Psalm 82 Explained: What is the Divine Council of Elohim?

Psalm 82 tells us that God (Elohim) stands among the congregation of the gods (Elohim). Does this teach us that there are multiple gods? Does it refer to angels or demons? Here's a careful examination of this text.

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Videos posted on “The Bible Explained” are written, designed, recorded, and voiced by Joshua Barnes.

[tomnoyb]

"When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance, when he divided mankind, he fixed the borders of the peoples according to the number of the Sons-of-God." [Deut32].

[FriedrichBoettger]

Your scholarship is basically sound, but I would revisit Deuteronomy 32 for who the text is referring to as the 'leaders of the nations'. You've read Heiser. I think he's right on this one. All of the spirit beings in the spirit world could be and are referred to as Elohim and sons of Elohim. Regardless, thank you for another excellent video.

[turbografx]

first, thank you for covering this Psalm. you won't hear this talked about in most churches. where I disagree with you though, is that God does have a council. When God is deciding how king Ahab is going to die, there is a council God is talking to. Another intance is when Nebuchadnezzar is told he will go insane and eat grass. Deuteronomy 32 talks about how the sons of God are over the nations, but Israel is Yahwehs inheritance and his portion. which also shines some light on the angel coming to Daniel and telling him how he was delayed by the prince of Persia. These instances in the Bible lead me to believe that the beings being talked to in this Psalm are heavenly beings and not humans. I dont believe God told them they would die like men, because they forget that humans die.

[SPQR]

Elohim can mean anything or anyone who occupies the spiritual realm and it also can mean a person of great power. For example Yahweh told Moses that he would be an Elohim to the Egyptians by cursing them with plague. Also the ghost 👻 of Samuel is called an Elohim in Bible.

[monwellchassion]

Heiser’s position is not “angelic beings” of Psalm 82. It’s amazing how much this man gets misrepresented across the internet.

[spitflamez]

Angels don’t become Demons, Satan and his Angels are still called Angels in Revelation 12 at the beginning of the last 3 1/2 years of this age. Abaddon is called “the ANGEL of the bottomless pit” in Revelation 9 before his release on earth in the last 3 1/2 years. The Four Angels bound at the Euphrates are also still called Angels before their release as well.

[sentinaludo]

Enjoy hearing the various perspectives. Helps me to keep realizing the Kingdom that is now and the Kingdom that is to come.

[jenihansen]

This was great. I am not sure about all of this, but cannot wait for you preaching on this at the end of the month.

[SabreenWolf]

The term Angel is merely a job description, any being in the heavenly realm could deliver a message I assume. It is not telling you what a thing is, it tells you what a thing does.

[mare_sheep]

Perhaps another question is what does "beside me" mean in light of the original language usage and with in the culture and time.

[phearlesspharaoh]

I personally trust Heisers interpretation more than yours… he was a Hebrew scholar, and tbh explained it much more in depth than you did, and there’s more to it than you”re revealing.

[MisterGriffin]

How would you factor in Psalm 89 5-7? Heiser tied this in once in an intriguing way. I find the angelic interpretation interesting but with John 10 I find it hard to get away from a human ruler perspective. A way of harmonizing the spirit world and this material world could be a way of having both in a sense. I think we often take for granted just what "spirit" is, and how knit together it is with the flesh...lastly, curious as to your thoughts on a Deuteronomy 32:8 translation/interpretation?

[Brian_Friesen]

Good analysis. It was helpful. Thank you.

[BentIronBins]

There is so much that we don’t know about or meant to know about the unseen realm. We can study it but really our main concern should be to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. We all including me need to be better at spreading his word with kindness and not to push too hard and push people away from our Lord.

[brunoesmeraldotorresdeoliv]

I think this video is spot on. Thanks !

[lennymalley]

YESHUA JESUS IS COMING SOON FOR HIS BRIDE ❤❤❤❤

[CoutureValancy]

Saying there is no god beside me doesn’t mean there is no other gods, it’s saying there is no other god equal or next to me.

[NicoleBalmain-vpen]

All Praises and Glory to the Most High God 💓 Creator of Heaven and Earth 🌍 Alpha and Omega 🙏 Trinity God Son and the Holy Spirit Amen 🕊️

[CharlesRussell-zjjp]

Bro....great video....but demons are not fallen angels unless those angels are disembodied spirits...just saying

[TheDiscerningPath]

I agree and I have studied Dr. Heiser's work. I just want to caution people however, Dr. Heiser also taught that Elohim means God but it also means spirit. While God is elohim not all elohim are gods. We see when the witch brought up Samuel for Saul that his SPIRIT was called Elohim. So we do not turn into little Gods the word in the Context was God is Spirit and we are to worship him in Spirit and truth. We and the angels are not gods. There is only one Elohim that is called God and that is The most High Most High God.