In my last article (see here), we discussed the singularity of God in the name Elohim. In Genesis 1:1, though Elohim is a plural word and can be plural in the case of judges or Kings, false gods or noblemen, in the case of creation the use of Elohim is singular shown clearly by the singular masculine verbs that accompany this name. 

However, when we get to Genesis 1:26, something seems to change in the fact that Elohim says, “let US make man in OUR image, after Our likeness.” How can this be? And what might this mean? For the previous acts of creation, the masculine singular is used for all the verbs that show God acting, showing that He acted as a singular person. So how do we suddenly switch from singular to plural?

Before we get into this discussion, let us look at Who actually performed the creation of mankind. Is this described in singular or plural. See Genesis 1:27-28:

“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

“And God blessed them, and God said unto them…”

(In the above verses I have highlighted the English verbs and the possessive pronoun followed by a singular noun: “his own image” and will highlight them in the Hebrew as well.) 

27 וַיִּבְרָא אֱלֹהִים אֶת־הָאָדָם בְּצַלְמוֹ בְּצֶלֶם אֱלֹהִים בָּרָא אֹתוֹ 

זָכָר וּנְקֵבָה בָּרָא אֹתָם׃

The word בָּרָא is a verb signifying that the action was done by a singular masculine character. The word is used 3 times in verse 27 above. 

28 וַיְבָרֶךְ אֹתָם אֱלֹהִים וַיֹּאמֶר לָהֶם אֱלֹהִים

In verse 28 we see highlighted the verbs “and blessed” וַיְבָרֶךְ (singular masculine), “and said”וַיֹּאמֶר (singular masculine). We see בְּצַלְמוֹ בְּצֶלֶם  (in his own image) also used in masculine singular, even though in verse 26 it uses the plural “our image and likeness.” 

So the entire chapter is consistent in that one person is doing the actual creating, blessing and speaking. Yet verse 26 shows Elohim speaking to someone as if to include them in the creative process. How can this be? 

In my research, I have found answers such as: “He was speaking to the angels.” And yet man kind was not created in the image of the angels, though they do take part in working between Heaven and earth. We see them working with Balaam when he was instructed that he could not speak other than what God put in his mouth. There are many Biblical examples of angel messengers working for mankind. But to say that the angels helped at that moment in the creation of man is denied in the rest of Genesis 1, for God acted alone. 

So who was Elohim speaking to? And one more question that comes from thinking outside the box of right at that time. Could it be that the creation of man was not complete at the time when he was formed of the dust of the ground? Was there something more for which the angels would participate? Or was God speaking to the man he was creating? Now, I know this seems strange. How could a man participate in his own creation?

Could it be that God was referring to the choices Adam and Eve would have to make at a later time? We know that man’s character was not formed until given the choice of which of the two trees he would eat from. Obviously, by eating of the forbidden tree, man was now subject to live with temptation. If he had abstained, he would have not had this nature. So in a way, Adam chose the evil tree and figured the destiny and weaknesses of mankind. I think this is what the verse means. And the angels also have a part to play in our lives even today, though we usually do not sense them. 

Was God speaking to the dust from which He formed the man? Was the image of the ground part of what man was formed? That seems a bit odd, if we think about it, but it makes some sense, and if he created everything else in the creation by speaking, why would he not be able to speak our DNA into the dust that formed us. And asking the dust to cooperate, though that seems a little weird, might just factor in if we think about it. And speaking of dust, we do have an earthly nature so He could have been speaking to the dust as well. So I have given two possibilities, and before you wipe this idea away, give it some thought. Can God animate anything he wants to? Obviously, He did animate the dust, for out of it he created a living soul. Did He need to ask permission for cooperation? 

Just some thoughts to ponder, but you will not find that the name Elohim when used for the Creator is ever accompanied by plural verbs in the entire Tanakh. 

I am happy to read your comments if you want to submit them. Also please like and share, it helps to get the word out!

Ariella Golani