WORD STUDY – MIGHTY ONES Beni ‘elim
Psalms 29:1: “Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.”
Who are these mighty ones who are to give strength to the Lord? There is much debate and some modern translations like the NIV will just paraphrase (give their opinion) and say they are heavenly beings, others say they are men of rank or warriors. Maybe, but I say it is all that and more. Mighty ones in Hebrew is beni ‘elim. “Elim is from the root word elah which is the word for God, gods, mighty warriors, might men, heroes, angels, heavenly beings and anyone who shows any strength or power. The word beni means sons, but that does not have to mean the child of a parent. There are few adjectives in Hebrew and beni is really a word expressing in it’s Semitic root a relationship from which one draws power, life, strength, etc. Thus these mighty ones could be followers of God who receive their strength from God. Strength is the word ‘oz which could mean physical strength, mental strength, emotional strength or anything that gives you the endurance and power to accomplish a task.
Giving God strength is a Hebraic idiom for using the strength God gives you to accomplish a task and mission and once we accomplish that task we are to give Him all the glory.
AMEN, you have been a help me as well , helped me to further search the Aramaic new testament thereby doing away with the traditions thanks 1st to our God & savior and to u Chaim
Hey Mr. M.,
Just wanted to thank you for the spiritual strength you have given me throughout the years from these devotionals. Being raised a Catholic, I am all too familiar with the “God of Wrath” and even today, got an email from my sister telling me the “the earth is crying out and God is pouring out His wrath for all the sin in the world” – these are the things she tells her grandkids. All the poison we grew up with. I am ever so grateful for your translation of the Bible from the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. You have allowed me to see the Bible as the living Word of God, and that God is Love. I cannot thank you enough. I just wish I could get my family to read your blog. I have given them your books, but, you can lead a horse to water…… Your usual word study is so short now. I hope you are well. I so enjoyed reading about how God talks to you and your experiences driving the disability van. I have tried to incorporate your translations when speaking to the women at our local homeless shelter. This world is really weird. So many people don’t even believe in God, let alone Jesus. Members of my own family. It breaks my heart. Don’t ever feel that what you do is not helping. You don’t need to hear it. Believe me, it is monumental the change it has brought to many who don’t bother to tell you. You are a huge blessing in my life and I’m sure in many others. Take heart, and do what you tell others: Trust God. This world is so not where I want to be. This is not our home. But, while we’re here, I hope I can do a fraction of the good you have done. God Bless!