Who is the Elohim in Psalm 82?

Psalm 82 (NIV) reads:

God presides in the great assembly;
he renders judgment among the “gods”:

“How long will you defend the unjust
and show partiality to the wicked?

Defend the weak and the fatherless;
uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.

Rescue the weak and the needy;
deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.
They walk about in darkness;
all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

“I said, ‘You are “gods”;
you are all sons of the Most High.’

But you will die like mere mortals;
you will fall like every other ruler.”

Rise up, O God, judge the earth,
for all the nations are your inheritance.

At first glance, this psalm describes a scene where God, as the supreme authority, judges other “gods” for their failure to execute justice. This depiction raises important questions about monotheism, divine beings, and the worldview of ancient Israel.

The Meaning of “Elohim”

The word “Elohim” is central to the psalm and to the broader biblical tradition. In Hebrew, “Elohim” is a plural form of “El,” the generic word for “god” in Semitic languages. However, in the Hebrew Bible, “Elohim” most often refers to the one God of Israel, even when used with singular verbs and adjectives. Context determines whether it refers to the singular God or to multiple gods, as in this psalm.

In Psalm 82:1, “Elohim” first appears as the subject: “God (Elohim) presides in the great assembly.” Here, “Elohim” is clearly the singular, supreme deity. But in the same verse, it says God passes judgment “among the gods (elohim),” which is a plural use. This dual usage has led to much debate among scholars and translators.

The Divine Council: Ancient Near Eastern Background

To understand Psalm 82, it is important to consider the concept of the “divine council” in the ancient Near East. Many cultures in the region, including the Canaanites, Babylonians, and Ugaritians, envisioned a heavenly assembly of gods presided over by a chief deity. These councils would deliberate, assign duties, and oversee the order of the world.

Israel’s neighbors described their gods as having a king, such as El or Baal, who presided over other divine beings, often called “sons of God.” In the Hebrew Bible, traces of this imagery appear, especially in poetic and wisdom literature. For example, Job 1:6 and 2:1 mention “the sons of God” presenting themselves before Yahweh. Psalm 29 and Psalm 89 also refer to the “heavenly beings” or “divine council.”

Psalm 82 draws directly from this tradition, presenting God (Elohim) as the supreme ruler who judges other elohim.

Who Are the “Gods” in Psalm 82?

The central question is the identity of the “gods” (elohim) being judged. Three main interpretations have been proposed:

1. The “Gods” as Divine Beings

The most straightforward reading is that the “gods” are real spiritual beings—members of a divine council. In this view, God is addressing lesser spiritual entities, sometimes called angels or “sons of the Most High,” who have been given authority over aspects of creation or nations (see Deuteronomy 32:8, ESV). The sin of these beings is their failure to administer justice. God rebukes them and declares they will “die like mere mortals,” emphasizing that their power is limited and subject to divine judgment.

This interpretation aligns with ancient Near Eastern cosmology and the idea that God rules over a court of spiritual beings. It also finds support in other biblical passages that suggest the existence of a heavenly host (e.g., 1 Kings 22:19, Daniel 7:9-10).

2. The “Gods” as Human Judges or Rulers

A second interpretation is that the “gods” are, in fact, human judges or rulers. In several places, the Hebrew Bible uses “elohim” to refer to human authorities acting as God’s representatives in dispensing justice (see Exodus 21:6; 22:8-9). In this reading, Psalm 82 criticizes corrupt leaders who fail to defend the poor and vulnerable. God reminds them of their high calling—“you are ‘gods’; you are all sons of the Most High”—but warns that they will die like any other mortal if they neglect justice.

This interpretation fits the ethical emphasis of the psalm and the prophetic tradition, which repeatedly condemns the injustice of Israel’s leaders. It also explains the psalm’s urgent call for God to judge the earth and restore justice.

3. The “Gods” as Both: A Dual Reading

Some scholars suggest that Psalm 82 intentionally blurs the line between human and divine authority. In the ancient worldview, kings and judges were sometimes seen as semi-divine or as ruling with divine mandate. The psalm could be addressing both earthly and heavenly rulers, emphasizing that all authority is accountable to the ultimate Judge.

Jesus and Psalm 82 in the New Testament

Psalm 82 gains additional significance in Christian theology because Jesus references it in the Gospel of John. In John 10:34-36, Jesus responds to accusations of blasphemy by quoting Psalm 82:6: “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are gods’?” He uses the psalm to argue that if Scripture can call certain human judges “gods,” it is not blasphemous for him, whom the Father sanctified and sent, to claim to be the Son of God.

This New Testament use adds another layer of interpretation. Jesus seems to affirm the use of “gods” for those entrusted with God’s word, but he also distinguishes himself as uniquely set apart by the Father.

The Message of Psalm 82: Justice and Accountability

Regardless of which interpretation one favors, the message of Psalm 82 is clear: those entrusted with authority—spiritual or human—are called to exercise justice, defend the vulnerable, and uphold the moral order. The psalm indicts those who fail in this duty, warning that privilege and power do not place anyone above judgment. Ultimately, the psalmist calls on God to “judge the earth,” asserting that justice belongs to God alone.

This theme resonates throughout the Bible, from the Law and the Prophets to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. God cares deeply for the weak, the fatherless, the poor, and the oppressed. Those who wield authority are accountable to God’s standard of justice.