Numerous examples of prophetic usage originate from meaning within the Psalms, as illustrated in the reading this week. There are numerous connections from the Psalms to the prophets and the gospel writers. An example comes to mind concerning Psalm 22.
As Psalm 22 is widely known as a messianic, and it is prophetically echoed in the life of Christ and what He accomplished, as made evident by the Apostle Matthew (Matt 27:32-55). The psalm wasn’t originally about the crucifixion of Jesus, but it certainly carried prophetic weight and meaning at the time of the crucifixion (i.e., the already but not yet principle of prophecy). Specifically, Psalm 22 projects forward a later reference to the prophet Amos concerning the “cows of Bashan” or bovines of Bashan (Amos 4:1-2). Psalm 22:12-13 reads as follows:
12Many bulls encompass me; strong bulls of Bashan surround me; 13they open wide their mouths at me, like a ravening and roaring lion.
The prophetic implication from Amos 4:1-2 is compared as follows:
1“Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who say to your husbands, ‘Bring, that we may drink!’ 2The Lord God has sworn by his holiness that, behold, the days are coming upon you, when they shall take you away with hooks, even the last of you with fishhooks.
The prophet Amos much later than the time of David (author of Ps 22) is a reference back to the bulls of Bashan from the mountains of Samaria. That is, by implication, the “cows of Bashan” are of the mountains of Samaria (cultic area of Caesarea-Philippi, Mt Hermon, region of Dan) who were temple priestesses who served “the gods” as deities in the form of idols or golden calves. The “gods” reference, who oppressed the poor and needy (Ps 82:4), is likely a source that informed the prophet Amos concerning judgment to befall Israel because of their worship of demonic entities (Deut 32:1). The prophet Amos recognized the association between the territory of Bashan and demonic activity related to idolatry.
Fast forward to the first century and second temple period, as Jesus was surrounded by the “Bulls of Bashan,” Matthew knew of what David wrote of the demonic entities who were many that surrounded Him. They opened wide their anthropomorphic mouths at Him during His execution (Ps 22:13). The bulls of Bashan intertextually connect back to both Amos and the messianic psalm with integrated meaning around the cultural and historical evil present in Northern Israel. In my view, this was the reason Christ’s transfiguration with prophets Moses and Elijah took place on Mt Hermon to reclaim humanity and bring the Kingdom of God to Earth right before His crucifixion in Jerusalem. Mt Hermon is in Bashan, and Jesus knew who the bulls of Bashan were. He knew of Israel’s history of demon worship.
The death of Jesus on the cross is of further meaning from Psalm and Amos as it is written concerning the work He accomplished to overcome sin and death. The spiritual entities present at the time of His crucifixion were prophesied in the text of Psalm 22 and in plain sight for the connections made with sufficient research. Further in the reading of Psalm 22, and from materials the psalmists and prophets read, the inference is that the bulls of Bashan were the sons of God referenced in Ps 82:1. The text insinuates that connections are carefully made between the psalms and prophets. However, it takes more than just passive reading to originate those connections. – Further reading into Psalm 22, who were the dogs referenced in Ps 22:16? Who were the Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus? Gentiles. Gentiles in Jewish culture are referred to as “dogs.” The personified connections made throughout the psalm for prophetic inference toward later use permit the reader to make connections not otherwise apparent.
These are the type of connections made throughout the psalms and the prophets. This time, about elohim as disembodied dead, spiritual powers (Eph 6:12), and the sons of God, or watchers/angels that the prophet Daniel wrote about (Dan 4:13-17). Further substantive meaning concerning the Son of Man (Daniel’s cloud rider), divine transgressions, and so forth at length is steeped in material that the poets and prophets were certainly aware of.
Today I completed this book word-for-word, all 387-pages. It took a few months to get through it as I’m normally reading several books at a time due to coursework, but I read through it carefully and some chapters more than once. Every once in a while, a book comes along that completely calls into question your perspective on the way things are. Or about facts concerning what happened in a historical sense. Some books further deepen your theological understanding of Scripture and the meaning of essential principles among modern writers and our forebears in antiquity.
That is not this book.
This book entirely upends a reader’s biblical worldview. It is not only in terms of the text and its historical, theological, or cultural meaning but also in terms of the underlying spiritual reality and the way things are. It concerns why the world is the way it is, how the human condition came to be, what was done about it, and what follows. This book doesn’t merely align or crowbar your thinking in a certain way. The book simultaneously exposes sunlight to your way of thinking and then drives a wooden stake into your mind to get your attention. It raises awareness concerning present spiritual realities to alert you about what shapes the physical existence we live out.
The book goes quite far to reveal spiritual entities that exist in a realm of existence unlike our own, but in many ways that overlap with our plane of reality. There are angels, seraphim, cherubim, demons, disembodied dead, and elohim, with distinctions identified within Scripture to highlight their place, purpose, and function in numerous ways that get our attention. Their metaphysical properties extend beyond our notions of space and time to surface an awareness within us that we are not alone. You are watched, guided, directed, and influenced unawares as part of society within a tide of human inevitability either for good or evil. You have a say; you have decisions of consequence, and your eternal outcome concerning God’s plan of salvation or demise is certain.
The book is divided into eight sections. Each section successively builds upon the prior terms and rationale set with appropriate hermeneutical principles with significant ancient literary research that spans all chapters. Dr. Heiser rigorously applies intertextuality principles in the use of Scripture to demonstrate the biblical authors’ intended meaning. Moreover, the theological meaning stitched together reveals deeper truths that span across the canon over time as intended and inspired in its Authorship.
The sections of the book are titled:
First Things
The Households of God
Divine Transgressions
Yahweh and His Portion
Conquest and Failure
Thus Says the Lord
The Kingdom Already
The Kingdom Not Yet
These areas of the book’s organization are a very high-level view of its content. Somewhat a play on words to evoke a reader’s imagination about how the subject matter brings out the biblical text’s meaning. The pseudepigrapha and other intertestamental writings are referenced to bring into perspective first-century biblical writers’ views. Largely about familiar Old Testament and Judaic beliefs about the spiritual realm.
The territory this book covers is significant in terms of its substance concerning the work of Christ and what He recognized about spiritual realities that were in effect throughout humanity. From His arrival to His death and resurrection, the presence of dark spiritual beings was within the world He occupied and traveled. Within the New Testament, we read about numerous encounters where Jesus reveals supernatural activity by what He does. Within the Old Testament, we read prophecies foretold and fulfilled both across the entire canon. How they were fulfilled deeply involves spiritual entities that call attention to how events and circumstances are orchestrated for intended outcomes less evident to casual observers of history or people in their daily lives.
The book continuously refers to people, places, and things that concern the Lord’s order within physical and spiritual Creation. Overall, there is a critical literary analysis of the sacred texts to demonstrate an ancient and modern worldview that involves a divine council before the Most-High to fulfill and achieve his purposes. Christ, the incarnate and embodiment of God, is thoroughly immersed and situated in this reality, both seen and unseen. To bring awareness further that the heavenly realm exists and applies continuous pressure to physical realities within the Universe. Namely, all elements of the Earth and its occupants.
The book covers events of the Edenic garden, the great flood, the Nephilim, the Rephaim, and their background, the dispersal of peoples at Babel, numerous messianic references in the Psalms, the prophetic references to the watchers and enormous spiritual forces, the redemptive work of Christ as a spiritual conquest, the revelation of Jesus’s divine identity, humanity’s spiritual nature, and destiny, and some eschatological discussion.
The book is well-known and now read by many. Dr. Heiser has substantial support for the content of this book. He has written others such as Reversing Hermon, Angels, Demons, and others, all surrounding his work as an academic scholar in the field of biblical studies. For more information about Spiritual beings, the BibleProject people have put together a playlist of videos that cover a few topics to a limited extent. It is just a taste of what this book The Unseen Realm covers. Playlist: Spiritual Beings.
The Lord (YHWH) is the name of elō·hîm (God). Elohim is plural for God; namely the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. YHWH is a Him who is three that bears one name elō·hîm among many others. So it appears from personal study, but there are other perspectives also.
Thomas, R. L. (1998). New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : updated edition. Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc.
LORD: 3068. יהוה YHWH (i.e. יְהוָֹה Yehovah or יַהְוֶה Yahweh) (217d); from 1933b; the proper name of the God of Israel:—GOD(314), LORD(6399), LORDS(111).
Thomas, R. L. (1998). New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : updated edition. Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc.
(1) Proper names: El, Yahweh, Adonai, Theos, Kurios (God). (2) Personal names: Father, Abba, Son, Jesus, Holy Spirit. (3) Titles: Creator, Messiah/Christ, Paraclete/Comforter. (4) Essential names: Light, Love, Spirit. (5) Descriptive names: Rock, Ba’al, Master, Rabboni, Shepherd. (6) Attributes: names of virtues or characteristics of the triune God-head.
Van Groningen, G. (1988). God, Names Of. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, p. 881). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
El in the OT is used particularly in the earlier books, where it describes God’s exercising dynamic power as distinguished from authority. El speaks of God as the great doer and producer. He is the One who exercises such power that whatever is made, done, kept, or destroyed is his doing (cf. Ex 15). El is also used to express the idea that God is not to be identified as part of creation but as the One who is above, behind, and beyond creation (Ps 19:1). In relation to man, the crown of creation, God as El is totally other (Ez 28:2; Hos 11:9).
Elohim is also commonly used as the name of God, occurring over 2500 times in the OT. There are differences of opinion concerning the exact origin and meaning of this plural name. Some have suggested that Elohim is the plural form of El, but it seems more likely that it is a plural of Eloah, which appears in the poetical writings. Some critical writers have suggested that this plural form is borrowed from pagan polytheistic sources; but no such plural form is found among pagans as the name of a deity. Others have suggested that the plural form is used to indicate the triune nature of God, and support for this has been seen in the use of a singular verb with this plural noun. The biblical doctrine of the Trinity, as it is developed throughout the Scriptures, does not appear to be based on the use of this plural form of God’s name, even though the two positions are not contradictory.
The plural form, Elohim, is best understood as expressing intensity. God makes himself known by this name as the Lord of intense and extensive glory and richness as he exercises his preeminence and power in the created cosmos. Hence, when the Scripture speaks of creation, it states, “In the beginning Elohim created the heavens and the earth” (Gn 1:1). This name is repeated 35 times in Genesis 1 and 2 in connection with God’s power revealed in creation. In the Book of Deuteronomy the name Elohim is used repeatedly to stress the majestic power of God which was shown in Israel’s release from bondage in Egypt, her preservation in the wilderness, and her preparation for entrance into the Promised Land. In this context, God (Elohim) is also recognized as the lawgiver who will powerfully execute judgment on covenant-breakers. The psalmists also used this name repeatedly as they acknowledged and praised God the majestic ruler who had demonstrated his omnipotence in many dimensions of life (see Ps 68, in which Elohim appears 26 times.)
Evangelical scholars such as A. Juke and G. Campbell Morgan have interpreted Elohim as an expression of God’s covenant relationship with his people. They point to the use of Elohim when God spoke to Abraham and said he would be Elohim to the patriarch and his seed, that is, God would be in a covenant relationship to them (Gn 17:1–8). Included in this relationship is the idea that God is ever ready to use his power on behalf of those who are in covenant with him. Thus Elohim also expresses the concept of God’s faithfulness in regard to the covenant and the promises and blessings involved in it.
Van Groningen, G. (1988). God, Names Of. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, pp. 881–882). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House..
Yahweh (Joseph). Yahweh is a distinctly proper name of God. It is never used to refer to any pagan gods; neither is it used in regard to men. It appears 6823 times in the OT, occurring first in Genesis 2:4, where it is joined with Elohim. Yahweh is used 164 times in Genesis, and it appears 1800 times in Exodus through Joshua. It never appears in a declined form in the Hebrew language, and it never occurs in the plural form or with suffixes. It is abbreviated as Yah and Yahu (cf. Ex 15:2; Ps 68:4; Is 12:2, etc.).
The exact meaning of the name “Yahweh” is difficult to determine. Some have sought the root in the verb hayah (“to be”) or in an ancient form of that same verb hawah. There is no agreement as to whether or not the qal or hiphil form of the verb should be considered as the root. Those who opt for the hiphil form read Yahweh to mean, “cause to be”; thus Exodus 3:14 would read, “I will cause to be what has come to be.” Others look to the qal form and then translate the name as “I Am” or “I Shall Be.” Still others are inclined to disassociate the name from the verb hayah and regard it as an original and independent term, expressing the uniqueness of Israel’s gracious God.
Translators of the OT have not agreed upon the correct translation of the name “Yahweh.” Since it is translated into the Greek as kurios, which means “Lord,” many have rendered Yahweh as “Lord.” But “Adonai,” which is best rendered “Lord,” appears with Yahweh in various instances. The KJV, for example, translates “Yahweh” as “God,” and “Adonai” as “Lord.” Many modern translators have chosen to use Yahweh. The name “Jehovah,” as used in the ARV (1901) is judged unacceptable. This name arose due to the Jewish practice of not pronouncing Yahweh because of Leviticus 24:16, “He that names the name of Yahweh shall surely be put to death.” This warning against a vain or blasphemous use of the name was taken in an absolute sense, especially after Israel’s deportation (cf. Am 6:10). Hence, when reading the OT the Jews substituted either Elohim or Adonai for Yahweh. From this, the practice of adding the vowels of Adonai to YHWH (JeHoWaH) became established.
An interesting question is whether Yahweh was used initially in a specifically geographical area. Some scholars have concluded that Moses first learned of the god called Yahweh while in the desert of Midian. Later it became the name used of the god worshiped in southern Canaan, that is, the area of Judah and Simeon. These scholars posit that Elohim was the name used in northern Canaan. They also suggest that each area developed its own religious traditions and wrote its “records of religious beliefs,” each employing the divine name in use in its respective area. Later, when the nation of Israel was united, the two documents were joined, and the names “Yahweh” and “Elohim” were both used to refer to their common god. This view of the origin and use of the names of God finds no basis in the text of the OT. Both names are used in unique combinations and are also shown to have been known and used long before the time of the exodus. Abraham, for example, spoke of lifting his hand to Yahweh, El Elyon (Gn 14:19–22), and Abraham and Isaac built altars to Yahweh and called on his name (13:4; 26:25).
The interpretation of Exodus 6:2, 3 has caused much debate. “And God said to Moses, ‘I am Yahweh; I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as El Shaddai, but by my name Yahweh I did not make myself known to them.’ ” This passage has been understood to mean that the name Yahweh was not known or used prior to the time of Moses. But that is not what the passage states; rather it speaks of the patriarchs not knowing God as Yahweh. They knew him as El Shaddai in actual revelatory historical deeds. They had not come to know God according to his unique character, that is, as Yahweh. In other words, God had always been Yahweh; he is saying to Moses that the descendants of the patriarchs would come to know the full rich meaning of the name by the way God dealt with them.
This name “Yahweh” reveals God’s nature in the highest and fullest sense possible. It includes, or presupposes, the meaning of the other names. Yahweh particularly stresses the absolute faithfulness of God. God had promised the patriarchs that he would be their God, that he would be with them, would deliver and bless them, keep them, and give them a land as a place of service and inheritance. Moses is told by God that Israel is about to behold and experience the unchangeableness of God as he steadfastly and wondrously remembers his word and executes it to the fullest degree. God would prove to be a faithful, redeeming, upholding, restoring God. In working out this redemption, God would demonstrate that he is all that his name implies: merciful, gracious, patient, full of loving-kindness, truthful, faithful, forgiving, just, and righteous (Ex 34:5, 6). Truly, Jacob had received an insight into the meaning of the name when he exclaimed, “I wait for thy salvation, O Yahweh” (Gn 49:18).
Yahweh, then, is the name par excellence of Israel’s God. As Yahweh, he is a faithful covenant God who, having given his Word of love and life, keeps that Word by bestowing love and life abundantly on his own.
In view of the richness of the name Yahweh, it can be understood why there were stringent rules regarding its proper use (Lv 24:11, 16). It also explains why thankful, rejoicing, worshiping Israelites used the abbreviated form of Yahweh in song when they sang Hallelujah: “Praise Yah” (Pss 104:35; 106:1; 149:1; 150:1).
Yahweh is used in a number of phrases which are considered names of or ascriptions of God. The most common of these compound names is Yahweh Sabaoth (“hosts”). The word “hosts” is used very frequently in the Pentateuch to refer to the armies of Israel (cf. e.g., Nm 10:14–28). This is because the word is derived from the verb saba which means “to wage” war. It also means “to serve” in some contexts; for example, Numbers 8:24 clearly has reference to the service performed in the tabernacle. The noun sabaoth first occurs in Genesis 2:1, where it refers to the many components of the earth and heaven. Some would limit the reference in these contexts to the stars. Still others would suggest that the sabaoth refers to the angels, appealing to Psalm 33:6 for confirmation.
The compound name, Yahweh Sabaoth first appears in 1 Samuel 1:3. In view of the frequent use of sabaoth in 1 and 2 Samuel to refer to armies (1 Sm 12:9; 14:50; 17:55; 2 Sm 2:8; 8:16; 10:16, etc.), it is thought that the compound name refers to Yahweh as the God of armies, that is, God has his armies to serve him. These are considered to be armies of angels who are ministering servants to God. It has been correctly pointed out that the compound name, Yahweh Sabaoth, is used most frequently by the prophets (Jeremiah 88 times, Zechariah 55 times, Malachi 25 times, Haggai 14 times) at times when God’s people had either suffered defeat at the hands of enemy armies or were threatened by defeat. So the compound name was used to remind them that their covenant God had great hosts to fight and work for him on behalf of his people. Thus, though Israel’s armies failed, their covenant God was sufficient for every possible circumstance. And it was to this Yahweh Sabaoth that Israel’s commanders were to give allegiance (Jos 5:14, 15), and in whose name Israel was blessed (2 Sm 6:18).
Van Groningen, G. (1988). God, Names Of. In Baker encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 1, pp. 883–884). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
