Gods (310 Occurrences)

Gods

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Bible Concordance

John 10:34 Jesus answered them, "Isn't it written in your law,'I said, you are gods?'
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

John 10:35 If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture can't be broken),
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 7:40 saying to Aaron,'Make us gods that will go before us, for as for this Moses, who led us out of the land of Egypt, we don't know what has become of him.'
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 7:41 "Moreover they made a calf at that time, and offered a sacrifice to the idol and kept rejoicing in the gods which their own hands had made.
(WEY)

Acts 14:11 When the multitude saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the language of Lycaonia, "The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!"
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 15:20 But that we give them orders to keep themselves from things offered to false gods, and from the evil desires of the body, and from the flesh of animals put to death in ways against the law, and from blood.
(BBE)

Acts 15:29 To keep from things offered to false gods, and from blood, and from things put to death in ways which are against the law, and from the evil desires of the body; if you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. May you be happy.
(BBE)

Acts 17:16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was troubled, for he saw all the town full of images of the gods.
(BBE)

Acts 17:18 Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection.
(KJV WEY ASV BBE WBS NIV)

Acts 17:22 And Paul got to his feet on Mars' Hill and said, O men of Athens, I see that you are overmuch given to fear of the gods.
(BBE)

Acts 19:26 You see and hear, that not at Ephesus alone, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 21:25 But as to the Gentiles who have the faith, we sent a letter, giving our decision that they were to keep themselves from offerings made to false gods, and from blood, and from the flesh of animals put to death in ways against the law, and from the evil desires of the body.
(BBE)

Acts 28:11 After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose sign was "The Twin Brothers."
(See NIV)

1 Corinthians 8:5 For though there are things that are called "gods," whether in the heavens or on earth; as there are many "gods" and many "lords;"
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 10:7 Then do not go after false gods, as some of them did; as it is said in the holy Writings, After resting and feasting, the people got up to take their pleasure.
(BBE)

1 Corinthians 10:14 For this cause, my dear brothers, give no worship to false gods.
(BBE)

Galatians 4:8 However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Colossians 3:5 Then put to death your bodies which are of the earth; wrong use of the flesh, unclean things, passion, evil desires and envy, which is the worship of strange gods;
(BBE)

1 John 5:21 My little children, keep yourselves from false gods.
(BBE)

Revelation 2:14 But I have some things against you, because you have with you those who keep the teaching of Balaam, by whose suggestion Balak made the children of Israel go out of the right way, taking food which was offered to false gods, and going after the desires of the flesh.
(BBE)

Revelation 2:20 But I have this against you, that you let the woman Jezebel say she is a prophet and give false teaching, making my servants go after the desires of the flesh and take food offered to false gods.
(BBE)

Genesis 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
(KJV BBE WBS)

Genesis 31:19 Now Laban had gone to see to the cutting of the wool of his sheep; so Rachel secretly took the images of the gods of her father's house.
(BBE RSV NIV)

Genesis 31:30 Now, you want to be gone, because you greatly longed for your father's house, but why have you stolen my gods?"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 31:32 Anyone you find your gods with shall not live. Before our relatives, discern what is yours with me, and take it." For Jacob didn't know that Rachel had stolen them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 31:34 Now Rachel had taken the teraphim, put them in the camel's saddle, and sat on them. Laban felt about all the tent, but didn't find them.
(See RSV NIV)

Genesis 31:35 She said to her father, "Don't let my lord be angry that I can't rise up before you; for the manner of women is on me." He searched, but didn't find the teraphim.
(See RSV NIV)

Genesis 35:2 Then Jacob said to his household, and to all who were with him, "Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, change your garments.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 35:4 They gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which were in their hands, and the rings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 12:12 For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal. Against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 15:11 Who is like you, Yahweh, among the gods? Who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 18:11 Now I know that Yahweh is greater than all gods because of the thing in which they dealt arrogantly against them."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 20:23 You shall most certainly not make alongside of me gods of silver, or gods of gold for yourselves.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 21:6 Then his master is to take him to the gods of the house, and at the door, or at its framework, he is to make a hole in his ear with a sharp-pointed instrument; and he will be his servant for ever.
(BBE)

Exodus 22:20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto Jehovah only, shall be utterly destroyed.
(See JPS)

Exodus 22:28 Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
(KJV WBS)

Exodus 23:13 "Be careful to do all things that I have said to you; and don't invoke the name of other gods, neither let them be heard out of your mouth.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 23:24 You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor follow their practices, but you shall utterly overthrow them and demolish their pillars.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 23:32 You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 23:33 They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me, for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 32:1 When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron, and said to him, "Come, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we don't know what has become of him."
(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Exodus 32:4 He received what they handed him, and fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made it a molten calf; and they said, "These are your gods, Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt."
(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Exodus 32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it, and have sacrificed to it, and said,'These are your gods, Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt.'"
(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Exodus 32:23 For they said to me,'Make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we don't know what has become of him.'
(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Exodus 32:31 Moses returned to Yahweh, and said, "Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made themselves gods of gold.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS RSV NIV)

Exodus 34:15 "Don't make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, lest they play the prostitute after their gods, and sacrifice to their gods, and one call you and you eat of his sacrifice;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 34:16 and you take of their daughters to your sons, and their daughters play the prostitute after their gods, and make your sons play the prostitute after their gods.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 34:17 Thou shalt make thee no molten gods.
(KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Leviticus 19:4 "'Don't turn to idols, nor make molten gods for yourselves. I am Yahweh your God.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 26:1 Do not make images of false gods, or put up an image cut in stone or a pillar or any pictured stone in your land, to give worship to it; for I am the Lord your God.
(BBE)

Numbers 25:2 for they called the people to the sacrifices of their gods; and the people ate, and bowed down to their gods.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 33:4 while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom Yahweh had struck among them: on their gods also Yahweh executed judgments.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 4:7 For what great nation is there, that hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is whensoever we call upon Him?
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 4:28 There you shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 5:7 "You shall have no other gods before me.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 6:14 You shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples who are around you;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 7:4 For he will turn away your son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so the anger of Yahweh would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 7:16 You shall consume all the peoples whom Yahweh your God shall deliver to you; your eye shall not pity them: neither shall you serve their gods; for that will be a snare to you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 7:25 You shall burn the engraved images of their gods with fire. You shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourself, lest you be snared in it; for it is an abomination to Yahweh your God.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 8:19 It shall be, if you shall forget Yahweh your God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 10:17 For Yahweh your God, he is God of gods, and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awesome, who doesn't respect persons, nor takes reward.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 11:16 Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 11:28 and the curse, if you shall not listen to the commandments of Yahweh your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which you have not known.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 12:2 You shall surely destroy all the places in which the nations that you shall dispossess served their gods, on the high mountains, and on the hills, and under every green tree:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 12:3 and you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and burn their Asherim with fire; and you shall cut down the engraved images of their gods; and you shall destroy their name out of that place.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 12:30 take heed to yourself that you not be ensnared to follow them, after that they are destroyed from before you; and that you not inquire after their gods, saying, "How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 12:31 You shall not do so to Yahweh your God: for every abomination to Yahweh, which he hates, have they done to their gods; for even their sons and their daughters do they burn in the fire to their gods.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 13:2 and the sign or the wonder come to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, "Let us go after other gods" (which you have not known) "and let us serve them;"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 13:6 If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend, who is as your own soul, entice you secretly, saying, "Let us go and serve other gods," which you have not known, you, nor your fathers;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 13:7 of the gods of the peoples who are around you, near to you, or far off from you, from the one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 13:13 Certain base fellows are gone out from the midst of you, and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying, "Let us go and serve other gods," which you have not known;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 17:3 and has gone and served other gods, and worshiped them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the army of the sky, which I have not commanded;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 18:20 But the prophet, who shall speak a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 20:18 that they not teach you to do after all their abominations, which they have done to their gods; so would you sin against Yahweh your God.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 23:18 Do not take into the house of the Lord your God, as an offering for an oath, the price of a loose woman or the money given to one used for sex purposes in the worship of the gods: for these two things are disgusting to the Lord your God.
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 28:14 and shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 28:36 Yahweh will bring you, and your king whom you shall set over you, to a nation that you have not known, you nor your fathers; and there you shall serve other gods, wood and stone.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 28:64 Yahweh will scatter you among all peoples, from the one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth; and there you shall serve other gods, which you have not known, you nor your fathers, even wood and stone.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 29:18 lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turns away this day from Yahweh our God, to go to serve the gods of those nations; lest there should be among you a root that bears gall and wormwood;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 29:26 and went and served other gods, and worshiped them, gods that they didn't know, and that he had not given to them:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 30:17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but shall be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 31:16 Yahweh said to Moses, "Behold, you shall sleep with your fathers; and this people will rise up, and play the prostitute after the strange gods of the land, where they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 31:18 I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evil which they shall have worked, in that they are turned to other gods.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 31:20 For when I shall have brought them into the land which I swore to their fathers, flowing with milk and honey, and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and grown fat; then will they turn to other gods, and serve them, and despise me, and break my covenant.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 32:16 They moved him to jealousy with strange gods. They provoked him to anger with abominations.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 32:17 They sacrificed to demons, which were no God, to gods that they didn't know, to new gods that came up of late, which your fathers didn't dread.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 32:37 He will say, "Where are their gods, The rock in which they took refuge;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 22:22 The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the LORD, (save us not this day,)
(KJV DBY WBS YLT)

Joshua 23:7 that you not come among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow down yourselves to them;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 23:16 when you disobey the covenant of Yahweh your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods, and bow down yourselves to them. Then the anger of Yahweh will be kindled against you, and you will perish quickly from off the good land which he has given to you."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 24:2 Joshua said to all the people, "Thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel,'Your fathers lived of old time beyond the River, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nahor: and they served other gods.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 24:14 "Now therefore fear Yahweh, and serve him in sincerity and in truth. Put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, in Egypt; and serve Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 24:15 If it seems evil to you to serve Yahweh, choose this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve Yahweh."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 24:16 The people answered, "Far be it from us that we should forsake Yahweh, to serve other gods;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 24:20 If you forsake Yahweh, and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you evil, and consume you, after he has done you good."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 24:23 "Now therefore put away the foreign gods which are among you, and incline your heart to Yahweh, the God of Israel."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 2:3 Therefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare to you."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 2:12 and they forsook Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them: and they provoked Yahweh to anger.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 2:17 Yet they didn't listen to their judges; for they played the prostitute after other gods, and bowed themselves down to them: they turned aside quickly out of the way in which their fathers walked, obeying the commandments of Yahweh; but they didn't do so.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Thesaurus

Gods (310 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia GODS. ('elohim; theoi): I. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
1. Superhuman Beings (God and Angels) 2. Judges, Rulers ...
/g/gods.htm - 60k

A-whoring (35 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:15 Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitant of the land, and they
have gone a-whoring after their gods, and have sacrificed to their gods, and ...
/a/a-whoring.htm - 17k

Pictured (26 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 26:1 Do not make images of false gods, or put up an image cut in stone
or a pillar or any pictured stone in your land, to give worship to it; for I ...
/p/pictured.htm - 15k

Ash'taroth (12 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:6 And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the
LORD, and served the Ba'als and the Ash'taroth, the gods of Syria, the gods of ...
/a/ash'taroth.htm - 10k

Astartes (5 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:6 And again the children of Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord,
worshipping the Baals and Astartes, and the gods of Aram and the gods of Zidon ...
/a/astartes.htm - 8k

Ashtoreths (6 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:6 And the children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight
of the LORD, and served the Baalim, and the Ashtaroth, and the gods of Aram ...
/a/ashtoreths.htm - 8k

Zidon (25 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:6 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD,
and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon ...
/z/zidon.htm - 17k

Divination (25 Occurrences)
... ii.63), is "a power in man which foresees and explains those signs which the gods
throw in his way." The Greeks were, on the other hand, a more imaginative and ...
/d/divination.htm - 45k

Bene-ammon (44 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:6 And the sons of Israel add to do the evil thing in the eyes of Jehovah,
and serve the Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Aram, and the gods of ...
/b/bene-ammon.htm - 20k

Baals (18 Occurrences)
... Judges 10:6 The children of Israel again did that which was evil in the sight of
Yahweh, and served the Baals, and the Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and ...
/b/baals.htm - 12k

ATS Bible Dictionary

Gods

The words god and gods, Hebrew ELOHIM, are several times used in Scripture to express the power, office, or excellence of some created beings, as angels, magistrates, Exodus 22:20,28 Psalm 86:8 97:12; often also for the false gods of the heathen. These were exceedingly numerous, and are denoted by various terms, signifying vanity, falsehood, etc. Among the first objects to be deified were the sun, the moon, and the chief powers of nature. Innumerable animals, deceased men, all ages, passions, and conditions of man, and every thing which fear, lust, malice, pride, or caprice could suggest, were made objects of worship. The gods of modern India are numbered by millions.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

GODS

('elohim; theoi):

I. IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. Superhuman Beings (God and Angels)

2. Judges, Rulers

3. Gods of the Nations

4. Superiority of Yahweh to Other Gods

5. Regulations Regarding the Gods of the Nations

6. Israel's Tendency to Idolatry

II. IN THE APOCRYPHA

III. IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

The Hebrew plural 'elohim is generally known as the plural of "majesty" and is the ordinary name for God. The meaning of the plural seems to be "plenitude of powers." It denotes the fullness of those attributes of power which belonged to the Divine Being. Thus it is usually translated in the singular, "God," when referring to the God of Israel. When reference is made to the gods of the other nations the word is translated in the plural, "gods." The heathen nations usually had a plurality of gods. Among the Semites it was customary for one nation or tribe to have its own particular god. Often there were many tribes, or families, or communities, in one nation, each having a particular god. Thus, even among Semites a nation may have many gods and be polytheistic. Among the other nations, Iranian, Hamitic, etc., there were always a number of deities, sometimes a multitude. There are many references to these in the Old Testament. In a few cases where the plural is used, the singular would be better, e.g. Genesis 3:5 the King James Version; Exodus 32:4, 8, 23 Ruth 1:15 the King James Version; Judges 17:5; Judges 18:24 1 Samuel 17:43. This, however, might be disputed.

I. In the Old Testament.

1. Superhuman Beings (God and Angels):

The following are the more important usages of the word in the Old Testament: The translation of Psalm 8:5 is disputed. The Septuagint and the King James Version translate it "angels," the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version, "God," with "angels" in the margin. The Epistle to the He has the word "angels." This seems to be more in keeping with the Old Testament ideas of the relation between God, men and angels. Genesis 1:26 has the plural "us," but it is not certain to whom it refers, most probably to the angels or mighty ones which surrounded the throne of God as servants or counselors; compare Job 38:7, and see SONS OF GOD. In Psalm 97:7 the expression "worship him, all ye gods," may possibly refer to the gods of the nations, but more probably to the angels or mighty ones.

2. Judges, Rulers:

Judges, rulers, are regarded "either as Divine representatives at sacred places, or as reflecting Divine majesty and power" (see BDB, under the word). Exodus 21:6 might better be translated as in the margin, "the judges." These were men appointed to represent God and adjudicate on important matters of law. Septuagint has "Criterion of God." In Exodus 22:8 the word is used in the same sense, and 22:9 would also be better translated "the judges"; 22:28 likewise. See also 1 Samuel 2:25 Psalm 82:1, 6, where the reference is to those who act as judges.

3. Gods of the Nations:

(1) The ancestors of Israel "beyond the River" had their gods (Joshua 24:14 f). While there is no mention of idolatry before the Deluge, the ancestors and kindred of Abraham were idolaters. Ur of the Chaldees was the center for the worship of Sin, the Moon-god. Many others were worshipped in the various cities of Babylon.

See BABYLONIA.

(2) The gods of Laban and his family (Genesis 31:30, 32; Genesis 35:2, 4) were household gods or teraphim, and were stolen by Rachel and carried off in her flight with Jacob.

See TERAPHIM.

(3) Gods of Egypt: For many centuries before the time of Abraham there had been numerous objects of worship in Egypt. Many of these were animals, birds and natural objects. Horus, the hawk, was one of the earliest of all. The cat, the bull, etc., were worshipped at times. The plagues of Egypt were specially directed against these wretched deities (Numbers 33:4 Exodus 12:12). Yahweh took vengeance on all the gods of Egypt. These terrible events showed that "Yahweh is greater than all gods" (Exodus 18:11). He redeemed His people from the nations and its gods (2 Samuel 7:23). Jeremiah predicted the time when Yahweh should destroy the gods of Egypt (Jeremiah 43:12; Jeremiah 46:25).

(4) Of the gods of the Amorites (Judges 6:10) no names are given, but they probably were the same as the gods of the Canaanites.

(5) The gods of the Canaanites were Nature-gods, and their worship was that of the productive and chiefly reproductive powers of Nature. Their service was perhaps the most immoral and degrading of all. The high places and altars of the different Baals, Ashtoreths, etc., were numerous throughout Canaan. These deities were always represented by images and Moses makes frequent reference to them with warnings against this seductive worship (Deuteronomy 7:25; Deuteronomy 12:3, 10, 31; 13:07; 20:18; 29:18:00; 32:16, etc.).

See also IDOLATRY; BAAL; ASHTORETH; ASHERAH, etc.

(6) Gods of the Philis: The champion Goliath cursed David by his gods (1 Samuel 17:43). Perhaps it would be better rendered "god." Saul's and his son's armor was put into the house of their gods (1 Chronicles 10:10).

See also DAGON; BAALZEBUB.

(7) The two golden calves erected by Jeroboam at Dan and Bethel to keep the people from going to Jerusalem to worship are called gods (1 Kings 12:28 2 Chronicles 13:8 f).

See CALF, GOLDEN.

(8) The gods of Damascus: Ben-hadad was accustomed to worship in the house of the god Rimmon (2 Kings 5:18). No other names are mentioned, but from 2 Chronicles 28:23 it is clear that there were many gods in Syria.

See RIMMON.

(9) Solomon's many wives worshipped their own gods, and he provided the means for their worship. Chief among these were Chemosh of Moab and Molech of Ammon (1 Kings 11:2, 4, 8).

See CHEMOSH; MOLECH.

(10) The mixed peoples transplanted into Samaria by Sargon had their various gods and mingled their service with that of Yahweh, after being taught by a priest of Yahweh. The names of some of these gods were Succoth-benoth, Nergal, Ashima, Nibhaz, Tartak, Adrammelech (2 Kings 17:29, 30, 31, 33). See separate articles.

(11) Of the gods of Seir, which were brought to Jerusalem by Amaziah, the names are not given (2 Chronicles 25:14).

(12) The gods of the nations conquered by Sennacherib and his fathers, namely, Hamoth, Arpad, Sepharvaim, Hena, Ivvah (2 Kings 18:33-35; 2 Kings 19:13). Also those conquered by Sennacherib's fathers, Gozan, Haran, Rezeph, Eden or Telassar (2 Kings 19:12 Isaiah 36:18, 19, 20 2 Chronicles 32:13 f).

(13) Gods of Moab are mentioned in Ruth 1:15 1 Kings 11:1, 7. Possibly Ruth 1:15 should be translated "god."

See CHEMOSH.

(14) Gods of Babylon: The graven images of her gods referred to in Isaiah 21:9; Isaiah 42:17; Bel and Nebo mentioned in Isaiah 46:1; other gods of silver and gold (Ezra 1:7 Daniel 4:8, 9, 18; Daniel 5:4, 11, 14, 23).

(15) Nineveh's gods are merely referred to in Nahum 1:14. Sennacherib was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god when slain by his sons (2 Kings 19:37).

(16) The coastlands or borders and peninsulas of the Aegean Sea had numerous idol gods, shrines and devotees. Isaiah challenges them to prove that they are gods (Isaiah 41:22 f).

Yahweh was "greater than all gods" (Exodus 15:11; Exodus 18:11); "God of gods, and Lord of lords" (Deuteronomy 10:14, 17); "The Mighty One" (Joshua 22:22); "to be feared above all gods" (1 Chronicles 16:25 2 Chronicles 2:5 Psalm 96:4 f);

4. Superiority of Yahweh to Other Gods:

"King above all gods" (Psalm 95:3; Psalm 97:7, 9; 86:08:00; 135:05:00; 135:05:00; 136:02:00; 138:1 Jeremiah 10:11 Zephaniah 2:11 Daniel 2:18, 47). Jeremiah advances so far toward a pure and well-defined monotheism that he speaks of all other gods as "not gods." They have no existence to him (Jeremiah 2:11; Jeremiah 5:7; Jeremiah 16:20). A similar position is taken in Isaiah 41; 43, etc.

5. Regulations Regarding the Gods of the Nations:

The laws of Moses give no uncertain sound concerning them. The Decalogue begins: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." Whatever may be the exact meaning of this, it is perfectly clear that Israel was to have nothing to do with any God but Yahweh (Exodus 20:3 Deuteronomy 5:7). No images shall be made of them (Exodus 20:4, 23; Exodus 34:17 Leviticus 19:4 Deuteronomy 5:8 f). No mention shall be made of them (Exodus 23:13 Joshua 23:7). They are not to be worshipped but destroyed (Exodus 23:24). They are to make no covenant with the people or their gods would be a snare to them (Exodus 23:32 Deuteronomy 6:14; Deuteronomy 7:4, 25). A curse will follow any defection from Yahweh to them (Deuteronomy 11:28; Deuteronomy 28:14; 12:3, 10; 13:07; 20:18; 29:17). These gods are an abomination to Yahweh (Deuteronomy 12:31; Deuteronomy 20:18; Deuteronomy 29:17; Deuteronomy 32:37 Ezekiel 7:20 1 Kings 11:5 2 Kings 23:13). They are to be as foreign gods to Israel (1 Samuel 7:3 Joshua 24:20, 23 Judges 10:16 2 Chronicles 14:3; 2 Chronicles 33:15).

6. Israel's Tendency to Idolatry:

The constant tendency of Israel to go after other gods was first made manifest at Sinai (Exodus 32:1, 4, 8, 23, 11; Exodus 34:15). Hosea says (11:2), "The more the prophets called them, the more they went from them." Ezekiel declares (16:3), "The Amorite was thy father, and thy mother was a Hittite," referring doubtless to the idolatrous taint in the blood of Israel. The tendency manifested itself also at Baal-peor where Israel was led into the licentious rites of the Moabites (Numbers 25:2 f). Moses saw the taint in the blood, foresaw the danger and repeatedly warned them (Deuteronomy 17:3; Deuteronomy 18:20; Deuteronomy 29:26; Deuteronomy 30:17; Deuteronomy 31:18). Perhaps the most striking passages in Deuteronomy are chapters 13; 28; 30, where are pictured the consequences of going after other gods. Joshua also warns them (23:7), and the history of the period of the Judges is the story of their periodical defection from Yahweh and the punishment resulting therefrom (Judges 2:12, 17, 19; Judges 5:8; Judges 10:6 1 Samuel 8:8). Solomon himself gave an impetus in that direction (1 Kings 11:5-8). After the disruption, the religion of the Northern Kingdom became very corrupt (1 Kings 14:9 2 Chronicles 13:8 f). The golden calves of Jeroboam opened the door for an inrush of idols and other gods. Ahab's marriage to Jezebel threatened to wipe out Yahweh-worship and substitute Baal-worship, and, but for the powerful ministry of Elijah and Elisha, might have effected such a result. Partly checked for a time, the evil broke out in other forms, and even the preaching of Amos and Hosea failed to turn the tide of idolatry. The result was the destruction of the kingdom (2 Kings 17:7 Jeremiah 3:6-8 1 Chronicles 5:25). The Southern Kingdom fared better. Other gods were countenanced by Rehoboam, Abijah, Athaliah, Jehoram, Ahaz, Amon, Manasseh, Jehoiakim, etc. Reform movements were attempted by Asa, Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and Josiah, but did not wholly avail. In the reign of Manasseh the nation plunged into the worship of other gods. The ministries of Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc., availed not to stop the tide (2 Chronicles 34:25 Jeremiah 11:13; Jeremiah 5:19 2 Kings 22:17 Jeremiah 1:16; Jeremiah 19:4; Jeremiah 7:6; Jeremiah 13:10; Jeremiah 16:11; Jeremiah 44:5, 8). The nation was carried into exile because of its going after other gods (2 Kings 22:17 Deuteronomy 29:25 f). The captivity had its desired effect. The Israel that returned and perpetuated the nation never again lapsed into the worship of other gods.

II. In the Apocrypha.

The Apocrypha reiterates much of the Old Testament teaching: the defection of Israel (2 Esdras 1:6); the gods of the nations (Judith 3:8; 8:18); the gods which their fathers worshipped (Judith 5:7); the sin of Israel (Additions to Esther 14:7). The Book of The Wisdom of Solomon refers to the "creatures which they supposed to be gods" (12:27; 13:2, 3, 10; 15:15). Mention is made of the gods of Babylon (Baruch 1:22; 6:6-57 passim; Bel and the Dragon 1:27).

III. In the New Testament.

The expression "gods" occurs in six places in the New Testament:

(1) Jesus, in reply to the Pharisees, who questioned His right to call Himself the son of God, quoted Psalm 82:6: "I said, Ye are gods." He argues from this that if God Himself called them gods to whom the word of God came, i.e. the judges who acted as representatives of God in a judicial capacity, could not He who had been sanctified and sent into the world justly call Himself the Son of God? It was an argumentum ad hominem (John 10:34-37).

(2) When Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel in Lystra they healed a certain man who had been a cripple from birth. The Lycaonians, seeing the miracle, cried out in their own dialect, "The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury" (Acts 14:11 f). Their ascription of deity to the apostles in such times shows their familiarity with the Greek pantheon.

(3) As Paul preached Jesus and the resurrection at Athens the people said he seemed to be a setter forth of strange gods. The conception of only one God seemed to be wholly foreign to them (Acts 17:18).

(4) In 1 Corinthians 8:5 Paul speaks of "gods many, and lords many," but the context shows that he did not believe in the existence of any god but one; "We know that no idol is anything in the world."

(5) While at Ephesus, Paul was said to have "persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands" (Acts 19:26).

(6) The Galatians had been "in bondage to them that by nature are no gods" (Galatians 4:8). Indirect references are also found in Acts 17:16, where Paul observed the city full of idols. Likewise in Romans 1:22, 25. Paul refers to the numerous gods of the heathen world. These were idols, birds, four-footed beasts and creeping things. The results of this degrading worship are shown in the verse following.

See also IDOLATRY; GOD, NAMES OF.

J. J. Reeve

STRANGE GODS

See GOD, STRANGE.

Greek

1174. deisidaimonesteros -- very fearful of gods, religious ...
... 1173, 1174. deisidaimonesteros. 1175 . very fearful of gods, religious,
superstitious. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1174.htm - 7k

2203. Zeus -- Zeus, the greatest of the pagan Gk. gods
... gods. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Zeus Phonetic Spelling:
(dzyooce) Short Definition: Zeus Definition: Zeus, the Greek god of the sky in ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2203.htm - 6k

2316. theos -- God, a god
... of uncertain origin Definition God, a god NASB Word Usage divinely (1), God (1267),
god (6), God's (27), God-fearing (1), godly (2), godly* (1), gods (8), Lord ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2316.htm - 7k

2060. Hermes -- Hermes, the name of a Gr. god and a Christian at ...
... Transliteration: Hermes Phonetic Spelling: (her-mace') Short Definition: Hermes
Definition: (a) Hermes, the messenger and herald of the Greek gods, or rather ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2060.htm - 6k

3784. opheilo -- to owe
... originally belonged to the sphere; it expressed initially one's legal and economic,
and then later one's , duties and responsibilities to the gods and to men ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3784.htm - 8k

1140. daimonion -- an evil spirit, a demon
... Cognate: 1140 (a neuter, diminutive noun) -- a , ie . 1140 () always refers to in
the NT -- the only exception being Ac 17:18 (which refers to heathen gods). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1140.htm - 7k

5215. humnos -- a hymn
... English as "hymn"). 5215 ("hymn") in antiquity was a song celebrating (praising)
pagan gods, heroes, and conquerors. In the NT, 5215 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5215.htm - 7k

2356. threskeia -- religion
... Phonetic Spelling: (thrace-ki'-ah) Short Definition: ritual worship, religion
Definition: (underlying sense: reverence or worship of the gods), worship as ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2356.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

410. el -- God, in pl. gods
... 409, 410. el. 411 . God, in pl. gods. Transliteration: el Phonetic Spelling:
(ale) Short Definition: God. Word Origin a prim. root Definition God, in pl. ...
/hebrew/410.htm - 6k

430. elohim -- God, god
... Definition God, god NASB Word Usage divine (1), divine being (1), exceedingly (1),
God (2326), god (45), God's (14), goddess (2), godly (1), gods (204), great ...
/hebrew/430.htm - 6k

426. elah -- God, god
... God. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to eloah Definition God, god NASB
Word Usage God (74), god (6), gods (15). God, god. (Aramaic ...
/hebrew/426.htm - 6k

Library

Who are the True Gods? You Say. ...
... Book VII. 2 Who are the TRUE gods? you say.� Who are the true gods?
you say. To answer you in common and simple language, we ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/2 who are the true.htm

That Idols are not Gods, and that the Elements are not to Be
... 1. That idols are not gods, and that the elements are not to be. worshipped
in the place of gods. [3702] In the cxiiith Psalm it ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/1 that idols are not.htm

That the Worshippers of the Gods Never Received from them any ...
... Book II. Chapter 4."That the Worshippers of the Gods Never Received from Them Any
Healthy Moral Precepts, and that in Celebrating Their Worship All Sorts of ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 4 that the worshippers of.htm

Or the Gods of Heaven Should be Said to be Ungrateful If...
... Book VII. 12 Or the gods of heaven should be said to be ungrateful if�
Or the gods of heaven should be said to be ungrateful if ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/12 or the gods of.htm

Who are the Select Gods, and Whether they are Held to be Exempt ...
... Book VII. Chapter 2."Who are the Select Gods, and Whether They are Held
to Be Exempt from the Offices of the Commoner Gods. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 2 who are the select.htm

That the Name of Gods is Falsely Given to the Gods of the Gentiles ...
... Book IX. Chapter 23."That the Name of Gods is Falsely Given to the Gods of the Gentiles,
Though Scripture Applies It Both to the Holy Angels and Just Men. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 23 that the name of.htm

Which of the Gods Can the Romans Suppose Presided Over the ...
... Chapter 8."Which of the Gods Can the Romans Suppose Presided Over the Increase and
Preservation of Their Empire, When They Have Believed that Even the Care ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 8 which of the gods.htm

But the Gods are Said to be Immortal. ...
... Book II. 36 But the gods are said to be immortal.� But the gods are said
to be immortal. Not by nature, then, but by the good-will ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/36 but the gods are.htm

We Worship the Gods, You Say, by Means of Images. ...
... Book VI. 9 We worship the gods, you say, by means of images.� We worship
the gods, you say, by means of images. [4621] What then? ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/9 we worship the gods.htm

Of the Gods and Goddesses.
... XVI."Of the Gods and Goddesses. Ye say that they are gods who are plainly
cruel, and ye say that genesis assigns the fates to you. ...
/.../commodianus/the instructions of commodianus/xvi of the gods and goddesses.htm

Subtopics