What is the number of gods?

What Is the Number of Gods?

1. Foundational Definition of “God” in Scripture

Throughout the Bible, the term “God” refers to the supreme, uncreated, eternal Being who brought all things into existence. From Genesis onward, Scripture identifies a single, all-powerful Creator. This unique, sovereign Deity stands apart from anything in creation and is not to be confused with the many so-called “gods” of various ancient cultures or mythologies (cf. Deuteronomy 4:35).

2. Monotheism in the Old Testament

The Old Testament emphatically instructs that there is only one true God. Deuteronomy 6:4 declares, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One.” This simple yet profound statement became the cornerstone of Israel’s faith, often called the Shema.

On numerous occasions, Yahweh is shown challenging idols and false gods to display their power and foreknowledge, yet they remain silent and powerless (Isaiah 41:21–24). Likewise, Isaiah 44:6 records: “This is what the LORD says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the LORD of Hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last, and there is no God but Me.’” These passages underscore the exclusivity of Yahweh’s divine nature.

3. Monotheism in the New Testament

New Testament writings echo this Old Testament emphasis on the oneness of God. In 1 Corinthians 8:4–6, Paul states that “there is no God but one,” clarifying in verse 6: “…yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.”

James 2:19 similarly confirms the consistent teaching: “You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that—and shudder!” Across the New Testament, there is never an indication of multiple rival gods. Instead, there is a reaffirmation that only one supreme God exists.

4. The Triune Nature of the One God

While the Bible teaches that there is only one God, it also reveals that this God exists eternally in three Persons: Father, Son (Jesus Christ), and Holy Spirit (cf. Matthew 28:19). Though the word “Trinity” does not appear in the text, the concept does. John 1:1–2 affirms that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” Here, the Word (Jesus) is both distinct from and identified with God.

This triune nature does not suggest that three separate gods exist; rather, the biblical writers portray three co-equal, co-eternal Persons sharing the one Being of God. This unified fellowship preserves strict monotheism while accounting for the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit affirmed throughout Scripture.

5. False “Gods” and Idolatry

Although the Bible speaks of “gods” in passages such as Psalm 96:5, it makes clear these entities are idols or worthless spiritual imposters: “For all the gods of the nations are idols.” Often, idol worship arose when people fashioned material representations or adopted the deities of neighboring cultures. Archeological records from ancient Near Eastern civilizations (such as Canaanite and Egyptian artifacts) confirm widespread polytheism during biblical times; however, the Hebrew Scriptures continually direct worship to the one, true Yahweh.

6. Scholarly and Archaeological Support

Several lines of evidence underscore Israel’s consistent monotheistic claim:

• The Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered in the mid-20th century near Qumran) preserve Old Testament texts, demonstrating that crucial passages affirming God’s oneness (e.g., Deuteronomy 6:4) remained unchanged over centuries.

• Archaeological finds such as the Mesha Stele and other ancient inscriptions validate historical contexts in which Israel’s neighbors worshiped many gods, while Israel stood apart, expressly worshiping only one God.

• Scholars examining the multiplicity of idols in surrounding cultures continue to note the striking contrast of biblical monotheism in the face of widespread polytheism. This contrast is consistent with the Old Testament’s repeated claim of Yahweh’s uniqueness.

7. Philosophical Considerations

From a philosophical standpoint, acknowledging multiple gods would introduce competing sources of ultimate power and authority. Biblical teaching—and later systematic theological reflection—highlights that only one Being can hold unbounded, absolute attributes. This approach is often supported by various apologetic arguments that suggest a singular intelligent cause behind the cosmos, consistent with the biblical portrait of one Creator.

8. Practical and Devotional Implications

The Bible’s clear confession of one God leads to practical devotion and ethical living. Exodus 20:3 commands, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” This directive calls for exclusive loyalty, affirming that humans are accountable to a sole, supreme Deity.

In worship, believers join a long tradition of monotheists who honor God alone as Creator and Redeemer. In daily life, exclusive devotion shapes moral decisions, family structures, ethics, and even personal identity, founded on the belief that one God stands at the center of all reality.

9. Conclusion

According to Scripture—supported by manuscript evidence, historical contexts, and consistent Old and New Testament testimony—there is only one true God. This God is eternal and all-powerful, revealed in the three Persons of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Any references to “gods” beyond Yahweh are considered idols, demons, or false powers that cannot rival the Creator.

Thus, to the question “What is the number of gods?” the Bible’s answer, from the earliest pages of Genesis to the final chapters of Revelation, remains unequivocal: there is only one true God.