God or Gods? The Truth About Elohim in the Bible
In a recent interview with Mondo Gonzales of Prophecy Watchers, author and filmmaker L.A. Marzulli delves into the biblical interpretation of the term “Elohim” and the growing misinterpretations surrounding it. Marzulli and Gonzales discuss how the Hebrew word, which appears in the Bible more than 2,500 times, has become a focal point for confusion among both believers and secular scholars.
“Elohim refers broadly to spiritual beings,” Marzulli explains, “and can include God, angels, demons and other supernatural entities.” He emphasizes that while the word is often translated into English as “gods,” leading to claims of polytheism, this does not reflect the original Hebrew meaning. Marzulli points out that understanding Elohim as spiritual beings provides a more accurate biblical perspective. He says, “If we use the words ‘spiritual being,’ it clears everything up.”
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Gonzales and Marzulli focus on how New Age and secular authors, including some who advocate for theories like panspermia, misinterpret Elohim as referring to extraterrestrial entities. “These people are really well-meaning,” Marzulli notes, “They know something is going on with the UFO phenomenon, and they’re trying to fit it into their paradigm.” This misinterpretation, according to Marzulli, creates confusion by substituting spiritual beings with “space brothers” or alien beings.
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From a biblical standpoint, Marzulli emphasizes that Yahweh, the God of the Bible, is distinct and singular among all spiritual beings. “There’s only one uncreated Creator,” Marzulli said, “and that’s Yahweh.” He further explains that while other spiritual beings do exist, such as angels and demons, they are not gods in the polytheistic sense. He cites examples from the Old Testament, including Deuteronomy 32 and Psalm 89, which reference Elohim as spiritual beings, but stress that Yahweh is unique: “Who is like you, Elohim, among the Elohim?”
Marzulli warns against allowing modern philosophies and translations to cloud the true meaning of Scripture, particularly when secular authors and New Age movements try to blend the biblical narrative with their own beliefs. “When we say ‘spiritual beings,’ nobody’s offended,” Marzulli says, explaining that the term Elohim in Hebrew does not imply polytheism.
Ultimately, Marzulli seeks to bring clarity to a topic that has generated widespread confusion. “We need to be on guard,” he continues, “against those who want to come in and say the Bible teaches there are these other gods.” For all believers, understanding the original Hebrew context of Elohim is essential to maintaining a proper biblical worldview.
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
