It’s fully supported by scripture. The angels are “Elohim” / gods:
Psa 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;
Psa 8:4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?
Psa 8:5 For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels (elohim/gods), and hast crowned him with glory and honour.
Psa 8:6 Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:
In the Hebrew, the word translated “angels” in Psalms 8:5, is “elohim”or gods. The word Elohim in Hebrew, can mean several things, however, it generally denotes authority and power. YHWH, is the GOD/POWER, of all gods and powers. He is the ultimate, absolute source, of everything and everyone. Nonetheless, the immortal angels, are powerful spirits. We were created, lower than the angels / Elohim. Even your apostle Paul, interprets Psalms 8:5, as referring to angels/Elohim:
Heb_2:7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works of thy hands:
Heb_2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
This is the Strongs Hebrew definition of Elohim/elohim:
'ĕlôhı̂ym
el-o-heem'
Plural of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative: - angels, X exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.
Total KJV occurrences: 2601
This is the BDB (Brown Driver Briggs) Hebrew definition of Elohim/elohim:
'ĕlôhı̂ym
BDB Definition:
1) (plural)
1a) rulers, judges
1b) divine ones
1c) angels
1d) gods
2) (plural intensive - singular meaning)
2a) god, goddess
2b) godlike one
2c) works or special possessions of God
2d) the (true) God
2e) God
Part of Speech: noun masculine plural
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: plural of H433
In the book of Job we read:
Job_1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
Job_2:1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
Job_38:7 When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
The term there, “sons of God”, is “Bnai’Elohim”. It doesn’t imply that they are “children” of God, but rather, of the category of elohim/gods. Let’s look at the Strongs Hebrew definition of the word “Bnai/Sons”:
bane
From H1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like H1, H251, etc.):
Notice, that the word “benai/bane”, denotes, a nation, a quality or condition. The Brown Driver Briggs definition states:
bên
BDB Definition:
1) son, grandson, child, member of a group
1a) son, male child
1b) grandson
1c) children (plural - male and female)
1d) youth, young men (plural)
1e) young (of animals)
1f) sons (as characterisation, i.e. sons of injustice [for unrighteous men] or sons of God [for angels])
1g) people (of a nation) (plural)
1h) of lifeless things, i.e. sparks, stars, arrows (figuratively)
1i) a member of a guild, order, class
Part of Speech: noun masculine
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H1129
Do you see it? Ben/Benai/Bane can mean “characterization”, those who are members of a particular order or class. Those that are within a certain category or condition. So for example, we have the sons of the prophets (those who are members of the order/class/category/condition of the prophets. ):
1Ki_20:35 And a certain man of the sons of the prophets said unto his neighbour in the word of the LORD, Smite me, I pray thee. And the man refused to smite him.
2Ki_2:3 And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
2Ki_2:5 And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
2Ki_2:7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
2Ki_2:15 And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
2Ki_4:1 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.
2Ki_4:38 And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.
2Ki_5:22 And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
Ben/Benai/Bane of the Prophets – Sons of the Prophets. The holy angels, who serve YHWH, are of the angelic order of elohim/gods. Unlike Satan, who appeared before YHWH in heaven, along with the Benai’elohim. The holy order of angels. The hosts/armies of YHWH, are “elohim” / gods / divinities / immortal powers. The fallen angels, lost their divine nature, becoming demons. Fallen ones. The judges of Israel, are “elohim”, because they function as and represent, YHWH’s justice and authority.
Exo 21:6 Then his master shall bring him unto the judges (elohim); he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him for ever.
Exo 22:8 If the thief be not found, then the master of the house shall be brought unto the judges (elohim), to see whether he have put his hand unto his neighbour's goods.
1Sa 2:25 If one man sin against another, the judge (elohim) shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.
YHWH ELOHIM, is judging through the judges/elohim of Israel:
2Ch_19:6 And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.
Jdg_2:18 And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies …..
Deu_16:18 Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
YHWH Elohim, is with the judges of Israel, hence they are elohim. They represent YHWH’s justice and authority. Here we see the Hebraic principle of agency/Shaliach. The agent is identified with, synonymous with, the one who sent him. The “medium”, the conduit, is identified with, the one who is working through him. An embassy, with all of its staff, is considered one and the same, with the country they represent. The “benai’elohim”, are of the order of immortal divinities, because they represent the almighty, immortal DVINITY/YHWH. They are of the order of “hosts” / armies, of YHWH. So they are elohim. They are to be respected, honored.
I’m going to give you a few more examples of this biblical principle of “agency” / Shaliach:
Exo 4:13 And he said, O my Lord, send, I pray thee, by the hand of him whom thou wilt send.
Exo 4:14 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart.
Exo 4:15 And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.
Exo 4:16 And he shall be thy spokesman unto the people: and he shall be, even he shall be to thee instead of a mouth, and thou shalt be to him God (Elohim).
Exo 4:17 And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs.
Exo 7:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee ELOHIM to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
Exo 7:2 Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.
In the Hebrew, YHWH says, “You are God to him (Aaron)”, “ You are Elohim to Pharaoh”. Moses is God to Aaron and pharaoh. Why? Is Moses literally GOD? Elohim? No. He is GOD to Aaron and Pharaoh, because he is representing God to Aaron and Pharaoh. The agent and the principle (the one who sent him), become as one. Moses represents the authority and power of GOD, to both Aaron and pharaoh, so YHWH had no problem, no issue, with identifying Moses, as Himself. Moses has power of attorney. Do prophets have prophets? Only God has prophets, right? Well, Aaron becomes the prophet, the mouthpiece, of Moses.
It’s a chain of command. A hierarchy. That’s how YHWH works, through His hosts, his armies, his agents / angels, prophets….etc. Aaron, wasn’t just the mouthpiece of Moses, but likewise, his hands. He was the one holding the rod, and performing the miracles. The divine power, was transmitted to him, from YHWH, through Moses.
Exo_4:20 And Moses took his wife and his sons, and set them upon an ***, and he returned to the land of Egypt: and Moses took the rod of God in his hand.
It’s the rod of God that is the instrument through which YHWH’s power performs “signs” / miracles, in Moses’ hand:
Exo 4:17 And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand (in Moses’ hand), wherewith thou shalt do signs.
But this rod is not just in Moses’ hand, it is in Aaron’s hand, and it is identified as Aaron’s rod:
Exo_7:9 When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.
Exo_7:10 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
Exo_7:19 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt………..
Exo_7:20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters….
Exo_8:5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.
Exo_8:16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
Exo_8:17 And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
The hand of Moses, is the hand of Aaron. Aaron is the mouthpiece and hand of Moses. The rod of God, is the rod of Moses, that is likewise the rod of Aaron.
Examine this:
Exo 3:20 And I will stretch out my hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do in the midst thereof: and after that he will let you go.
It’s God’s hand that performed the miracles.
Exo 7:4 But Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you, that I may lay my hand upon Egypt, and bring forth mine armies, and my people the children of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments.
Exo 7:5 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch forth mine hand upon Egypt, and bring out the children of Israel from among them
Above we read, that it is YHWH’s hand that was stretched out, performing miracles.
We read earlier that it was Aaron’s hand that was stretched out over the water. Remember? The Israelites were freed from Egypt, by God’s hand, Moses hand and Aaron’s hand:
Psa 77:20 Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Isa_63:12 That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?
The right hand of Moses, is Aaron. He is the “right hand”. God’s hand, through Moses, through Aaron, led the children of Israel out of Egypt. We’re missing one piece in the puzzle:
Act_7:35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
It was God’s hand, that freed the Israelites from Egypt. It was also the angel’s hand. YHWH’s hand, The Angel’s hand, Moses’ hand, Moses right hand/Aaron’s hand. That’s a lot of hands huh? It’s really just one hand, the hand of God. THE HAND OF YHWH. The Power of YHWH, being transmitted through His agents.
Psa 78:49 He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them. ….
Psa 78:52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
Psa 78:53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not: but the sea overwhelmed their enemies.
YHWH’S hand, the angel’s hand, Moses’ hand , Aarons hand. ONE HAND. They are all as one. They’re working in tandem, together, united in purpose and action.
This post would be to long, if I gave you all of the examples of divine agency, in the Hebrew bible. There are more.
This passage is actually saying the very opposite of what you’re asserting. Read that verse in context. The “elohim”/gods there, are the fallen angels, that are worshiped by the nations, in the form of idols. The demonic forces, that rule over the nations, receive worship, through idolatry. These fallen angels, are not the gods that created this universe, and EVEN THEY, will perish. Why say “Even they” ? Isn’t that redundant, if they’re expected to perish? That “EVEN THEY”, insinuates, strongly suggests, that typically, these “elohim”, don’t perish. They’re immortal. EVEN THEY, will perish. These aren't mere idols, but the demons behind them.
Let’s read Jeremiah 10, in context:
Jer 10:1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
Jer 10:2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
Here we are being told, in the first chapter, that God is referring to the idolatry of the heathen, who worship the stars, the signs of heaven. Let’s continue:
Jer 10:3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
The idolatry of the heaven…Continue:
Jer 10:8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
Jer 10:9 Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
Idolatry….Continue:
Jer 10:10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Jer 10:11 Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
Jer 10:12 He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
Here he is saying, that these demonic, fallen angels, did not create this world, and they will perish from God’s creation. It doesn’t imply that God’s creative power, wasn’t bestowed upon His holy angels, to create this earth and all life in it. The reason, we were taken captive by the fallen angels, the demonic forces of the rebel spirit that rebelled against God in heaven, is because we were created by God, through His holy angels.
Let’s continue:
Jer 10:14 Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
Jer 10:15 They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
Jer 10:24 O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
Jer 10:25 Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.
Again, a reference to idolatry. The idolatry of the heathen. These gods that will perish, lost their divine nature, when they rebelled against God, and now they will perish. These are not the angels / gods / elohim, that created this world. To suggest that YHWH will kill His holy angels, allowing them to perish, is preposterous.
“Everybody else” didn’t create the universe. It was YHWH, working through His angels (His holy angels, are not “Everybody else”). When YHWH, says that he alone is the creator, that means that he is the ultimate source of creation. It doesn’t mean that, he didn’t use His holy angels / elohim to create. For example:
Isa 43:11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
Beside the Lord, there is NO SAVIOR. He alone is savior, right? No. That’s not what this is saying. You’re not interpreting it correctly. This means, that he is the ultimate, absolute source of salvation. Without God, there is no salvation. God Himself, sends saviors:
Jdg 3:15 But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a savior, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.
Neh_9:27 Therefore thou deliveredst them into the hand of their enemies, who vexed them: and in the time of their trouble, when they cried unto thee, thou heardest them from heaven; and according to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them saviours, who saved them out of the hand of their enemies.
These saviors are the judges/elohim of Israel. They are saviors, sent by God Himself to save. Yet, God is still the only true savior. No one saves like God. He is a unique savior, because He is the very source of salvation. All of the other “saviors”, receive their power to save, from YHWH. There are many saviors, but only one almighty, SAVIOR. You get it? Look:
Oba_1:21 And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S.
YHWH sends saviors. God saves through his angels, messengers, prophets, judges….etc. YHWH as savior, is still unique, in being the source of salvation. In this sense, He is the only savior. In another sense, there are other saviors, that he sends. This same truth, can be applied to creation. God is the only creator, in the sense that he is the absolute source of creation. Nonetheless, He creates through His angels. His creative power, His divine hand, is transmitted to the angels.
The angels are the eyes, hands, arms of YHWH, the agents through which He manifests His presence and power.
