Psalm 8/Notes/Lexical.V. 6.378483

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  • The meaning of the word אֱלֹהִים ("God," "angels," or heavenly being?) is a top exegetical issue, discussed in detail The meaning of אלהים in Psalm 8:6 here and in our issues video exegetical issues video. In short, while many translations interpret אֱלֹהִים as a third person reference to "God"/"YHWH",[1] this interpretation is unlikely because YHWH is the second person subject of the verb. "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."[2] Instead, אֱלֹהִים in Ps 8:6 is probably a "generic term for a supernatural being."[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."[4]
  • The wearing of a crown symbolizes the right to rule (cf. 2 Kgs 11:12; cf. 2 Sam 12:26-31). "In the psalms, as in the Egyptian pictures, the king is crowned directly by God (Pss 21:3b; 132:18; cf. also 89:39). The crown signifies the manifestation and completion of the king's election (cf. Pss 5:12; 8:5; 103:4)."[5]
  • Honor here refers to the "high position" which YHWH has granted humans and includes the "respect or reverence" given to those in such a position.[6]
  1. ↑ E.g., Aquila, Symmachus, Theodotion, Jerome; RSV, ASV, CSB, NASB, NLT, NVI, DELUT, SCH51, EÜ, LS1910, HΡΠ.
  2. ↑ Waltke 2010; cf. Kraus 1988, 183; Eaton 2003, 81; Gentry Kingdom Through Covenant, 2012, 196.
  3. ↑ SDBH. Cf. LXX, Peshitta, Jerome, Targum, along with a number of modern translations. The LXX translation "angels" "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'" (Waltke 2010, 268).
  4. ↑ BDB.
  5. ↑ Keel 1997, 259.
  6. ↑ Cf. NIDOTTE.