- Mr. Heiser claims that the word Elohim in Hebrew, meaning
"gods" is not a plural word. His main proof is that it says in
Hebrew "The Elohim Said" in a singular form not a plural form.
This would indicate that the word Elohim was a name and not meaning plural
gods. Of course this also could mean that the scribes of the Bible kept
it in a singular form to show the monotheistic viewpoint. There are many
uses of the plural term of the word Elohim in the Bible. I have listed
several plural forms below and it is in fact very hard to find any singular
uses of the word.
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- The word Elohim is definitely plural and does indeed
mean "gods" and it actually contains two forms of the singular
word for God inside of itself.
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- 1. The word EL means God and it is the first part of
the word Elohim.
- 2. The word Eloah, also means God and it is the first
part of the word Elohim. Eloah in Hebrew is a three letter root which most
Hebrew words contain.
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- Here we already have two singular forms of the word God
inside the plural word Elohim. Yet, Mr. Heiser has never mentioned these
singular forms inside the plural word. He still insists Elohim is singular
knowing well that is already contains two singular words for God.
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- The Universal Creator God of the Bible known as Yahweh
speaks and is quoted within the Bible. When he spoke to the ancient Hebrews
while giving them the 10 commandments, he indeed used the plural word of
Elohim meaning gods.
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- 3. And God said "You shall not recognize the gods
of others in my presence" also translated as "You shall not have
other gods in my presence," (Exodus 20:3). Here Yahweh uses the term
Elohim to refer to all other gods (plural) that Israel shall not worship
or acknowledge. This also means that there were other false gods and they
were forbidden to be acknowledged in Yahweh's presence.
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- Mr. Heiser is also incorrect when he refers to the translation
of the Nephilim. The Nephilim mentioned in Chapter 6 of Genesis is spoken
about right before the destruction of the flood and is implied they are
the reason for the flood. It says that "the Nephilim were on the Earth
in those days and also afterwards when the Children of the Gods saw the
daughters of the Adam (humans) and took them as wives which ever they pleased."
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- 4. The word children is used as plural not singular child,
and the Elohim are mentioned again in plural as "The Gods" In
Hebrew the "hey" letter put in front of the word Elohim means
"The", if the letter was left out it would mean "Children
of Elohim" meaning Elohim as a name. But with the letter there in
front it clearly means "Children of the Gods".
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- Nephilim has the root from the Hebrew word for falling
down or to fall, which yields the translations the "fallen ones"
and in the context of the Bible they are mentioned as bad characters that
have something to do with the Flood disaster.
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- 5. Nephilim used to be translated as Giants for many
hundreds of years and it comes from a 12th Century commentary known as
Rashi that said the Nephilim were giants. But what nobody realized until
Sitchin was that the word in Hebrew meaning giants is Anak, or Anakim for
plural which is the same root and sounding as Anunnaki in Sumerian. So
the Hebrew word for Giant was picked up from a memory of the word used
thousands of years before, by the lineage of Abraham to describe their
gods which are usually depicted as larger humanoids than humans. And the
translation of the word Annunaki means "those who from Heaven to Earth
came," and Sitchin's use of the word Nephilim means "Those that
have fallen down from above." So Anunnaki has the same sound as the
word for Giant in Hebrew and the meaning is the same as the word Nephilim
in Hebrew.
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- 6. Before the burning bush Moses came to the mountain
of the Gods. It says in Hebrew once again "He arrived at the Mountain
of the Gods." The Hebrew letter "hey" in front of the word
Elohim means "The" as opposed to saying "Elohim mountain"
meaning the name of the mountain, it says "the Mountain of the Gods."
(Exodus 3:1)
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- Erik Parker
- Los Angeles
- Webmaster for Zecharia Sitchin
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- Response From Michael Heiser is here:
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- http://www.facadenovel.com/SitchinsDisciple.htm
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- Comment
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- From Erik P.
erik70@pacbell.net
8-29-2
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- Behold! Michael S. Heiser Does Admit There Are Mistranslations
in the Bible and the Word Elohim Can Be Used as a Plural.
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- Introduction
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- For those of you who have followed the debate on the
internet you may know about the personal attacks I have withstood from
Michael S. Heiser, in my attempt to honestly debate him regarding the writings
and thesis of Zecharia Sitchin. I always choose my words carefully and
have never used the word "wrong" when applying it to Mr. Heiser
and I have never personally insulted him or his position. The word "wrong"
has emotional charge behind it so I try to use "correct/incorrect"
to apply to details or facts. I prefer to debate the evidence and the
issues and not have a discussion become personal. The purpose, for me,
is to increase my understanding of a subject and clarify misunderstandings.
My goal is always to add to the body of knowledge and understanding of
a complex issue for the readers and myself.
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- As you will see, Mr. Heiser's goal is not to add knowledge
and understanding to these issues. His goal, from the beginning, when
he came on the web page and speaking scene, was to tear down the work of
an established author. He had no name recognition to stand on so he used
Sitchin's good name to get attention for himself so he could sell his own
book, appear on the radio and get speaking engagements. Mr. Heiser does
not think he is a debunker and I will not declare that he is. My purpose
is, for the reader, to point out that his tactics and behavioral patterns
fit the mold and style of a debunker which includes using personal attacks
and ridicule. You can make the decision on your own once you see both sides
of the issue. Hopefully, you will reach your own conclusions about his
motives.
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- Debunker trick #1, when having no reputation of your
own, attempt to destroy the work of an established individual, in the process
creating a name for yourself. In fact, the method involves using the name
of the person you are attempting to destroy as the springboard for yourself.
His first web page that I read was full of insults and uncalled for statements.
You would think that a man who claims he has a respected background and
career would not want to use someone else's name for his own gain. Wouldn't
he want to be recognized for his own individual achievements? This maneuver
is a "shifter" strategy made famous in the book, "Atlas
Shrugged," by Ayn Rand. This procedure is used to take away from someone
the thing you want the most for yourself, thereby "shifting"
it away from them and to you. In this case, Heiser wants to take away
Sitchin's fame and respect as an author, researcher and speaker.
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- Even at this point, he still wants to debate Sitchin.
For what purpose? If it were to add to everyone's knowledge and understanding
there would be no need for personal attacks against Sitchin or me. Sitchin
does not have a computer, does not browse the Internet and, therefore,
has never seen any of Heiser's material nor heard him speak. Why would
he agree to go on the radio and be attacked? Why would Sitchin help Heiser
increase his name recognition? Sitchin is just too busy writing new books
and arranging seminars. You can tell from Heiser's writing style that
he is very confrontational -- he uses debunker tactics. His purpose for
wanting to debate Sitchin is to employ the attack and ridicule process.
This is completely inconsistent with a person that wants to raise up all
of society by their knowledge. I don't think there will be a debate with
Sitchin, but I still have a few words to say....
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- Full article at
- http://erikparker.com/articles/august02.htm
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