God. The use of plural forms can be seen as a way to express the magnitude, majesty, and multifaceted nature of God. Throughout the Old Testament, God is pictured sitting on His throne in Heaven, and at the same time He is present everywhere throughout the universe. # Plural Titles: Elohim” is the third word of the Hebrew Scriptures: In the beginning “Elohim” – “God” ([Genesis 1:1](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.1.1)). Elohim comes from a root that means “strength, might, or power.” “Elohim” is the most common word for “God” and is used over 2300 times in the Scriptures. “Elohim” is plural and can be literally translated as “gods.” [Exodus 12:12](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/EXO.12.12) refers to “all the elohim (gods) of Egypt.” “Eloah” is the singular form of “Elohim,” but it is used much less frequently – only 250 times. This plural name that is applied to the One God is a hint of the plural/singular nature of God that is more fully revealed in the rest of the Scriptures. # Plural Verbs: Normally the plural name “*Elohim*” is followed by a singular verb. But there are several instances when “*Elohim*” is accompanied by a plural verb. [Genesis 20:13](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.20.13) literally says in Hebrew that *Elohim (God)* they caused me to wander from my father’s house… And in [Genesis 35:7](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.35.7) *Elohim (God)* they appeared to him. [2 Samuel 7:23](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/2SA.7.23) says: What nation on the Earth is like Your people Israel, whom *Elohim* they went to redeem for Himself. [Psalm 58:11](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.58.11) declares that surely there is *Elohim (God)* judge the Earth. # Plural Pronouns: There are times when plural pronouns are used to describe the One God. The Lord God, speaking in [Genesis 1:26](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.1.26) says: Let Us make man in Our image according to Our likeness. (See also [Genesis 3:22](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.3.22), [Genesis 11:7](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.11.7) and [Isaiah 6:8](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.6.8) for other instances of plural pronouns that refer to God). > [!bible]+ [[Genesis 1:26](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.1.26) - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/1/1/) > 26. Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” %% #Genesis %% This verse occurs in the creation narrative where God creates humans. In this verse, the phrase "our image" is immediately followed and clarified in the next verse ([Genesis 1:27](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.1.27)) as "in God's image." showing a singular divine creator. > [!bible]+ [[Genesis 3:22](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.3.22) - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/1/3/) > 22. Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever — ” %% #Genesis %% This statement follows the story of Adam and Eve eating from the Tree of Knowledge. The expression "like one of us" directly references the serpent's earlier claims in [Genesis 3:5](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.3.5), which speaks of being "like God" yet uses a plural pronoun. > [!bible]+ [[Genesis 11:7](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.11.7) - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/1/11/) > 7. Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech.” %% #Genesis %% This narrative describes the Tower of Babel, where the LORD directly intervenes to scatter people and confuse languages. Here, the phrase "let us go down and there confuse their language" is immediately explained in [Genesis 11:8-9](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.11.8-9), stating, "So the LORD [Yahweh] scattered them abroad from there ¦ The LORD confused the language of the whole earth." > [!info]- Other Interpretations Of These Passages > The use of plural language to refer to God has led to several interpretations of these verse, each attempting to explain this plurality within the context of the Hebrew Bible. One interpretation suggests that the plural language might refer to God speaking with angels. While angels are indeed present in key biblical events such as the creation narrative (as noted in [Job 38:4-7](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JOB.38.4-7)), they are not portrayed as co-creators with God or as sharing in His image. The Bible does not describe humans as being in the image of angels, nor does it ascribe the divine image to angels. > > Another approach is the "deliberation" or "cohortative plural" concept, where the plural form is used to express self-deliberation or internal dialogue. This linguistic device is similar to an individual contemplating out loud, using "we" or "us" while thinking alone. Additionally, the "plural of majesty," also known as the royal "we." is proposed. This linguistic form is used to emphasize the authority and grandeur of a singular ruler or figure. While it is seen in some biblical texts like [1 Kings 12:9](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1KI.12.9), [2 Chronicles 10:9](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/2CH.10.9), and more likely [Ezra 4:18](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/EZR.4.18) none of these interpretations fully resolve the issue of the specific usage of plural language in [Genesis 3:22](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.3.22) ("The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil") and [Genesis 11:7](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.11.7) ("Come, let us go down and confuse their language"). These verses open the door to further exploration of other Old Testament passages that hint at the plurality within the Godhead. # Plural Nouns: There are several intriguing occurrences where plural nouns refer to the one God: The LORD… He is a holy God [literally holy Gods] ([Joshua 24:19](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JOS.24.19)). > [!bible]+ [Joshua 24:19 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/6/24/) > 19. But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God (holy Gods). He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. %% #Joshua %% Remember your creator [literally Creators] in the days of your youth ([Ecclesiastes 12:1](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ECC.12.1)). > [!bible]+ [Ecclesiastes 12:1 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/21/12/) > 1. Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; %% #Ecclesiastes %% Let Israel rejoice in his Maker [literally Makers] ([Psalm 149:2](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.149.2)). > [!bible]+ [Psalm 149:2 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/19/149/) > 2. Let Israel be glad in his Maker (Makers); let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! %% #Psalm %% For your Maker [literally Makers] is your husband [literally husbands] ([Isaiah 54:5](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.54.5)). > [!bible]+ [Isaiah 54:5 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/23/54/) > 5. For your Maker (Makers) is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. %% #Isaiah %% # Plural Descriptions: In the Tenach there are mysterious plural descriptions of the Three-in-One God. King David writes: The Lord (Adonai) says to my Lord: sit at my right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet ([Psalm 110:1](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.110.1)).[Psalm 45:6-7](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.45.6-7) records this: Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness, therefore God, Your God has anointed You with the oil of joy more than Your fellows. The divinely inspired author of the letter to the Messianic Jews applies this passage to Messiah, declaring that Yeshua is God, and that His Father is God (see [Hebrews 1:8-9](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/HEB.1.8-9)). > [!bible]+ [Psalm 110:1 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/19/110/) > 1. The LORD says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” %% #Psalm %% ## Additional Passages Where God is Plural At the same time the Spirit of God was dwelling in the prophets, and at the same time the God’s Presence was manifested in the Jerusalem Temple. > [!bible]+ [1 Kings 8:27 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/11/8/) > 27. “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! %% #1Kings %% This following prophecy describes a child with divine titles, including **"Mighty God"** and **"Everlasting Father."** The verse emphasizes the child's royal and divine nature, along with attributes typically ascribed to God. > [!bible]+ [Isaiah 9:6 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/23/9/) > 6. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. %% #Isaiah %% Here in Isaiah 48, the One speaks who calls Himself the first and the last, and the One who founded the Earth. He goes on to say that He is being sent by the Lord God along with His Spirit. > [!bible]+ [Isaiah 48:16 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/23/48/) > 16. Draw near to me, hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there.” And now the Lord GOD has sent me, and his Spirit. %% #Isaiah %% In this next Psalm, the Hebrew uses plural language ("they are created") when speaking about the actions of God's Spirit. This use of the plural could be seen as supporting the idea of a plurality within the Godhead, as it attributes a collective action ("they are created") to the singular subject (God's Spirit). > [!bible]+ [Psalm 104:30 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/19/104/) > 30. When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the ground. %% #Psalm %% This Psalm records: > [!bible]+ [Psalm 45:6-7 - ESV](https://bolls.life/ESV/19/45/) > 6. Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; 7. you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; %% #Psalm %% In the Christian tradition, these verses are interpreted as referring to the Messiah, with the author of the letter to the Hebrews in the New Testament applying this passage to Jesus ([Hebrews 1:8-9](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/HEB.1.8-9)), declaring Him as God, and His Father as God. The plural pronouns in these verses are intriguing when view in light of the Shema. The first line of the Shema, found in Deuteronomy 6 ([[Does The Shema Disprove The Trinity]]) #### Summary The Old Testament occasionally uses plural language when referring to God, a feature that has generated various interpretations. Notable examples include[Genesis 1:26](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.1.26) ("Let us make mankind in our image"), [Genesis 3:22](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.3.22), and [Genesis 11:7](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.11.7), where God uses plural pronouns like "us" and "our." This plural usage is also found in other passages like [Joshua 24:19](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/JOS.24.19), [Ecclesiastes 12:1](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ECC.12.1), [Psalm 45:6-7](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.45.6-7), [Psalm 110:1](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.110.1), [Psalm 149:2](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.149.2), [Isaiah 9:6](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.9.6), [Isaiah 48:16](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.48.16), [Isaiah 54:5](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/ISA.54.5), and [Psalm 104:30](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/PSA.104.30). Interpretations of these plural forms range from representing God's majesty or engaging in self-deliberation, to hints of a complex unity within the Godhead. This plurality is interesting when contrasted with the Shema in [Deuteronomy 6](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/DEU.6), which declares God's oneness using the Hebrew word "echad," implying a composite unity, as seen in the union of husband and wife in [Genesis 2:24](https://www.bible.com/bible/59/GEN.2.24). These plural references in the Old Testament open the door for deeper exploration and understanding of the nature of God.