WHAT IS A GOD?
Before we can settle the question of who Jesus (Yahshua) was, and if Jesus was a god, we must first
define some terms. Without defining terms we can’t be sure that we’re asking the right questions.
The first term we must first define is the word "God." Most familiar with the etymology of this would
agree that the word “god” has been adapted into the English language from Anglo-Saxon origin. The old
Saxon word gudh, godh, or gud; the German got, or gott; or the Gothic word guth, all have the same
meaning as “good” and are written exactly alike in Anglo-Saxon. For this reason, it has been inferred that
“god” was named from His “goodness.” In a later usage, the word “god” has become associated with
"that which is invoked"’ or "anyone or anything that is worshipped." (“Invoked” means "to be called
upon, or praised.")
In modern English usage the word "god, or God" has become used to apply to Israel’s Almighty
Sovereign Creator Power Life-Force essence, whose true name is YHWH (Yahweh). By association, the
word “god” has now also become used as a word to fit any of the gods of other nations. In fact, it can now
be used for anything, or any person, thing or entity that’s called upon, prayed to, or worshipped.
In I Corinthians 8:5, we read, "there are many gods and many lords." The Greek word for "god" is
"theos." "Theos" means a deity: or a lord, anything or anyone that’s esteemed and held above the people.
Different cultures and different people have different deities that they call upon and worship. "Theos" is
always rendered "God" in English. It’s used in the New Testament for any and all gods. When you read
the word "theos" in the Greek New Testament, you should remember that the word comes from a
language that was based on the pagan usage as well as Christian use. It can refer to a pagan god, or it can
refer to Yahweh – depending upon the context.
In English, the word "god" is equally broad in scope to the Greek "theos." Therefore, it worked well as an
English translation for the Greek "theos." The words were applied the same in both cultures. Both cultures
had various, multiple gods. The old Saxon gods, Thor and Odin, are examples of how it was applied by
many European English ancestors.
The Old Testament Hebrew word for "god" is "Alueim." Again, the English word "god" is an adequate
translation if one understands its historical meaning. "Alueim" means “mighty ones, or powers” in
Hebrew. It can be singular or plural. "Alueim" is used in the Old Testament to refer to the Almighty, as
well as to other gods. In other words, the Creator is called an "Alueim" (Mighty One) as well as His
messengers (the angels), and so are heathen gods such as Baal, Chemosh, Dagon and other idols. And
what’s even more surprising is that the Hebrew word "Alueim" is also commonly used for judges and
kings, as in Psalms 82:
GOD (Alueim) standeth in the congregation of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods (Alueim).
This body of "gods" refers to the judges in Israel. Some Bibles indicate this in their marginal references.
Yahweh however judges the judges (the Alueim).
How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah. Defend the poor and
fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of
the wicked (unjust judges; flesh-and-blood men). They know not, neither will they understand; they walk
on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course. I have said, Ye are gods (Alueim); and
all of you are children of the most High.