The Meaning of אֱלֹהִים in Ps 8:6

Psalm Overview.

Exegetical issues for Psalm 8:

• The Text, Grammar, and Meaning of Ps 8:2b
• The Meaning of Ps 8:3
• The Meaning of אֱלֹהִים in Ps 8:6

Introduction

Psalm 8:6 according to the Masoretic Text reads as follows:

וַתְּחַסְּרֵ֣הוּ מְּ֭עַט מֵאֱלֹהִ֑ים

וְכָב֖וֹד וְהָדָ֣ר תְּעַטְּרֵֽהוּ׃

The Hebrew word אֱלֹהִים at the end of the first line can refer to the singular "God" (=YHWH), to a singular "god/divine-being" (other than YHWH), or to plural "gods/heavenly-beings" (including "angels"). Interpreters, ancient and modern, disagree on which of these is the referent of אֱלֹהִים in Ps 8:6. Bratcher and Reyburn categorize the main options reflected in translations as follows:

1. God: the ancient Greek versions by Aquila, Symmachus, and Theodotion; Jerome; ASV, RSV, TEV.
2. “Angels”: Septuagint (quoted in Heb 2:7), Syriac, Targum, Vulgate; KJV, NAB, ZÜR, FRCL, NJV footnote.
3. “The gods”: Dahood. NIV has “the heavenly beings.”
4. “A god”: NEB, BJ, NJB, TOB, SPCL. MFT and NJV have “little less than divine”; “almost divine” also represents this meaning.

Argument Maps

God (=YHWH)

Many have argued that אֱלֹהִים in Ps 8:6 is a reference to YHWH ("God"). This view is reflected in translations ancient (Aquila, Symmachus, Theodotion, Jerome's translation from Hebrew) and modern (ASV, RSV, TEV, NLT, NASB). The principal arguments (and counter-arguments) are as follows:

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[YHWH]: אֱלֹהִים in Ps 8:6 refers to "God" (i.e., YHWH). #dispreferred
 + <YHWH as אֱלֹהִים in Pss>: "The use of אֱלֹהִים for Yahweh is well established in the Psalter" (Tate 2001, 355 :A:).#dispreferred
  + [Pss 3-7]: e.g. Pss 3:7; 4:1; 5:2; 7:1, 2, 9, 11.#dispreferred
  + <Elohistic Psalter>: "In Ps 42-83 אֱ׳ is mostly a substitute for י׳" (HALOT :L:).#dispreferred
 + <Image of God (Gen 1:26)>: "There is obviously a reference in v. 6 to Gen 1:26, and therefore here doubtless an allusion to the creation of man in the image of God" (Perowne 1870, 146-7 :C:; cf. Craigie 2004, 108 :C:; Ross 2011, 296 :C:;). "The rendering in Genesis 1 is 'God,' and thus that rendering would be most appropriate in Psalm 8" (Brueggemann-Bellinger 2014, 59 :C:).#dispreferred
 + <Macrostructure>: The chiastic shape of Psalm 8 "makes it abundantly clear that אֱלֹהִים in verse 6 refers to God himself and not to angels or members of the heavenly retinue" (Kraut 2010, 23 :A:).#dispreferred
  + <Structure of juxtaposition>: "The entire structure of the psalm is built upon the juxtaposition of God’s powers in the first part of the psalm with the powers of man in the second portion of the psalm" (Kraut 2010, 23 :A:).#dispreferred
 + <Parallel colon (v. 6b)>: In v. 6b, man is said to be crowned with "glory and honour," attributes typically ascribed to YHWH (and not to other heavenly beings). The comparison, therefore, is between man and YHWH (Hossfeld and Zenger 1993, 80 :C:).#dispreferred
  + [YHWH's "glory and honour"]: Pss 29:1, 4; 96:6; 104:1.#dispreferred
 - <2nd person address>: In this clause, "the psalmist addresses YHWH" in the 2nd person and therefore cannot refer to him in the third person (Kraus 1988, 183 :C:; cf. Eaton 2003, 81 :C:; Waltke 2010, 268 :C:).
 - <Infinite distance btw God and man>: If man were said to be a little less than "God," then "the passage would... be at variance with the view unfolded in Scripture, of the infinite distance between God and man, and so loftily expressed in this Psalm itself" (Hengstenberg 1869, 133-134 :C:). "The Psalmist had been at pains to stress the infinite greatness of God and the comparative insignificance of man" (Anderson 1972, 103 :C:).

Angels

The Septuagint (quoted in Heb 2:7) chose to translate אֱלֹהִים in Ps 8:6 using a word for "angels" (ἀγγέλους). It has been followed by translations both ancient (Syriac, Targum) and modern (KJV, NAB, ZÜR, FRCL, NJV). Among the secondary literature consulted (see below), no one made the argument that elohhim refers to "angels" in particular, though proponents of option 3 (below) argue that angels are included in אֱלֹהִים.

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[Angels]: אֱלֹהִים in Ps 8:6 refers to angels in particular (LXX, Peshitta, Targum).#dispreferred
 - [Never means angels]: "The word אֱלֹהִים nowhere occurs in the sense of angels" (Perowne 1870, 146-7 :C:; cf. Waltke 2010, 268 :C:; cf. SDBH :L:, HALOT :L:, and DCH :L:, none of which give "angels" as a gloss for אֱלֹהִים).
  - <Ps 97:7>: אֱלֹהִים refers to "angels" in Ps 97:7 (BDB :L:).#dispreferred
   + [Ps 97:7]: הִשְׁתַּחֲווּ־ל֝וֹ כָּל־אֱלֹהִֽים #dispreferred
 - <No sovereignty for angels>: "The grace of God is here celebrated, which led Him to give to man the sovereignty over the earth. But how could he be compared in this respect with angels, who possess no such sovereignty?" (Hengstenberg 1869, 133-134 :C:).

Heavenly beings (preferred)

Many argue that Ps 8:6 is a generic term for a plurality of heavenly beings (SDBH, BDB). According to this view, the reference in Psalm 8 is neither to YHWH (option 1) nor to angels (option 2) in particular, but to the entire class of אֱלֹהִים in general: "as comprehending God and angels." This view is represented in some translations (ESV, NET). The principal arguments (and counter arguments) are as follows:

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[Heavenly beings]: אֱלֹהִים in Ps 8:6 is a generic term for a plurality of heavenly beings.
 + <אֱלֹהִים as "heavenly beings">: אֱלֹהִים is often used as a generic term for heavenly/supernatural beings (SDBH :L:), for "superhuman beings including God and angels" (BDB :L:); "divine being, god, deity, in general" (DCH :L:)
  + [E.g. Zech 12:8]: וּבֵית דָּוִיד כֵּאלֹהִים כְּמַלְאַךְ י׳ "and the House of David will be as a divine being—as an angel of Y" (DCH).
 + <Allusion to Gen 1:26f>: "The allusion to Gen 1:26-27 suggests a broader referent, including God and the other heavenly beings" (NET 2006 :C:; cf. Briggs 1906, 64 :C:). 
  + <אֱלֹהִים as God and angels in Gen 1:26>: "Most scholars recognize in the Genesis statement that the first person plural pronouns, 'us' and 'our', refer to the heavenly court" (Waltke 2010, 268 :C:; cf. Delitzsch 1871, 153-154 :C:; Briggs 1906, 64 :C:).
 - <אֱלֹהִים as weak gods>:"I hardly think that the writer of Psalm 8 wanted to explain the strong status of humanity in terms of gods that are usually considered weak and ultimately powerless" (Tate 2001, 355 :A:). #no
  + <Foreign gods or idols>: "אֱלֹהִים used in this sense typically refers to foreign gods or to idols" (Tate 2001, 355 :A:). #no

Divinity/Godhead

Some prefer to interpret אֱלֹהִים as an abstract noun meaning "divinity" or "godhead."

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[Godhead]: "The אֱלֹהִים expresses the abstract idea of Godhead" (Henstenberg 1869 :C:; cf. Perowne 1870, 146-7 :C:).#dispreferred
 + <חסר + מן>: "The verb חסר signifies, in Piel, 'to make, or cause, to want'; and the noun connected with it by מן marks the object, in regard to which there is the want" (Hengstenberg 1869, 133-134 :C:).#dispreferred
  + [Eccl 4:8]: וּמְחַסֵּ֤ר אֶת־נַפְשִׁי֙ מִטּוֹבָ֔ה, "One who causes my soul to lack good."#dispreferred
 + <Something super-earthly>:"Where it is not made concrete by the article, אֱלֹהִים is not unfrequently used merely to designate something super-earthly" (Hengstenberg 1869, 133-134 :C:).#dispreferred
  + [Zech 12:8]: וְהָיָ֞ה הַנִּכְשָׁ֥ל בָּהֶ֛ם בַּיּ֥וֹם הַה֖וּא כְּדָוִ֑יד וּבֵ֤ית דָּוִיד֙ כֵּֽאלֹהִ֔ים כְּמַלְאַ֥ךְ יְהוָ֖ה לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃#dispreferred
 - <Not abstract noun>: אֱלֹהִים, though it may refer to a generic supernatural being, never occurs as an abstract noun ("divinity" or "godhead;" cf. BDB :L:, HALOT :L:, DCH :L:, and SDBH :L:, none of which indicate that אֱלֹהִים can be an abstract noun).

Conclusion (B)

The word אֱלֹהִים in Psalm 8:6 is probably a "generic term for a supernatural being" (option 3). It refers to that class of beings which occupy the heavenly/spiritual realm (as opposed to the earthly realm), i.e. "superhuman beings including God and angels." Thus, the reference in Psalm 8 is neither to God nor to angels in particular, but to the entire class of אֱלֹהִים in general: "as comprehending God and angels."

The first option (אֱלֹהִים as God=YHWH) is made unlikely by the fact that YHWH is the second person subject of the verb and therefore not likely to be the 3rd person object of the preposition. "Although Hebrew poets frequently shift their perspective from direct address to God to indirect statements about God, they do not normally alter their stance in the same clause." Therefore, although YHWH, as belonging to the class of אלהים, is included in the reference of Ps 8:6, he is not referred to specifically.

The second option (אֱלֹהִים as angels) is viable insofar as אֱלֹהִים includes angelic beings. However, according to most lexicons, אֱלֹהִים never refers to "angels" in particular. "The LXX is probably best construed as a dynamic equivalent. B. Childs says, 'The Greek translation has offered an interpretation, but one which does not in itself do an injustice to the Hebrew'."

The fourth option is unlikely, since אֱלֹהִים does not occur elsewhere as an abstract noun.

This leaves option 3 as the best available option. אֱלֹהִים often refers to "heavenly being(s)," and this option works well for Ps 8:6. Most agree that Psalm 8:6 alludes to Genesis 1:26ff and the creation of humans as the image of אֱלֹהִים, and "most scholars recognize in the Genesis statement that the first person plural pronouns, 'us' and 'our', refer to the heavenly court." The allusion, therefore, "suggests a broader referent, including God and the other heavenly beings."

The meaning of Ps 8:6a is captured well by Wilson: "God has bestowed the highest possible honor on an earthly creature by creating them only a little less elevated than beings that occupy the heavenly sphere." We might ask, then: in what respect is man lower than these beings? Delitzsch explains, "The writer has only this one thing in his mind, that man is inferior to God, who is רוּח, and to the angels who are רוּחות (Isaiah 31:3; Hebrews 1:14) in this respect, that he is a material being, and on this very account a finite and mortal being." "In his mortality and weakness the human being stands in antithesis to God (cf. Num 23:19f.; Isa 31:3), but in his role of ruler he approximates a heavenly being."

Research

Translations

Ancient

• LXX: ἠλάττωσας αὐτὸν βραχύ τι παρʼ ἀγγέλους.
• The Three: και ελαττωσεις αυτον βραχυ (s. ολιγον) παρα θεον.
• Jerome Hebr.: minues eum paulo minus a deo.
• Targum: וחסרתא יתיה‭‬ קליל ממלאכיא

Modern

God

• God (RSV, ASV, CSB, NASB, NLT)
• Dios (NVI)
• Dieu (LS1910)
• Gott (DELUT, SCH51, EÜ)
• Бог (HΡΠ)

Angels

• the angels (KJV, CJB, NIV)
• los ángeles (RV, LBLA)
• des anges (BFC)
• die Engel (ELB, SCH2000)
• Ангелы (SYNO)

Heavenly beings

• "the heavenly beings" (ESV, NET)

Secondary Literature

Anderson, A. A. 1972. The Book of Psalms. Vol. 1. NCBC. Greenwood, SC: Attic.

Bratcher, Robert G., and William D. Reyburn. 1991. A Translator's Handbook on the Book of Psalms. New York: UBS Handbook Series.

Briggs, Charles and Emilie Briggs. 1906. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Book of Psalms. International Critical Commentary. New York: C. Scribner’s Sons.

Brueggemann, Walter, and William H. Bellinger Jr. 2014. Psalms. New Cambridge Bible Commentary. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Craigie, Peter C. 2004. Word Biblical Commentary: Psalms 1–50. 2nd ed. Vol. 19. Nashville, TN: Nelson Reference & Electronic.

Dahood, Mitchell J. 1966. The Anchor Bible: Psalms I, 1-50. Garden City, NY: Doubleday.

Delitzsch, Franz. 1871. Biblical Commentary on the Psalms. Vol. 1. Edinburgh: T&T Clark.

Goldingay, John. 2006. Psalms: Psalms 1–41. Vol. 1. BCOT. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic.

Eaton, John. 2003. The Psalms: A Historical and Spiritual Commentary with an Introduction and New Translation. London; New York: T&T Clark.

Hengstenberg, Ernst W. Commentary on Psalms. Vol. 1. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1869.

Hossfeld, Frank-Lothar, and Erich Zenger. 1993. Die Psalmen I: Psalm 1–50. Neue Echter Bibel. Würzburg: Echter.

Kraus, Hans-Joachim. 1988. Psalms 1–59. Minneapolis: Fortress.

Kraut, Judah. 2010. “The Birds and the Babes: The Structure and Meaning of Psalm 8.” The Jewish Quarterly Review. Vol. 100, No. 1, 10-24.

Perowne, J. J. Stewart. 1870. The Book of Psalms: A New Translation with Introductions and Notes, Explanatory and Critical. Vol. I. London: Bell and Daldy.

Ross, Allen P. 2011. A Commentary on the Psalms 1-41. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel.

VanGemeren, Willem. 2008. Psalms: The Expositor's Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Tate, Marvin E. 2001. "An Exposition of Psalm 8." Perspectives in Religious Studies. 28 (4), 343-359.

Waltke, Bruce K., J. M. Houston, and Erika Moore. 2010. The Psalms as Christian Worship: A Historical Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mich: William B. Eerdmans Pub. Co.

Wilson, Gerald H. 2002. The NIV Application Commentary: Psalms. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

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8:6 Approved