Psalm 8:5 Angels

[MountainChristian]

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

Why did they translate 'elohiym angels and not God?

[Invicta]

Don't know.

[DaveW]

The word is not used exclusively for God, so the allowance is there.

The subject is the work that God has done, so it seems reasonable to see the reference as a subsidiary meaning rather than the primary.

[Covenanter]

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour.

Why did they translate 'elohiym angels and not God?

​This may help  

It is angels in Heb. 2:7  Gk ἀγγέλους is used when Psalm 8 is quoted in the NT &  in the LXX ἀγγέλους is used for Elohiym. 

The translators were presumably guided by Hebrews. 

[Alan]

Man: is lower than the angles in power, postition, strength, creation, accountability and knowledge.

Threrefore, the translators were entirely correct to have elohiym translated at angels, and not God. 

[MountainChristian]

Another example

1Sa 28:13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ('elohiym) ascending out of the earth.

Why on earth did they use the word "gods" instead of Angels? Also what must it have been like translating when one word can mean God or angel?

[Rebecca]

Why on earth did they use the word "gods" instead of Angels? 

​Because it was still accurate. The witch saw more than just angels, she saw men as well, Samuel being one, and he was not an angel. The word can also be translated as 'rulers or judges'. 

Also what must it have been like translating when one word can mean God or angel?

 Many words are exchangeable, and ​context matters. I'm sure the Bible translators took great care when more than one word could fit the verse they were working on.

[DaveW]

Ok, this one is a bit easier in fact - who is it that is speaking?

A woman with a familiar spirit - not a follower of God but a sorceress - no problem with her referring to angels as (small g) gods, for that is the world's terminology.

Yes it would have been a difficult job, that is why the Lord prepared men with such skills for the task, and moved the heart of the king to appoint the method to these men of great skill.

[Genevanpreacher]

​This may help  

It is angels in Heb. 2:7  Gk ἀγγέλους is used when Psalm 8 is quoted in the NT &  in the LXX ἀγγέλους is used for Elohiym. 

The translators were presumably guided by Hebrews. 

In my 1560 it uses 'God' and not angels in Psalm 8 with angels in Hebrews 2. Did it cross anyone's mind that since angels are  'lower' than God that it really doesn't matter, they both meant the same thing? If you could see my text it would be very noticeable to you what it meant in comparison between Psalm 8 and Hebrews 2. Psalms has 'lower than God' and Hebrews has 'inferior to Angels' - kinda equal to God is the 'biggest' thing here and angels are next, but man is just a tad bit inferior to the angels who are 'lower' also than God, with man also in this order 'lower' than both.

Edited May 15, 2015 by Genevanpreacher

[Standing Firm In Christ]

אֱלֹהִים

Transliteration: 'elohiym 

Pronunciation: el·ō·hēm' 

Part of Speech: masculine noun

Root Word (Etymology): plural of H433

Outline of Biblical Usage:

1. (plural)

   1. rulers, judges

   2. divine ones

   3. angels

   4. gods

2. (plural intensive - singular meaning)

   1. god, goddess

   2. godlike one

   3. works or special possessions of God

   4. the (true) God

   5. God

KJV Translation Count:

2,606 Total

God 2346, god 244, judge 5, GOD 1, goddess 2, great 2, mighty 2, angels 1, exceeding 1, God-ward + 04136 1, godly 1

[19DuggarFan]

This may help  

It is angels in Heb. 2:7  Gk ἀγγέλους is used when Psalm 8 is quoted in the NT &  in the LXX ἀγγέλους is used for Elohiym. 

The translators were presumably guided by Hebrews. 

Don't forget we see a couple verses later the writer of Hebrews saying of our Savior God the following:  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that He by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  Hebrews 2:9  IMO this really give the believer a great answer to a Jehovah Witness of why Jesus called the Father greater than Himself in John 14:28.  For because of His love for us all, the Word became flesh, John 1:1-18 thus He who was rich became poor (II Corinthians 8:9) that we who trust Him are made rich as we become heirs of God, Galatians 4:4-7.  Praise God I have been born again or if you prefer adopted into the Family of God, because of my Precious Savior Jesus Christ.