The WMSCOG points the the Hebrew word "Elohim" to prove that there are 2 Gods, a "Mother God" and a "Father God". They say that since the word "Elohim" has a plural ending, that it must mean there is more than one God, and then they go about to try to prove the existence of "Mother God." (Incidentally, other groups use this same word to try to prove a God family or other polytheistic doctrine.)
But they don't tell you the whole story about the word Elohim and the language structure around it.
If you have studied any foreign languages (as I have), you know that not all languages have the same type of structure and grammar. In English, you can usually tell when a noun is singular or plural by looking at the noun itself and at the verb it's paired with.
The fast boy runs.
The fast boys run.
It is less noticeable in the past tense when the verb doesn't change at all. Both the boy and the boys "ran."
But in Hebrew, the changes are more significant when singular becomes plural. You can notice the plural form also in the adjectives and the verb (whether it's present "run" or past tense "ran"). All the words that refer to the noun become plural. (It's similar in German, Spanish, and many other languages.)
So in Hebrew, you would see it more like this:
The fast (plural) boys (plural) (they) ran.
The word Elohim, although it is a noun with a plural ending, is not always used with a plural meaning. When it refers to God, it is accompanied by singular adjectives, pronouns, and verbs.
The Hebrew language uses what is called a "majestic plural" or "plural intensive" in which a noun with a plural suffix is accompanied by singular adjectives, pronouns, and verbs. In these cases, it does NOT indicate a plural number, but that the singular noun is superior, majestic, great, mighty, or absolute.
This is not unique to the word Elohim. Here are a few other nouns (there are more!) that have a plural ending, but are used in a singular sense:
The word used for "life" in Gen. 27:46 and Job 10:12
The word used for "righteousness" in Isa. 33:15
The word used for "master" in Isa. 19:4
It's also interesting to note that "Elohim" is used to refer to Moses in Exodus 7:1. Is Moses a plural? No.
Elohim is used to refer to God more than 2000 times in the Bible and is accompanied by singular verbs, adjectives, and pronouns in all but a handful of those instances. I'll talk about the few exceptions next time.
Through the whole of the Bible, God consistently makes the point that He is the ONLY God to be worshipped--ONE God. I do believe in the Trinity, but in that there is still only ONE God.
To take the word Elohim, and say that since it has a plural suffix, there must be two or more true Gods...well, that shows a superficial understanding and a lack of scholarship. It also indicates a poor knowledge of the structure of the Hebrew language.
Think about it--wouldn't you want the person who is giving you all the "secrets and mysteries" of the Bible (such as "Mother") to understand Hebrew!?
If you'd like more resources about the word Elohim, try these links (I'll also list them in my "study helps" page):
"Elohim, Plural or Singular?"
"You Can Prove What Elohim Means"
"The Hebrew Name for God--Elohim"
Click here to go on to Part 2.
Biblical Answers to the World Mission Society Church of God
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.--1 John 4:1
Are you or a loved one struggling with this group? Do you need Biblical answers about the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCoG or CoGWMS), their founder Ahnsahnghong (Ahn Sahng/Sang-Hong) or their current leader "Mother Jerusalem" (a.k.a. "Heavenly Mother God," Zang/Zahng Gil-Jah, or Chung Gil Cha)? Thank you for coming here. I hope my blog helps you. Questions and comments are always welcome.
Are you or a loved one struggling with this group? Do you need Biblical answers about the World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCoG or CoGWMS), their founder Ahnsahnghong (Ahn Sahng/Sang-Hong) or their current leader "Mother Jerusalem" (a.k.a. "Heavenly Mother God," Zang/Zahng Gil-Jah, or Chung Gil Cha)? Thank you for coming here. I hope my blog helps you. Questions and comments are always welcome.
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Quotations are from the NIV or NKJV unless otherwise noted.
I would just like to say that I very much appreciate the work you are doing with this blog. This post is a case in point.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I'm glad to hear that.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your blog. Two 'Elohim' church members came to my house to 'preach' me and when they told me about God is in Father and Mother, I felt very comfortable, they also told me about significance of Passover and Saturday Sabbath.
ReplyDeleteThis blogspot clears the air and I am so glad to find you. God bless you and I pray that your sister will return to the truth of our doctrine.
I appreciate your comment and prayers, thank you. Praise God that you have been able to sort out the truth!
ReplyDeleteI know this a little old in terms of comments but I thought you'd appreciate this. This is the Karaite Judaism take on the word Elohim. For your fellow readers, Karaite Judaism follows only the written scripture of the Tanakh or Hebrew bible.
ReplyDelete"Elohim means divinities or powers. It does not denote anything about gender, about fathers, sons, and spirits, or any such. It refers to the divine powers of Hashem, one deity who has told us to think of Him as a male character."