Why the “gods” are real and why it matters (Divine Council Part 2)

(Note: All scriptures quoted will be ESV unless otherwise stated.)

Modern Christianity has three categories of spiritual beings that play a part in the divine story of redemption: God, angels, and demons. We often place lowercase “gods” in the fictional category because our teachings have led us to believe that these are mere graven images, idols, or mythical beings conjured up by pagan nations. This article aims to clarify how the biblical text uses the word “God,” and when it mentions other “gods,” they are not fictional or simply idols. There are both good and evil spiritual beings referred to in the Bible as gods, but there is only one Most High God who created all other gods; he is called the LORD Most High.

Physical vs. Spiritual Realms

As we explore several passages below, we will see that the Hebrew word for God is Elohim. In Hebrew, Elohim is not a personal name for a specific being but a title used to describe a category of beings. Similarly, the word "human" describes a type of living being but does not serve as a name or a complete description. Humans can be further categorized, such as male and female. In the same way, the Bible uses Elohim to refer to beings in the spiritual realm, just as "human" applies to those in the physical realm. For example, the Psalmist refers to the name of God (Yahweh, often translated as "LORD" in all caps) and identifies the type of being associated with this name:

“For the LORD (Yahweh) is a great God (Elohim), and a great King above all gods (elohim)” (Psa. 95:3).

We have two titles and one name in this song. The great God and King, above all other gods, is Yahweh. This is why the Israelites, when they spoke of Yahweh, called him “our God.”

"And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God’" (Ex. 3:18).

As we can see, Yahweh is clearly given the title of being elohim, but is he the only one who receives this title?

Another notable aspect of the Hebrew word elohim is that it functions similarly to the English words "sheep" or "deer," where context determines whether it is singular or plural. A clear example of this dual usage can be found in Psalm 136:2: “Give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever.” In the original Hebrew, the same word is used twice—first referring to the one true God and then to the other "gods" over whom He reigns supreme. But who are these other Elohim that are subject to the LORD God?

Other Elohim or “gods”

The following verses illustrate how elohim is used to describe spiritual beings other than Yahweh who dwell in the spiritual realm. Let’s begin with passages about angels, applying a key principle of biblical interpretation: examining how later authors understood and referenced these texts. The most reliable interpretation of an Old Testament passage often comes from the inspired writers of the New Testament. Below are several examples where New Testament authors quote the Hebrew text, offering their understanding and interpretation in Greek. These instances shed light on their perspective of the spiritual realm, particularly concerning the term elohim.

Angels:

 “For You have made him a little lower than the angels (elohim), And You have crowned him with glory and honor” (Psa. 8:5) – NKJV.

“You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor” (Hebrews 2:7).

When the writer of Hebrews interpreted this passage, the context suggests they did not understand the Psalm to mean that humans were made a little lower than God but rather a little lower than angels. The New Testament author recognized Elohim here as referring to a category of beings, specifically angels, indicating that humans were created slightly lower in rank than these spiritual beings. Another example is found in Hebrews 1:6, where the author draws from both Deuteronomy and Psalms.

 “Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods (elohim)…” (Deut. 32:43).

“All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods (elohim)!” (Psa. 97:7).

“And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him” (Heb. 1:6).

 In both Deut. 32:43 and Psa. 97:7, the word the OT author uses is “elohim,” but when the NT writer quoted these passages, he translated them to be angels. We now have examples of both angels and the LORD being given the title of elohim.

Demons:

 “They sacrificed to demons who were not God (elohim), to gods (elohim) whom they have not known, New gods (elohim) who came lately, whom your fathers did not dread” ( Deut. 32:17) – NASB.

The demons are the "gods" to whom Israel was condemned for offering sacrifices. Moses even contrasts these demons with the God of Israel, as both Yahweh and the demons are referred to by the title Elohim.

The Dead:

“The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god (elohim) coming up out of the earth” (1Sam. 28:13)

This passage recounts the story of Saul visiting the witch of Endor to ask her to summon the deceased Samuel so he can speak with him. This moment is significant because of how the witch refers to Samuel when she sees him. Now existing in the spiritual realm rather than the physical, she identifies him as an Elohim.

Gods/Goddesses:

“Because they have forsaken me and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess (elohim) of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god (elohim) of Moab, and Milcom the god (elohim) of the Ammonites, and they have not walked in my ways, doing what is right in my sight and keeping my statutes and my rules, as David his father did” (1Kings 11:33).

This is an example of the Hebrew text referring to the evil gods worshiped by the pagan nations, using the word Elohim.

Satan:

“In their case the god (theos) of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2Cor. 4:4).

In Greek, "god" is translated from theos. I included this verse to help demonstrate that even Paul didn't have a problem calling Satan a god who is a fallen angel.

What do all these verses have in common? They describe the spiritual realm and the spiritual beings within it. While they share the same title, elohim, to describe their nature as spiritual beings, they are clearly not Yahweh. This is why, when Yahweh is mentioned alongside other Elohim, He is referred to as the "Most High." This title would not make sense if the other gods were merely false, as that would be an inaccurate comparison. Here are some examples:

 “For you, O LORD (Yahweh), are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods (elohim)” (Psa. 97:9).

If the gods do not exist, it would be an odd comparison to say that God is greater than nothing. In the next verse, the Psalmist uses the name Yahweh followed by His title, Elohim, making another comparison to show that He is the true King over all other elohim. Throughout the Bible, we read about the power and awe surrounding these spiritual beings. When humans first encounter them, they are often tempted to worship them due to the overwhelming power and wonder they experience (Dan. 10:10-14). The Bible clearly emphasizes that, despite their impressive nature, these beings are created by the LORD and bear no resemblance or equality to Him in likeness or essence.

 “For the LORD (Yahweh) is a great God (Elohim), and a great King above all gods (elohim)” (Psa. 95:3).

"I give you thanks, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing your praise" (Psa. 138:1).

These are just a few of the 40+ verses that refer to Yahweh with this title, and it is clear that when it is used, it emphasizes His supremacy over all other elohim and spiritual beings in the heavenly realm. In Psalm 138, the author presents the image that, before all other spiritual beings, all praise and glory will be given to Yahweh. He is the only elohim worthy of worship, the one true elohim over all others. This comparison is significant because other elohim have fallen in rebellion against their Creator, attempting to claim the role of God of gods (as seen in the story of Satan’s fall, see Isa. 14:12-15, Ezek. 28:12-18). This makes Yahweh the one true elohim, and any other elohim who seeks to hold the title of the Most High, Creator of the world, is a false elohim. Paul gives Satan the title, “god of this world” because he is the one ruling those who are in rebellion against him (2 Cor. 4:4).

Objections

Objection: Isn’t this just another form of polytheism?

Answer: Let's break down the word: "Poly" is a Greek prefix meaning "many" or "multiple," and "theism" comes from the Greek word theos, meaning "god" or "deity." When combined with the suffix -ism, which indicates a belief or system of beliefs, it refers to the belief in many gods. But how do we apply this definition to our understanding of scripture? If polytheism simply means believing in the existence of multiple gods, it would imply that the Apostle Paul was a polytheist, according to 2 Corinthians 4:4 as demonstrated above. I will elaborate further in my next response.

Objection: Isn’t this just a form of henotheism?

Answer: Heno comes from the Greek word for “one” or “single.” The idea is that one only worships one god at a time, but believes others do exists.

Here’s why neither henotheism nor polytheism is being advocated in this article. Both views treat all gods as equal. In these perspectives, Yahweh would be just one god among many, with no distinction. However, the Bible makes it clear that the LORD God is unique—He is unlike any other created being. He is eternal, all-powerful, the Creator of the universe, and separate from His creation. All other elohim are created beings and are not equal to Yahweh.

Israel was repeatedly warned against polytheism, which involved adding Yahweh to the worship of other pagan gods they inherited from Egypt. They were commanded to reject the worship of and trust in any other gods. This is why Isaiah makes this very statement when speaking of the other gods: “I am the LORD, and there is no other, besides me, there is no God” (Is. 45:5). No other created being, no other elohim can stand beside the LORD as his equal, that is what Isaiah is meaning and why it is translated this way.

The Bible rejects both henotheism and polytheism because it presents monotheism—"mono" meaning "one." The creeds and confessions affirm that scripture is monotheistic, teaching that there is only one all-powerful, all-sufficient, all-knowing God to be worshiped alone. There is none like Him; He is the one and only. This is why Yahweh is the Most High God, above all other gods. We worship the one and only Most High God, not one god among many equal gods as in polytheism and henotheism.

Objection: Doesn’t the bible say there are no other gods?

“And have cast their gods into the fire. For they were no gods, but the work of men’s hands, wood and stone. Therefore they were destroyed” (Is. 37:19).

These are verses often used to prove that there are no other gods. We have a problem if we translate these verses to mean that no other gods exist except one. A good example is a verse mentioned earlier.

 “For You have made him a little lower than the angels (Elohim), And You have crowned him with glory and honor” (Psa. 8:5) – NKJV.

How can we be made lower than something that doesn't exist? This may seem like a contradiction in the Bible, but I don't believe it is, and here's why: The Bible does acknowledge the existence of other gods, as shown in the verses above. However, when Israel worshiped these other gods, the prophets used language to emphasize that no other elohim could compare to Yahweh. Nothing can stand beside our God as an equal. The other gods that Israel worshiped were represented by idols—temples were built for these gods, and the gods were thought to inhabit these idols. When the LORD instructed the prophets to throw away these idols, He was right to say they were not gods at all. They were merely symbols or objects used to call on these gods. Get rid of them!

Conclusion

We must let scripture shape our understanding of the world around us. For too long, modern Christians have read their Bibles with blurred vision, unable to fully grasp the picture of what God has revealed to us. Our world is filled with powerful beings that both serve us (Heb 1:14) and seek to destroy us (Eph 6:12). In this article, my goal is to open your eyes to recognize all the players in the spiritual battle. The beings we wrestle against in Ephesians 6:12 are not mystical or mythical; they are real. However, we have only begun to understand these beings. Because we have often focused on using the Bible to advance our personal causes and pursuit of happiness, we have failed to see the world from God’s perspective. These spiritual beings appear frequently throughout Scripture, and once you recognize them, you can’t unsee them. They help us experience the story of Jesus with greater depth and power. We will grow to love and appreciate our King even more when we allow all of Scripture to inform our understanding of the story of redemption. This brings us to my next article, where I will introduce you to the divine council!

More to come in Part 3.