Divine Plurals/2

Divine Plurals

Exegetical Approaches

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Partnership with Others

The plural form is used because Hashem either consulted with, or actively created 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

Honorific Plural

Sources:R. Saadia GaonHaEmunot VeHaDeot 2:6About R. Saadia Gaon,

Way of the Text

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