To Darrell
My comments in Blue
In the future it would be better not to quote within another member's post, as it can lead to confusion as to who said what.
If you need any help concerning quoting procedure, let me know, I'll be glad to help.
Darrell C said:
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We know that what takes place is something not pleasing to God, so I would just suggest the concept of ruling men taking from among the people women at their whim.
Yeah... and while members of the Divine Council are not men...
When you can show me where
`edah demands a translation of council rather than congregation, then perhaps that rendering might be accepted, however, the context of the Psalm makes it very clear that men, not gods, not a divine council is in view.
And we will get to that.
I would think that Yahweh God would be exceptionally upset with it enough to destroy the offspring.
You have made a syllogistic conclusion:
Minor Premise: The ESV says a "Divine Council" is in view;
Major Premise: "Basically... these are the same guys of
Genesis 6."
Conclusion: Angels are in view and they intermingled with humanity and produced offspring.
There is no way to come to the conclusion that anyone other than men are in view in Psalm 82.
Again, we will get to that.
Normal ruling men taking women at their whim does not provoke God into acts of global judgement.
We don't assume that this is why God judged globally, primarily because we are told why God judged globally:
Genesis 6
King James Version (KJV)
3 And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
5 And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
6 And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
Not a single thing mentioned about Angels, Demons, or any other created being, just..
.Man.
So let's look at your statement again:
Normal ruling men taking women at their whim does not provoke God into acts of global judgement.
"Normal ruling men" are a primary theme throughout Scripture. We see the failure of rulers such as Moses, then that of Judges, then that of Kings, then that of Prophets (and so called "prophets," they which be false), and then lastly the role of Teacher, which is contrasted with the Old Testament equivalent, the false prophet, of past Ages.
How they rule has always been important.
Secondly, rulers taking at whim women from the general population is tantamount to rape. I think that fits well with "every imagination of his heart was only evil continually.
Lastly, it is not just one act of sin in view concerning the destruction of the world then, it is man's condition as a whole, and all of his sin. We might view this as the "straw that broke the camel's back," so to speak.
It is Man, not Angels, with whom God is not pleased. God is Just so it makes little sense to find God exacting penalty for something that is the result of Angels' actions. The resulting offspring also become notable.
It also seems as though the "giants" precede the coming in of the sons of God unto the daughters of men.
(Incorrect)
So show me why.
It doesn't help me, BHB, if I am in error and you just tell me I am. You need to show me, or anyone else you perceive as in error.
We see the concept of "sons of God" here...
Uhhhmmmm...
Please, finish dinner, then we can continue...
Exactly... you are very correct. In fact this is the section of scripture that inspired Heiser to undertake this work.
No surprise there. Because we see the concept of "sons of God" in both.
However... you may want to examine it closer in the ESV (because I don't know Hebrew):
BHB, we don't exegete Scripture from translations.
And translations, though being correct in their translation, are not the final word. We must examine the context of the text in detail, compare it with all relevant passages, and then conclude.
Basically... these are the same guys of
Genesis 6.
I agree. I said that.
The question before us is "...are the sons of GOd men or spiritual beings?"
Psalm 82
King James Version (KJV)
1 God standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.
2 How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
3 Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
4 Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
5 They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.
6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.
7 But ye shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.
8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.
Great translation.
the ESV
1 God has taken his place in the divine council;
in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:
A few things we could consider here:
1. If in view is a "divine council" that stands outside of the temporal, there is no reason we have to conclude that it is...
...the divine council itself that is on trial;
2. We do not have to conclude that the term "gods" is not used of men, and that would make little sense when the context of the Psalm goes on to verify that on trial, so to speak, are men;
3. The "gods" being shown to be men (and again, we will get to why they are men) are judged, and it is perfectly acceptable to see this judgment effected by a "divine council" if we allow this to be a proper understanding and translation;
4. An understanding of "God standing in the 'Congregation' " fits better with the consistent theme of God as Judge over men.
Continued...