What is an אל? A philosophical analysis of the concept of generic Godhood in the Hebrew Bible
Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: In the Hebrew Bible words like אלחיםאל and אלוה are often encountered in the generic sense as a classification of the type of entity יהוה and other related beings were assumed to be. But what, according to the Hebrew Bible, was meant by calling something an אל ? Is it possible to define the phenomenon of generic אל - hood? What were assumed to be necessary and / or sufficient conditions for being classified as a member of the אלהים ? What criteria were used to determine whether an entity should be called an אל or not? In this paper the author provides an introduction to the concept of generic אל - hood in the Hebrew Bible with reference to perplexing questions involved in its understanding, related research and the gaps therein and the need for philosophical (conceptual) analysis in future inquiries.
Source: Old Testament Essays
Author: Jaco Gericke
Institution: North-West University
Language: English
Subfield: Religious studies
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $271
OpenAlex ID: W1591990793