If the second elohim (אֱלהִים) of Psalm 82:1 refers to humans, then what happens when we substitute "humans" as a translation in other verses where elohim (or elim, the other plural for "gods") occurs in the plural?
Psalm 8:4-5
What is man, that you (GOD) art mindful of him? and the son of man, that you visit him? 5 For you (GOD) have made him (humanity) a little lower than the elohim (אֱלהִים or godlike ones) and have crowned him with glory and honor.
God made humanity a little lower than humans (godlike ones???)? Huh???
Psalm 86:8
Among the elohim (אֱלהִים) [there is] none like unto you, O Lord; neither [are there any works] like unto thy works.
Among humans (אֱלהִים) there is none like Yahweh, the Lord????
Exodus 15:11
Who [is] like unto you, O Lord, among the elim / gods (אֵלִם֙)? who [is] like you, glorious in holiness, fearful [in] praises, doing wonders?
Can you see Moses crying out and saying this after crossing the Red Sea? That Yahweh is greater than other men? The whole point is that Yahweh had defeated the gods of Egypt and was incomparable.
Psalm 89:6 (it's verse 7 in Hebrew)
For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord? [who] among the sons of the elim / gods (אֵלִם֙) can be likened to the Lord? 7 God is greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones and to be revered by all [them that are] around him.
*Yahweh cannot be compared to the humans (elim) in heaven? He's superior to humans in heaven?
No kidding.
TeeM states (see link above)
"Context rules.
The fox ran fast, the rabbit was held fast, thus ending the fast of the fox.
If you chose only one definition of the word 'fast' then this sentence doesn't make sense.
In this one sentence fast has three different definitions.
1st to move quickly
2nd to be unable to move (the direct opposite of definition 1)
3. to go without eating.
Your premise that elohim can have only mean one thing is to deny the many definitions of elohim.
H430 אלהים 'ĕlôhı̂ym
BDB Definition:
1) (plural)
1a) rulers, judges 1b) divine ones 1c) angels 1d) gods
2) (plural intensive - singular meaning)
2a) god, goddess 2b) godlike one 2c) works or special possessions of God 2d) the (true) God 2e) God
The role of a translator is to choose which definition of a word best fits the context.
The role of a reader is to choose the best definition of the word he is reading.
Is the fox moving quickly, not moving at all or is not eating?
Is the rabbit moving quickly, not moving at all or is not eating?
again Is the fox moving quickly, not moving at all or is not eating?
The context denotes which definition is correct.
Picking and choosing scriptures only shows how desperate you are in defending your interpretation of Ps 82
Ignoring context of the scriptures you have chosen only shows how desperate you are in defending your interpretation of Ps 82.
Please pray to Jehovah the only true God, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for wisdom and understanding of him. (Eph 1:3, 17)
Jesus at John 10:30-36 helps us to understand Ps 82, when he called the scribes and pharisees 'gods' since they were 'judges and rulers' of the nation of Israel.
edit:
Sorry you are misreading the foot note.
Cross references are for 'parallel thoughts' biographical information; geographical information; citations; direct quotes; etc.
Ps 2:10 has a parallel thought, and is not necessarily the same application.
The parallel thought is judges both non Jewish and Jewish, must judge in fairness and with Jehovah's justice in view.
(Psalm 82:2) ““How long will you continue to judge with injustice And show partiality to the wicked?
(Psalm 82:6) ““I have said, ‘You are gods, All of you are sons of the Most High.”
(Psalm 2:10, 11) “So now, you kings, show insight; Accept correction, you judges of the earth. 11 Serve Jehovah with fear, And rejoice with trembling.”
82:2 and 2:10 are similar thoughts in judging.
Where do you get the idea that the Jewish judges are over 'all the nations?
82:8 says: only Jehovah is the judge of all the nations
Thus he is the Judge of not just the nation of Israel, but he will judge of all the kings and judges of all the nations.
The psalmist is asking Jehovah to judge the entire earth in righteousness.
And eventually all human judges will be striped of their godlike authority, as judges they can determine if a person can live or die.
Again, these verses do not mean what you want them to mean. No matter how you twist and turn these verses, Jehovah calls human judges and kings, elohim or 'gods' or godlike. "
MY ANSWER TO HIM/HER:
Psalm 82 discusses elohim being stripped of their authority of the NATIONS. Where in the Hebrew bible are the judges of Israel in charge of the NATIONS? Read Psalm 2:10-11 read your Watchtower Library. JUDGES OF THE EARTH!!!
“Where do you get the idea that the Jewish judges are over 'all the nations?”
YOU and your JW peoples are stating this misinterpretation. See Deut. 1:17
Judges of Israel are rendering decisions for the nation of Israel— not the nations of the world as is the case in Psalm 82 and Deuteronomy 32. They REPRESENT Jehovah, they were NEVER called elohim.
