Divine Council

[jaybird88]

Psalm 82
A Psalm of Asaph.

82
God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:

2“How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.

4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
they walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 I said, “You are gods,
sons of the Most High, all of you;

7 nevertheless, like men you shall die,
and fall like any prince.”

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth;
for you shall inherit all the nations!

What is this Divine counsel? Where does it take place, whats its purpose and is it still here today?
This thread is not so much about who are the gods but what is the council? However feel free to derail if you like.

 

[KJV1611]

Psalm 82
A Psalm of Asaph.

82
God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:

2“How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.

4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
they walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 I said, “You are gods,
sons of the Most High, all of you;

7 nevertheless, like men you shall die,
and fall like any prince.”

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth;
for you shall inherit all the nations!

What is this Divine counsel? Where does it take place, whats its purpose and is it still here today?
This thread is not so much about who are the gods but what is the council? However feel free to derail if you like.

The KJV calls it the congregation of the mighty, it's talking about the leaders of the children of Israel.

 

[jaybird88]

The KJV calls it the congregation of the mighty, it's talking about the leaders of the children of Israel.

ESV calls it council and others assembly. of the divine.
you think they were rulers of Israel and not rulers of nations?

 

[KJV1611]

ESV calls it council and others assembly. of the divine.
you think they were rulers of Israel and not rulers of nations?

Psalm 82:6 KJV
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

He calls them the children of the most high so I would think they would have to God's people. I could be wrong though.

 

[Dino246]

I recommend the work of Dr. Michael Heiser on this subject. His videos are available on YouTube.

He is a scholar of ancient Semitic languages and has a broad understanding of the culture of the ancient Middle East. According to him, the council is made of "elohim" - non-God beings that don't have physical bodies... not Jewish leaders.

 

[KJV1611]

I recommend the work of Dr. Michael Heiser on this subject. His videos are available on YouTube.

He is a scholar of ancient Semitic languages and has a broad understanding of the culture of the ancient Middle East. According to him, the council is made of "elohim" - non-God beings that don't have physical bodies... not Jewish leaders.

John 10:34 KJV
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

What passage do you think Jesus is quoting here?

 

[KJV1611]

This is Michael Heiser's view of Psalm 82. I do not agree with him.

 

[JaumeJ]

Psalm 82
A Psalm of Asaph.

82
God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:

2“How long will you judge unjustly
and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;
maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.

4 Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding,
they walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 I said, “You are gods,
sons of the Most High, all of you;

7 nevertheless, like men you shall die,
and fall like any prince.”

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth;
for you shall inherit all the nations!

What is this Divine counsel? Where does it take place, whats its purpose and is it still here today?
This thread is not so much about who are the gods but what is the council? However feel free to derail if you like.

It may help for all knowing the word used for God in the original Hebrew would be Elohim, plural even when applied to God. Elohim also means the mighty ones, and when applied to our Maker means God while when applied to others it simply means mighty ones.

 

[JimmieD]

Where does it take place, whats its purpose and is it still here today?

Whatever it is, Psalm 82 reads as if they're sentenced to death by Yahweh for their failure to rule justly, defend the weak, needy, orphans, and destitute. They're further condemned for their complete ignorance. So I suppose they're dead.

 

[jaybird88]

I recommend the work of Dr. Michael Heiser on this subject. His videos are available on YouTube.

He is a scholar of ancient Semitic languages and has a broad understanding of the culture of the ancient Middle East. According to him, the council is made of "elohim" - non-God beings that don't have physical bodies... not Jewish leaders.

i agree with heiser that they were heavenly beings. i have always wondered what happened to this council, is it still up there or did the Most High disband it? do the elohim in the psalm make up all the rulers, did any of the rulers do a good job?

 

[JaumeJ]

Whatever it is, Psalm 82 reads as if they're sentenced to death by Yahweh for their failure to rule justly, defend the weak, needy, orphans, and destitute. They're further condemned for their complete ignorance. So I suppose they're dead.

Your have rightly described the country(ies) which have turned their backs on God, all who turn their backs on the widow, the orphan, and the stranger have done so. God bless you and keep truth always, amen.

 

[unctus]

What is this Divine counsel? Where does it take place, whats its purpose and is it still here today?

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:

 

[posthuman]

Psalm 82:6 KJV
I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

He calls them the children of the most high so I would think they would have to God's people. I could be wrong though.

we know He has called His children from every people, tho, and it isn't by natural birth, but by faith

v.5 "all the foundations of the earth"
v.8 "all the nations"

i don't think this is only about Israel.

 

[Ariel82]

John 10:34 KJV
Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

What passage do you think Jesus is quoting here?

I would also refer to Revelation 20 and the 24 thrones to answer about the present and future state of the council of elders. One of the thrones of judgement is David's. Another is Aaron's, which traditionally pass to the High Priest of Israel.


As for the Psalm I believe it refers to humans entrusted with divine authority to judge God's people, who abuse their authority and don't fulfill the responsibility to teach God's people His laws. Back in Jesus day it was the Pharisees, scribes, high priests, etc.

Today it may be applied to false prophets, teachers, priests, ministers, etc.

 

[jaybird88]

I would also refer to Revelation 20 and the 24 thrones to answer about the present and future state of the council of elders. One of the thrones of judgement is David's. Another is Aaron's, which traditionally pass to the High Priest of Israel.


As for the Psalm I believe it refers to humans entrusted with divine authority to judge God's people, who abuse their authority and don't fulfill the responsibility to teach God's people His laws. Back in Jesus day it was the Pharisees, scribes, high priests, etc.

Today it may be applied to false prophets, teachers, priests, ministers, etc.

Immortal humans?