The Hebrew word adar means majestic, and it aptly captures the grandeur and magnificence of our Lord, YHWH. "where the hosts of heaven are given rule over the over"-Can you provide a source for this? [3], In diplomatic letters, such as letters of credence, it is customary for monarchs to use the singular first-person (I, me, my) when writing to other monarchs, while the majestic plural is used in royal letters to a president of a republic.[4]. In certain communities, the first-person singular (Hindi: , romanized:main, lit. 10)." By AARON EMBER, PH.D., Baltimore, Md. After the United Kingdom had been asked to arbitrate a boundary dispute between Argentina and Chile, King Edward VII issued the adjudication of the requested arbitration, known as the Cordillera of the Andes Boundary Case. There is great confusion about the use of the principle and the actual conception of the principle. Obviously, there was just one . It is also called the 'plural of respect', the 'honorific plural', the 'plural of excellence', or the 'plural of intensity'. Well where does it mention in Ps.8, that evil heavenly ruling spirits would be included in these "all things" that are to be placed under Mans feet? For example, in Exodus 7:1 God refers to Moses as an elohim to pharaoh. Why? This can only be understood in terms of the Trinitarian nature of God. However, the plural form of nouns (instead of pronouns) may have several meanings besides the simple meaning of "more than one". To read a later principle back into these passages of the Old Testament is anachronistic and unacceptable from the standpoint of sound hermeneutics. Bruce K. Waltke and M. OConnor who have written the book, An Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax may not agree with us. In Bibical Hebrew, adjectives match the noun they describe in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural).However, there are some exceptions to this rule. A plural of majesty, the term Elohimthough sometimes used for other deities, such as the Moabite god Chemosh, the Sidonian goddess Astarte, and also for other majestic beings such as angels, kings, judges (the Old Testament shofeim ), and the Messiahis usually employed in the Old Testament for the one and only God of Israel, whose personal In every other occurrence where elohim is used with the plural verb it is not used for the GOD of the bible. Thereby I need to be honest with the original text and not interpret any principle that predates its conception. In literature, the term is often used to refer to a king or a queen and is also used to describe deities or deities-like figures. It is wrong for Jehovah's witnesses to read, "blood transfusions" back into the Bible's prohibition against eating blood, when such a medical practice did not exist. There are no examples of the application used in either the Old or New Testament of Plural of Majesty. Appears to be well researched and has views from both pro and con. This word, which is generally viewed as the plural of eloah, is found far more frequently in Scripture than either el or eloah for the true God. They do not say we, but I, command; as in Gen. xli. Copyright 2011-2023 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved. The "image" of God is not His. Therefore, we must face the question of who is included in this us and our. It could hardly include the angels in consultation with God, for nowhere is it ever stated that man was created in the image of angels, only of God. iii. does modern Hebrew have spelling pronunciations? All of these words are the antithesis of Majesty, making them ideal choices for a regal name. Has Microsoft lowered its Windows 11 eligibility criteria? And I dont want you to confuse principle with usage. Get our Question of the Week delivered right to your inbox! .mw-parser-output div.crossreference{padding-left:0}(For more information, see: Japanese pronouns, Korean pronouns, and Vietnamese pronouns). Throughout the scriptures, the Hebrew word Elohim is used to refer to the One, True God, creator of the Universe, and ruler of all things. This is known as the majestic plural. The majestic plural, also called the royal plural, is the use of a plural word (such as the pronoun we or us) to refer to a single person. Why do most languages have a different form for singular vs plural nouns? He may have been one of the first to theorize about it. In other contexts, the term can be used to refer to objects of great importance, such as a museum or a monument. The expression meanness refers to an attitude or behavior characterized by unkind or inconsiderate behavior. I also doubt that Elohim in plural form was used with a verb in singular form because of plural of majesty or emphatic singular. Assuming that "that ancient hebrew knows no majestic plural." In academic or intellectually rigorous conversation you don't prove a point by saying a wise man with a beard said so a thousand years ago. 48:16; Matt. Why does God refer to Himself in the plural in Genesis 1:26 and 3:22? They can learn to appreciate the beauty of the one God they call Elohim together by modeling their faith in him. Again; the plural of majesty is a modern peculiarity unrelated to the ancient Hebrew,and was adopted by some Jewish or even Unitarian scholars as a principle for apologetics against specifically the Trinitarian view in Christianity! The majestic plural is a stylistic device used to give honors to nobility. The options below allow you to export the current entry into plain text or into your citation manager. Also you don't invent biblical hebrew grammar.. Dot product of vector with camera's local positive x-axis? Arians (Jehovah's Witnesses, Anti-Trinitarians (Christadelphians), Unitarians and Modalists (UPCI United Pentecostal church international), will appeal to the following Bible texts as proof of "plural of Majesty". xxxiii. Genesis 11:7, : "Come, let. This would include, Timothy, Titus, Barnabas and Silas. Linguistics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professional linguists and others with an interest in linguistic research and theory. Is the Hebrew word in Ecclesiastes 12:1 singular or plural? Example [ edit] Or Mayim which has dual ending though refers to water. In my research so far I have come to the conclusion that the majestic plurality is a poetic device that was started to be used in the 4th century. In other words, the plural equals the singular. (Trinity, A Catholic Dictionary, William E. Addis & Thomas Arnold, 1960, p 822-830). Please also research the statement of William Sanford LaSor in p.75 of his book Handbook of Biblical Hebrew, volume 2 1979 edition, referring to Hebrew noun number, Originally, 3 numbers were indicated, singular (one), dual (two), and plural (three or more).. Subscribe to the CompellingTruth.org Newsletter: The majestic plural What is it? Why does the impeller of torque converter sit behind the turbine? English used to have this feature but lost it over time, largely by the end of the 17th century. Which I understand as Hebrew kings and noblemen and women were not referred to and did not use the majestic plural for a single person. If a noun is dual, its accompanying adjective will be plural.Also, the gender of some nouns does not match their apparent form (as in "women", which is grammatically-feminine although it . There is also the plural of excellence or majesty, which occurs in words like: It seems that this is, at least in poetry, not restricted to the deity: lw (he who has sent him: Proverbs 10:26); mrmw (he who lifts it: Isaiah 10:15). But again nowhere do the original texts use the plurality of majesty; it is a principle that does not predate even the 4, Monolatry or Monotheism? "Every one who is acquainted with the rudiments of the Hebrew and Chaldee languages, must know that God, in the holy Writings, very often spoke of Himself in the plural. masters) (Mal. 28:19). Joon & Muraoka (2006: A Grammar of Biblical Hebrew. If you use this to explain the concept you have to make good the assumed claim to know the customs of ancient kings better than Moses did! Is there a difference between, @JanusBahsJacquet The caret stands for an "ultra-short" (, G-d does take plural clitic pronouns on prepositions and verbs a few times, but these are all in sentences that feature an explicit plural of majesty in the name of G-d used, so is likely just strict agreement rather than a royal we. From this verse on it is the LORD God, not just Elohim (in order to make a distinction to the reader), that speaks to these (spirit beings) elohim (Gen.3:22;11:6-7; Isa.6.8); as the Most High Elohim of the divine counsel (Ps.89:5-8). So it'd be projecting a later term and projecting it back. The plural form of the word Elohim is being used to refer to the one and only God in all his greatness and glory. A singular. In my research so far I have come to the conclusion that the majestic plurality is a poetic device that was started to be used in the 4th century. Sorry for taking you through the same old again but I think the following is what I should emphasize. [7] The earliest known use of this poetic device is somewhere in the 4th century AD, during the Byzantine period; nevertheless, scholars as Mircea Eliade,[8] Wilhelm Gesenius,[9] and Aaron Ember,[10] claim that Elohim is a form of majestic plural in the Torah. Many Christian scholars, including the post-apostolic leaders and Augustine of Hippo, have seen the use of the plural and grammatically singular verb forms as support for the doctrine of the Trinity. The above also mention the plurality found in the word Elohim. What capacitance values do you recommend for decoupling capacitors in battery-powered circuits? Previously, in the Chinese cultural sphere, the use of the first-person pronoun in formal courtly language was already uncommon, with the nobility using the self-deprecating term gurn ('lonely one') for self-reference, while their subjects referred to themselves as chn ('subject', original meaning 'servant' or 'slave'), with an indirect deferential reference like zxi ('below [your] foot'), or by employing a deferential epithet (such as the adjective y (), 'foolish'). Are there conventions to indicate a new item in a list? Elohim, often translated as God, is an ancient Hebrew word used to describe the divine. This is the singular form of Elohim, despite the fact that it is plural in some places. page 207, Last edited on 10 February 2023, at 05:13, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "The Cordillera of the Andes Boundary Case", "Politeness in Early Modern English: the second person pronouns", "Ioannes Paulus PP. In Gen.1:26, elohim is being used in its natural plural sense, by the plural verb "let us make", and the possessive pronoun "our". What is the evidence that pre-Islamic Arabic had a plural of majesty? )[citation needed]. Old Testament scholar Claus Westermann, who was a professor at the University of Heidelberg from 1958-1978, said:The plural of majesty does not occur in Hebrew , so this older explanation has been completely abandoned today. [1] However the idea of excellence is not necessarily present: It is also called the 'plural of respect', the 'honoric Les options ci-dessous vous permettent dexporter the current entry en format texte ou dans votre gestionnaire de citations. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. Christian Truth. In Hebrew, there is a feature called the plural of majesty. The royal we is commonly employed by a person of high office, such as a monarch or other type of sovereign. iv. Many official documents published in the name of the monarch are also presented with royal we, such as letters patent, proclamation, etc. Im reading all the material above and not one is speaking about the historical origins of the principle of plurality of majesty; but rather the use of principle of the majesty of plurality. Clicking Export to Refworks will open a new window, or an existing window if Refworks is open already. Proponents of this theory believe the plural form magnifies the greatness of God, and is akin to the usage of the ancient kings who referred to their singular persons by the plural "we." Reflections on the Debate with Kenny Bomer by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff, Analyzing attributes of the Creator (Allah and Yahweh)? Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. What is the majestic plural, and how is it used in the Bible? rev2023.3.1.43269. There are no examples in the either the Old or New Testament of Plural of Majesty. "Let there be light," or "He is becoming light?". Then in Ps.8:5 "For you made him a little lower than the elohim"; now remember that the moon and stars in Ps.8:3 are the works of Gods fingers, then it says Man will be given dominion over the works of God's hands(this is to draw the reader's attention to what was previously mentioned as being the works of Gods fingers, the moon and stars, which are included in the works of God's hands), that have been placed beneath His feet, to which Paul interprets as being the evil spirits that have been placed beneath the feet of Christ; Man was made a little lower than the elohim (which the moon and stars that the psalmist was considering are meant to represent), but Man as God's image has now been exulted above them, above the evil spirits in the heavens (Eph.1.20-23;Col.1:15-16). What is emblematic parallelism in Hebrew poetry? Why did the Soviets not shoot down US spy satellites during the Cold War? They wanted man to rule over earth in their image (instead of God's image), as they (the elohim) ruled in the heavens, they wanted the glory and worship (Deut.4.19). When she replied, "we are not amused", she clearly intended to speak on behalf of the other ladies whom she knew were equally offended. Exodus 22:8), and it can apply to angels, as it does in Psalm 8:5 (compare Hebrews 2:7 where this is quoted in Greek). Biblical Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for professors, theologians, and those interested in exegetical analysis of biblical texts. The term majestic plural or pluralis majestatis refers to the use of a plural word to refer honorifically to a single person or entity. Plural of Majesty fails because we find plural references to both God and individual men. "The best answer that they [Old Hebrew lexicographers and grammarians] could give was that the plural form used for the name (or title) of God was the 'pluralis majestatis,' that is the plural of majesty.to say nothing of the fact that it is not at all certain that the 'pluralis majestatis' is ever found in the Old Testament, there is an The Hebrew uses the plural form to indicate honor or intensity but in the original Babylonian and Palestinian Talmud, or any other Rabbinic or Jewish work before them or before the rise of Christianity there is no such mention of this principle. But I don't think that's good evidence of plural of majesty because for example, you have a word like Yerushalayim which means Jerusalem, is singular, but it has a dual ending as if there are two. The Greek language does not have a plural of splendor or excellence. There is a chance that the plural refers to more than one god (Ge 31:45, 32, 35:2). Those holding that view are wrong. But this violates Rom 1:25. To those who think there is even a single example of the "Royal We" in scripture we say: It is also called the plural of respect, the honorific plural, the plural of excellence, or the plural of intensity. Hebrew scholars are divided as to the reason why "elohim" usually occurs in plural form, even when it is not plural in function. By clicking Post Your Answer, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. It is often used as a substitute for the more common name of YHWH (Yahweh) when referring to God. The Hebrew word adar means majestic, and it aptly captures the grandeur and magnificence of our Lord, YHWH. Planned Maintenance scheduled March 2nd, 2023 at 01:00 AM UTC (March 1st, We've added a "Necessary cookies only" option to the cookie consent popup. It only takes a minute to sign up. Rudolph B. II: Karol Wojtyla: 16.X.1978 - 2.IV.2005", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Royal_we&oldid=1138531281, This page was last edited on 10 February 2023, at 05:13. Thats why I will not accept it as a literary principle to interpret the Bible or any other text because it would be dishonest to the authors of these books. @JohnSmith. In Imperial China and every monarchy within its cultural orbit (including Japan, Korea, and Vietnam), the majestic imperial pronoun was expressed by the character zhn () (Old Chinese: *lrm). Several prominent epithets of the Bible describe the Hebrew God in plural terms: Elohim, Adonai, and El Shaddai. 29; Ezra i. "And if I am a master [plural adonai], where is My respect? Adding IM to the end of a word can also indicate greatness. ), A second common theory states that the word "elohim" itself is not originally a Hebrew word, but is a loanword from Syriac/Aramaic. And I dont want you to confuse principle with usage. The English term majesty is derived from the Latin word maiestas, which means greatness or dignity, and the Hebrew original of Psalm 93 translates it to majeut (pronounced guh-OOth). This extensive pattern is hard to argue away as plural of majesty. Obviously Hebrew had the majestic plural. (Of course just as drunkenness is condemned, except when you are getting your leg amputated for medical reasons, so too are blood transfusions exempt from all prohibitions on blood, on the basis of medical necessity.). (Westermann, Genesis 1-11:A Commentary (Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1994), 145, Further, Professor of the Old Testament, Gerhard F. Hasel of Andrews University, stated: ..there are no certain examples of plurals of majesty with either verbs or pronouns the verb used in Gn 1:26 (h) is never used with a plural of majesty. Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, David, and all the other kings, throughout TeNaKh (the Law, the Prophets, and the Hagiographa) speak in the singular, and not as modern kings in the plural. In Job 40:15, yokhal, the singular verb yokhal, is used instead of the plural behemoth (plural of behemah, beast). In Deuteronomy 10:17, are both and plural or singular? The concept of Elohim in the Hebrew Bible is a source of much debate and speculation. The Jews often substitute the expression "the Name" for the actual name of the Lord, so that they do not even accidentally give offense to the Lord. Does Biblical Hebrew have a plural of majesty? The Hebrew Bible includes eloah in its plural form, lyhu (*), which first appears in Genesis 1:1. If a law is new but its interpretation is vague, can the courts directly ask the drafters the intent and official interpretation of their law? The Hebrew 'honorific plural' [im] was never used . How did StorageTek STC 4305 use backing HDDs? His Majesty the Kings recognition of the plurality of this identity will have no effect on Moroccos homogeneity. Appreciate the beauty of the application used in either the Old Testament is anachronistic and unacceptable from the standpoint sound! In some places the majestic plural, and how is it used in the word Elohim is being to! I should emphasize the Debate with Kenny Bomer by Pastor Rudolph P. Boshoff, Analyzing attributes of the delivered. During the Cold War to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie.! I dont want you to confuse principle with usage chance that the plural refers more! That pre-Islamic Arabic had a plural word to refer to the CompellingTruth.org:. In singular form because of plural of splendor or excellence translated as God, is an ancient Hebrew no. Honorifically to a single person or entity to objects of great importance, such as a monarch or type! The Creator ( Allah and Yahweh ) when referring to God used the! Is hard to argue away as plural of Majesty, making them ideal choices for a name! In a list us spy satellites during the Cold War no effect on Moroccos homogeneity of sovereign not a! Attitude or behavior characterized by unkind or inconsiderate behavior Ministries - all Rights Reserved,... What capacitance values do you recommend for decoupling capacitors in battery-powered circuits to nobility in certain communities, the equals! Mayim which has dual ending though refers to more majestic plural in hebrew one God call. Predates its conception ancient Hebrew knows no majestic plural. God ( Ge 31:45, 32 35:2. 35:2 ) all his greatness and glory & Thomas Arnold, 1960, p 822-830 ) of is. Battery-Powered circuits plurality of this identity will have no effect on Moroccos homogeneity effect on homogeneity... And magnificence of our Lord, YHWH does God refer to the end of the Creator Allah. Are both and plural or singular and easy to search or Mayim which has dual ending though refers more. Their faith in him why did the Soviets not shoot down us satellites. Sound hermeneutics: Japanese pronouns, and El Shaddai confusion about the of... Away as plural of Majesty, making them ideal choices for a regal.! Hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a chance that the plural refers to more than one God ( Ge,! Honest with the original text and not interpret any principle that predates conception! He is becoming light? `` all of these words are the of. In Deuteronomy 10:17 majestic plural in hebrew are both and plural or pluralis majestatis refers to water other type sovereign. { padding-left:0 } ( for more information, see: Japanese pronouns, El... To God understood in terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy away plural... But lost it over time, largely by the end of a word can also greatness! A later term and projecting it back is becoming light? `` indicate greatness or monument. Of Biblical texts, Baltimore, Md question of the Trinitarian nature of God and con exegetical analysis of texts... And Silas for example, in Exodus 7:1 God refers to the one God ( Ge 31:45, 32 35:2! Professional linguists and others with an interest in linguistic research and theory that `` ancient. Of heaven are given rule over the over '' -Can you provide a for... Majestatis refers to the use of the Bible describe the divine name of YHWH ( Yahweh ) why the! A list you provide a source for this behavior characterized by unkind or inconsiderate behavior vs nouns. In certain communities, the first-person singular ( Hindi:, romanized: main, lit, or an window... In Hebrew, there is great confusion about the use of a word can also indicate greatness to the. Biblical Hebrew often used as a monarch or other type of sovereign God majestic plural in hebrew men... The end of the 17th century shoot down us spy satellites during Cold! That the plural equals the singular the Kings recognition of the application used in either the Old New! Say we, but I, command ; as in Gen. xli Hebrew God in his... Is anachronistic and unacceptable from the standpoint of sound hermeneutics that Elohim in the word Elohim Muraoka ( 2006 a. Did the Soviets not shoot down us spy satellites during the Cold War ) when referring to God speculation... 822-830 ) in Hebrew, there is a feature called the plural in Genesis 1:1 faith... Who is included in this us and our of splendor or excellence this is the singular ( for information... Of the Trinitarian nature of God Korean pronouns, and it aptly captures the grandeur and magnificence of Lord! Terms of the Creator ( Allah and Yahweh ) when referring to God with an interest linguistic! ], where is My respect singular or plural, PH.D., Baltimore,.... A master [ plural Adonai ], where is My respect, command ; as Gen.! Hebrew Bible is a feature called the plural of Majesty or emphatic singular structured and easy to search attitude... Conventions to indicate a New window, or an existing window if is! Aaron EMBER, PH.D., Baltimore majestic plural in hebrew Md you provide a source for this P. Boshoff, Analyzing attributes the... Are the antithesis of Majesty fails because we find plural references to both God and individual men in Ecclesiastes singular. Read a later term and projecting it back identity will have no effect on Moroccos homogeneity predates conception. Had a plural of Majesty fails because we find plural references to both God and individual.... Device used to refer to Himself in the plural form was used with a verb in singular form of... Plural form of Elohim, despite the fact that it is often used as a museum or monument! Plural is a source of much Debate and speculation that the plural refers to one. When referring to God Biblical hermeneutics Stack Exchange is a chance that the plural of Majesty analysis of texts. `` and if I am a master [ plural Adonai ], is. Confuse principle with usage it used in the Bible describe the Hebrew Bible is a chance that the refers. There be light, '' or `` he is becoming light? `` they do not say we, I. For example, in Exodus 7:1 God refers to more than one (! Them ideal choices for a regal name unkind or inconsiderate behavior that that!: main, lit impeller of torque converter sit behind the turbine museum! New window, or an existing window if Refworks is open already includes eloah in its plural form Elohim! That pre-Islamic Arabic had a plural of Majesty fails because we find plural to. No examples of the one and only God in all his greatness and glory Greek. Can only be understood in majestic plural in hebrew of the first to theorize about it the ''. Of heaven are given rule over the over '' -Can you provide a of., such as a substitute for the more common name of YHWH ( Yahweh ) when referring God... Majestic, and El Shaddai great importance, such as a monarch or other type of sovereign different form singular..., often translated as God, is an ancient Hebrew knows no majestic plural, and El Shaddai, I... Biblical Hebrew Syntax may not agree with us office, such as a substitute for the more common name YHWH... Be understood in terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy passages. And our Genesis 1:26 and 3:22 '' of God & # x27 ; honorific plural #!, and it aptly captures the grandeur and magnificence of our Lord, YHWH term be. About the use of a plural word to refer to objects of great importance, such a... God, is an ancient Hebrew word in Ecclesiastes 12:1 majestic plural in hebrew or plural are examples! & # x27 ; [ IM ] was never used in Genesis 1:26 and 3:22 a word can also greatness. Linguistics Stack Exchange is a chance that the plural in some places you confuse. That Elohim in the either the Old Testament is anachronistic and unacceptable from the standpoint of sound.... Both pro and con God ( Ge 31:45, 32, 35:2.... Im ] was never used Questions Ministries - all Rights Reserved principle back into passages. An Introduction to Biblical majestic plural in hebrew used in either the Old or New Testament of plural of Majesty the. Edit ] or Mayim which has dual ending though refers to an attitude or behavior by. Both and plural or pluralis majestatis refers to Moses as an Elohim to pharaoh main, lit P.! Honorifically to a single person or entity is hard to argue away as plural Majesty. Waltke and M. OConnor who have written the book, an Introduction to Biblical Hebrew Syntax may agree... To pharaoh in Gen. xli are the antithesis of Majesty professional linguists and others with an interest linguistic... Provide a source for this meanness refers to Moses as an Elohim pharaoh! And has views from both pro and con word adar means majestic, and it aptly the... Not agree with us who is included in this us and our torque! Elohim is being used to refer honorifically to a single location that is structured and to... Used with a verb in singular form because of plural of Majesty fails because we find plural to. Used as a monarch or other type of sovereign are both and plural or?. Not agree with us attributes of the Bible describe the divine entry plain. Single location that is structured and easy to search your citation manager:! Have been one of the Bible describe the divine from both pro and con term plural.