God refers to Self as a Plurality

In the Book of Genesis, God refers to Self as a Plurality. This is surprising, given the Bible’s focus on the oneness of God. We find this also in The Qur’an.

INTRODUCTION

In the Book of Genesis, God refers to self as a plurality. This is surprising, given the Bible’s focus on the oneness of God.

Why does God refers to self as a plurality? We have four theories:

Theory 1. The Royal We?

God is speaking with the royal we.

This is the use of a plural pronoun by a single person who is a monarch or holds a high office to refer to themselves. It is also referred to as the majestic plural, or the royal plural.

In the Catholic church, popes often refer to themselves with the royal we.

Theory 2. More than One God?

There is more than one God.

However, the rest of the biblical revelation rules this out.

Theory 3. The Angels?

When God says “we,” he is including the angels.

However, this does not at all fit Genesis 1:26, as the angels are created beings.

Reason 4. The Trinity?

Christians strongly believe God is One.

And yet Christians also strongly believe God is a community of three Persons, which Christians call the Trinity:

God the Father
God the Son, also called Jesus Christ
God the Holy Spirit

BIBLE VERSES

Genesis 1:26. God said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Genesis 3:22. The LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand, and also take of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever—

Genesis 11:7. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other. (NIV translation)

VERSES IN THE QUR’AN

In our study of the Qur’an, we were very surprised to find God referring to Self as a Plurality:

Qur’an 2:34. And We said to the angels: “Yield to Adam,” so they yielded except for Satan, he refused and became arrogant, and became of the rejecters.

Qur’an 2:36. So, the devil caused them to slip from it, and he brought them out from what they were in, and We said: “Descend; for you are enemies to one another; and on the earth you will have residence and provisions until the appointed time.”

Qur’an 2:38. We said: “Descend from it all of you, so when the guidance comes from Me, then whoever follows My guidance, they will have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.”

Qur’an 2:39. And those who disbelieve and deny Our revelations, they are the dwellers of Hell, in it they will abide.

Qur’an 2:49. And We saved you from the people of Pharaoh, they were afflicting you with the worst punishment; they used to slaughter your sons, and rape your women. In that was a great test from your Lord.

Qur’an 2:50. And We parted the sea for you, thus We saved you and drowned the people of Pharaoh while you were watching.

Qur’an 2:51. And We appointed a meeting time for Moses of forty nights, but then you took the calf after him while you were wicked.

Qur’an 2:52. Then We pardoned you after that, perhaps you would be thankful.

Qur’an 2:53. And We gave Moses the Book and the Criterion, perhaps you would be guided.

Qur’an 2:56. Then We revived you after your death that you may be thankful.

Qur’an 2:57. And We shaded you with clouds, and sent down to you manna and quails: “Eat from the goodness of the provisions We have provided you.” They did not wrong Us, but it was their souls that they wronged.

Qur’an 2:58. And We said: “Enter this town, and eat from it as you wish bountifully. And enter the passageway by crouching, and say: “Our load is removed,” so that your wrongdoings will be forgiven, and We will increase for the good doers.”

Qur’an 2:59. But the wicked altered what was said to them to a different saying, thus We sent down upon the wicked an affliction from the heavens for what wickedness they were in.

Qur’an 2:60. And Moses was seeking water for his people, so We said: “Strike the rock with your staff.” Thus twelve springs exploded out of it; each people then knew from where to drink. “Eat and drink from the provisions of God, and do not roam the earth as corrupters.”