Divine Plurals/2

Divine Plurals

Exegetical Approaches

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Partnership with Others

The plural form is used because Hashem either consulted, or actively acted with others.  The commentators disagree regarding the identity of Hashem's partner:

Angels

Sources:Bereshit Rabbah8:8About Bereshit Rabbah, Targum Pseudo-JonathanBereshit 1:26About Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, RashiBereshit 1:26Bereshit 3:22Bereshit 11:7About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, RashbamBereshit 1:26About R. Shemuel b. Meir, Ibn EzraBereshit 1:26Bereshit 3:22Bereshit 11:7About R. Avraham ibn Ezra, RadakBereshit 1:26Bereshit 3:22Bereshit 11:7About R. David Kimchi, Abarbanel #2, SefornoBereshit 1:26About R. Ovadyah Seforno

Utilized the Elements

R. Yosef KimchiBereshit 1:26About R. Yosef Kimchi, RambanBereshit 1:26About R. Moshe b. Nachman, Abarbanel #1, Maasei Hashem,

Honorific Plural

As is the way of kings and other honored people, Hashem sometimes speaks of himself using the "royal we".

Sources:R. Saadia GaonHaEmunot VeHaDeot 2:6About R. Saadia Gaon, Lekach TovBereshit 1:26Bereshit 11:7About R. Toviah b. Eliezer, Ibn Kaspi, R. S"R HirschBereshit 1:26Bereshit 3:22About R. Samson Raphael Hirsch

Way of the Text

The use of a plural verb form for a singular noun is normal Biblical usage.

Sources:R"Y Bekhor Shor #1, Shadal, R. D"Z Hoffmann, Cassuto