The Plural Noun Elohim by Bob Morris http:www.hadavar.org

The most often used word for “God” is the term Elohim. It is used of the true God (Genesis 1:1) and of false “gods” (Exodus 20:3). When used of the true God it is translated in the singular. When used of false “gods” it is translated in the plural. The fact that a plural noun is used of the one true God opens the door to the concept of complex, indivisible unity in the Godhead. This fact is not a proof of complex, indivisible unity because there is a usage of plural nouns in Hebrew known as the “plural of majesty,” but it is consistent with and opens the door to the idea.

Plural Verbs Used With Elohim
Normally, when Elohim is used in reference to the One True God the verb modifying the noun is singular. This is contrary to normal Hebrew grammatical rules, which state that the verb should agree with the noun in gender and number. Normally, we would expect a plural verb to be used with the plural noun Elohim. When using Elohim of false “gods” this is what we find. Most of the time when we encounter the plural noun Elohim it is modified by a singular verb, which shows that there is only one true God. However, there are exceptions. These exceptions keep the door open for a discussion of complex, indivisible unity in the Godhead. For example Genesis 20:13, 35:7; 2 Sam 7:23; Psalm 58:11. Of those let me choose one example to state what I mean.

2 Samuel 7:23 And who is like Your people Israel, a unique nation on earth, whom God went and redeemed as His people, winning renown for Himself and doing great and marvelous deeds for them [and] for Your land—[driving out] nations and their gods before Your people, whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt.

The noun/verb sequence that I am focusing in on is in red—God went. The literal Hebrew is “they went, Gods did.” We are talking of the One True God here and He is referred to in plural terms—plural noun and plural verb agreement. The door is open to considering the concept of complex, indivisible unity in the Godhead.

The Noun Elohim Applied to Two Indivisible Persons
The plural noun Elohim is also seen to include two different personalities in the same passage. There is one example.

Hosea 1:7 But I will accept the House of Judah. And I will give them victory through the Lord their God; I will not give them victory with bow and sword and battle, by horses and riders.”

In verses 4-6 God is speaking. He is still speaking in verse 7. In this passage, the speaker is Elohim who says He will extend compassion and deliverance by the instrumentality of the LORD their Elohim. Elohim #1 will deliver Israel by means of Elohim #2.

Footnotes
Jewish Publication Society. (1997, c1985). Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures : A new translation of the Holy Scriptures according to the traditional Hebrew text. Title facing t.p.: Torah, Nevi'im, Kethuvim = Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim. (2 Sa 7:23). Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society.

Jewish Publication Society. (1997, c1985). Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures : A new translation of the Holy Scriptures according to the traditional Hebrew text. Title facing t.p.: Torah, Nevi'im, Kethuvim = Torah, Nevi'im, Ketuvim. (Ho 1:7). Philadelphia: Jewish Publication Society.